Course Descriptions in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Undergraduate Courses in Mechanical Engineering

MEEN 1201. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering as a Career. (ENGR 1201) 2(1-3)

The art and practice of mechanical engineering and its role in society. Promotes critical and analytical thinking; gives basic skills for the engineering approach to problem-solving, engineering design process and reverse engineering; and introduces engineering ethics.

MEEN 1310. Computer Based Graphics and Design I. 3(2-3)

Introduction to computer-aided engineering design and analysis; principles of graphics, solid modeling, integrated applications of software in engineering drafting, design and problem solving.

MEEN 1320. Elementary Numerical Methods and Engineering Problem Solving. 3(2-3)

Engineering problem-solving using high level programming language and numerical computing software. Programming logic; linear algebra and matrices; solutions to systems of linear equations; interpolation and curve fitting; numerical integration and differentiation.

MEEN 2146. Engineering Measurements. 1(0-3)

Basic experimental techniques and instrumentation commonly found in industry. Experimental planning and analysis. ASTM methods introduced. Data acquisition means studied. Significance of data and presentation (written and oral). Computer usage and report writing emphasized. Prerequisites: MATH 2414, PHYS 2326/2126, MEEN 1320 or CSEN 2304 and CEEN 2301.

MEEN 2302. Mechanics II (Dynamics). (ENGR 2302) 3(3-0)

Kinematics of particles and rigid bodies; motion relative to translating and rotating reference frames. Kinetics of particles and rigid bodies: Newton's second law, work-energy and impulse and momentum. Introduction to vibrations. Prerequisites: CEEN 2301, MATH 2414 and MEEN 1320 or CSEN 2304.

MEEN 2355. Statics and Dynamics of Rigid Bodies. (ENGR 2303) 3(3-0)

Resultants of force systems. Equilibrium of rigid bodies. Friction. Centroids and moments of inertia. Kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies. This course cannot be taken for credit by CEEN and MEEN majors. Prerequisites: PHYS 2325/2125 and MATH 2414.

MEEN 3145. Material Science Laboratory. 1(0-3)

Tensile, impact, fatigue, hardness and hardenability, creep, phase and microstructure, corrosion testing and microscopic analysis. Ferrous and non-ferrous materials and polymers are studied. ASTM methods are introduced and applied. Introduction to data acquisition and recording. Reporting in both written and oral format. Prerequisite: CEEN 2301 or MEEN 2355 and MEEN 1310. Corequisite: MEEN 3344.

MEEN 3344. Materials Science. 3(3-0)

Atomic and crystal structure of materials. Chemical, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of engineering materials. Materials selection and design. Prerequisites: CHEM 1311/1111 and MATH 2413 and credit or enrollment in PHYS 2326.

MEEN 3347. Thermodynamics. 3(3-0)

Basic laws governing energy transmission. Thermodynamic properties of liquids and vapors, the ideal gas law and the behavior of ideal gases. Concept of reversible process. Prerequisites: MATH 2414, MEEN 1320 or CSEN 2304.

MEEN 3348. Heat Transfer. 3(3-0)

Fundamental laws relating to heat transfer including steady and transient heat conduction, forced, convection, natural convection and radiation. Introduction to heat exchanger design. Prerequisites: MEEN 3347, CHEN 3392 and MATH 3320.

MEEN 3349. Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes. 3(2-3)

Selection criteria for manufacturing processes, processing of castings, bulk deformation process, sheet metal working, polymer and polymer-matrix composite production, machining and welding processes. Prerequisite: MEEN 3344.

MEEN 3350. Design of Machine Elements. 3(3-0)

Application of principles of mechanics and physical properties of materials to the design of machine elements such as shafts, springs, power screws and gears. Prerequisites: CEEN 3311, MEEN 2302 and MEEN 3344.

MEEN 3352. Kinematics of Machines. 3(3-0)

Linkages, instant centers, velocities, accelerations and synthesis of mechanisms, cams gears and dynamic analysis of machines. Prerequisites: MATH 2414 and MEEN 2302.

In addition to the listed prerequisites for the following 4000 series courses, a student must have an overall grade point average of 2 or higher.

MEEN 4131. Mechanical Engineering Laboratory. 1(0-3)

Experimental investigation of mechanical engineering systems: engines, fluid flow, air conditioning, heat transfer devices, pumps and mechanical systems. Prerequisites: MEEN 3146, MEEN 3348.

