Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

About: The mechanical engineering program in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers comprehensive graduate education in a number of areas. The principal areas include dynamics and controls; manufacturing; materials and structures; mechanical design; and thermal and fluid systems. A wide variety of interdisciplinary programs meeting specific objectives are available. 

Term: Typically about 3 years

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  • Requirements
  • Course Information

Requirements

A Master of Science non-thesis program consists of:

  • A minimum of 30 credit hours.
  • At least 24 credit hours in the MAE department.
  • At least 9 credit hours of 6000-level lecture courses (of which at least 6 credit hours must be in the MAE department).
  • Note that no course below the 5000-level may be applied to the degree requirements.

Course Information

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Courses

Description

Introduction to fiber-reinforced composite materials and structures with emphasis on analysis and design. Composite micromechanics, lamination theory and failure criteria. Design procedures for structures made of composite materials. An overview of fabrication and experimental characterization.

Learning Objective

  1. Develop a foundational understanding of composite materials and their unique properties.
  2. Explore the micromechanics of composite materials, including the behavior of individual fibers and matrices.
  3. Understand lamination theory and its application to composite structures.
  4. Learn the criteria and methods for predicting and analyzing the failure of composite materials and structures.
  5. Gain proficiency in the design and analysis of composite structures.
  6. Explore the fabrication processes used in the production of composite materials and structures.
  7. Gain practical experience in experimental characterization and testing of composite materials.

Course Content

  • Introduction to Composite Materials
  • Micromechanics of Composite Materials
  • Lamination Theory
  • Failure Criteria
  • Design Procedures for Composite Structures
  • Fabrication of Composite Materials
  • Experimental Characterization of Composites
  • Case Studies and Applications

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Exams
  • Project

Description

The course covers the approach of concurrent product and process design. Topics include the principle of DFM, the New product design process, process capabilities and limitations, the Taguchi method, tolerancing and system design, design for assembly, and AI techniques for DFM.

Learning Objective

  1. Understand the principles and importance of Design for Manufacture (DFM) in product development.
  2. Learn the stages and key aspects of the new product design process.
  3. Analyze process capabilities and limitations to make informed design decisions.
  4. Gain proficiency in using the Taguchi method for optimizing product and process design.
  5. Develop skills in tolerancing and system design to ensure manufacturability.
  6. Master the concepts of Design for Assembly (DFA) and its impact on product manufacturing.
  7. Explore the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in optimizing DFM processes. 

Course Content

  • Principles of Design for Manufacture (DFM)
  • The New Product Design Process
  • Process Capabilities and Limitations
  • Taguchi Method in DFM
  • Tolerancing and System Design
  • Design for Assembly (DFA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Techniques for DFM 

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Exams
  • Project

Description

Product Life cycle design; Finding design solutions using optimization technique; Rapid product realization using rapid prototyping and virtual prototyping techniques.

Learning Objective

  1. Understand the product life cycle and its significance in design.
  2. Learn to find design solutions using optimization techniques.
  3. Explore rapid product realization through rapid prototyping.
  4. Master virtual prototyping techniques for product design and testing.

Course Content

  • Product Life Cycle Design
  • Optimization Techniques in Product Design
  • Rapid Product Realization with Rapid Prototyping
  • Virtual Prototyping for Product Design

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Exams
  • Project

Description

Emphasize design policies of concurrent engineering and teamwork, and documenting design process knowledge. Integration of product realization activities covering important aspects of a product life cycle such as "customer" needs analysis, concept generation, concept selection, product modeling, process development, and end-of-product life options.

Learning Objective

  1. Understand the principles of concurrent engineering and its role in product development.
  2. Emphasize teamwork and collaborative design approaches.
  3. Learn to document and manage design process knowledge effectively.
  4. Integrate product realization activities throughout the product life cycle.
  5. Analyze and meet customer needs through comprehensive needs analysis.
  6. Generate and evaluate design concepts effectively.
  7. Select and justify the most suitable design concepts.
  8. Develop product models for visualization and analysis.
  9. Create and optimize manufacturing processes.
  10. Explore end-of-life options and sustainability considerations.

