Santa Clara University

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Undergraduate Courses

MECH 10. Graphical Communication in Design
Introduction to the design process and graphical communications tools used by engineers. Documentation of design through freehand sketching and engineering drawings. Basic descriptive geometry. Computer-aided design as a design tool. Conceptual design of individual projects presented in poster format. Computer laboratory. (5 units)

MECH 11. Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Manufacturing processes and their use in the production of mechanical components. Prerequisites: MECH 10, MECH 15. (5 units)

MECH 15. Introduction to Material Science
Physical basis of the electrical, optical,
mechanical, and thermal behavior of solids. Relations between atomic structure and physical properties. Theory of dislocations, vacancies, and other defects and their effect on physical properties. Laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 11. (5 units)

MECH 102. Introduction to Mathematical Methods in Mechanical Engineering
The application of mathematical methods to the solution of practical engineering problems. A review of fundamental mathematical methods and calculus of a single variable, multivariable calculus, ordinary differential equations, numerical methods, and basics of linear algebra. (4 units)

MECH 114. Machine Design I
Analysis and design of mechanical systems for safe operation. Stress and deflection analysis. Failure theories for static loading and fatigue failure criteria. Team design projects begun. Formal conceptual design reports required. Prerequisites: MECH 15 and CENG 43. (4 units)

MECH 114L. Machining Lab
Practical experience with manual machine tools such as mills, lathes, drill press, sheet metal tools, etc. Basic training in safe and proper use of the equipment associated with simple mechanical projects. Laboratory. Must be taken in conjunction with MECH 114. P/NP. (1 unit)
MECH 115. Machine Design II
Continuation of MECH 114. Treatment of basic machine elements (e.g., bolts, springs, gears, bearings). Design and analysis of machine elements for static and fatigue loading. Team design projects completed. Design prototypes and formal final report required. Prerequisite: MECH 114. (4 units)

MECH 121. Thermodynamics I
Definitions of work, heat, and energy. First and second laws of thermodynamics. Properties of pure substances. Application to fixed mass systems and control volumes. Irreversibility and availability. Prerequisite: PHYS 33. (4 units)

MECH 122. Fluid Mechanics I
Fluid properties and definitions. Fluid statics, forces on submerged surfaces, manometry. Streamlines and the description of flow fields. Euler’s and Bernoulli’s equations. Mass, momentum, and energy analysis with a control volume. Laminar and turbulent flows. Losses in pipes and ducts. Dimensional analysis and similitude. Laboratory. Co-requisite: MECH 140. (5 units)

MECH 123. Heat Transfer
Introduction to the concepts of conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer. Application of these concepts to engineering problems. Laboratory. Prerequisites: MECH 121 and 122. (5 units)

MECH 125. Thermal Systems Design
Analysis, design, and simulation of fluids and thermal engineering systems. Application of optimization techniques, life cycle and sustainability concepts in these systems. Prerequisite: MECH 123. (4 units)

MECH 131. Thermodynamics II
Thermodynamic potentials and availability concepts. Thermodynamic cycles. Nonreactive mixtures. Reactive mixtures with emphasis on the thermodynamics of combustion and chemical equilibrium. Laboratory. Prerequisite: MECH 121. (5 units)

MECH 132. Fluid Mechanics II
Introduction to gas dynamics. Concepts of lift and drag. Mechanics of laminar and turbulent flow. Introduction to boundarylayer theory. Application to selected topics in lubrication theory, aerodynamics, turbomachinery, and pipe networks. Offered every other year. Prerequisites: MECH 121 and 122. (4 units)

MECH 140. Dynamic Systems I
Newtonian dynamics of rigid bodies. Kinematics of points and reference frames. Motion relative to noninertial frames. Linear and angular momentum. Newton’s laws of motion. Moments and products of inertia. Work and energy methods. Impulse and momentum. Applications to engineering systems. Prerequisites: PHYS 31, AMTH 106, and MECH 10. (4 units)

