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University Bulletin: Undergraduate Programs The George Washington University  

 
   
 

MECHANICAL AND AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

Professors C.A. Garris, J.D.-Y. Lee, Y.-L. Shen, A.D. Cutler, S.M. Hsu, D.S. Dolling, M.W. Plesniak (Chair)

Associate Professors M. Keidar, E. Balaras, K. Sarker

Assistant Professors P. Ben-Tzvi, Y. Leng, P.M. Bardet, A.M. Wickenheiser, C. Liang, L. Zhang, M. Leftwich, T. Lee

Adjunct Professor M.A. Imam

Professorial Lecturers B.W. Hannah, P. Matic, B. Whang, G.C. Everstine, R.C. Blanchard, S.S. Dodbele, A. Rao, M.K. King, E. McCafferty, A. Auslander, J.K. Soldner, J.H. Milgram, J.M. Fleming, D.R. Gerk, T.M. Krafchak, R. Krishnamurthy, M.A. Busby, G. Bae

See the School of Engineering and Applied Science for the programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science with a major in mechanical engineering.

1001-2

Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (1-1)

Plesniak and Staff
  Careers in mechanical and aerospace engineering and the necessary academic program. Teamworking and problem-solving skills for solution of design problems. Analytical and design problems and correlations between academic skills and the mechanical and aerospace engineering professions. Basic aspects of engineering ethics. (Academic year)
1004 Engineering Drawing and Computer Graphics (3) Shen
  Introduction to technical drawing, including use of instruments, lettering, geometric construction, sketching, orthographic projection, section and auxiliary views, dimensioning, pictorial drawing, and intersections and developments. Introduction to computer graphics, including topics covered in manual drawing, and computer-aided drafting. (Fall and spring)
2117 Engineering Computations (3) Staff
  Numerical methods for engineering applications. Methods for solving systems of linear equations, root finding, curve fitting, and data approximation. Numerical differentiation and integration and numerical solution of differential equations. Computer applications. Prerequisite: CSci 1121 or 1041. (Spring)
2124 Linear Systems Analysis for Robotics (3) Staff
  Properties of linear systems. Mathematical modeling of dynamic systems. State space, state variables, and their selection. Linearization of non-linear behavior. Matrix functions. Solution of state equations in the time domain and using transformations. System stability and frequency response.
2131 Thermodynamics (3) Staff
  Fundamentals of equilibrium thermodynamics; Zeroth, First, and Second Laws. Work, heat, internal energy, enthalpy, thermodynamic potential functions; heat transfer mechanisms, phase diagrams, equations of state and property tables, power systems, refrigeration, heat pump systems. Reversible and irreversible processes, Carnot cycle, entropy, exergy. Prerequisite: Phys 1021. (Spring)
2170 History and Impact of the U.S. Patent System (3) Garris
  Economic systems and emergence of the free market; role of the patent system in the industrial development of the United States; constitutional foundations; evolution of the U.S. patent system; landmark litigation; impact on future innovation; international aspects; the likely future of the patent system. (Spring)
3120 Methods of Engineering Experimentation (2) Bardet
  Acquisition and analysis of experimental data. Laws of modeling and simulation. Report formulation and presentation. Basic principles of measuring instruments and sensors. Fundamentals of digital data acquisition and use of computer-based data systems. Strain gages, oscilloscopes, transducers, and computerized data systems. Prerequisite: MAE 2117. (Spring)
3126 Fluid Mechanics (3) Wickenheiser, Balaras
  Fluid properties, fluid statics, integral and differential formulations of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. Bernoulli's equation. Dimensional analysis and similitude. Inviscid flow. Viscous flow. Experimental and computational methods in fluid mechanics. Prerequisite: ApSc 2058. (Fall)
3128 Biomechanics I (3) Zhang and Staff
  Mechanical analysis of biological systems. Characterization of living tissue. Applications of statics, solid mechanics, kinematics, and elementary dynamics to the human musculoskeletal system. May be taken for graduate credit with approval of department. Prerequisite: ApSc 2057, CE 2220. (Spring)
3134 Introduction to Vibration Analysis (3) Lee, Ben-Tzvi
  Natural frequencies, free vibration, forced vibration. Unbalance, whirling, vibration isolation. Measuring techniques and application of computers in vibration analysis. Multiple degrees of freedom. Dynamic vibration absorbers. Shock and transient vibration. Prerequisite: ApSc 2058. (Spring)
