Course Recommendations for MEEM Graduate Students - Fall 2024 | Mechanical Engineering Graduate Advising

Unlike undergraduate degree programs, graduate degrees are flexible, so students can tailor the program to their goals and interests. An MS student can take courses of their choosing as long as they conform to the degree requirements found here.

The normal semester course load is 9 to 11 credits (3 courses), and coursework students are limited to 12 credits of 4000-level, including math, most often at 4000-level. Math the first semester is not required and not always a good thing as you are just starting your graduate career, adjusting to a new academic and cultural environment, and math courses can be challenging. Keep this in mind when selecting courses. The following list is lengthy. Course titles in red are outside of MEEM. Some courses are listed in more than one category.

Prerequisites Are Enforced in ME-EM

Many of the 4000-level and some 5000-level courses have required prerequisites. You may have had the prerequisite course at your prior institution, but our registration system does not know that. If you get a prerequisite error for a MEEM course, submit the waiver request here.

Waivers are processed in the order submitted, with those having the published prerequisite course first. Waivers are not intended to allow you into a course for which you are unprepared. Waivers are to override the registration system for similar classes. Content, not course title, determines course equivalency.

Required Courses

MEEM 6000 Graduate Seminar (2 credits required for on-campus MS, 1 may be substituted by co-op(s)).
Presentations and seminars on issues related to mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics. It may include invited speakers from industry, government labs, and academia. It is strongly recommended that you take the seminar in your first semester. NOTE: Seminar courses in other departments cannot be used as a substitute for MEEM 6000 or for credit toward any MEEM degree.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). All graduate students are required to complete Basic RCR and Advanced RCR. Basic RCR is most easily completed by attending the required Graduate Orientation on the date specified in your acceptance letter. Advanced RCR must be completed after you are here and by the end of your second semester, or you will not be permitted to register. There are options for completing Advanced RCR that you will learn after you arrive. More information can be found here.

Mathematics. The MS requires 3 credits of math. The credits must come from MA-department 4000 level or higher courses and be mathematical tools, such as differential equations, linear algebra, regression analysis, etc. It may not be a math appreciation course like History of Math. The only other course outside MA that can be counted is MEEM 5800 Advanced Engineering Mathematics, which is offered in the summer.

On-Line courses

Courses offered with online sections (+OL) are only for distance-learning online students and are unavailable to on-campus students. However, a student on CPT can take online courses.

Special Topics

MEEM5990/6990 Study of selected subjects related to mechanical engineering or engineering mechanics. This course requires a faculty member to agree to offer credit to a student under an agreed-upon subject, assessment, and deliverables. Faculty members should work with the student and the Director of Graduate Studies to document the course description. The outcome should contain the same basic information as a typical course syllabus. In addition to the course description, the course deliverables (exams, homework, and/or report, etc.) and their relative contribution to determining the final grade must be included.

Coursework MS students may take a total of 4 credits of Special Topics spread over a maximum of 2 occurrences, with a maximum of 3 credits in any occurrence. A Thesis or Report MS student may take a total of 3 credits of Special Topics spread over a maximum of 2 occurrences, with a maximum of 3 credits in any occurrence.

Courses in Topic Areas

The courses listed below are for reference only and are subject to change. For the list of set course offerings, please consult Banweb. A Thesis or Report MS student may take a total of 3 credits of Special Topics spread over a maximum of 2 occurrences, with a maximum of 3 credits in any occurrence.

Design and/or Manufacturing

MEEM 4150 Intermediate Mechanics of Materials
Basic concepts of three-dimensional stress and strain. Inelastic behavior of axial members, circular shafts and symmetric beams. Deflections of indeterminate beams. Unsymmetrical bending, shear flow and shear center for open sections. Energy methods for structures made up of one-dimensional elements. Introduction to theories of failures.

MEEM 4430 Advanced CAD and CAM Methods
Students apply advanced solid modeling techniques to construct solid models of mechanical systems, document the design using GD&T conventions as per ASME standards, simulate the motion of the system, and learn the computer aided manufacturing and additive manufacturing techniques.

