Courses of Instruction

Olin Hall of Engineering 430
(213) 740-0484
FAX: (213) 740-8071
E-mail: jacquett@mizar.usc.edu

Chair: Richard E. Kaplan, Sc.D.

Associate Chair: Satwindar S. Sadhal, Ph.D.

Faculty

David Packard Chair in Manufacturing Engineering: Stephen C-Y Lu, Ph.D. (Industrial and Systems Engineering)

Smith International Professorship in Mechanical Engineering: Tony Maxworthy, Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering)

Professors: Charles Campbell, Ph.D.; M. Dravinski, Ph.D.; Terence G. Langdon, Ph.D., D.Sc. (Materials Science and Geological Sciences); Sami F. Masri, Ph.D. (Civil Engineering); Steven R. Nutt, Ph.D. (Materials Science); Larry G. Redekopp, Ph.D.* (Aerospace Engineering); Satwindar S. Sadhal, Ph.D.; F. Udwadia, Ph.D. (Civil Engineering and Decision Systems)

Associate Professors: Fokion Egolfopoulos, Ph.D.; Henryk Flashner, Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering); Paul K. Newton, Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering); Paul D. Ronney, Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering); Geoffrey R. Shiflett, Ph.D.; Bingen Yang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor: Yan Jin, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor: Eugene H. Trinh, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professors: Ramesh Guttalu, Ph.D.; Siavash Narimousa, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professors: Michael R. Bryant, Ph.D. (Ophthalmology); Fu-Sheng Ho, Ph.D.; Howard Pearlman, Ph.D.; Ming-Shin Wu, Ph.D.

Emeritus Professors: P. Roy Choudhury, Ph.D.*; C. Roger Freberg, Ph.D.*; Melvin Gerstein, Ph.D.; Clarke Howatt, M.S.; S. Lampert, Ph.D.; Robert Mannes, M.S., P.E.*; Martin Siegel, M.S., P.E.; James Vernon, M.S.M.E.

*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.

Mechanical Engineering Honor Society:

Pi Tau Sigma

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The requirement for the degree is 128 units. A scholarship average of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in mechanical engineering. See also general education in the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First Semester		Units
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry, or
MASC 110L	Materials Science	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
ME 101L*	Introduction to Mechanical Engineering and Graphics	3
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
		____
		15
First Year, Second Semester		Units
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
ME 150L	Introduction to Computational Methods in Mechanical Engineering	4
PHYS 151L**	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
General education	Social Issues	4
		____
		16
Second Year, First Semester		Units
ME 203	Mechanics I	5
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
General education		4
		____
		17
Second Year, Second Semester		Units
ME 205	Mechanics II	5
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
PHYS 153L	Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics	4
General education		4
		____
		17
Third Year, First Semester		Units
AE 309	Fluid Dynamics	4
AE 341aL	Mechoptronics Laboratory I	3
MASC 310	Mechanical Behavior of Materials	3
ME 310	Engineering Thermodynamics I	3
General education		4
		____
		17
Third Year, Second Semester		Units
AE 300	Technical Communications II	1
AE 341bL	Mechoptronics Laboratory II	3
ME 308	Computer-Aided Analysis for Aero-Mechanical Design	3
ME Core Electives***		6
General education		4
		____
		13
Fourth Year, First Semester		Units
ME 400	Senior Seminar	1
ME 404	Mechanical Engineering Problems	3
ME 441aL	Experimental Engineering	3
ME 451	Linear Control Systems Analysis	3
ME Design Elective****		3
Technical Electives		3
		____
		16
Fourth Year, Second Semester		Units
ME 409	Senior Design Project	4
ME 441bL	Experimental Engineering	3
Technical Electives		3
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
General education		4
		____
		17

Total units: 128

*Taken concurrently.
**Satisfies general education.
***Any upper division course in Mechanical Engineering.
****An approved ME design course (select from ME 408, ME 430, or any special topic design course).

