PDF version of this chapterCourses of Instruction
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME)
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
101L Introduction to Mechanical Engineering and Graphics (3, Fa) Gateway to the bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Introduction to mechanical engineering disciplines and practice; graphical communication and layout of machine parts; introduction to computer-aided drafting and drawing.
105 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering (4, Fa)Gateway to the Aerospace Engineering major. Introduction to flight vehicle performance and propulsion. Elements of the physics of gases. Laboratory: computers and graphics; model rocket and glider test flights.
150L Introduction to Computational Methods (4, Sp) Computer programming; organization of problems for computational solution; introduction to software for computation and graphics; applications to engineering problems. Corequisite: MATH 125.
201 Statics (3, FaSpSm) Analysis of forces acting on particles and rigid bodies in static equilibrium; equivalent systems of forces; friction; centroids and moments of inertia; introduction to energy methods. Prerequisite: MATH 125; recommended preparation: AME 101, PHYS 151L.
204 Strength of Materials (3, FaSp) Stress, strain and deflection of mechanical elements due to tension, shear, bending, or torsion; combined loads; energy methods, statically indeterminate structures; strength-based design. Prerequisite: AME 201 or CE 205.
261 Basic Flight Mechanics (4, Sp) Performance of flight vehicles; maximum speed, rate-of-climb, range, and endurance; basic stability and control, weight, and balance; computer exercises. Recommended preparation: AME 150L.
282 Astronautics and Space Environment I (3) Solar system, two-body problem, orbits, Hohmann transfer, rocket equation, space environment and its effects on space systems, sun, solar wind, geomagnetic field, atmosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere. Prerequisite: MATH 226, PHYS 152L.
291 Undergraduate Design Projects I (1, max 4, FaSpSm) Analysis, design, fabrication, and evalutation of devices intended for entry in local and national design competitions. Intended for lower division students or those with little prior project experience. Graded CR/NC.
301 Dynamics (3, FaSp) 2-D and 3-D kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies; systems of particles and rigid bodies; coupled rigid bodies; introduction to vibrations. Prerequisite: AME 201 or CE 205; recommneded preparation: PHYS 151L.
302 Dynamic Systems (3, FaSp) Modeling of lumped parameter elements and systems; free and forced response of first and second order systems; design oriented approach to dynamic systems. Corequisite: MATH 245; AME 309 or CE 309; AME 301 or CE 325.
303 Dynamics of Machinery (3, FaSp) Kinematics and dynamics of machines; balancing of rotating and reciprocating machinery; gyroscopic effects; critical speeds; energy variation in machinery; introduction to mechanism design. Prerequisite: AME 301 or CE 325.
305 Mechanical Design (3, FaSp) Design and analysis of mechanical elements including shafts, bearings, springs, screws, belts and gears; strength, fatigue and deflection considerations in machine design. Prerequisite: AME 204 or CE 225.
308 Computer-Aided Analysis for Aero-Mechanical Design (3, Sp) Introduction to the finite element method; practical application of computer analysis tools for structural Analysis and design. Recommended preparation: MATH 245.
309 Dynamics of Fluids (4) Fluid statics; conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in integral and differential form; applications. Laminar and turbulent pipe flow; compressible flow; potential flow over bodies. Recommended preparation: AME 310.
310 Engineering Thermodynamics I (3, FaSp) Fundamental laws of thermodynamics applied to actual and perfect gases and vapors; energy concepts, processes, and applications. Prerequisite: MATH 226; recommended preparation: PHYS 151L, high-level programming language.
311ab Thermal and Statistical Systems (3-3, FaSp) Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; kinetics of atoms, molecules, and photons; compressible fluid dynamics. Prerequisite: MATH 245, PHYS 153L.
312 Engineering Thermodynamics II (3, Sp) Application of thermodynamic principles to fluid flow, power cycles, and refrigeration. Prerequisite: AME 310; recommended preparation: high-level programming language.
331 Heat Transfer (3, Sp) General principles underlying heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation; steady flow and transient flow. Prerequisite: AME 310; corequisite: AME 309 or CE 309.