MEEM 4701 Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis
Combined experimental and analytical approach to mechanical vibration issues; characterization of the dynamic behavior of a structure in terms of its modal parameters; digital data acquisition and signal processing; experimental modal analysis procedures; parameter estimation for obtaining modal parameters; model validation and correlation with analytical models; structural dynamics modification.

MEEM 5110 Continuum Mechanics/Elasticity (+OL)
Covers the development of Cartesian tensors and indicial notation applied to vector analysis; analysis of stress, principal stresses, invariants, strain tensors, material derivatives, and continuity equations; basic conservation laws and constitutive relationships; the theory of elasticity, including 2-D problems in plane stress/strain, stress functions, and 3-D problems with polar symmetry.

MEEM 5170 Finite Element Methods in Engineering (+OL)
Presents fundamental concepts of variational methods including Rayleigh-Ritz technique. Introduces foundations of finite element modeling through direct method, variational method, and weighted residual method. Reviews elements commonly used in static structural analysis and heat transfer problems. Advanced topics such as nonlinearity and time-dependent problems may also be discussed.

MEEM 5640 Micromanufacturing Processes
Introduction, analysis and reporting of the processes and equipment for fabricating microsystems and the methods for measuring component size and system performance. Fabrication processes include microscale milling, drilling, diamond machining, and lithography. Measurement methods include interferometry and scanning electron microscopy.

MEEM 5650 Advanced Quality Engineering
Concepts and methods for quality and productivity improvement. Topics include principles of Shewhart, Deming, Taguchi; meaning of quality: control charts for variables, individuals, and attributes; process capability analysis; variation of assemblies; Monte Carlo simulation, multi-variate situations; and computer-based workshops. No credit for both MEEM4650 and MEEM5650.

MEEM 5655 Intro to Lean Manufacturing (+OL)
Introduces lean manufacturing tools, techniques, and practices. Topics include Muda, 5S, visual factory, VSM, theory of constraints, standardized work, pull system, SMED, TPM, and lean assessment. Additional case studies and manufacturing process simulation-based projects are also used for assessing and improving processes.

MEEM 5702 Analytical Vibroacoustics (+OL)
First in a series of two courses on vibro-acoustics to provide a unified approach to study noise and vibration. Emphasizes interaction between sound waves and structures. Presents advanced vibration concepts with computational tools. Discusses wave-modal duality.

MSE 4100 Mech. Behavior of Materials
An introduction to the deformation and fracture behavior of materials. Topics include multiaxial stress and strain, elastic and plastic deformation, hardening mechanisms, viscoelasticity, fracture, fatigue, creep, and microstructure/property relationships.

MSE 4110 Intro to Polymer Engineering
Introductory study of polymeric materials and polymer engineering. Basics in polymer science including molecular characteristics, synthesis, structure and properties of polymers, with strong emphasis on thermodynamics of polymers. Various processing techniques and mechanical/ structural applications of polymers.

MSE 4310 Principles of Metal Casting
Principles of metal casting, including melting practice, casting design, mold design, heat transfer and solidification, fluid flow and gating design. Introduction to computer simulation techniques for mold filling, solidification, and development of residual stress. Structure-property relations in cast metals. Recycling and environmental issues of the cast metals industry.

MSE 5140 Mechanical Behavior of Matls
Deformation-related physical behaviors of materials in the mathematical framework of tensor analysis. Material symmetry and tensor property. Stress, strain, and elastic constitutive relation. Non-elastic strain, thermomechanical, electromechanical, and magneto-mechanical behaviors.

EET 5144 Real-Time Robotics Systems
Covers the components of a robot system, safety, concepts of a work-cell system, geometry, path control, automation sensors, programming techniques, hardware, and software.

ENG 5510 Sustainable Futures I
Covers introductory and intermediate concepts of Sustainable Development. Explores methods/tools for assessing sustainability (economic, environmental, societal impacts) of current and emerging industrial technologies. Explores relationships between government policies and markets for introducing sustainable technologies into national economies and corporations.

Energy, Thermo-Fluids, Alternative & Renewable Energy

MEEM 4202 Applied Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer (+OL)
Fluid mechanics and heat transfer topics are covered. These include control volume forms of balance laws for viscous flows, dimensional analysis, steady and unsteady heat conduction, isothermal and non-isothermal internal flows, and simple heat-exchanger considerations.