MEEN 4263. Mechanical Engineering Design Projects I. 2(1-3)

Capstone design course emphasizing quantitative analytical/computer and experimental methods including optimization and simulation as applied to the design process for a broad range of practical problems in mechanical engineering. Integrates knowledge gained from all required mechanical engineering courses in a major system design project. Prerequisite: MEEN 3350.

MEEN 4264. Mechanical Engineering Design Projects II. 2(1-3)

Capstone design course emphasizing the application of analytical/computer and experimental methods to the solution of a broad range of practical problems in mechanical engineering. Integrates knowledge gained from all required mechanical engineering courses via the completion of a system design project. Prerequisite: MEEN 4263.

MEEN 4317. Internal Combustion Engines. 3(3-0)

Thermodynamics of cycles, comparison of characteristics and performance of several forms of internal combustion engines including Otto and Diesel types of piston engines. Fuels, combustion, injection and supercharging. Prerequisite: MEEN 3347.

MEEN 4335. Special Problems. V:1-3

Individual solution of selected problems in mechanical engineering conducted under direct supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for up to 6 semester hours. Prerequisite: senior standing.

MEEN 4336. Selected Topics. V:1-3

One or more topics of mechanical engineering. May be repeated when topic changes. Prerequisite: senior standing.

MEEN 4341. Application of Thermodynamics. 3(3-0)

Design of power and refrigeration systems, mixing (or separation), multiphase, air conditioning and energy conversion processes. Prerequisites: MEEN 3347 and MATH 3315.

MEEN 4343. Dynamics of Systems. 3(3-0)

Analysis of dynamic-mechanical, electrical, fluid and thermal system elements; modeling, analysis and design of physical, dynamic systems composed of these elements. Prerequisites: MATH 3320, MEEN 2302 and MEEN 1320.

MEEN 4344. Control of Systems. 3(2-3)

Analysis and design of controlled, dynamic, linear mechanical, electrical, fluid and/or thermal systems; introduction to concepts of stability, controllability, observability and to discrete time; sampled data control systems; optimal control systems and nonlinear control theory. Prerequisite: senior standing in Engineering.

MEEN 4345. Engineering Vibrations. 3(3-0)

Free and forced vibrations, degrees of freedom, energy methods, transients, harmonic analysis, damping. Prerequisites: MATH 3320 and MEEN 2302.

MEEN 4346. Computational Methods in Mechanical Engineering. 3(3-0)

Applications of numerical techniques to the solution of mechanical engineering problems. Prerequisites: MEEN 1320 and credit for or registration in MEEN 3348 or MEEN 3350.

MEEN 4348. Gas Dynamics. 3(3-0)

Basic concepts and fundamental equations of gas dynamics. Emphasis on the subsonic and supersonic steady flow. Analysis of shock wave phenomena. Prerequisites: MATH 3320 and credit for or registration in MEEN 3348.

MEEN 4349. Air Conditioning. 3(3-0)

Application of factors of temperature and humidity to the design of air conditioning systems. Design and applications of heating and cooling requirements, total energy systems, etc. Prerequisite: MEEN 3347.

MEEN 4351. Machine Design. 3(3-0)

Design techniques of brakes, clutches, bevel, worm and helical gears, thick cylinders, flywheels, impact and elastic bodies, curved beams, flat plates and cams. Prerequisite: MEEN 3350.

MEEN 4352. Design of Turbomachinery. 3(3-0)

Design and application of centrifugal and axial flow pumps and turbines, consideration of similarity parameters, real machine performance characteristics, materials and methods of construction, selection process for various applications. Prerequisites: MEEN 4341 and CHEN 3392.

MEEN 4354. Introduction to the Finite Element Method. 3(3-0)

Principles and applications of the finite element method. Matrix and vector operations, structure and organization of finite element computer programs. Structural and nonstructural elements and applications. Prerequisites: MEEN 1320, MATH 3320, CEEN 3311 and senior standing.

MEEN 4355. Robotics I. 3(3-0)

Analysis of methods of design and operation of robots and robotic systems. Kinematics and dynamics of manipulators, trajectory planning and motion control, sensing and vision, discussion of command languages and planning of job assignments. Prerequisite: senior standing.

MEEN 4371. Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. 3(3-0)

DHS and its two subordinate organizations; Coast Guard and FEMA can significantly benefit from the use of UAVs on its operations. In fact, DHS has recently started the use of UAVs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations along Texas-Mexico border. In late 2010, a UAV is based at NAS, Corpus Christi, TX. UAVs are increasingly being used by government agencies, such as DHS, Coast Guard, and U.S. Air Force. UAVs are emerging as a separate field within the aerospace industry. Currently, the need for educating/training technical personnel in this field is mostly satisfied by short workshops through continuing education activities.