341abL Mechoptronics Laboratory I and II (3-3, FaSp) A coordinated laboratory and lecture sequence on aeromechanical instrumentation and device control stressing the symbiotic integration of mechanical, optical and electronic components. Prerequisite: PHYS 152L, MATH 126.
353 Aerospace Structures I (3, Fa) Shear and bending in symmetrical and unsymmetrical sections; torsion, column, and thin sheet analysis and design, including plastic failures and open section crippling.
380 Elements of Astronautics and Space Science (3, Sp) Sun and solar system. Spacecraft mission design; orbital maneuvers. Plasma; electromagnetic radiation. Solar wind; magnetospheres; ionospheres; magnetic storms; auroras. Elements of geophysics. Planets. Space instrumentation. Prerequisite: junior standing; recommended preparation: MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 226; PHYS 151L, PHYS 152L, PHYS 153L.
382 Astronautics and Space Environment II (3) Basics of spacecraft dynamics, Euler's equation, introduction to space plasma physics, spacecraft in plasma, radiation effects on space systems, space instrumentation: detectors, analyzers, spectrometers. Prerequisite: AME 282, PHYS 153L.
390 Special Problems (1-4) Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.
403 Stress Analysis (3, Sp) Theories of failure, shear center, unsymmetrical bending, curved beams, torsion of non-circular sections; cylinders, rotating discs, thermal stresses, inelastic strains, energy methods. Prerequisite: AME 204.
404 Computational Solutions to Engineering Problems (3, Fa) Mathematical aspects of the solutions to typical advanced mechanical engineering problems. Modeling, simulation, computational aspects, computer solutions, and computational tools. Recommended preparation: FORTRAN, MATLAB and Maple.
406 Automotive Engines (3, Irregular) Analysis of performance and operating characteristics of automotive engines; discussion of carburetion, ignition, fuels, lubrication, and emissions. Prerequisite: AME 312.
408 Computer-Aided Design of Mechanical Systems (3, Fa) Design of mechanical systems using advanced graphics techniques; computer-aided drafting, design optimization, elements of computer graphics, solids modeling; introduction to computer-aided manufacturing.
409 Senior Design Project (4, Sp) Modeling, analysis, integration, layout and performance analysis of a mechanical system to meet specified design requirements. Prerequisite: senior standing.
410 Engineering Design Theory and Methodology (3, Fa) Product planning and task clarification, voice of customers, quality function deployment, conceptual and embodiment design, axiomatic theory of design, product quality and manufacturability, design decision-making. Junior standing. Recommended preparation: AME 305.
412 Molecular Theory of Gases (3, Irregular) Molecular structure; intermolecular potentials; molecular processes in gases; molecular interpretation of concepts of classical thermodynamics; radiative transport phenomena in gases. Prerequisite: AME 310.
413 Fuels and Combustion Fundamentals (3, Irregular) Fuel properties related to combustion processes; fundamentals of combustion processes, standard combustion tests, and calculation of flame properties. Applications. Prerequisite: AME 312.
420 Engineering Vibrations I (3, Fa) Theory of free and forced vibrations with and without damping; systems of single and multiple degrees of freedom; iteration; methods; vibration isolation; instrumentation. Prerequisite: MATH 245.
428 Mechanics of Materials (3) (Enroll in CE 428)
429 Structural Concept Design Project (3) (Enroll in CE 429)
430 Thermal Systems Design (3, Fa) Design methodology for thermal systems; boilers, condensers, air conditioning systems, power plants and other systems with thermal energy interaction. Prerequisite: AME 312 and AME 331.
431 Thermal Design and Analysis of Electronic Equipment (3, Irregular) Cooling problems in electronic equipment; convective cooling; extended surfaces; cold plates; phase-change methods; thermoelectric cooling; Peltier refrigeration. Application to space avionics and modern computers. Prerequisite: AME 331.
436 Energy and Propulsion (3, FaSm) Performance and analysis of reciprocating, jet, rocket engines, and hybrid systems. Characteristics of inlets, compressors, combustors, turbines, nozzles and engine systems. Energy and environmental problems. Prerequisite: AME 310; AME 309 or CE 309.