MEEM 4210 Computational Fluids Engineering (+OL)
This course introduces students to computational methods used to solve fluid mechanics and thermal transport problems. Computer-based tools are used to solve engineering problems involving fluid mechanics and thermal transport.

MEEM 4220 Internal Combustion Engines
This course teaches the operational principles of spark-ignition and compression-ignition internal combustion engines through the application of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. Course studies engine performance, efficiency, and emissions using cycle-based analysis, combustion thermochemistry, and compressible fluid flow.

MEEM 4240 Combustion & Air Pollution
Introduces sources of emissions from combustion, applies thermo-chemical principles to model the formation of pollutants, and identifies impacts of air pollutants on the environment and human health. Addresses pollution regulation and societal impacts including emissions, climate change, and air quality.

MEEM 5210 Advanced Fluid Mechanics (+OL)
Develops control volume forms of balance laws governing fluid motion and applies to problems involving rockets, pumps, sprinklers, etc. Derives and studies differential forms of governing equations for incompressible viscous flows. Some analytical solutions are obtained and students are exposed to rationale behind computational solution in conjunction with CFD software demonstration. Also covers qualitative aspects of lift and drag, loss of stability of laminar flows, turbulence, and vortex shedding.

MEEM 5215 Computational Fluids Engineering (+OL)
Introduces computational methods used to solve fluid mechanics and thermal transport problems. Discusses theoretical and practical aspects. Modern computer-based tools are used to reinforce principles and introduce advanced topics in fluid mechanics and thermal transport.

MEEM 5235 Wind Energy
Students will be introduced to the underlying principles of wind energy conversion, including wind turbine design, aerodynamics, construction, control, and operation. The evaluation of concurrent aspects such as wind resource turbine siting, grid integration, and environmental and social impact will be covered.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles – Automotive

MEEM 4202 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer
Fluid mechanics and heat transfer topics are covered. These include control volume forms of balance laws for viscous flows, dimensional analysis, steady and unsteady heat conduction, isothermal and non-isothermal internal flows, and simple heat-exchanger considerations.

MEEM 4295 Intro Propulsion Sys for HEV (+OL)
Hybrid electric vehicle analysis will be developed and applied to examine the operation, integration, and design of powertrain components. Model based simulation and design is applied to determine vehicle performance measures in comparison to vehicle technical specifications. Power flows, losses, energy usage, and drive quality are examined over drive-cycles via application of these tools.

MEEM 4296 Intro Prop Sys for HEV Lab
Hybrid electric vehicles and their powertrain components will be examined from the aspects of safety, testing and analysis, energy conversion, losses, and energy storage, and vehicle technical specifications and vehicle development process. The lab will culminate with vehicle testing to perform power flow and energy analysis during a drive-cycle.

MEEM4707 Autonomous Systems
The main concepts of autonomous systems will be introduced, including motion control, navigation, and intelligent path planning and perception. This is a hands-on project-based course. Students will have the opportunity to work with mobile robotics platforms.

MEEM 4775 Control System Analysis & Design (+OL)
This course covers topics of control systems design. The course includes a review for modeling of dynamical systems, stability, and root locus design. Also covers control systems design in the frequency domain, fundamentals of digital control, and nonlinear systems. This course may have very strict prerequisite content.

MEEM 5700 Dynamic Measurements & Signal Analysis
Assessment of measurement system requirements: transducers, conditioners, and displays of dynamic measurands. Time-, frequency-, probabilistic-, and correlative-domain approaches to dynamic signal analysis: sampled data, discrete Fourier transforms, digital filtering, estimation errors, system identification, calibration, and recording. Introduction to wavelet analysis. All concepts are reinforced in laboratory and simulation exercises.

MEEM 5715 Linear Systems (+OL)
Overview of linear algebra, modern control; state-based design of linear systems, observability, controllability, pole placement, observer design, stability theory of linear time-varying systems, Lyapunov stability, optimal control, linear quadratic regulator, Kalman filter.

