Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
309 Furnas Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
(716) 645-2593
Fax: (716) 645-3875
Web: Mechanical Engineering
Dale B. Taulbee, Chair
Roger W. Mayne, Director of Undergraduate Studies

The Program
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest of the engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers are involved in research and development, design, manufacturing, and technical sales of a variety of products. Specific areas of involvement include computer-aided design and manufacturing; robotics; power plants; engines; machine tools; construction equipment; materials; agricultural implements; automotive vehicles and systems of transportation; domestic and industrial appliances; control and measurement devices; instrumentation; biomedical devices; apparatus for the control of air, water, noise, refuse, and other types of pollution; underwater technology; space flight equipment; safety devices; and food processing machinery.

Many of our students enter industry directly after completing the B.S. program, while others elect to pursue graduate work in engineering or other fields. Graduate study in mechanical engineering can lead to careers in research, development, and teaching. Since many engineers ultimately become managers, B.S. graduates may also elect to pursue graduate studies in the field of management. Some students elect to enter other professional schools, such as medicine or law. Technical electives in the senior year permit students to tailor their programs to suit their own interests, from beginning a career in industry to further study at the graduate level.

The objectives of our programs are to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the profession and to present technical concepts that will be useful as they begin their careers and/or prepare for advanced studies. These objectives require a broad program that is well balanced among the areas of the thermal-fluid sciences, systems, design, mechanics, and materials.

Note: Please see the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences entry in this catalog for pre-engineering requirements.

Mechanical Engineering (MAE)

Required Courses

177 Introduction to Engineering Drawing and CAD (2) (Sp)
A first exposure to mechanical design for mechanical and aerospace engineers including the nature and visual representation of mechanical components. Principles of engineering drawing and sketching for mechanical design. Applies up-to-date computer-aided design software (such as AutoCad) in developing mechanical drawings and mechanical designs. LEC/LAB

277 Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Practice (3) (F)
Prerequisites: EAS140, MAE177
Overview of engineering in industry; introduces engineering design concepts, reverse engineering, case studies including a hands-on project, basics of manufacturing processes, elementary modeling of engineering systems, and technical communications. LEC

311 Machines and Mechanisms I (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: EAS209, MAE381
Analysis and design of machine elements; theories of failure, fatigue strength, and endurance limits; fluctuating stresses; Goodman diagram; fatigue design under torsional and combined stresses. Design of bolted connections, fasteners, welds, springs, ball and roller bearings, journal bearings, gears, clutches, and brakes. LEC

334 Introduction to Instrumentation and Computers (3) (F)
Prerequisite: EAS209
Corequisite: EAS200
Introduces data acquisition using A/D converters; fundamentals of transducers; static and dynamic response; amplifiers; theory of A/D and D/A converters; error analysis; elementary statistics. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly. LEC

335 Fluid Mechanics (3) (F)
Prerequisite: EAS209
Corequisite: EAS204
Hydro- and aerostatics; substantial derivatives; Reynolds' transport equation; control volume approach for conservation of mass, linear momentum, moment of momentum, and the first law of thermodynamics; dimensional analysis and similitude; laminar and turbulent pipe flow of liquids; boundary layer theory; one-dimensional compressible flow; potential flow. LEC

336 Heat Transfer (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE335
Introduces the transport of heat by conduction, convection, and radiation. Topics include transient and steady-state, one- and multidimensional heat conduction (treated both analytically and numerically); single-phase, laminar and turbulent, forced and natural convection, both within ducts and on external surfaces (dimensional analysis and empirical correlations); two-phase transport (boiling and condensation); radiative properties of materials and analysis of radiative heat transfer in enclosures; analysis of heat exchangers. LEC

338 Fluid and Heat Transfer Laboratory (1) (F)
Prerequisite: MAE335, MAE336
Complements coursework in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. LAB