441abL Senior Projects Laboratory (3-3) Individual engineering projects designed and constructed to model and test a physical principle or system. Recommended preparation: AME 341abL.
442abL Experimental Engineering (3-3, a: Fa; b: Sp) Experiments in: a: fluid flow, heat transfer, buckling, torsion, vibration; b: control of dynamic systems, feedback controller design and implementation using analog/digital computers. Technical reports: projects. Senior standing. Prerequisite: for a: AME 341bL; for b: AME 451.
451 Linear Control Systems I (3, FaSpSm) Transform methods, block diagrams; transfer functions; stability; root-locus and frequency domain analysis and design; state space and multiloop systems. Prerequisite: MATH 245.
452 Intermediate Kinematics (3, Irregular) Analytical solutions to problems in rigid body kinematics. Complex number and matrix formulations; degrees of freedom and constraint; applications to mechanism synthesis. Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing.
453 Engineering Dynamics (3, Sp) Principles of dynamics applied to mechanical and aerospace problems. Introduction to gyroscopic motion and rigid body dynamics. Prerequisite: MATH 245.
454 Aerospace Structural Design Project (3) Synthesis of aerospace structural systems with prescribed strength and stiffness constraints; project proposals; concept generation and preliminary analysis; evaluation of alternate design approaches; project management; technical presentations. Prerequisite: AME 353.
455 Introduction to MEMS (3, Sp) Introduction to micro-electro-opto-mechanical systems; scaling effects on material properties, fluid flows, dynamical behavior; fabrication methods; design considerations for MEMS sensors and actuators. Recommended preparation: AME 301, AME 309 and AME 310.
457 Engineering Fluid Dynamics (3, Fa) Laminar and turbulent boundary layer flow with and without heat transfer; boundary layer separation, stability, transition and control; introduction to compressible fluid flow. Prerequisite: AME 310; AME 309 or CE 309.
458 Theory of Structures II (3) (Enroll in CE 458)
459 Flight Mechanics (3, Fa) Applications of basic aerodynamics to aircraft and missile performance, power and thrust, stability and control, compressibility effects. Recommended preparation: AME 309.
460 Aerodynamic Theory (3) Basic relations describing the inviscid flow field about bodies and wings moving at subsonic and supersonic speeds. Prerequisite: AME 309.
461 Formation Evaluation (3) (Enroll in PTE 461)
462 Economic, Risk and Formation Productivity Analysis (4) (Enroll in PTE 462)
463L Introduction to Transport Processing in Porous Media (3) (Enroll in PTE 463L)
464L Petroleum Reservoir Engineering (3) (Enroll in PTE 464L)
465L Drilling Technology and Subsurface Methods (3) (Enroll in PTE 465L)
466 High-Speed Aerodynamics (3) Transonic and supersonic aerodynamics; application to high-speed airplanes. Prerequisite: AME 460.
473 Spacecraft Propulsion (3) Introduction to rocket engineering. Space missions and thrust requirements. Compressible gas dynamics. Propellant chemistry and thermodynamics. Liquid- and solid-fueled rockets. Nuclear and electric propulsion. Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing.
477 Solar System Exploration (3, Fa) Overview of current knowledge of solar system heliosphere, with emphasis on atmospheric and magnetospheric structure, including experimental methods of observation. Prerequisite: MATH 245.
480 Environmental Design and Control (3) Detailed analysis of psychometric, heat-transfer, and thermodynamic parameters affecting domestic, commercial and space environmental control; selection of equipment and instrumentation. Case studies. Prerequisite: AME 312, AME 331, and either AME 309 or CE 309.
481 Aircraft Design (4, Sp) Aircraft design and analysis, design requirements and specifications; integration of structure, propulsion, control system, and aerodynamic configuration; performance analysis and prediction. Recommended preparation: AME 309, AME 353.
482 Spacecraft Design (3, Fa) Spacecraft mission design, space environment, attitude determination and control, telecommunications, propulsion, structures and mechanisms, thermal control, power systems, launch systems and facilities. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing in engineering or physics.
