Mechanical Engineering

Program Chart (PDF)
Department Web Site

G. Tryggvason, Head
Professors: D. Apelian, I. Bar-On, C. A. Brown, M. Dimentberg, N. A. Gatsonis, A. H. Hoffman, Z. Hou, M. M. Makhlouf, R. L. Norton, R. J. Pryputniewicz, Y. Rong, B. J. Savilonis, S. Shivkumar, R. D. Sisson, Jr., J. M. Sullivan, Jr., G. Tryggvason
Associate Professors: H. K. Ault, J. Blandino, M. Demetriou, C. Demetry, M. Fofana, D. J. Olinger, M. W. Richman
Assistant Professors: G. Fischer, C. Furlong, I. Hussein, D. Lados, J. Liang, J. Van de Ven
Visiting Assistant Professor: E. C. Cobb
Emeritus Professors: R. Biederman, J. M. Boyd, H. T. Grandin, R. Hagglund, W. A. Kistler, J. A. Mayer, Jr., D. N. Zwiep

Mission Statement

The Mechanical Engineering program at WPI aims to graduate students who have the broad expertise required to confront real world technological issues that arise our society. Students in the program are educated to apply scientific principles and engineering methods to analyze and design systems, processes, and products that, when engineered properly, improve the quality of our lives. The Mechanical Engineering program is consistent with the WPI philosophy of education, in which each student develops the tools required for self-learning, and the sensibility to consider the impact of technology on society in the decisions they will make as engineering professionals.

Program Educational Objectives

The Mechanical Engineering Program seeks to have alumni who:

are successful professionals because of their mastery of the fundamental engineering sciences, and mechanical engineering and their understanding of the design process.
are leaders in business and society due to a broad preparation in technology, communication, teamwork, globalization, ethics, business acumen and entrepreneurship.
will use their understanding of the impact of technology on society for the betterment of humankind.

Program Outcomes

Graduating students should demonstrate that they attain the following:

an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
an ability to communicate effectively
the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
a knowledge of contemporary issues
an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
an ability to apply principles of engineering, basic science, and mathematics (including multivariate calculus and differential equations) to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems, components or processes
an ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas

Program Distribution Requirements for the Mechanical Engineering Major

The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to WPI requirements applicable to all students (see WPI Degree Requirements), students wishing to receive the ABET-accredited degree designated “Mechanical Engineering” must satisfy certain additional distribution requirements. These requirements apply to 10 units of study in the areas of mathematics, basic science, and engineering science and design as follows:

Requirements	Minimum Units
1. Mathematics and Basic Science (Notes 1, 2, 3).	4
2. Engineering Science and Design (includes MQP) (Notes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).	6

Notes:

Must include a minimum of 5/3 units of mathematics, including differential and integral calculus and differential equations.
Must include a minimum of 1/3 unit in chemistry and 2/3 unit in physics, or 1/3 unit in physics, or 1/3 unit in physics and 2/3 unit in chemistry.
Must include an activity that involves basic matrix algebra and the solution of systems of linear equations, and an activity that involves data analysis and applied statistical methods.
Must include 1/3 unit in each of the following: electrical engineering, materials science, and mechanical engineering experimentation.
Must include at least one unit of ME courses at the 4000-level.
May include 1000 level courses only if designated ES or ME.
Must include two stems of coherent course and/or project offerings as noted below in a and b.
1. A minimum of one unit of work in thermofluid systems that includes the topics of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, plus an activity that integrates thermofluid design.
2. A minimum of one unit of work in mechanical systems that includes the topics of statics, dynamics, and stress analysis, plus an activity that integrates mechanical design.
Must include an activity which realizes (constructs) a device or system.
Must include 1/3 unit of Capstone Design Experience. Items 3, 5, 7a integration, 7b integration, 8, 9 may all be “multiple-counted.”

Each Mechanical Engineering student must complete a Capstone Design experience requirement. This capstone design experience is partially or fully accomplished by completing a Major Qualifying Project which integrates the past course work and involves significant engineering design. At the time of registration for the MQP, the project advisor will determine whether the MQP will meet the Capstone Design requirement or not. If not, the advisor will identify an additional 1/3 unit of course work in the area of design (ME 4320, ME 4429, ME 4430, ME 4770, or ME 4810) to be taken in order to meet the ABET Capstone Design requirement.

Mechanical Engineering Department Concentrations

Aeronautics (Gatsonis)

Students are provided with ample opportunity to develop technical competence in low- and high-speed aerodynamics, aircraft propulsion systems, structures, and aircraft design. Experimental and computational facilities are available for course and projects. Typical MQPs include: the design, construction, and testing of remotely piloted aircraft and micro aerial vehicles; experimental and computational aerodynamics; flow and structural control; parachute aerodynamics.