340 Systems Analysis (4) (Sp)
Prerequisites: EAS200, EAS208, EAS230
System dynamics; characterization of electrical, mechanical hydraulic system components; use of matrix notation in component modeling; formulation methods for systems containing multiterminal components; formulation of state equations; digital computer simulation techniques, analog computer concepts. Three lectures and one three-hour lab per week. LEC/LAB

364 Manufacturing Processes (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE381
Manufacturing processes including casting, forming, cutting, joining, and molding of various engineering materials (metals and non-metals). Manufacturing considerations in design including material and process selection, tooling, product quality, and properties/processing tradeoffs. Quality control and automation issues. LEC

376 Numerical Methods (3) (F)
Prerequisites: MTH242 or 306, EAS230
Solution of engineering problems using computational methods. Topics include linear algebra, sets of linear and nonlinear equations, an introduction to Matlab, ordinary differential equations and matrix eigenvalues. Also topics in statistics (particularly with normal distributions) and engineering applications involving error analysis. Considers interpolation, splines and nonlinear curve fitting as time permits. LEC

377 Product Design in a CAD Environment (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE177 or equivalent and EAS209
Mechanical design of functional, pragmatic products from inception through implementation. Topics in computer-aided-design (CAD). Discusses the design process in the context of product redesign assignments using CAD. Includes a final design project with professional documentation including sketches, detailed and assembly CAD drawings, a comprehensive written design analysis and cost breakdown. LEC

381 Engineering Materials (3) (F)
Prerequisites: CHE107, EAS209
Classification of solids based on bonding mechanisms; crystal structures and imperfections; physical properties of materials (thermal, electrical, mechanical, magnetic); diffusion; phase transformation. LEC

385 Engineering Materials Laboratory (1) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE381
Static, dynamic, cyclic, thermal, and deformation effects on properties of engineering materials; engineering testing methods, codes, and standards. LAB

451 Design Process and Methods (3) (F)
Prerequisite: senior standing in mechanical or aerospace engineering
Discusses the fundamental concepts and activities of design processes. Investigates domain-independent topics of design processes. These topics include idea conception, teamwork, quality, experimental design, optimization, and technical communication. In addition, discusses fundamental methods of design, including decision making, conceptual design, cost evaluation, ethics issues, and intellectual property issues, which are investigated through interactive lectures and individual and group exercises. LEC

459 Design Project (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: senior standing in mechanical or aerospace engineering
Students working in teams of two or three under the supervision of a faculty member complete an original engineering design, which in some cases results in hardware. Design problems are drawn from industry and initiated by faculty. Where practical, two or more teams compete to solve the same problem. Teams meet individually with faculty on a weekly basis to discuss their projects. TUT

Note: Additional course descriptions for mechanical engineering may be found under aerospace engineering. Course descriptions for EAS may be found under Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Technical Electives

412 Machines and Mechanisms II (3) (F)
Prerequisite: EAS208, MAE311
Kinematics and dynamics of machinery; linkages, geometry of motion, mobility, cam design, gear trains, and computing mechanisms; velocity and acceleration analysis by graphical, analytical, and numerical techniques; static and dynamic force analysis in machinery; engine analysis; flywheels; balancing. LEC

414 Engineering Project (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisites: senior standing in mechanical or aerospace engineering
Provides experience in real-world engineering problems for senior mechanical and aerospace students. Assigns projects from local industry. Students are normally required to spend eight hours weekly in an engineering office. Written and oral reports must be presented. TUT

417 Applied Orthopedic Biomechanics (3)
Prerequisite: EAS209
Designs implants and prosthetics in relation to the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Topics include bone physiology, testing methods (tension, compression, bending, torsion, shear, and fatigue, including nondestructive testing), strain gage application, composite theory of bone, stress fractures and fatigue properties in the musculoskeletal system, fracture healing, external/internal fixation (Ilizarov etc.), aging and osteoporosis, pathology of osteoarthritis, joint replacement and arthroplasty, and spin biomechanics. LEC