Course Content

  • Understand the principles of concurrent engineering and its role in product development.
  • Emphasize teamwork and collaborative design approaches.
  • Learn to document and manage design process knowledge effectively.
  • Integrate product realization activities throughout the product life cycle.
  • Analyze and meet customer needs through comprehensive needs analysis.
  • Generate and evaluate design concepts effectively.
  • Select and justify the most suitable design concepts.
  • Develop product models for visualization and analysis.
  • Create and optimize manufacturing processes.
  • Explore end-of-life options and sustainability considerations.

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Exams
  • Project

Description

The course deals with uncertainties in engineering analysis and design at three levels - uncertainty modeling, uncertainty analysis, and design under uncertainty. It covers physics-based reliability analysis and reliability-based design, robustness assessment and robust design, their integration with design simulations, and their engineering applications.

Learning Objective

  1. Understand the concept of uncertainties in engineering analysis and design.
  2. Learn to model and quantify uncertainties in engineering systems.
  3. Perform uncertainty analysis to assess the reliability of engineering designs.
  4. Explore reliability-based design approaches for improving product performance.
  5. Assess robustness in engineering designs to account for uncertainties.
  6. Integrate uncertainty modeling, analysis, and design into simulations.
  7. Apply probabilistic engineering design principles to real-world engineering applications.

Course Content

  • Introduction to Uncertainties in Engineering
  • Uncertainty Modeling in Engineering Design
  • Probability Distributions and Statistical Analysis
  • Physics-Based Reliability Analysis
  • Reliability-Based Design Principles
  • Robustness Assessment in Engineering Design
  • Robust Design Techniques
  • Integration of Uncertainty Analysis with Design Simulations
  • Engineering Applications of Probabilistic Design

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Exams
  • Project

Description

Lectures cover the fundamentals of computer-aided design with emphasis on geometric modeling of curves, surfaces and solids, CAD/CAM data exchange, and computer graphics. In the lab session, students practice with commercial CAD/CAM systems including NX and SolidWorks to gain practical experience.

Learning Objective

  1. Gain a fundamental understanding of computer-aided design (CAD) principles.
  2. Learn the theory and practice of geometric modeling for curves, surfaces, and solids.
  3. Understand CAD/CAM data exchange formats and techniques.
  4. Explore computer graphics concepts as applied to CAD.
  5. Gain practical experience with commercial CAD/CAM systems such as NX and SolidWorks.
  6. Develop proficiency in creating, editing, and analyzing 2D and 3D models using CAD software.
  7. Apply CAD techniques to solve real-world engineering design problems.
  8. Collaborate effectively in a design and engineering team using CAD tools. 

Course Content

  • Geometric Modeling of Curves, Surfaces, and Solids
  • CAD/CAM Data Exchange Formats
  • Principles of Computer Graphics in CAD
  • Practical Experience with NX & SolidWorks CAD Software
  • Creating and Editing 2D Sketches
  • 3D Modeling and Parametric Design
  • Assembly Modeling and Analysis
  • Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) Using CAD
  • Engineering Drawing and Documentation
  • CAD Applications in Mechanical Engineering
  • Team Collaboration and CAD Data Management 

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Exams
  • Project

Description

Derivation of Navier-Stokes equations, analytical solutions of viscous flows; flow in pipes, flow networks; intermediate treatment of boundary layer theory; micro-fluidics and MEMS; introduction to numerical methods for solving fluid flows; and, preliminary treatise on turbulence.

Learning Objective

  1. Development and use of integral and point-wise forms of physical balance laws for fluids,
  2. Competency with key analytical results in fluid mechanics,
  3. Exposure to broad areas of fluid mechanics,
  4. Deeper understanding of fluid forces including pressure, viscosity, and
  5. Gravity, and finally,
  6. Familiarity with spatial variations

Course Content

  • Kinematics 
  • Reynolds Transport theorem
  • Balance laws 
  • Bernoulli’s equation hwk01
  • Energy equation
  • Piping losses
  • Control volumes 
  • CV Analysis
  • Inviscid, vorticity 
  • Lift, drag, potential flow 
  • Fundamental solutions
  • Superposition
  • Flow past cylinder 
  • Airfoils
  • Open-channel flow 
  • Balance laws 
  • Uniform flow
  • RVF, GVF 
  • Navier-Stokes equations
  • Stress tensor

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Midterm
  • Final Exam

Description

Further topics in orbital mechanics. Time equations, Lambert's problem, patched-conic method, orbital maneuvers, orbit determination, orbit design, and re-entry problem.

