Santa Clara University

Course Descriptions

202. Mathematical Methods in Mechanical Engineering

Analytic solution of ordinary differential equations. Fourier series. Analytic solution of linear partial differential equations by separation of variables. Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations by iterative and direct methods. Introduction to numerical solution of partial differential equations using explicit, implicit, ADI, and relaxation-type methods. Eigenvalue problems. Introduction to complex variables. (Also listed as AMTH 202.) (2 units)

203. Analytical Dynamics I

Virtual displacement and virtual work, D'Alembert's principle, Hamilton's principle, generalized coordinates, Lagrange's equations, treatment of constraints. Applications to central force motion, gyrodynamics, and other mechanical systems. Prerequisite: MECH 140. (2 units)

204. Analytical Dynamics II

Variational principles, Gibbs-Appell equations, Hamilton's equations, Hamilton-Jacobi theorem. Stability of motion. Impulsive motion. Systems with varying mass, special relativity, and other advanced topics. Applications to mechanical systems. Prerequisite: MECH 203. (2 units)

205. Introduction to Vibrations

Derivation of equations governing physical systems. Behavior of single- and multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Linearization, state-space formulation, and canonical forms. Prerequisites: MECH 140 and AMTH 106. (2 units)

207. Advanced Mechatronics I

The use of electronics in the control of machinery. Characteristics of components. Transistors. Linear and digital integrated circuits. Transducers. Oscillators and frequency-sensitive circuits. Power devices and considerations. Prerequisite: MECH 141 or ELEN 100. (2 units)

208. Advanced Mechatronics II

Use of microprocessors in the control of machinery. Microprocessors and microcomputers. Assembly-language programming. Interface design. Prerequisite: MECH 207. (2 units)

209. Advanced Mechatronics III

Use of digital computers for the simulation and control of systems of machines. Development of mathematical models for systems. Numerical integration methods. State variables. Computer programs for simulation and control. Prerequisite: MECH 208. (2 units)

210. Nonlinear Oscillations I

Phase plane and phase trajectories. Conservative systems. Discontinuous systems. State space. Stability. Prerequisites: MECH 141 or 205 and AMTH 106. (2 units)

211. Nonlinear Oscillations II

Lyapunov's direct method. Applications, including rigid-body motion. Computation of stability domains. Time-varying systems. Limit cycles and topological methods. Perturbation techniques. Prerequisite: MECH 210. (2 units)

214. Advanced Dynamics I

Partial differentiation of vector functions in a reference frame. Configuration constraints. Generalized speeds. Motion constraints. Partial angular velocities and partial linear velocities. Inertia scalars, vectors, matrices, and dyadics; principal moments of inertia. Prerequisites: MECH 140 and AMTH 106. (2 units)

215. Advanced Dynamics II

Generalized active forces. Contributing and noncontributing interaction forces. Generalized inertia forces. Relationship between generalized active forces and potential energy; generalized inertia forces and kinetic energy. Prerequisite: MECH 214. (2 units)

216. Advanced Dynamics III

Dynamical equations of motion. Linearization. Steady motion and motions resembling states of rest. Integrals of equations of motion. Determination of constraint forces and constraint torques. Prerequisite: MECH 215. (2 units)

217. Introduction to Control

Laplace transforms, block diagrams, modeling of control system components and kinematics and dynamics of control systems, and compensation. Frequency domain techniques such as root-locus, gain-phase, Nyquist and Nichols diagrams used to analyze control systems applications. Prerequisite: AMTH 106. (2 units)

218. Guidance and Control I

Modern and classical concepts for synthesis and analysis of guidance and control systems. Frequency and time domain methods for both continuous-time and sampled data systems. Compensation techniques for continuous-time and discrete-time control systems. Prerequisite: MECH 217, 142, or consent of instructor. (2 units)

219. Guidance and Control II

Continuation of MECH 218. Design and synthesis of digital and continuous-time control systems. Nonlinear control system design using phase plane and describing functions. Relay and modulator controllers. Prerequisite: MECH 218. (2 units)