420 Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System (3) (F)
Prerequisite: EAS209
Basic aspects of anatomy; forces transmitted in the body; bones as structural members; joint and muscle forces. Kinematics of body motions; instantaneous centers of joint motions; behavior of normal and abnormal joints; remodeling. Biomaterials; ligaments and tendons. Functions of orthotics and prostheses; design considerations. Includes a weekly seminar and one or two laboratory sessions. LEC

428 Analytical Methods (3)
Prerequisite: MAE376
Methods of solution for practical problems in mechanical and aerospace engineering, involving partial differential equations: Fourier series, orthogonal functions, Laplace transforms, examples of partial differential equations-waves and heat conduction equations, method of separation of variables, Bessel functions, introduction to complex variable theory, application to potential flow. LEC

429 Finite Element Techniques (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE311, MAE376
A detailed presentation of finite element techniques in the areas of solid mechanics, structures, heat transfer and fluid flow. Selects applications from mechanical and aerospace engineering. Stresses computer applications. LEC

431 Energy Systems (3) (F)
Prerequisites: MAE335, EAS204
Continuation of thermodynamics (EAS204). Availability; psychrometrics; real gases; combustion thermochemistry; phase and chemical equilibrium; fuel cells; flow through nozzles; blade passages. LEC

438 Smart Materials (3)
Prerequisite: MAE381
Introduces students to smart materials, which refer to materials that can sense a certain stimulus and, in some cases, even react to the stimulus in a positive way so as to counteract negative effects of the stimulus. Emphasizes strain/stress sensors and actuators. Topics include electrically conducting materials, piezoelectric and electrostrictive materials, magnetostrictive materials, electrorheological and magnetorheological fluids, electrolytic polymer gels, shape memory materials, layered materials, smart concrete, optical fibers, and photoelastic materials. LEC

439 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE336
Reviews psychrometrics; physiological factors; heating and cooling load calculations; refrigeration methods and applications to air conditioning; cryogenic methods; fan and duct analyses; solar energy applications. LEC

442 Computer-Aided Analysis in Fluid and Thermal Sciences (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE335, MAE336, MAE376
Intended for seniors and beginning graduate students interested in computer-based analysis of engineering problems in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Emphasizes applications of computer analysis to engineering design of fluid/thermal systems are emphasized. The general governing equations and methods to solve them, including finite-difference, finite-volume, panel methods, and finite element methods, are surveyed. Introduces the use of state-of-the-art computer tools for analysis and graphical representation of results gives the student a broad view of computational fluid mechanics for engineering applications in the fluid/thermal sciences. LEC

443 Continuous Control Systems (3) (F)
Prerequisites: MAE340
Block diagrams, flowgraphs and linear graphs; computer simulation of control systems; simple electromechanical, hydraulic pneumatic and electronic control systems; time domain analysis with respect to speed of response, overshoot and steady state errors; stability; root locus plots; compensation; non-linear control systems. LEC/LAB

444 Digital Control Systems (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE443
Characterization of discrete time systems; analysis of discrete control systems by time-domain and transform techniques; discrete state variable techniques; synthesis of discrete systems; engineering consideration of computer controlled systems. LEC/LAB

448 Issues in Concurrent Design (3)
Prerequisite: senior standing
Current interest in incorporation of quality and manufacturing concerns in the early stages of the design process has resulted in such concepts as concurrent engineering, total quality management, quality function deployment, robust design, Taguchi's quality functions, teaming approaches for complex design, and many others. The course addresses these concepts, particularly as they pertain to complex engineering design. Industrial case studies are investigated, and design projects incorporating some or all of the above concepts provide firsthand experience. LEC

449 Design of Complex Engineering Systems (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: senior standing
Applies domain-independent design methods and decision-support theories and tools to the design of large-scale, complex systems. Covers the role of design, decision making, and open engineering systems in a globally competitive society are covered. Topics include descriptive and prescriptive models of design, decision theory, utility theory, game theory, design of experiments, approximation, stochastic and deterministic processes. LEC