483 Spacecraft Dynamics (3) Two-body motion, rigid-body motion, attitude dynamics and maneuvers, spacecraft stabilization: gravity gradient, reaction wheels, magnetic torques, thruster attitude control. Prerequisite: senior standing.
485 Molecular Gas Dynamics (3) Physical description of kinetic nature of gas flows; distribution function; introduction to the Boltzmann equation; free-molecule flow; surface and molecular reflection properties; Monte-Carlo flow calculations. Recommended preparation: AME 309 or AME 311b.
486 Fundamental Processes in High Temperature Gases (3) Fundamental collisional and radiative processes (ionic, atomic, and molecular); basic concepts and principles of microscopic approach to description of physical properties of energetic gas flow. Prerequisite: senior standing.
489 Numerical Methods in Engineering (3, Sp) Numerical techniques suitable for computer solution of roots of equations, integration, simultaneous algebraic equations, ordinary and partial differential equations, polynomial approximations, eigenvalue problems. Prerequisite: MATH 245; recommended preparation: FORTRAN or C programming.
490x Directed Research (2-8, max 8) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
491 Undergraduate Design Projects II (1, max 4, FaSpSm) Analysis, design, fabrication, and evaluation of devices intended for entry in local and national design competitions. Intended for students with prior project experience. Upper division standing. Graded CR/NC.
499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Course content to be selected each semester from recent developments in mechanical engineering and related fields.
501 Spacecraft System Design (3, Sp) System components; vehicle structure, propulsion systems, flight dynamics, thermal control, power systems, telecommunication. Interfaces and tradeoffs between these components. Testing, system reliability, and integration.
502 Systems for Remote Sensing from Space (3) The operation, accuracy, resolution, figures of merit, and application of instruments which either produce images of ground scenes or probe the atmosphere as viewed primarily from space. Prerequisite: graduate standing in engineering or physics.
503 Advanced Mechanical Design (3, Fa) Specific problems and methods of analysis in mechanical systems design.
504 Metallurgical Design (3, Sp) Relationship between metallurgical and environmental factors and the behavior of materials. Prerequisite: AME 303.
505 Engineering Information Modeling (3, Sp) Symbolic and object-oriented modeling, product and process modeling for design and manufacturing, information models for computer integrated and collaborative engineering, information modeling for life-cycle engineering.
506 Design of Low Cost Space Missions (3, Sp) Reviews all aspects of space mission design for practical approaches to reducing cost. Examines "LightSat" mission experience and potential applicability to large-scale missions. Prerequisite: graduate standing in engineering or science; recommended preparation: AME 501 or some experience in space engineering.
507 Mechanics of Solids I (3) (Enroll in CE 507)
508 Spacecraft Power Systems (3, Sp) Introduction to solar arrays, batteries, nuclear power sources, mechanical energy storage. Application theory of operation, practical considerations. Subsystem topologies and performance. Design optimization techniques. Graduate standing in engineering or science.
509 Applied Elasticity (3, Irregular) Condensed treatment dealing with engineering applications of the principles of elasticity, using the theories of elasticity, elastic stability, and plates and shells. Prerequisite: AME 403.
510 Introduction to Continuum Mechanics (3, Fa) Theories of continuous media such as linear and nonlinear theories of elasticities, theories of ideal, compressible and viscous fluids. Prerequisite: AME 525, AME 526.
511 Compressible Gas Dynamics (3, Sp) Thermodynamics, kinetic theory, compressible flow equations, shock and expansion waves, similarity, shock-expansion techniques and linearized flow applied to bodies, characteristics, theory of boundary layers.
512 Advanced Thermodynamics (3, Sp) Thermodynamics of irreversible processes; Onsager relations; kinetic theory; transport processes; statistical thermodynamics; ideal gas properties at high temperatures. Corequisite: AME 525 or AME 526.
513 Principles of Combustion (3, Sp) Thermochemistry, equilibrium, chemical kinetics, flame temperature, flame velocity, flame stability, diffusion flames spray combustion, detonation. Equations of motion including reaction, heat transfer, and diffusion.