3145 Orbital Mechanics and Spacecraft Dynamics (3) Lee
  Coordinate systems and transformations, rocket equation, two-body problem, orbit transfers, orbit perturbations, attitude dynamics and stability of symmetric spacecraft, environmental and control torques. (Fall)
3155 Aerodynamics (3) Garris
  Subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics: potential flow, lift and form drag, viscous effects, compressible flow. Prerequisite: MAE 3126. (Spring)
3162 Aerospace Structures (3) Staff
  Basic structural theory of lightweight aerospace structures. Development of shear and bending moment diagrams and stresses. Analysis of typical monocoque structures. External airloads and their distribution. Mechanical properties of metal and advanced composite structures. Design of members in tension, bending or torsion, and design of webs in shear. (Spring)
3166 Materials Engineering (2) Leng
  Mechanical properties, plastic deformation dislocation theory, yielding, strengthening mechanisms, microstructure and properties, heat treatment of steel, composites, amorphous materials, viscoelastic deformation, creep, fracture, fatigue, fatigue crack propagation. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: ApSc 2130. (Fall)
3167 Mechanics of Materials Laboratory (1) Leng
  Measurement of strains and study of failure resulting from applied forces in ductile, brittle, anisotropic, elastomeric, plastic, and composite materials. Study of tension, compression, bending, impact, and shear failures. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: MAE 3166. (Fall)
3171 Patent Law for Engineers (3) Staff
  Types of patents; international patents; inventorship; prosecution process; basic references for patents; detailed structure of a patent; patentability requirements; reexamination and reissue; litigation; infringement and invalidity; copyrights, trademarks, and trade dress. May be taken for graduate credit with approval of department. (Fall)
3184 Robotics Lab (1) Staff
  Forward and inverse kinematics modeling of robots, control design, trajectory planning, and force rendering.
3187 Heat Transfer (3) Keidar and Staff
  Steady- and unsteady-state heat conduction problems. Analytical and numerical solution methods. Convective heat transfer, boundary-layer approach, analogy between heat and momentum transfer. Thermal radiation; fundamental concepts and laws. Heat-exchanger design. Prerequisite: MAE 3126, 2131. (Spring)
3190 Analysis and Synthesis of Mechanisms (3) Staff
  Kinematics and dynamics of mechanisms. Displacements, velocities, and accelerations in linkage, cam, and gear systems by analytical, graphical, and computer methods. Synthesis of linkages to meet prescribed performance requirements. Prerequisite: ApSc 2058. (Fall)
3191 Mechanical Design (3) Staff
  Integration of knowledge of strength of materials in a design context. Stresses and deflections in engineering structures. Theories of failure. Introduction to the design of mechanical components, such as fasteners, shafts, springs. Introduction to the use of computers in mechanical engineering design. Prerequisite: CE 2220, MAE 2117. (Spring)
3192 Manufacturing Processes and Systems (3) Shen and Staff
  Introduction to manufacturing techniques for metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. Relationships between properties of materials and techniques for processing them. Process selection, design, control, and integration. Computer-integrated manufacturing, robotics and assembly automation. Prerequisite: junior status or permission of instructor. (Fall)
3195 Computer-Aided Engineering of Mechanical Systems (3) Staff
  Presentation of the major elements of computer-aided engineering systems: interactive computer graphics, finite element analysis, and design optimization. Consideration of economics, safety, and reliability factors. Prerequisite: MAE 4193; concurrent registration: MAE 3196. (Spring)
3196 Computer-Aided Engineering Laboratory (1) Staff
  Instruction and hands-on applications of computer-aided engineering systems to the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical engineering components and systems. Concurrent registration: MAE 3195. (Spring)
3197 Robotic Systems Design and Applications (3) Ben-Tzvi and Staff
  Modeling and analysis of robot designs. Kinematics, statics, and dynamics of linkages. Design and selection of mechanical structures, actuators, transmissions, and sensors. Design of robotic control systems. Relevant computer hardware and software. Industrial applications and limitations of robot systems. Lab experiments. Same as ECE 4730. Prerequisite: MAE 4182. (Spring)
4129 Biomechanics II (3) Zhang and Staff