220. Electromechanical Devices in Computer Peripherals I

Analysis and design of electromechanical devices used in computer peripherals (i.e., storage devices and printers). Overview of performance requirements; the theory of operation, modeling, and design. Emphasis on solution of practical industrial problems. Prerequisites: COEN 44, ELEN 50, MECH 140, and AMTH 106. (2 units)

221. Electromechanical Devices in Computer Peripherals II

Continuation of MECH 220. Prerequisite: MECH 220. (2 units)

223. Inertial Instruments

Operation and theory of gyroscopes, accelerometers, momentum devices, and star sensors, with emphasis on their respective sensing mechanisms and use in control systems. Physics of the operation of the instruments. Instruments built and tested. Techniques for "sizing" the instrument requirements from a user viewpoint. Effect of external environments and interfaces. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

225. Gas Dynamics I

Flow of compressible fluids. One-dimensional isentropic flow, normal shock waves, frictional flow. Prerequisites: MECH 121 and 132. (2 units)

226. Gas Dynamics II

Continuation of MECH 225. Flow with heat interaction and generalized one-dimensional flow. Oblique shock waves and unsteady wave motion. Prerequisite: MECH 225. (2 units)

227. Gas Dynamics III

Continuation of MECH 226. Emphasis on linearized flow and the method of characteristics for supersonic flow. Numerical techniques and methods of experimental measurements. Prerequisite: MECH 226. (2 units)

228. Equilibrium Thermodynamics

Principles of thermodynamic equilibrium. Equations of state, thermodynamic potentials, phase transitions, and thermodynamic stability. Prerequisite: MECH 131 or equivalent. (2 units)

230. Statistical Thermodynamics

Kinetic theory of gases. Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions, thermodynamic properties in terms of partition functions, quantum statistics, and applications. Prerequisites: AMTH 106 and MECH 121. (2 units)

231. Reactive Gas Dynamics

Fundamentals in equilibrium reacting flow. Modeling of quasi one-dimensional reacting flow through nozzles of propulsion systems, hypersonic wind tunnels, and shock waves. Prerequisites: MECH 225 and 230. (2 units)

234. Combustion Technology

Theory of combustion processes. Reaction kinetics, flame propagation theories. Emphasis on factors influencing pollution. Prerequisites: AMTH 106 and MECH 131. (2 units)

236. Conduction Heat Transfer I

Flow of heat through solid and porous media for steady and transient conditions. Consideration of stationary and moving heat sources. Prerequisites: AMTH 106 and MECH 123. (2 units)

237. Conduction Heat Transfer II

Application of heat transfer principles to transient situations. Moving boundaries and phase transitions. Introduction to numerical techniques. Finite difference formulations, stability, and relaxation methods. Prerequisite: MECH 236. (2 units)

238. Convective Heat and Mass Transfer I

Solutions of basic problems in convective heat and mass transfer including boundary layers and flow in pipes. Prerequisites: MECH 123 and 266. (2 units)

239. Convective Heat and Mass Transfer II

Application of transfer theory to reacting boundary layers, ablating and reacting surfaces, multicomponent diffusion. Introduction of modern turbulence theory to predict fluctuations and other flow properties. Prerequisite: MECH 238. (2 units)

240. Radiation Heat Transfer I

Introduction to concepts of quantum mechanics, black body behavior, and radiant heat exchange between bodies. Prerequisite: MECH 123. (2 units)

241. Radiation Heat Transfer II

Treatment of gaseous radiation in enclosures. Solutions of transfer equation in various limits and for different molecular radiation models. Gray and nongray applications. Mathematical techniques of solutions. Prerequisite: MECH 240. (2 units)

242. Numerical Methods in Heat Transfer

Numerical techniques applied to heat transfer problems. Mathematical models for steady-state and transient heat transfer. One- and multi-dimensional analysis. Comparison with analytical solutions. Prerequisite: MECH 123. (2 units)

254. Introduction to Biomechanics

Overview of basic human anatomy, physiology, and anthropometry. Applications of mechanical engineering to the analysis of human motion, function, and injury. Review of issues related to designing devices for use in, or around, the human body including safety, biocompatibility, ethics, and FDA regulations. Offered every other year. (4 units)