514 Applications of Combustion (3, Fa) Discussion of combustion problems including pollution, fires, explosion hazards, furnace combustion chambers, combustors for reciprocating engines, jets and rockets. Both theoretical and empirical approaches. Prerequisite: AME 515 and AME 525 or AME 526.
515 Advanced Problems in Heat Conduction (3, Sp) Review of analytical methods in heat conduction; moving boundaries melting and freezing; sources and sinks, anisotropic and composite media; numerical methods for steady and unsteady problems. Prerequisite: AME 526, AME 331.
516 Convection Processes (3, Fa) Analysis of isothermal and nonisothermal boundary layers. Exact and approximate solutions of laminar and turbulent flows. Variable-property and high-speed effects; dimensional analysis. Prerequisite: AME 457; recommended preparation: AME 526, AME 331.
517 Radiation Heat Transfer (3, Fa) Radiation properties; black body radiation; shape factors of radiation network analogy and solar radiation. Prerequisite: AME 331; corequisite: AME 525 or AME 526.
518 Engineering Gas Dynamics (3, Sp) Analysis of compressible flows; subsonic, supersonic flows; shock waves as flow discontinuities; shock structure; supersonic inlets. Effects of friction, heat transfer; chemical reaction. Shock-expansion. Prerequisite: AME 457.
519 Advanced Fluid Dynamics (3, Fa) Kinematics and dynamics of flow of continuous media; Navier-Stokes equations; simplifications, exact, and approximate solutions; irrotational flows; hydrodynamic stability; turbulence; free shear flows. Prerequisite: AME 457.
520ab Physical Gas Dynamics (3-3, FaSp) a: Molecular structure; radiative processes; microscopic description of gas phenomena; translational, rotational, vibrational, and electronic freedom degrees; particle energy distributions; microscopic representation of thermodynamic functions. Prerequisite: graduate standing or departmental approval. b: Kinetic concepts in gas physics; thermal non-equilibrium; intermolecular potentials; transport of radiation and particles in high-temperature gas; dissociation and ionization equilibrium; energy relaxation. Prerequisite: AME 520a.
521 Engineering Vibrations II (3, Sp) Multi-degree of freedom systems; modal analysis. Rayleigh's quotient. Continuous systems; modal analysis. Beams, rods, membranes. Colocations, Galerkin, Rayleigh Ritz methods; finite elements. Prerequisite: AME 420.
522 Nonlinear Vibration (3, Fa) Response of nonlinear systems; qualitative and quantitative Analysis: state-space concepts, graphical, iterative, perturbation, asymptotic and approximate methods; periodic solutions, limit cycles; stability; point mapping. Prerequisite: AME 420, AME 525.
523 Random Vibrations (3, Irregular) Random processes, ergodic theory. Ito calculus. Linear systems under stationary and nonstationary excitations. Fokker-Planck equations. Failure analysis and first passage problems. Prerequisite: AME 420, basic probability (or MATH 407), AME 451 recommended.
524 Advanced Engineering Dynamics (3, Fa) Principle of virtual work, constraints, Lagrange's equations, Gibbs-Appell equations, Gauss's Principle, Theory of Rotations, dynamics of rigid bodies, Hamiltonian mechanics, Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Recommended preparation: AME 521, AME 525.
525 Engineering Analysis (3, Sp) Typical engineering problems discussed on a physical basis. Vector analysis; functions of complex variables, infinite series, residues.
526 Engineering Analytical Methods (3, Fa) Typical engineering problems discussed on a physical basis. Fourier series; Fourier integrals; Laplace transform; partial differential equations; Bessel function.
527 Elements of Vehicle and Energy Systems Design (3, Irregular) Design synthesis of aero/hydro/mechanical systems; techniques of design; conceptual thinking; problem definition, configurational development, analytic engineering approximation, oral briefings and group problem solving. Graduate standing.
528 Elements of Composite Structure Design (3, Sp) Compliance, strength, endurance properties of advanced composites are developed, including semi-monocoque structure, beams, plates, panels. Applications of theory to optimal design of components and systems. Graduate standing or departmental approval required.