Learning Objective

  1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of electrostatics, electromagnetics, and charged particle motion.
  2. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of Debye lengths, plasma as a fluid, plasma as individual particles, diffusion and resistivity of plasma, and plasma Beta.
  3. Interpret a plasma probe diagnostic characteristic for different probe diagnostics used to interrogate plasmas.
  4. Explain the main components of a laboratory vacuum system.
  5. Describe typical computational techniques for plasma physics.

Course Content

  • Review of Electricity and Magnetism
  • Single Particle Motion
  • Plasma Kinetic Theory and Computational Techniques
  • Nonlinear Effects
  • Plasma Fluid
  • Diffusion and Resistivity
  • MHD Equilibrium
  • Laboratory Basics (Vacuum Systems, Plasma Sources)

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • HWs
  • Midterm Exam
  • Project 
  • Final Exam 

Description

Students will be introduced to the concurrent engineering approach to product development. They will learn to set up quantitative requirements and then use a quantitative rating process to identify the critical requirements relating to the desired product. The interaction between design, manufacturing, assembly, cost, and supportability will be covered. The students will form teams and practice the concurrent engineering process for simple products.

Learning Objective

  1. Introduce students to the principles and practices of concurrent engineering for product development, emphasizing a holistic and collaborative approach.
  2. Teach students how to establish clear and measurable requirements for products, enabling them to define critical specifications through a quantitative rating process.
  3. Foster an understanding of the intricate interplay between design, manufacturing, assembly, cost, and supportability aspects in product development. 

Course Content

  • Introduction to Concurrent Engineering
  • Opportunity Identification
  • Product Planning
  • Identifying Customer Needs
  • Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
  • Concept Screening/Scoring
  • Industrial Design
  • Project Management
  • Organizing Concurrent Engineering
  • Design Structure Matrix (DSM)
  • Design for Manufacturing
  • Design for Assembly
  • Technology Transition
  • Product Development Economics
  • Information Technology
  • Management Systems

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • Project 
  • Case Analysis 
  • Final Exam 

Description

Rigid-body kinematics, dynamics, and synthesis of mechanisms; cam-follower mechanisms; mathematical modeling of mechanisms containing elastic elements; transient and steady-state vibration response; parametric instability in elastic mechanisms; advanced topics in compliant mechanisms; high-performance mechanisms will be emphasized. Prerequisites: Vector & matrix analysis; introductory planar kinematic & dynamic analysis of mechanisms.

Learning Objective

  1. Develop students' proficiency in rigid-body kinematics and dynamics, enabling them to analyze and design mechanical systems effectively.
  2. Equip students with the mathematical tools and knowledge to model mechanisms containing elastic elements and analyze transient and steady-state vibration responses.
  3. Explore advanced topics in compliant mechanisms, parametric instability, and high-performance mechanisms, emphasizing cutting-edge developments in the field.

Course Content

  • Rigid-Body Kinematics and Dynamics
  • In-depth study of rigid-body motion and force analysis in mechanical systems.
  • Synthesis techniques for designing mechanisms.
  • Analysis and design of cam-follower mechanisms, including profile development and motion generation.
  • Mathematical techniques for modeling mechanisms with elastic components.
  • Consideration of compliance and elasticity effects on system behavior.
  • Transient and steady-state vibration analysis of mechanical systems.
  • Mitigation strategies and design considerations for vibration control.
  • Exploration of cutting-edge topics, including compliant mechanisms that flex and adapt to different loads.
  • Analysis of parametric instability in elastic mechanisms and its implications.
  • Emphasis on high-performance mechanisms designed for specialized applications.

Course Evaluation Criteria

  • Exams
  • Project