UAVs have several advantages over manned aircrafts: (a) since a pilot is not required, the endurance limit is determined mainly by the fuel capacity. (b) UAVs can travel long distances without intermediate stops. (c) UAVs can carry a significant sensor payload. They have relatively less expensive cost of operation. The course will address topics including: Review of UAV Systems, Communications, Roles of Satellites, Payload, Image Capturing, Airframe and Propulsion Components, Survivability, Electronic Warfare, Launch and Recovery, Propulsion, Stability and Control. This course will be designed in a way suitable for all engineering and science major students. The level of technical knowledge of all science and engineering seniors should be satisfactory for the level required for this course. This course will cover the topics from a system point of view, components of the system, functional relations and interactions between the components, and give students practical working knowledge, rather than specific theory of the system and its components.

MEEN 4372. Resource Optimization for Homeland Security. 3(3-0)

This course will introduce students to the basic operation research problems in homeland security control, such as resource optimization, airport security, and patrol scheduling. Students will learn how to model the problems and use appropriate algorithms and technologies to solve them. Students will gain a detailed understanding of the homeland security problems, the operation research models and algorithms, and practice to use them in the homeland security applications. The following topics will be covered: Linear Programming, Simplex Method, Duality Theory and Sensitivity Analysis, The Transportation and Assignment Problems, Network Optimization Models, Dynamic Programming, Integer programming, Game Theory, Decision Analysis, Queuing Theory. This course will provide students the basic scientific knowledge on modeling and optimization and prepare them for the research on homeland security simulation and modeling. Any senior level engineering major student who has completed Calculus courses will be able to complete this course successfully without any other prerequisite.

MEEN 4373. Introduction to Information Analysis and Modeling in Security Engineering. 3(3-0)

This course will present the fundamental methods and tools used for information analysis and modeling related to homeland security. It will also introduce engineering and technical challenges of homeland security, including modeling and analysis, technological issues, command, control & situational awareness and data integration requirements. The course is to familiarize the students with the simulation of discrete, continuous and dynamic systems. Different scenarios in homeland security will be discussed and simulated using data from various national databases, such as global terrorism database. The course enables the students to develop the skills and experience in simulating homeland security systems using the advanced features in Arena, Visual Basic.net and other software. Particular attention will be focused on agent-based discrete event modeling methods. Using the knowledge from this course, the students are expected to be ready to join some ongoing DHS research projects, such as Complex Event Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (CEMSA) Project.

MEEN 4385. Manufacturing of Composites. 3(2-3)

Introduction to composites manufacturing processes; hand lay-up, air and oven curing, filament winding and pultrusion. Structural design criteria of marine, aerospace, chemical and civil structures applied. Practical case studies and projects. Prerequisites: MEEN 3344 and CEEN 3311. Purchase of lab supplies required.

Graduate Courses in Mechanical Engineering

MEEN 5301. Advanced Problems in Mechanical Engineering. V:1-4

Individual or group research on advanced problems conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Maximum credit 8 semester hours.

Advanced Manufacturing

MEEN 5303. Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering. V:1-3

One or more advanced topics. May be repeated when topic changes.

Advanced Composite Manufacturing
Advanced Mechanism Design
Renewable Energy
Computer Aided Geometric Design

MEEN 5305. Graduate Research Project. 3

A graduate research project must be completed and submitted to the Graduate Office for a grade to be assigned, otherwise IP notations are recorded. This course is specifically designed for Plan II and Plan III students. Prerequisite: departmental approval.

MEEN 5306. Thesis. 3

This course is for Plan I students. The course requires 6 hours of grades, the first 3 hours consisting of completion of a thesis proposal and the last 3 hours consisting of completion of the thesis. Completion of the thesis proposal is a prerequisite for enrollment in the last 3 hours of thesis.

MEEN 5313. Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering. 3(3-0)

Numerical methods for advanced analysis and design applications in Mechanical Engineering. Prerequisite: MATH 5372. (Credit may not be obtained in both MEEN 5313 and CEEN 5313.)

MEEN 5314. Finite Element Methods in Engineering. 3(3-0)

Principles and applications of the Finite Element Method: energy based variational principle methods, the principles of virtual work, weighted residual methods. Emphasis on structural and nonstructural elements and applications. Prerequisite: CSEN 2304 or equivalent.

MEEN 5318. Advanced Dynamics. 3(3-0)

Equations of motion in three dimensions. Derivation and application of Lagrange's equations. Vibrations of mechanical systems. Orbital mechanics. Prerequisite: MEEN 3355.