529 Aircraft Structures Analysis (3, Sp) The direct stiffness (finite element) method for analysis of semimonocoque structures; energy methods; elasticity, plates and shells, vibration, and stability; system identification.
530ab Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (3-3, FaSp) A unified discussion of low-speed fluid mechanics including exact solutions; approximation techniques for low and high Reynolds numbers; inviscid flows; surface waves; dynamic stability; turbulence.
531 Aerodynamics of Wings and Bodies (3, Fa) Formulation of linearized theories for evaluating forces and moments on flight geometrics in subsonic and supersonic flow.
532ab Flight Vehicle Stability and Control (3-3) Response of flight to linear, nonlinear, and randomly defined disturbances. Generation and measurement of error signals in navigational systems. Stability and control techniques. Recommended preparation: AME 459.
533 Multi-Phase Flows (3, Sp) Physics of the interaction between phases, empirical and analytical methods of solution to relevant technological problems. Prerequisite: AME 457.
534 Lubrication, Friction, and Wear (3, Irregular) Theories of lubrication, friction, and wear; their application to the design of mechanical systems and components, including gears, bearings, clutches, and brakes.
535ab Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics (3-3, FaSp) a: Convergence, consistency, stability: finite difference, finite element, and spectral methods; direct and iterative procedures for steady problems; linear diffusion and advection problems; nonlinear advection problems. Prerequisite: AME 525. b: Generalized curvilinear coordinates; grid generation; numerical techniques for transonic and supersonic inviscid flows; boundary layer flows; reduced Navier-Stokes equations; compressible and incompressible viscous flows. Prerequisite: AME 535a; AME 511 or AME 530a.
536 Rotating Fluid Machinery (3, Irregular) Aerodynamics of compressors and turbines; subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flow characteristics; secondary flow and stall; stability; component matching of total engine; nondimensional representation of performance. Prerequisite: AME 312, AME 457.
537 Microfluidics (3, Fa) Introduction to fluid dynamics in the microscale. Scaling parameters, dynamic, thermodynamic, electroosmotic and electrochemical forces. Flow in microdevices, external flow measurement and control, microvalves and micropumps. Limited to students with graduate standing. Recommended preparation: AME 309, MATH 445.
540 Engineering Statistics (3, Fa) Definitions and concepts of statistics applied to mechanical testing and production: sampling, distributions, probability, variance, reliability, and quality control.
541 Linear Control Systems II (3, Fa) State space representation, linearization, solution of state equations; controllability and observability; state feedback, state observers; optimal control; output feedback. Prerequisite: AME 451.
542 Theory of Plates (3) (Enroll in CE 542)
543 Stability of Structures (3) (Enroll in CE 543)
544 Computer Control of Mechanical Systems (3, Sp) Computer control as applied to machine tools, mechanical manipulators, and other mechanical machinery; discrete time controller design; microprocessor implementation of motion and force control servos. Prerequisite: AME 451.
545 Modeling and Control of Distributed Dynamic Systems (3, Sp) Modeling and analysis of complex flexible mechanical systems; distributed transfer function synthesis; frequency-domain control methods; smart structure design; applications in vibration and noise control. Prerequisite: AME 521 and AME 541.
546 Basic Aeroelasticity (3, Irregular) Interaction of aerodynamic and structural forces. Static aeroelasticity: life effectiveness, divergence, reversal. Vibration and flutter: eigenvalues, introduction to unsteady aerodynamics. Computers: influence coefficient, modal solutions.
547 Advanced Aeroelasticity (3, Irregular) Transient, frequency, and random response: dynamic loads, atmospheric turbulence, numerical analysis, power spectral analysis; servo system interaction; unsteady compressible potential theory. Prerequisite: AME 546.
548 Analytical Methods in Robotics (3, SpSm) Homogeneous transformations; formal description of robot manipulators; kinematic equations and their solution; differential relationships; dynamics; control; static forces; compliance. Prerequisite: EE 545; EE 482 or AME 451; knowledge of linear algebra.