453 Inelastic Stress Analysis (3)
Prerequisites: EAS209, MAE415
Physical basis of inelastic behavior of materials; inelastic constitutive laws; thermoelastic, viscoelastic, plastic, nonlinear creep; applications; flexure of beams, torsion of bars, plane strain. LEC

454 Road Vehicle Dynamics (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: EAS208, MAE340
Forces and torques generated by tires (under both traction and braking) and by the relative wind; two-wheel and four-wheel models of a vehicle; simplified stability and control of transients; steady-state response to external disturbances; effects of the roll degree of freedom; equations of motion in body-fixed coordinates; lateral load transfer; force-moment analysis; applications of feedback-control theory to the design of subsystems for improved performance. LEC

458 Tribology (3) (F)
Prerequisite: senior standing or permission of instructor
Introduces friction, lubrication, and wear; contact of real surfaces; mechanics of friction; surface failures; boundary lubrication; fluid properties; thin-film lubrication; thick-film lubrication; bearing and lubricant selection. LEC

460 Special Topics (3) (F; Sp)
Topics in various fields of specialization. Permission of the instructor usually required for registration.

464 Manufacturing Automation (3)
Prerequisite: MAE364
Introduces the theory of automation as related to manufacturing and design integration. Hardware, software and algorithm issues involved in fast and flexible product development cycles. Strategies of automated manufacturing systems: CAD-CAM: integration, programming and simulation. Robotics: applications in welding, material handling and human intensive processes. Reverse Engineering: modeling product from laser and CMM data of parts. Virtual Environments: industrial applications of virtual reality and prototyping. Intelligent Diagnostics: sensor fusion for machine tool monitoring. Automated Inspection: computer vision and methods of automated quality control. Design for Manufacturing: issues involved in concurrent product development. LEC

465 Environmental Acoustics (3)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Introduces acoustics and acoustical phenomena. Fundamentals of vibration (wave motion), general treatment of string and diaphragm motion, acoustic plane and diaphragm motion, acoustic plane and spherical waves, transmission and absorption, resonators and filters, speech, hearing and noise, architectural problems, general treatment of instrumentation and measurement techniques. Emphasizes environmental problems ("noise pollution"), aircraft noise, traffic noise, effects on people. Laboratory work consists of individual experiments, demonstration experiments, and field measurements. LEC

467 Vibration and Shock (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE340 and MAE311 (or MAE415)
Mechanical vibration and shock; free and forced, periodic and aperiodic vibration of single-degree and multidegree of freedom systems. LEC

470 Thermodynamics of Engineering Materials (3) (F)
Prerequisites: EAS204, MAE381
The use of thermodynamics to understand equilibrium in multicomponent systems, surfaces, rates of reactions, diffusion, phase changes, structural changes, sintering, oxidation, and aqueous corrosion. Thermodynamic principles have wide-ranging implications for the practical applications of engineering materials. LEC

473 Graphics in Computer-Aided Design (3) (F)
Prerequisites: programming experience, senior standing
Emphasizes the basic programming concepts in computer-aided design (CAD) for mechanical engineers. Interactive computing in the design process; the role of graphics in CAD; 2-D graphics; computer graphic operations, including curve generation and splines; 3-D graphics, including data structures, rotation, translation, reflection, isometric and perspective projection, hidden line removal, shading, surface generation, solid modeling concepts, object-oriented programming. Computer programming projects in C and C++. LEC

477 Computer-Aided Design Applications (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: senior standing
Concepts in computer-aided engineering. Principles of computer graphics, kinematic analysis, and animation of mechanical systems. Fundamentals of finite element methods. Use of integrated CAD/CAE tools. Projects in solid modeling, drafting, animation, and stress analysis. LEC/LAB