MECH 141. Dynamic Systems II
Fixed-axis rotation, gyroscopic motion. Fundamental characteristics of linear systems via analysis of simple electrical and mechanical models. Forced and natural response. Mechanical vibrations, circuit analysis, and electromechanical systems such as AC/DC motors. Laboratory. Prerequisite: MECH 140. (5 units)

MECH 142. Dynamic Systems III
Modeling of physical systems. Analysis of linear feedback control systems by classical methods. Synthesis and design of control systems that satisfy certain stability and time-response criteria. Introduction to analysis and design by state-space methods. Laboratory. Prerequisite: MECH 141. (5 units)

MECH 143. Mechatronics
Introduction to the behavior, design, and integration of electromechanical components and systems. Review of appropriate electronic components/circuitry, mechanism configurations, and programming
constructs. Use and integration of transducers, microcontrollers, and actuators. (Also listed as ELEN 123.) Prerequisite: ELEN 50. (5 units)

MECH 145. Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
Basic design and analysis of atmospheric flight vehicles. Principles of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures and materials, flight dynamics, stability and control, mission analysis, and performance estimation. Introduction to orbital dynamics. Offered every other year. Prerequisites: MECH 121, 122, and 140. (4 units)

MECH 146. Mechanism Design
Kinematic analysis and synthesis of planar mechanisms. Graphical synthesis of linkages and cams. Graphical and analytical techniques for the displacement, velocity, and acceleration analysis of mechanisms. Computer-aided design of mechanisms. Three or four individual mechanism design projects. Offered every other year. Prerequisite: Junior standing in mechanical engineering. (4 units)

MECH 151. Finite Element Theory and Applications
Basic introduction to finite elements; direct and variational basis for the governing equations; elements and interpolating functions. Applications to general field problems-elasticity, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Extensive use of software packages. Offered every other year. Prerequisites: COEN 44 and AMTH 106. (4 units)

MECH 160. Modern Instrumentation for Engineers
Introduction to engineering instrumentation, computer data acquisition hardware and software, sampling theory, statistics, and error analysis. Laboratory work spans the disciplines of mechanical engineering: dynamics, fluids, heat transfer, controls, with an emphasis on report writing and experimental design. Prerequisites: MECH 122 and senior standing. (5 units)

MECH 188. Co-op Education
Practical experience in a planned program designed to give students work experience related to their academic field of study and career objectives. Satisfactory completion of the assignment includes preparation of a summary report on co-op activities. P/NP grading. May be taken twice. May be taken for graduate credit. Additional fees required. (2 units)

MECH 189. Co-op Technical Report
Credit given for a technical report on a specific activity, such as a design or a research project, etc., after completing the co-op assignment. Approval of department co-op advisor required. Letter grades based on content and presentation quality of report. May be taken twice. May be taken for graduate credit. (2 units)

MECH 190. Independent Study
Investigation of a mechanical engineering problem and presentation of the results. Arrangement with a faculty advisor is required. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (2-4 units)

MECH 192. Technical Writing for Mechanical Engineers
Organization of engineering proposals and reports. General aspects of technical communications. Content and organization of written contract documents. Development of oral presentation skills and strategies. Prerequisites: ENGL 2 and concurrent enrollment in MECH 194. (2 units)

MECH 194. Advanced Design I: Tools
Design tools basic to all aspects of mechanical engineering, including design methodology, computer design tools, CAD, finite element method, simulation, CAM/robotics, engineering economics, and decision making. Senior design projects begun. Elements of technical writing. Prerequisite: MECH 115. (3 units)

MECH 195. Advanced Design II: Implementation
Implementation of design strategy. Detail design and fabrication of senior design projects. Quality control, testing and evaluation, standards and specifications, and human factors. Prerequisite: MECH 194. (4 units)

MECH 196. Advanced Design III:
Completion and Evaluation Design projects completed, assembled, tested, evaluated, and judged with opportunities for detailed re-evaluation by the designers. Elements of technical writing. Final written report required. Prerequisite: MECH 195. (3 units)

MECH 199. Directed Research
Investigation of an engineering problem and writing an acceptable thesis. Conferences as required. Prerequisite: Senior standing in mechanical engineering. (2-4 units)