549ab Systems Architecting (3-3) a: Introduction to systems architecture in aerospace, electrical, computer, and manufacturing systems emphasizing the conceptual and acceptance phases and using heuristics; b: major research project. Prerequisite: B.S. degree in a related field of engineering; a before b.
550ab Seminar in Aerospace Engineering (1-1, FaSp) Recent developments and research in aerospace engineering and related fields. Oral and written reports. Graded CR/NC. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
552 Nonlinear Control Systems (3, Sp) Phase plane, describing functions, applications to mechanical and aerospace systems. Lyapunov direct and indirect methods, applications; Popov circle criteria applications. Prerequisite: AME 541.
553abL Digital Control Systems (3-1) (Enroll in EE 543abL)
556 Systems Architecture Design Experience (3, Sp) This course gives the student a design experience which mirrors the activities of a systems architect during the architecturing process. Interdisciplinary skills are emphasized. Prerequisite: AME 549a.
557 Space Exploration Architectures Concept Synthesis Studio (3, Sp) Programmatic/conceptual design synthesis/choice creation methods for complex space missions. Aerospace system engineering/Architecture tools to create innovative projects. Evaluated by faculty/industry/NASA experts. Graduate standing in engineering or science. Recommended preparation: AME 501 or experience in space industry.
558 Space Navigation: Principles and Practice (3, Sp) Statistical orbit determination: (weighted) least squares, batch and sequential (Kalman) processing, illustrative examples; online ephemeris generation: potentially hazardous asteroids, comets, satellites; launch: vehicles, payloads, staging. Graduate standing in engineering or science. Recommended preparation: AME 580.
559 Creep (3, Sp) Behavior of engineering materials at elevated temperatures; thermal stresses; creep mechanisms; interpretation of creep data; methods of predicting long-term strains.
560 Fatigue and Fracture (3, Irregular) Behavior of materials under cyclic and static fatigue; plastic instability; life-time predictions; brittle and ductile fracture; crack propagation and plastic blunting.
561 Dislocation Theory and Applications (3) (Enroll in MASC 561)
563 Dislocation Mechanics (3) (Enroll in MASC 563)
564 Computational Techniques in Rarefied Gas Dynamics (3, Irregular) Particle-based computational simulation methods for rarefied, high-speed flows. Molecular collision kinetics. Monte Carlo direct simulation and related techniques. Recommended preparation: AME 520a and skill in FORTRAN programming.
565 Theoretical and Computational Hypersonic Aerodynamics (3, Irregular) Introduction to concepts and features unique to high-speed flow for sustained atmospheric flight, and to current developments in asymptotic theory and numerical simulation. Recommended preparation: AME 511 or AME 531.
570ab Current Topics in Aerodynamics (3-3) Selected material of current engineering interest in aerospace engineering and related fields.
572L Experimental Engineering Projects (3) Experimental methods appropriate to engineering research, emphasizing interdisciplinary investigations. Individual projects.
573 Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion (3, Sp) Nuclear, electric, sails, and far-term propulsion systems. Overviews of nozzles, heat transfer, electromagnetics, rarefied gases, and plasma physics. Analysis of electrothermal, electrostatic and electromagnetic thrusters. Graduate standing in engineering or science. Recommended preparation: AME 473.
575 Advanced Engineering Analysis (3, Fa) Solution of engineering problems by methods of calculus variations, integral equations, asymptotic expansions. Prerequisite: CE 525ab or AME 525 and AME 526.
576 Advanced Engineering Analytical Methods (3, Sp) Solution of engineering problems by methods of linear and nonlinear partial differential equations of first and second order; perturbations. Prerequisite: CE 525ab or AME 525 and AME 526.
580 Orbital Mechanics I (3) Physical principles; two-body and central force motion; trajectory correction maneuvers; position and velocity in conic orbits; Lambert's problem; celestial mechanics; orbital perturbations.
581 Orbital Mechanics II (3, Fa) Theory of perturbations of orbits; numerical methods in orbital mechanics; satellite dynamics; averaging methods; resonance; mission analysis. Prerequisite: AME 580.