478 Cardiovascular Biomechanics (3) (Sp)
Prerequisites: MAE335, EAS209, senior standing in engineering
Introduces the mechanical behavior of the cardiovascular system; basic physiology; application of engineering fundamentals to obtain quantitative descriptions; major topics include rheology of blood, mechanics of the heart, dynamics of blood flow in the heart and circulation, control of cardiac output, blood pressure, and regional blood flow. LEC

482 Introduction to Composite Materials (3) (F)
Prerequisite: MAE381, permission of instructor
Provides a basic understanding of composite materials (manufacturing and mechanical properties). Behavior of unidirectional and short-fiber composites; analysis of laminated composites, performance of composites, including fracture, fatigue, and creep under various conditions; fracture modes of composites; manufacturing and microstructural characterization of composites; experimental characterization and statistical analysis; polymeric, metallic, and ceramic composites. LEC

484 Principles and Materials for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: MAE381
Current interest in micro-electro-mechanical systems or MEMS is driven by the need to provide a physical window to the micro-electronics systems, allowing them to sense and control motion, light, sound, heat, and other physical forces. Such micro-systems that integrate micro-electronics and sensing elements on the same chip presents an interesting engineering problem in terms of their design, fabrication, and choice of materials. Addresses the design, fabrication, and materials issues involving MEMS. Displays these issues within the context of MEMS for mechanical sensing and actuation, magnetic devices, thermal devices, automotive applications, and Bio-MEMS for biomedical applications. LEC

485 Mechanical Properties of Materials (3)
Prerequisites: MAE381
Relationship between the microstructure of materials and their macroscopic properties; topics include strength and modulus, hardness, fatigue, creep and plasticity, abrasion, impact, elasticity, thermal stresses, strengthening mechanisms, and testing methods. LEC

487 Modern Theory of Materials (3)
Prerequisite: PHY207, MAE381
Develops fundamentals of modern theories of solids. Topics include reciprocal lattices, diffraction theory, electron energy bands, and phonon dispersion. LEC

490 High-Temperature Materials (3)
Prerequisite: MAE381
Covers ceramics, carbons, and metals for high-temperature applications, including aerospace applications, with emphasis on the relationships among processing, structure, properties, and applications. LEC

492 Experimental Methods for Composites (3)
Prerequisite: MAE381, permission of instructor
Fabrication and testing of composite materials for elastic, thermal, and strength properties. Summarizes basic anisotropic elasticity and lamination theory. Emphasizes hands-on experience. LEC

499 Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering (F; Sp)
Independent research projects or reading courses may be arranged with individual faculty members. Students must be accepted by a faculty member for work on a specific topic before registering. TUT

Mechanical Engineering - B.S.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in technical and engineering courses

Required Courses
CHE107 General Chemistry for Engineers
EAS140 Engineering Solutions
EAS200 EE Concepts/Nonmajors
EAS204 Thermodynamics
EAS207 Statics
EAS208 Dynamics
EAS209 Mechanics of Solids
EAS230 Higher-Level Language
MAE177 Introduction to Engineering Drawing and CAD
MAE277 Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Practice
MAE311 Machines and Mechanisms I
MAE334 Introduction to Instrumentation and Computers
MAE335 Fluid Mechanics
MAE336 Heat Transfer
MAE338 Fluid and Heat Transfer Laboratory
MAE340 Systems Analysis
MAE364 Manufacturing Processes
MAE376 Applied Math for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers
MAE377 Product Design in a CAD Environment
MAE381 Engineering Materials
MAE385 Engineering Materials Laboratory
MAE451 Design Process and Methods
MAE459 Design Project
MTH141 College Calculus I
MTH142 College Calculus II
MTH241 College Calculus III
MTH306 Introduction to Differential Equations
PHY107 General Physics I
PHY108/158 General Physics II/Lab
One applied math elective
One science elective
Four technical electives

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First Year
Fall-CHE107, MTH141, EAS140
Spring-MTH142, PHY107, MAE177, EAS230

Second Year
Fall-MTH241, PHY108/158, EAS204, EAS207, MAE277
Spring-MTH306, EAS200, EAS208, EAS209, one science elective

Third Year
Fall-MAE334, MAE335, MAE376, MAE377, MAE381
Spring-MAE311, MAE336, MAE340, MAE364, MAE385

Fourth Year
Fall-MAE338, MAE451, two technical electives
Spring-MAE459, one applied math elective, two technical electives

Technical Electives
Engineering, mathematics or science courses at the 300 or 400 level that are not required courses. Three of the four technical elective courses must be MAE courses. Any exemption from this three-course requirement must be approved in advance by the director of undergraduate studies.