Aeronautics

2 Courses Required
ME 3410 Compressible Fluid Dynamics
ME 3711 Aerodynamics

4 Courses Selected
ME 3712 Aerospace Structures
ME 4710 Gas Turbines for Propulsion and Power Generation
ME 4718 Materials with Aerospace Applications
ME 4723 Aircraft Dynamics and Controls
ME 4733 Guidance, Navigation and Communication
ME 4770 Aircraft Design

*Plus Aeronautics related MQP

Astronautics (Gatsonis)

Students are provided with ample opportunity to develop technical competence in spacecraft dynamics, rocket propulsion, guidance and controls, space structures, and space systems design. Experimental and computational facilities are available for course and projects. Typical MQPs include: design and testing of recoverable rockets; experiments in electric propulsion and micro-propulsion; experiments in formation flying and spacecraft control.

Astronautics

2 Courses Required
ME 2713 Astronautics
ME 4713 Spacecraft Dynamics and Controls

4 Courses Selected
ME 3410 Compressible Fluid Dynamics
ME 3712 Aerospace Structures
ME 4718 Materials with Aerospace Applications
ME 4719 Rocket Propulsion
ME 4733 Guidance, Navigation and Communication
ME 4771 Spacecraft and Mission Design

*Plus Astronautics related MQP

Biomechanical (Hoffman)

Students blend biology and biotechnology coursework with continuum mechanics, biomechanics, biofluids, and biomedical materials to support their individual interest. MQPs are usually developed jointly with off-campus medical facilities, including the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

Typically MQP topics include: soft tissue mechanics, flow in constricted blood vessels, joint kinematics, prosthetic devices, sports biomechanics, biomaterials, tissue engineering and rehabilitation.

Biomechanical

Two (2) Biology and Biotechnology (BB) Courses

Select 4
ME 3501 Elementary Continuum Mechanics
ME 3506 Rehabilitation Engineering
ME 4504 Biomechanics
ME 4606 Biofluids
ME 4814 Biomedical Materials
Any BME course at the 3000-level or higher

* Plus Biomechanical-related MQP

Engineering Mechanics (Hou)

Students select courses to develop the ability to construct models to analyze, predict, and test the performance of solid structures, fluids, and composite materials under various situations.

Typical MQP topics include: mechanical vibrations, stress and strain analysis, computer methods in engineering mechanics, finite element analysis, and vibration isolation. Departmental testing facilities and computer and software support are available.

Engineering Mechanics

Select 6
ME 3501 Elementary Continuum Mechanics
ME 3506 Rehabilitation Engineering
ME 3602 Incompressible Fluid Dynamics
ME/BME 4504 Biomechanics
ME 4505 Advanced Dynamics
ME 4506 Mechanical Vibrations
ME 4512 Introduction to the Finite Element Method

* Plus Engineering Mechanics MQP

Manufacturing (Rong)

Courses are available to support student interest in manufacturing engineering, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, robotics, vision systems, and a variety of manufacturing processes. Typical MQPs include: robotics, composite materials, factory automation, materials processing, computercontrolled machining, surface metrology, fixturing, machine dynamics, grinding, precision engineering, prototype manufacturing.

See also the Manufacturing Engineering degree program.

Manufacturing

Select 2
ME 1800 Materials Selection and Manufacturing Processes
ME 2820 Materials Processing
ME 4810 Automotive Materials and Process Design
ME 4821 Plastics

Select 2
ES 3011 Control Engineering I
ME 3820 Computer-Aided Manufacturing
ME/RBE 4815 Industrial Robotics

Select 2
OIE 2850 Engineering Economics
OIE 3400 Production System Design
OIE 3401 Production Planning and Control

* Plus Manufacturing MQP

Materials Science And Engineering (Sisson)

Students interested in a strong materials science and engineering component can elect course and project activities in metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials with laboratory and project experience using facilities in Stoddard Laboratories.

Typical MQP topics include: X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, computer modeling, mechanical testing and deformation mapping, plastic deformation, ceramic processing, friction, wear, corrosion, and materials processing.

Another option in the materials program is a Minor in Materials, which is described under Materials Engineering in this catalog.

Materials Science and Engineering

Select 2
ME 2820 Materials Processing
ME 4810 Automotive Materials and Process Design

Select 2
ME 4813 Ceramics and Glasses for Engineering
ME 4814 Biomedical Materials
ME 4821 Plastics
ME 4832 Corrosion and Corrosion Control
ME 4875 Introduction to Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology

Select 2
ME 3801 Experimental Methods in Materials Science and Engineering
ME 4840 Physical Metallurgy
Any 500-level MTE course

* Plus Materials Science MQP

Mechanical Design (Norton)

Courses are available to support development of student interest in the design, analysis, and optimization of an assembly of components which produce a machine. Computer- based techniques are widely used in support of these activities.