MEEN 5320. Theory of Elasticity. 3(3-0)

Discussion of the concept of stress, strain, deformations, strain compatibility and constitutive relations; formulation and solution of extension, bending, torsion and two- dimensional elasticity problems. (Credit may not be obtained in both MEEN 5320 and CEEN 5310.)

MEEN 5321. Advanced Fluid Mechanics. 3(3-0)

Equations of fluid mechanics: equations of continuity, motion, Navier-Stokes, energy and Bernoulli. Incompressible, laminar, turbulent and compressible flows.

MEEN 5322. Turbulent Flow. 3(3-0)

Stationary random functions. Correlation tensors. Wave number Space. Mechanics of turbulence. Energy spectrum. Dissipation and energy cascade. Turbulence measurements. Isotropic turbulence. Turbulent transport processes. Mixing and free turbulence. Wall- constrained turbulence.

MEEN 5325. Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems. 3(3-0)

Advanced systems concept of Computer Integrated Manufacturing System, definition of manufacturing and its various levels, planning and control of product movement through the production system, successful use of Automation, Robotics, Just-In-Time Manufacturing and Knowledge Based Systems. Prerequisite: MEEN 5303.

MEEN 5326. Control Systems Engineering. 3(3-0)

Analysis and design of controlled, dynamic, linear mechanical, electric, fluid and/or thermal systems; introduction to concepts of stability, controllability, observability and to discrete time, sampled data control systems, optimal control systems and nonlinear control theory. Prerequisite: MEEN 5328.

MEEN 5328. Dynamic Systems Engineering. 3(3-0)

Analysis of dynamic-mechanical, electric, fluid and thermal system elements; modeling, analysis and design of physical, dynamic systems composed of these elements.

MEEN 5330. Continuum Mechanics. 3(3-0)

Presentation of the fundamental laws of physics as applicable to a continuous medium in a unified viewpoint. Material is discussed in terms of Cartesian tensors. Topics covered include: vectors and indicial notation of tensors, tensor operations, stress, strain and deformation of continuous media in Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions. Applications to solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics are explored.

MEEN 5331. Advanced Materials Science. 3(3-0)

Formation of metallic materials, polymers and composite materials, both applications and properties including chemical resistance and mechanical properties such as elasticity, creep and fracture. Prerequisite: MEEN 3344.

MEEN 5335. Advanced Robotics and Automation. 3(3-0)

MEEN 5337. Engineering Analysis in Applied Mechanics. 3(3-0)

Simultaneous Equations - Equilibrium, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors; Extreme Values of Functions; Calculus of Variations; Extremum Principles of Thermodynamics; Stationarity and Extremum Principles of Solid Mechanics; Equations of Motion and the Stationarity Principles of Lagrange and Hamilton. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of instructor.

MEEN 5339.Computer Aided Geometric Design.3(3-0)

Introduction of affine maps, barycentric coordinates, piecewise linear interpolation, tessellation and triangulation. Bezier and B-Spline curves and surfaces. Techniques for constructing curves, surfaces and solids.

MEEN 5345. Conduction and Convection Heat Transfer.3(3-0)

Theory of steady-state and transient heat conduction and theory of convective transport combined with boundary layer theory. Prerequisite: MEEN 3348.

MEEN 5347. Advanced Thermodynamics. 3(3-0)

The equations of state for various systems are given extensive treatment. Prerequisite: MEEN 3347

Graduate Courses in Industrial Engineering

IEEN 5301. Advanced Problems in Industrial Engineering. V:1-3

Individual or group research on advanced problems conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Maximum credit 6 semester hours.

IEEN 5303. Advanced Topics in Industrial Engineering. V:1-3

One or more advanced topics. May be repeated when topic changes.

IEEN 5305. Graduate Research Project . 3

IEEN 5306. Thesis. 3

IEEN 5313. Inventory Systems. 3(3-0)

Deterministic/stochastic systems with static/dynamic models. Use of forecasting techniques. Practice of inventory management, manual and computerized procedures and MRP. Case studies in inventory systems management. Prerequisite: 3 hours undergraduate Production and Inventory Control or equivalent.

IEEN 5314. Activity Scheduling. 3(3-0)

Deterministic/stochastic sequencing problems with static/dynamic models. Problems involving single and multiple facilities (flow shop, job shop). Problems involving different measure of effectiveness, solution techniques (optimizing, heuristic). Industrial scheduling problems. Prerequisite: IEEN 5313.