Applied Math Elective
EAS305 Applied Probability or EAS308 Engineering Statistics
EAS451 Modern Methods of Engineering Computations
MAE428 Analytical Methods or MTH418 Survey of Partial Differential Equations
MTH309 Introductory Linear Algebra
MTH417 Survey of Multivariable Calculus

Science Elective
CHE108 with lab
PHY207 with lab
For students with bioengineering interests: an appropriate biology course and laboratory experience to be selected and approved in advance.

Summary
Required courses - 90 cr
Technical electives - 12 cr
Applied math elective - 3 cr
Science elective - 4 cr
General education - 15 cr
Writing skills requirement - 0-6 cr
   (contingent upon placement test results)
Total required credit hours - 124-130

Mechanical Engineering/Business Administration - B.S./M.B.A.

Acceptance Criteria
Good standing as a mechanical engineering undergraduate and acceptance as a graduate student by the School of Management.

Required Courses
CHE107 General Chemistry for Engineers
EAS140 Engineering Solutions
EAS200 EE Concepts/Nonmajors
EAS204 Thermodynamics
EAS207 Statics
EAS208 Dynamics
EAS209 Mechanics of Solids
EAS230 Higher-Level Language
EAS308 Statistics
MAE177 Introduction to Engineering Drawing and CAD
MAE277 Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Practice
MAE311 Machines and Mechanisms I
MAE334 Introduction to Instrumentation and Computers
MAE335 Fluid Mechanics
MAE336 Heat Transfer
MAE338 Fluid and Heat Transfer Laboratory
MAE340 Systems Analysis
MAE364 Manufacturing Processes
MAE376 Applied Math for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers
MAE377 Product Design in a CAD Environment
MAE381 Engineering Materials
MAE385 Engineering Materials Laboratory
MAE451 Design Process and Methods
MAE459 Design Project
MGA604 Introduction to Financial Accounting
MGB601 Behavioral and Organizational Concepts for Management
MGE601 Economics for Managers
MGF631 Financial Management
MGM625 Marketing Management
MGS630 Operations and Service Management
MGS641 Strategic Management
MTH141 College Calculus I
MTH142 College Calculus II
MTH241 College Calculus III
MTH306 Introduction to Differential Equations
PHY107 General Physics I
PHY108/158 General Physics II/Lab
Three MAE technical electives
One science elective
Eight M.B.A. electives
Two M.B.A flex core courses

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Major Requirements

First-Second Years
Follow the standard mechanical engineering B.S. course program

Third Year
Fall-MAE334, MAE335, MAE376, MAE377, MAE381
Spring-MAE311, MAE336, MAE340, MAE364, MAE385, one MAE technical elective

Fourth Year
Fall-MGA604, MGB601, MGE601, MAE338, MAE451
Spring-MGF631, MGM625, MGS630, EAS308, two M.B.A. flex core courses

Fifth Year
Fall-One MAE technical elective, five M.B.A. electives
Spring-MGS641, MAE459, three M.B.A. electives, one MAE technical elective

Contact School of Management for flex core course and electives options.

Refer to the graduate school's policies and procedures manual for master's candidate requirements.

Upon completion of undergraduate program requirements and all management requirements, the combined degree will be conferred at the end of the fifth year.

Academic Affairs

Phone: (716) 645-6003

Fax: (716) 645-2549

Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:18 EST