MEEM 5750 Distributed Embedded Control Systems
This course introduces embedded control system design using a model-based approach. Course topics include model-based embedded control system design, discrete-event control, sensors, actuators, electronic control unit, digital controller design, and communications protocols. Prior knowledge of hybrid electric vehicles is highly recommended.

MEEM 5811 Automotive Systems (+OL)
Automotive systems for light-duty vehicles are examined from the perspectives of requirements, design, technical, and economic analysis for advanced mobility needs. This course links the content for the automotive systems graduate certificate in controls, powertrain, vehicle dynamics, and connected and autonomous vehicles.

MSE 5760 Vehicle Batt Cells and Systems
The behavior and application of batteries will be examined by introducing concepts from thermodynamics, materials science, transport processes and equivalent circuits. The non-ideal power source behavior of rechargeable batteries in applications will be treated using electrolyte: electrode transport and electrode materials chemistry. Prior exposure to freshman chemistry, elementary electrical circuits, and elementary transport theory is assumed.

Noise, Vibration, Harshness, Dynamic Systems, Controls

MEEM 4775 Control System Analysis & Design (+OL)
This course covers topics of control systems design. Course includes a review for modeling of dynamical systems, stability, and root locus design. Also covers control systems design in the frequency domain, fundamentals of digital control and nonlinear systems.

MEEM 5110 Continuum Mechanics/Elasticity
Covers development of Cartesian tensors and indicial notation applied to vector analysis; analysis of stress, principal stresses, invariants, strain tensors, material derivatives, and continuity equations; basic conservation laws and constitutive relationships; the theory of elasticity, including 2-D problems in plane stress/strain, stress functions, and 3-D problems with polar symmetry.

MEEM 5680 Optimization I
Provides introductory concepts to optimization methods and theory. Covers the fundamentals of optimization, which is central to any problem involving engineering decision making. Provides the tools to select the best alternative for specific objectives.

MEEM 5700 Dynamic Measurements & Signal Analysis (+OL)
Assessment of measurement system requirements: transducers, conditioners, and displays of dynamic measurands. Time-, frequency-, probabilistic-, and correlative-domain approaches to dynamic signal analysis: sampled data, discrete Fourier transforms, digital filtering, estimation errors, system identification, calibration, recording. Introduction to wavelet analysis. All concepts reinforced in laboratory and simulation exercises.

MEEM 5702 Analytical Vibroacoustics (+OL)
First in a series of two courses on vibroacoustics to provide a unified approach to study noise and vibration. Emphasizes interaction between sound waves and structures. Presents advanced vibration concepts with computational tools. Discusses wave-modal duality.

MEEM 5750 Distributed Embedded Control Systems
This course introduces embedded control system design using model-based approach. Course topics include model-based embedded control system design, discrete-event control, sensors, actuators, electronic control unit, digital controller design, and communications protocols. Prior knowledge of hybrid electric vehicles is highly recommended.

Solid Mechanics & Computational Mechanics

Cyber-Physical Systems

MEEM 5300 Cyber Security of Industrial Control Systems (+OL, This online course CAN be taken by on-campus students.)
General introduction to ICS systems security and critical infrastructure, including but not limited to threat and vulnerability analysis, industrial networks, survey of attacks, etc.

Broadening Courses for All Technical Areas (permission required for BA & EC courses)

BA 5700 Managing Behavior in Organizations
Discusses managing effectively within the environmental context of the organization. Topics include corporate culture, managing in a global environment, planning and strategy, organizational structure, human resources management, managing change, leadership, motivation, communication, conflict management, and teamwork.

BA 5800 Marketing, Tech, & Globalization
The course facilitates students’ improvement of analytical skills, information processing techniques, and cultural competence in the globalized marketing environment. Focuses are placed on strategic marketing management, high-tech product marketing, global consumer behavior, branding, and online marketing.

EC 5650 Environmental Economics
Considers the efficient and equitable use of environmental resources. Measures the benefits and costs of decreasing pollution and protecting scarce ecological resources; addresses market failures and the economic valuation of environmental amenities. Requires students to learn quantitative and technical techniques to determine the efficient use of resources.

Course Recommendations for MEEM Graduate Students – Fall 2024