256. Introduction to Biomaterials

Introduction to each class of biomaterial. Exploration of research, commercial and regulatory literature. Written and oral reports by students on a selected application requiring one or more biomaterials. (2 units)

266. Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics

Mathematical formulation of the conservation laws and theorems applied to flow fields. Analytical solutions. The viscous boundary layer. Prerequisite: MECH 122. (2 units)

267. Inviscid Flow

Fundamentals in potential flows. Flows over cylinders and airfoils. Conformal mapping. Methods of source panels. Prerequisite: MECH 266. (2 units)

268. Computational Fluid Mechanics I

Introduction to numerical solution of fluid flow. Application to general and simplified forms of the fluid dynamics equations. Discretization methods, numerical grid generation, and numerical algorithms based on finite difference techniques. Prerequisite: MECH 266. (2 units)

269. Computational Fluid Mechanics II

Continuation of MECH 268. Generalized coordinate systems. Multidimensional compressible flow problems, turbulence modeling. Prerequisite: MECH 268. (2 units)

270. Viscous Flow I

Derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations. The boundary layer approximations for high Reynolds number flow. Exact and approximate solutions of laminar flows. Prerequisite: MECH 266. (2 units)

271. Viscous Flow II

Continuation of MECH 270. Similarity solutions of laminar flows. Separated flows. Fundamentals of turbulence. Introduction to numerical methods in fluid mechanics. Prerequisite: MECH 270. (2 units)

273. Designing with Plastic Materials

Mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties of engineering plastics and elastomers. Materials evaluation. Design of plastic bearings, gears, and housings. Design for creep. Prerequisite: CENG 43 or equivalent. (2 units)

274. Processing Plastic Materials

Casting, compression, and transfer molding of thermoset plastics. Thermoforming, extrusion, rotational and injection molding of thermoplastics. Secondary operations for plastics. Design for manufacturing of plastics. Prerequisite: MECH 273. (2 units)

275. Design for Competitiveness

Overview of current design techniques aimed at improving global competitiveness. Design strategies and specific techniques. Group design projects in order to put these design ideas into simulated practice. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

277. Injection Mold Tool Design

Molds and mold bases, mold materials, sizes and presses, moldability of plastics, effect of tooling on plastic part design. Prerequisites: MECH 273 and 274. (2 units)

279. Introduction to CNC I

Introduction to CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machining. Principles of conventional and CNC machining. Process identification and practical application using convention machine tools. Job planning logic and program development for CNC. Set-up and basic operation of CNC machine through "hands-on" exercises. Introduction to CAM software, conversational programming, verification software, and file transfers. The class is lab intensive; the topics will be presented primarily by demonstration or student use of the equipment. (2 units)

280. Introduction to CNC II

Builds on foundation provided by Introduction to CNC I. Emphasis on CNC programming. Overview of controllers, features of CNC machines, manual and computer-aided programming, G-code basics, advanced cycles and codes. Lab projects will consist of "hands-on" operation of CNC milling machines, programming tools, and verification software. Prerequisite: Intro to CNC I or consent of instructor. (2 units)

281. Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue I

Fracture mechanics evaluation of structures containing defects. Theoretical development of stress intensity factors. Fracture toughness testing. Relationships among stress, flaw size, and material toughness. Emphasis on design applications with examples from aerospace, nuclear, and structural components. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
(2 units)

282. Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue II

Materials and environmental factors governing fatigue life of structures. Fatigue initiation. Application to mechanical design. Fatigue crack propagation analysis using fracture mechanics approach. Corrosion fatigue and stress corrosion cracking. Relationship between nondestructive inspection capability and fatigue life. Emphasis on design applications. Prerequisite: MECH 281. (2 units)

283. Friction and Wear of Materials

Influence of material properties on surface interactions. Friction and wear. Types of wear including adhesive, abrasive, and others. Overview of solid film and boundary lubrication, lubricants, and their properties. Prerequisites: MECH 15 and 132. (2 units)

285. Computer-Aided Design of Mechanisms

Kinematic synthesis of mechanisms. Graphical and analytical mechanism synthesis techniques for motion generation, function generation, and path generation problems. Overview of various computer software packages available for mechanism design. (2 units)