  Mechanical analysis of physiological fluid dynamics. Application of fluid flow analysis techniques to cardiovascular, pulmonary, respiratory, and phonatory flows. Introduction to biomedical devices that manipulate physiological flows. May be taken for graduate credit with approval of department. Prerequisite: MAE 3128. (Spring)
4149 Thermal Systems Design (3) Garris and Staff
  Completion of a thermal systems design project that requires integration of engineering science, economics, reliability, safety, ethics, professional responsibility, and social considerations. Development and use of design methodology, optimization, feasibility considerations, detailed system descriptions, and presentation of results. Prerequisite: MAE 3187. (Fall)
4152 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (2) Cutler and Staff
  Project-oriented course. Simulates working environment of professional engineers. Projects are assigned in student's areas of interest; student is expected to design and assemble own experiments. Extensive use of instrumentation and computing facilities. Project proposal, progress reports, final report, and periodic oral presentations required. Prerequisite: MAE 3120. (Spring)
4157 Aerodynamics Laboratory (1) Cutler and Staff
  Subsonic and supersonic wind tunnel experiments and simulations. (Fall)
4163 Airplane Performance (3) Staff
  Lift and drag estimation methods. Airplane performance measures, such as range and endurance, turning flight, specific excess power and acceleration, takeoff and landing performance. Longitudinal and lateral-direction static and dynamic stability. Control surface effectiveness. (Fall)
4168 Introduction to Biomaterials (3) Staff
  Fundamentals of materials science and engineering applied to artificial materials in the human body. Topics include biocompatibility, techniques to minimize corrosion or other degradation of implant materials, and the use of artificial materials in various tissues and organs. Prerequisite: Approval of department. Course not open to MAE students. (Fall)
4172 Engineering Design and the Patent System (3) Staff
  Design experience in group projects involving following precisely the teachings of a licensed patent; or avoiding infringement of a provided patent while offering a competitive alternative; or evaluating a provided patent in light of prior art or by attempting to design a competitive product. May be taken for graduate credit with approval of department. Prerequisite: MAE 3171 and senior status. (Fall)
4182 Electromechanical Control System Design (3) Lee, Ben-Tzvi
  Application of control theory to the design of electromechanical systems. Transducers, valves, and other control components. Mathematical models of open- and closed-loop electromechanical systems. Root locus and frequency response methods; application to the synthesis of feedback systems by both manual and computer-aided techniques. Prerequisite: MAE 2117, 3134. (Fall)
4183 Controls Lab (1) Staff
  Modeling, control design, simulation, implementation, tuning, and operation of a control system.
4193 Engineering Systems Design (3) Staff
  Creative engineering design, problem definition, and concept generation. Design of journal and roller element bearings, fasteners and permanent joints, and springs. Design project incorporating design selection, and optimization. Project presentation using graphical and computer resources. Prerequisite: MAE 3191. (Fall)
4194 Mechatronics Design (3) Ben-Tzvi
  Data acquisition and digital signal processing. Sensors and their characteristics-displacement, position/velocity, force/pressure, piezoelectric. Actuators-mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic. Modeling and simulation of dynamic systems. Mechanism design. Digital control systems. Microprocessors, digital logic/circuits, motor drives. Lab experiments. Prerequisite: MAE 4182. (Spring)
4195 Mechatronics Lab (1) Ben-Tzvi
  Corequisite: MAE 4194.
4198 Research (1 to 3) Staff
  Applied research and experimentation projects, as arranged. Prerequisite: junior or senior status. (Fall and spring)
4199 Student Design Project (1 to 3) Staff
 

Special student projects involving extensive design of various mechanical engineering systems. Examples include the solar car, mini-Baja, or other design competitions that typically are national in scope. May be taken for graduate credit by graduate students. (As arranged)

 

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© 2012 University Bulletin
The George Washington University All rights reserved.

Information in this bulletin is generally accurate as of fall 2011. The University reserves the right to change courses, programs, fees, and the academic calendar, or to make other changes deemed necessary or desirable, giving advance notice of change when possible.