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Petroleum Engineering)

The requirement for the degree is 131 units. A GPA of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First Semester		Units
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry, or
MASC 110L	Materials Science	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
ME 101L*	Introduction to Mechanical Engineering and Graphics	3
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
		____
		15
First Year, Second Semester		Units
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
ME 150L	Introduction to Computational Methods in Mechanical Engineering	4
PHYS 151L**	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, Waves and Sounds	4
General education		4
		____
		16
Second Year, First Semester		Units
ME 203	Mechanics I	5
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
General education		4
		____
		17
Second Year, Second Semester		Units
ME 205	Mechanics II	5
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
PHYS 153L	Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics	4
General education		4
		____
		17
Third Year, First Semester		Units
AE 309	Fluid Dynamics	4
AE 341aL	Mechoptronics Laboratory I	3
ME 310	Engineering Thermodynamics I	3
PTE 463L	Introduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media	3
General education		4
		____
		17
Third Year, Second Semester		Units
AE 300	Technical Communications II	1
AE 341bL	Mechanical Laboratory II	3
ME 451	Linear Control Systems I	3
PTE 464L	Petroleum Reservoir Engineering	3
ME Core Elective**		3
		____
		16
Fourth Year, First Semester		Units
ME 400	Senior Seminar	1
ME 404	Mechanical Engineering Problems	3
ME 408	Computer-Aided Design of Mechanical Systems	3
ME 441aL	Experimental Engineering	3
ME 451	Linear Control Systems Analysis	3
PTE 461	Formation Evaluation	3
PTE 465L	Drilling Technology and Subsurface Methods	3
		____
		16
Fourth Year, Second Semester		Units
ME 409	Senior Design Project	4
ME 441bL	Experimental Engineering	3
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
Technical Elective		3
General education		4
		____
		17

Total units: 131

*Taken concurrently.

**Any upper division course in ME.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing Engineering)

If a student chooses six courses (9 to 18 units) from a prescribed program, he or she may graduate with the special designation Area of Emphasis in Manufacturing Engineering on the transcript. Details are given under Manufacturing Engineering.

Minor in Music Recording

A minor in music recording is offered through the School of Music to provide undergraduate students with the background necessary to enter the field of recording engineering and to familiarize them with the design needs of modern recording equipment. The minor is recommended to mechanical engineering majors with extensive musical training who would like to combine their technical and musical abilities while learning the engineering applications of physical and mathematical principles to the art of music recording. See the listing under the School of Music.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Requirements for the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering are the same as set forth in the general requirements. Six of the required units must be in ME 525 and ME 526 or courses in engineering analysis approved in advance in writing by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The specific sequence of courses that constitutes an acceptable program must be approved in advance.

Requirements for Graduation Without Thesis, 27 units total with 3.0 GPA: ME 525 and 526 or approved mathematics (6); 500 level courses in major department (12); approved 400 or 500 level courses (9).

With Thesis, 27 units total with 3.0 GPA: ME 525 and 526 or approved mathematics (6); 500 or 600 level courses in major department (12) not including thesis; maximum ME 594ab - thesis (4); approved 400 or 500 level units (5) (a maximum total of eight units combining ME 590 and 594ab).

Recommended Programs of Study

The program of study depends upon the student's interest and background. Listed below are eight areas in mechanical engineering with specific courses identified. Courses in other combinations and from other departments within the university may be approved if a particular coordinated interest can be demonstrated. In some instances students whose undergraduate background is not in mechanical engineering may be required to take additional course work.

During the first semester at USC, students must consult a departmental faculty advisor in the area of concentration and draw up an approved study plan.

Dynamics and Vibrations Required courses: ME 521, 522, 523

Controls and Guidance Required courses: ME 451, 541, 542

Design Methodology Required courses: ME 503, 504, 509

Stress Analysis and Materials Required courses: ME 509, 559, 584

Continuum Mechanics Required courses: ME 506a, 509, 510

Heat Transfer Required courses: ME 457, 515, 516, 517

Combustion and Propulsion Required courses: ME 436, 513, 514

Fluid Dynamics Required courses: ME 457, 518, 519

Master of Engineering in Computer-Aided Engineering

The Master of Engineering program educates and trains multidisciplinary professionals in the use of computational techniques in the planning, design and management of engineering projects. The emphasized computer-aided engineering subjects are modeling, simulation, visualization, optimization, artificial intelligence and advanced design, documentation, manufacturing and information management. The program provides the graduate with advanced education in a particular engineering subject area, associated with aerospace, civil or mechanical engineering. This advanced engineering education is coupled with an intensive concentration in computational procedures appropriate for that subject area. The Master of Engineering program also includes substantial project work to provide a background in the application of CAE techniques in real world situations. See the listing under Computer-Aided Engineering.

Engineer in Mechanical Engineering

Requirements for the Engineer in Mechanical Engineering degree are the same as set forth in the general requirements. Six of the units required for the degree must be ME 690. Prior approval must be obtained from the committee before registration in ME 690.

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering is also offered. See general requirements for graduate degrees.