286. Hydrodynamic Theory of Lubrication

Derivation of the Reynolds equations and introduction to gas bearings. Incompressible slider and journal bearings, foil bearings, and numerical solutions of the Reynolds equation. Prerequisites: MECH 122, 132, and 271. (2 units)

287. Hydrodynamic Bearings Design

Principles and procedures for the design and analysis of gas bearings (i.e., journal and slider bearings). Application of gas bearings in computer peripherals such as disk files and tape drives. Prerequisite: MECH 286. (2 units)

288. Energy Conversion I

Introduction to nonconventional methods of power generation using solar energy, thermoelectric effect, and fuel cells. Description of the physical phenomena involved, analysis of device performance, and assessment of potential for future use. Prerequisite: MECH 121. (2 units)

289. Energy Conversion II

Discussion of magnetohydrodynamic power generation, thermionic converters, and thermonuclear fusion. (MECH 288 is not a prerequisite.) (2 units)

290. Manufacturing Capstone Project

Research and analysis of a manufacturing problem and reporting of results. Prerequisite: students must have completed required courses in master's manufacturing option. (4 units)

292. Theory and Design of Turbomachinery

Theory, operation, and elements of the design of turbomachinery that performs by the dynamic interaction of fluid stream with a bladed rotor. Emphasis on the design and efficient energy transfer between fluid stream and mechanical elements of turbomachines including compressors, pumps, and turbines. Prerequisites: MECH 121 and 122. (2 units)

293. Special Topics in Manufacturing and Materials

(2 units)

294. Special Topics in Mechanical Design

(2 units)

295. Special Topics in Thermofluid Sciences

(2 units)

296. Special Topics in Dynamics and Control

(2 units)

297. Seminar

Discrete lectures on current problems and progress in fields related to mechanical engineering. P/NP grading. (1 unit)

298. Individual Study

By arrangement. (1-6 units)

299. Thesis

By arrangement. (1-9 units)

301. Noise and Vibration Control and Monitoring I

Analysis of noise and vibration generation; effects on people and machinery. Applications to design of noise reduction systems. Prerequisite: MECH 151 or 205. (2 units)

302. Noise and Vibration Control and Monitoring II

Continuation of MECH 301. Prerequisite: MECH 301. (2 units)

304. Design and Mechanics Problems in the Computer Industry

Design and mechanics problems related to computer peripherals. Dynamics of disk interface, stresses and vibrations in rotating disks and flexible disks. Actuator design, impact and nonimpact printing, materials and design for manufacturability, role of CAD/CAM in design. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

305. Vibrations I

Modeling and dynamic response of discrete vibrating elastic bodies. Analytical techniques for solving dynamic and vibration problems. Vector-tensor-matrix formulation with practical applications to computer simulation. Prerequisite: MECH 141 or 205. (2 units)

306. Vibrations II

Dynamic response of continuous elastic systems. Strings, membranes, beams, and plates exposed to various dynamic loading. Applications to aero-elastic systems and mechanical systems. Modal analysis and finite element methods applied to vibrating systems. Prerequisite: MECH 141 or 205. (MECH 305 is not a prerequisite.) (2 units)

307. Mechanics of Flexible Bodies

Euler and Rodriques parameters, screw motion, angular velocity matrix, centrobaric bodies, torque-free motion, cryostats, lumped mass models of spacecraft, finite-element methods for large flexible spacecraft. Prerequisite: MECH 141 or 205. (2 units)

308. Thermal Control of Electronic Equipment

Heat transfer methods to cool electronic equipment. Contact resistance, cooling fins, immersion cooling, boiling, and direct air cooling. Use of heat exchangers, cold plates, and heat pipes. Applications involving transistor cooling, printed circuit boards, and microelectronics. Prerequisites: MECH 122 and 123. (2 units)

310. Advanced Mechatronics IV

Apply mechatronics knowledge and skills to the development of an industry or lab-sponsored mechatronic device or system. Systems engineering, concurrent design, and project management techniques. Performance assessment, verification, and validation. Advanced technical topics appropriate to the project may include CPLDs, Internet-based control, robotic teleoperation, PC-based real-time control, and other topics. Prerequisite: MECH 209. (2 units)