IEEN 5315. Nonlinear Programming. 3(3-0)

Quantitative procedures for optimization techniques; steepest ascent/descent; gradient methods. Nonlinear problems such as quadratic programming, geometric programming, convex programming, separable programming, etc. Prerequisite: 6 hours of undergraduate operations research or equivalent and graduate standing.

IEEN 5321. Computer Application of Statistical Methods in Engineering. 3(3-0)

Extreme value distributions, multivariate normal distribution, simple and multiple regression analyses, analysis of variance, time series analysis, a survey of nonparametric statistics, chi square, t and F distributions. Prerequisite: undergraduate course in Applied Methods in Engineering Statistics or the equivalent.

IEEN 5322. Computer Simulation of Industrial Systems. 3(3-0)

Introduction to simulation, a survey and application of computer languages suitable for Monte Carlo simulation of random processes, model construction, advantages and shortcomings of simulation techniques, programming with simulation languages.

IEEN 5323. Occupational Biomechanics. 3(3-0)

Study of the structure and function of musculo-skeletal system of the human body, kinetic and kinematic models, link segment diagrams and 3-D static modeling. Applying bio- instrumentation to determine the human performance, work capacity and muscle strength evaluation. Biomechanical considerations in machine control and work place design.

IEEN 5324. Ergonomics. 3(3-0)

Application of ergonomic principles to the work environment. Design of the system to fit and interact with the human operator. Collection and utilization of anthropometric data in the design of workstations, tools, safety equipment and VDT workstations. Study of the interaction between human operator and the environment including the effect of noise, improper lighting, vibration, heat and cold on physical and mental performance.

IEEN 5325. System Safety. 3(3-0)

Application of engineering design and management of industrial prevention models along with ethical responsibilities to eliminate, prevent or control hazards throughout the life cycle of a project, program, procedure or activity.

IEEN 5326. Economic Decision Theory. 3(3-0)

Sources of information, prediction and judgment, subjective probability bidding policy. Statistical decision theory including utility functions, risk and uncertainty, min-max and Bayes strategy. Prerequisite: IEEN 5329 or equivalent.

IEEN 5328. Reliability Theory. 3(3-0)

Reliability analysis with emphasis on the exponential, Weibull, gamma, log normal and extreme value distributions; reliability of systems, redundancy; maintainability and availability. Prerequisite: IEEN 5313.

IEEN 5329. Advanced Engineering Economic Analysis. 3(3-0)

Continuation of Engineering Economic Analysis including funds flow, utility, price changes, investment, growth, replacement, taxes, capital budgeting and managerial economics. Prerequisite: 3 hours undergraduate course in Engineering Economic Analysis or equivalent.

IEEN 5330. Computer Integrated Engineering Design. 3(3-0)

Overview to the fundamental principles and concepts underlying CAD/CAD/CAE systems. Emphasis on three dimensional parametric and feature-based CAD/CAM systems. Introduction to the concurrent design approach - design for manufacturing, design for assembly, design for reliability, design for maintainability are introduced. Applications of artificial intelligence in CAD/CAM system. Enhancement of student=s application and development skills of CAD/CAM software.

IEEN 5331. Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems. 3(3-0)

Advanced systems concept of Computer Integrated Manufacturing Advanced system, definition of manufacturing and its various levels, planning and control of product movement through the production systems, successful use of Automation, Robotics, Just- In-Time Manufacturing and Knowledge Based Systems. Prerequisite: MEEN 5303.

IEEN 5332. Manufacturing System Design. 3(3-0)

Systematic description of the underlying behavior of manufacturing systems. Topics include basic factory dynamics, corrupting influence of variability, push and pull production systems, human element in manufacturing systems design and supply chain management.

IEEN 5334. Lean Manufacturing. 3(3-0)

Identifying key Lean concepts for manufacturing and defining these concepts for products/process design. Understanding Lean terminology, value stream mapping for manufacturing systems, design of Lean equipment, product cell design, operator job design and five steps to kaizen. Lean manufacturing approach to help reduce manufacturing costs, reduce or eliminate waste and increase profit margins.

IEEN 5335. Principles of Optimization. 3(3-0)

Nonlinear Optimization: convexity, Kuhn-Tucker conditions, theory of duality. Linear and combinatorial optimization. Dynamic optimization. Prerequisite: 6 hours of undergraduate operations research or equivalent.

IEEN 5336. Linear Programming and Extensions. 3(3-0)

Theory of linear programming including the simplex method, duality, sensitivity analysis, decomposition principles, the transportation problem and integer programming. Prerequisite: IEEN 5335 or equivalent.