582 Spacecraft Attitude Control (3, SpSm) Review of attitude dynamics, gravity gradient stabilization, attitude stabilization with a spin, attitude maneuvers, control using momentum exchange devices, momentum-biased stabilization, reaction thruster control. Prerequisite: AME 451 or EE 482; recommended preparation: a course in dynamics.
583 Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (3) Dynamics of systems of particles and rigid bodies; spacecraft attitude systems; attitude maneuvers (spin, precession, nutation, etc.); attitude stabilization and attitude determination; simulation methods.
584 Fracture Mechanics and Mechanisms (3, Fa) Failure modes, stress concentrations, complex stress analysis, linear elastic fracture mechanics, yielding fracture mechanics, experimental methods, environmental assisted fracture and fatigue. Prerequisite: AME 403.
585 Space Environments and Spacecraft Interactions (3) Space environments and interactions with space systems. Vacuum, neutral and ionized species, plasma, radiation, micrometeoroids. Phenomena important for spacecraft operations.
586 Partially Ionized Plasmas (3) Review of microscopic processes involving particles and radiation, and their impact on properties of high-temperature gases and plasmas in local thermal equilibrium and non-equilibrium.
587 Gas-Surface Processes (3, Sp) Examination of the basic physical chemistry of the interaction of photons and low density gas phase particles with solid state materials. Recommended preparation: AME 585, AME 486.
588 Materials Selection (3, Sp) Materials selection in relationship to design and fabrication, economic considerations, methodology of selection, performance parameter; case studies.
589x Management for Engineers (4, Irregular) Fundamentals of Project Management, interpersonal management, technology and market assessment; multiple perspective analysis; decision making based on qualitative and quantitative data. Not open for credit to majors in Industrial and Systems Engineering.
590 Directed Research (1-12) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
594abz Master's Thesis (2-2-0) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.
599 Special Topics (2-4, max 9) Course content will be selected each semester to reflect current trends and developments in the field of mechanical engineering.
620 Aero and Hydrodynamic Wave Theory (3) Linear and nonlinear wave motion in fluids: group velocity, dispersion, wave action, wave patterns, evolution equations, solitons and solitary waves, resonance phenomena. Recommended preparation: AME 526 and CE 309.
621 Stability of Fluids (3) Linear and nonlinear stability analysis applied to free shear layers, boundary layers and jets; Rayleigh-Benard convective instabilities and centrifugal instability of rotating flows. Recommended preparation: AME 530b.
623 Dynamics of Stratified and Rotating Flows (3) Fluid motions in which density gradients and/or rotation are important, including internal wave motions with rotation, flow past obstacles, viscous effects, singular perturbations. Recommended preparation: AME 530b.
624 The Fluid Dynamics of Natural Phenomena (3) Application of the basic concepts of rotating, stratified fluid motion to problems in meteorology, oceanography, geophysics and astrophysics.
626 Singular Perturbation Methods (3) Asymptotic series, W.K.B. approximation, method of steepest descent, stationary phase; matched asymptotic expansions and method of multiple scales applied to ordinary and partial differential equations. Recommended preparation: AME 526.
630 Transition to Chaos in Dynamical Systems (3) Bifurcation theory and universal routes to chaos in deterministic systems; application to maps and differential flows; characterization of strange attractors. Recommended preparation: AME 526.
640 Advanced Theory of Elasticity (3) (Enroll in CE 640)
651 Statistical Theories of Turbulence (3) Stationary stochastic processes. Isotropic turbulence; governing equations for the velocity correlation and spectrum functions. Turbulent diffusion. Scalar fluctuations in a turbulent field. Recommended preparation: AME 530b.
652 Turbulent Shear Flows (3) Free shear layers. Turbulent flows in pipes and channels. Turbulent boundary layers. Effects of compressibility. Sound radiation by turbulence. Recommended preparation: AME 530b.
690 Directed Research (1-4, max 8) Laboratory study of specific problems by candidates for the degree Engineer in Mechanical Engineering. Graded CR/NC.
694abz Thesis (2-2-0) Required for the degree Engineer in Aerospace Engineering. Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.
790 Research (1-12) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.