311. Modeling and Control of Telerobotic Systems

Case studies of telerobotic devices and mission control architectures. Analysis and control techniques relevant to the remote operation of devices, vehicles, and facilities. Development of a significant research project involving modeling, simulation, or experimentation, and leading to the publication of results. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (4 units)

315. Advanced Digital Control Systems I

Introduction to digital control systems design. Mini- and microcomputer application in industrial control. Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. Discrete-time systems, state-space representation, stability. Digital control algorithms, optimal tuning of controller gains. Finite-time settling control. Controllability and observability of discrete-time systems. Prerequisite: MECH 142 or 217. (2 units)

316. Advanced Digital Control Systems II

Continuation of MECH 315. Linear state vector feedback control, linear quadratic optimal control. State variable estimators, observers. System identification, model reference adaptive systems, pole-placement control. Minimum variance control, tracking and regulation problems. Adaptive control. Prerequisite: MECH 315. (2 units)

323. Modern Control System Design I

Design of control systems with multiple-input multiple-output plants containing multiple sensors and actuators using state-space and optimal control techniques. Computational methods for design of control systems using conventional and optimal techniques. Prerequisite: MECH 142 or 217. (2 units)

324. Modern Control System Design II

Continuation of MECH 323. Numerical solution for optimal control system designs using first- and second-order gradient techniques. Statistical design approaches: time and frequency domain techniques, filtering, and estimation. Prerequisite: MECH 323. (2 units)

325. Computational Geometry for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture I

Analytic basis for description of points, curves, and surfaces in three-dimensional space. Generation of surfaces for numerically driven machine tools. Plane coordinate geometry, three-dimensional geometry and vector algebra, coordinate transformations, three-dimensional curve and surface geometry, and curve and surface design. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

326. Computational Geometry for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture II

Continuation of MECH 325. Composite curves, splines, and surfaces. Clipping, hidden line strategies, light sources, and shadows. Prerequisite: MECH 325. (2 units)

329. Introduction to Intelligent Control

Intelligent control, AI, and system science. Adaptive control and learning systems. Artificial neural networks and Hopfield model. Supervised and unsupervised learning in neural networks. Fuzzy sets and fuzzy control. (Also listed as ELEN 329.) Prerequisite: MECH 324. (2 units)

330. Atomic Structure and Defects

Structure of crystalline and non-crystalline materials and the relationship between structure, defects, and mechanical properties. For all engineering disciplines. Prerequisite: MECH 15. (2 units)

331. Phase Equilibria and Transformations

Thermodynamics of multi-component systems and phase diagrams. Diffusion and phase transformations. For all engineering disciplines. Prerequisite: MECH 330. (2 units)

332. Electronic Structure and Properties

Band structure and electrical conductivity of metals, semiconductors, and insulators with applications to electronic devices such as the p-n junction and materials charaterization techniques utilizing electronic-solid interactions. For all engineering disciplines. Prerequisite: MECH 331. (2 units)

333. Experiments in Materials Sciencs

Experiments in the mechanical properties of materials. Class includes at least four hands-on experiments involving the characterization of materials. Experiments include grain structure analysis, phoelastic stress measurement, fracture mechanics, and plastic material characterization. Emphasis is on laboratory equipment use and data interpretation. (2 units)

337. Robotics I

Overview of robotics: control, AI, and computer vision. Components and structure of robots. Homogeneous transformation. Forward kinematics of robot arms. Denavit-Hartenberg representation. Inverse kinematics. Velocity kinematics. Manipulator Jacobian. Singular configurations. Kinematic configurations of some common manipulators. (Also listed as ELEN 337.) Prerequisite: MECH 324 or consent of instructor. (2 units)

338. Robotics II

Euler-Lagrange equations. Dynamic equations of motion of manipulators. Task planning, path planning, and trajectory planning in the motion control problem of robots. Joint-based control. Linear control of manipulators. PID control and set-point tracking. Method of computer-torque in trajectory following control. (Also listed as ELEN 338.) Prerequisite: MECH 337. (2 units)