Typical MQP topics are: optimum design of mechanical elements, stress analysis of machine components, evaluation and design of industrial machine components and systems, robotics, and computer-aided design and synthesis.

Mechanical Design

2 Required
ME 3310 Kinematics of Mechanisms
ME 3320 Design of Machine Elements

Select 4
ES 1310 Engineering Design Graphics
ES 3323 Introduction to CAD
ME 2300 Introduction to Engineering Design
ME 3311 Dynamics of Mechanisms and Machines
ME 3506 Rehabilitation Engineering
ME 4320 Advanced Engineering Design
ME/RBE 4322 Modeling and Analysis of Mechatronic Systems
ME 4810 Automotive Materials and Process Design
ME/RBE 4815 Industrial Robotics

* Plus Mechanical Design MQP

Robotics (Rong)

Students select courses to give them a solid foundation in the various aspects of robotics, including kinematics and actuators, sensors, and control and computing. In addition to relevant mechanical engineering courses, students can select courses from electrical engineering and computer science.

Typical MQP topics include designing of robots and robotic components, including mobile ground robots, aerial robots and underwater robots, automatic assembly and industrial robotics applications, and development of software and control algorithms for individual robots and robotic swarms.

Robotics

3 Required
RBE 1001 Introduction to Robotics
ES 3011 Control Engineering I or ME 3310 Kinematics of Mechanisms
ME/RBE 4322 Modeling and Analysis of Mechatronic Systems or ME/RBE 4815 Industrial Robotics

Select 3
ES 3011 Control Engineering I (If not selected above)
ES 3323 Advanced Computer-aided Design
ME 3310 Kinematics of Mechanisms (If not selected above)
ME/RBE 4815 Industrial Robotics (If not selected above)
ECE 2311 Continuous-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2312 Discrete-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2801 Foundations of Embedded Computer Systems
ECE 4703 Real Time Digital Signal Processing
CS 2102 Object-Oriented Design Concepts
CS 2301 Systems Programming for Non-Majors or CS 2303 Systems Programming Concepts
CS 3733 Software Engineering or CS 3133 Foundations of Computer Science
CS 4341 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CS 4731 Computer Graphics or 4732 Computer Animation
CS 4120 Analysis of Algorithms

*Plus Robotics MQP
*Others courses with approval from the ME Undergraduate Committee.

Thermal-Fluid Engineering (Olinger)

Students study the theoretical and empirical bases of thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, and fluid flow, as well as the application of these fundamental engineering sciences to energy conversion, environmental control, and vehicular systems.

Typical MQPs include: biological fluid mechanics, laminar/ turbulent separation, lifting bodies, heat pipes, electronic component cooling, power cycles, fluid component analysis and design, and energy storage.

Thermal-Fluid Engineering

3 Required
ME 3602 Incompressible Fluid Dynamics
ME 3410 Compressible Fluid Dynamics
ME 4429 Thermodynamic Applications or
ME 4710 Gas Turbines for Propulsion and Power Generation

Select 3
ES 3002 Mass Transfer
ME 3501 Continuum Mechanics
ME 3711 Aerodynamics
ME 4429 Thermodynamic Applications
ME 4606 Biofluids
ME 4710 Gas Turbines for Propulsion and Power Generation
ME 4719 Rocket Propulsion

* Plus Thermal-Fluids related MQP

Notes:

A Concentration area requires a 1 unit of MQP in that area.
After consultation with their academic advisor, students may petition the M.E. Dept. Curriculum Committee for approval of a Concentration plan at any time, preferably prior to the middle of their Junior Year.

Enhanced Programs

Bachelor/Master's Program in Mechanical Engineering

Outstanding students are encouraged to combine a master’s degree with their undergraduate WPI studies. Details are found in the WPI GRADUATE PROGRAM section of this catalog, and interested students should initiate discussions with their advisor early in their junior year.

Cooperative Education Program

The WPI Cooperative Education Program provides an opportunity to integrate “real-world” experience into an educational program. Details are found in the Cooperative Education Program section.

Mechanical Engineering Minor (for Non-Majors)

Non- ME majors interested in developing a ME minor in conjunction with their major should consult with the Department Head or the lead faculty member in the specific ME sub-area of interest to define a program leading to recognition of the minor. Each individual student minor must then be approved by the Committee on Academic Operations.

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Last modified: February 05, 2009 17:30:04