339. Robotics III

Intelligent control of robots. Neural networks and fuzzy logic in robotic control. Selected topics of current research in robotics. (Also listed as ELEN 339.) Prerequisite: MECH 338. (2 units)

340. Introduction to Direct Access Storage Devices

Introduction to direct access storage devices including flexible and rigid disk drives. Overview of magnetic and optical recording technology emphasizing their similarity and differences and basic principles of operation. Device components technology including head, disk, positioning actuator, drive mechanism, drive interface, and controller. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

341. Direct Access Storage Devices

Design and analysis of direct access storage devices used in computer peripherals. Design and analysis of device components: drive spindle, drive mechanism, spindle velocity control, head positioning mechanisms, drive motor. Principles and design of linear and rotary actuator including voice coil motor and optimization. Shock and vibration problems in storage devices and air cooling. Device testing and manufacturing consideration. Prerequisites: MECH 123, 140, 142, and 340. (2 units)

345. Modern Instrumentation and Experimentation

Overview of sensors and experimental techniques. Fundamentals of computer-based data acquisition and control, principles of operation of components in a data acquisitions system. Design and analysis of engineering experiments with emphasis on practical applications. Characterization of experimental accuracy, error analysis, and statistical analysis. Experiments involving measurements and control of equipment. (2 units)

350. Composite Materials I

Design, analysis, and manufacturing of composite materials. Characterization of composites at the materials and substructural levels. Hyperselection. Manufacturing technology and its impact on design. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

351. Composite Materials II

Composite material design at the structural level. Fabrication methods. Design for damage tolerance, durability, and safety. Transfer of loads. Prerequisite: MECH 350. (2 units)

352. Automation and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing I

Fundamentals of manufacturing automation. Production economics. NC machines. Part programming. APT, DNC, CNC. Adaptive control. High-volume production. Automated flow lines and assembly systems. Line balancing. Group technology. Computer-aided process planning. FMS. Robotics fundamentals, applications, and programming. Automated material handling and storage. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

353. Automation and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing II

Computer-aided quality control. Inspection and CMM. Computer process control. Programmable controllers. Automatic identification and data collection. Bar coding. Material requirement planning. Manufacturing resource planning. Just-in-time concepts. Computer-aided production management, scheduling, and control. Computer networks for manufacturing. Databases and CIM integration. Manufacturing simulation. Artificial intelligence in manufacturing. Case studies and group discussions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 units)

415. Optimization in Mechanical Design

Introduction to optimization: design and performance criteria. Application of optimization techniques in engineering design including case studies. Functions of single and multiple variables. Optimization with constraints. Prerequisites: AMTH 106 and 245. (2 units)

429. Optimization of Dynamic Systems I

Review of ordinary extrema. Calculus of variations. Maximum principle, optimal control of nonlinear systems, state regulators. Prerequisites: MECH 140 and AMTH 106. (2 units)

430. Optimization of Dynamic Systems II

Continuation of MECH 429. Singular control, perturbation techniques, numerical methods. Differential games. Applications to mechanical engineering systems. Prerequisite: MECH 429. (2 units)

431. Aircraft Flight Dynamics and Performance

Equations of motion of aircraft flight under various assumptions. Quasi-static performance measures for various aircraft. Flight-path optimization. Prerequisites: MECH 140 and AMTH 106. (2 units)

432. Rocket and Spacecraft Dynamics

Equations of motion for vehicles with rapidly changing mass. Orbital mechanics. Optimization of trajectories and orbital transfers. Elementary orbit perturbation theory. Prerequisites: MECH 140 and AMTH 106. (2 units)

450. Airbreathing Propulsion

Thermodynamics and performance of ramjet, scramjet, turbojet, and turbofan engines. Aerothermodynamics of inlets, combustors, and nozzles. Prerequisites: MECH 131 and 225. (2 units)

461. Aerodynamics I

Thin airfoil theory and lifting line theory. Aerodynamic characteristics of airfoils. Vortex panel method. Prerequisite: MECH 267. (2 units)

462. Aerodynamics II

Airfoils in transonic and supersonic flows. Wings and wing-body combinations in compressible flow. Prerequisite: MECH 227. (2 units)