Mechanical Engineering Courses

The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces new Gonzaga students to the University, the Core Curriculum, and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission and heritage. While the seminars will be taught by faculty with expertise in particular disciplines, topics will be addressed in a way that illustrates approaches and methods of different academic disciplines. The seminar format of the course highlights the participatory character of university life, emphasizing that learning is an active, collegial process.

Introduction to the structure-property-processing relationship in metallic, ceramic, and polymeric materials, and to the atomic structure of materials and its influence on mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Students explore how alloying and thermomechanical processing modifies structure and changes the properties of materials.

Introduction to mechanical engineering design, with emphasis on the creation and communication of design ideas. Students will learn construction geometry, visualization (orthographic views, isometric views, sectional views, etc.), hand sketching and drawing of initial designs, and how to create 2-D drawings. Detailed treatment of dimensioning and tolerancing. Strong focus on the design of basic machine elements in order to prepare the student for further coursework in machine design, and senior projects, as well as direct application in the practice of mechanical engineering. The design process, including, product specifications, product descriptions, and prototype fabrication will be introduced. To register for this course, each student is required to have a laptop that meets or exceeds the specifications of the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). Specifications are available on the SEAS web site.

Hands on use of SOLIDWORKS CAD system to create 3-D models and 2-D drawings of machinery elements and assemblies. Laboratory assignments are coordinated with lecture content from MENG 291. Student projects will focus on the creation of machinery elements and assemblies in a team environment.

Overview of manufacturing processes and how they influence design decisions. Emphasizes design for manufacturability, process comparison, and process specification.

Laboratory experiences with machine tools and manufacturing processes. Calculations and problem solving that reinforce lecture topics.

The first and second laws of thermodynamics; thermophysical properties of matter, ideal gases and their mixtures; concept of entropy as applied to thermal systems.

Second Law analysis, power and refrigeration cycles, mixtures, combustion, and high speed flow. Applications of first and second law analysis to engineering systems.

Application of stress analysis and theories of failure to basic machine elements. Design of elements under static and fatigue loading. Design involving mechanical elements such as shafts, gears, springs, bearings, and fasteners.

One and multidimensional steady conduction, transient conduction, internal and external forced convection, natural convection, radiation heat transfer, boiling and condensation, heat exchangers.

Basic concepts of measurement and analysis of measurement uncertainties and experimental data. Study of transducers and investigation of data acquisition, signal conditioning, and data processing hardware typically utilized in performing mechanical measurements.

Laboratory exercises supporting the topics covered in MENG 411.

Study of the techniques used for measuring displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, pressure, flow, temperature, and strain. Investigation of the proper application and the associated limitations of the techniques and of the required instruments. The topics are studied within the context of obtaining experimental solutions to engineering problems in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, mechanics, and strength of materials.

Laboratory exercises supporting the topics covered in MENG 412.

Elements of vibrating systems. Free, forced harmonic and transient vibrations of single-degree-of-freedom systems with and without damping. Vibration isolation and control. Two-degree-of-freedom systems. Application of matrix techniques.

Continuation of MENG 434. Practical applications of vibration theory to topics such as: Control and suppression of vibrations in machinery; vibration isolation and damping treatments; dynamic vibration absorbers; balancing of rotating and reciprocating machinery; critical speed evaluation of flexible rotors; ground vehicle response to road profile excitation and evaluation of ride performance; vibration in electronic equipment and prevention of vibration failures; aircraft vibration and flutter; and response of structures to earthquakes.

Advanced heat transfer topics with emphasis on industry applications. Small length scale heat transfer problems, contact resistance, multidimensional transients, boiling and condensation heat transfer, and design of heat exchangers.

Combustion processes including explosions, detonations, flame propagation, ignition, and generation of pollutants in moving and stationary energy conversion systems. Focused on fundamental combustion theory in the context of internal combustion engines and, to a lesser degree, the subsequent effect of those emissions on the atmosphere, climate, and human health. Specific focus may vary from year to year.

Introduction to the techniques used in the analysis and design of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Topics include the arrangement of typical air conditioning systems (i.e. all air systems, air and water systems, etc.), moist air processes, comfort and health criteria for indoor air quality, heating and cooling loads, piping system design, building air distribution, and operational principles and performance parameters of typical components (i.e., cooling towers, air washers, heating and cooling coils, etc.)

This course provides a practical application of thermodynamics and heat transfer concepts with regard to commercial building systems (HVAC, lighting, automated controls, etc.). Students will learn how building systems use electric and natural gas energy, how to identify and make recommendations for how these systems can be made more efficient, and learn calculation methods to quantify these energy savings into useful metrics for clients.

This course is designed for students to understand the basic engineering principles of clean, renewable, and advanced energy conversion technologies. This course features an overview of various energy sources, their characteristics, and in-depth coverage of engineering technologies of converting these sources to electricity. Students should understand the engineering principles and limitations of each energy conversion technology. They will gain the ability to choose appropriate energy conversion techniques based on the application and energy resource availability.

A programming intensive course in applied numerical methods that will be explored using student-lead projects. Fundamental topics will include a variety of tools that arise in many types of problems, such as numerical linear algebra, multivariable root finding, and solving ordinary differential equations. Applications and projects may include simulation and prediction of system models, numerical solution of classical partial differential equations, studies in nonlinear dynamics, and optimization.

Principles of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) are taught in the context of manufacturing engineering. Tool design, part features, tolerances and material processing parameters are discussed as examples to demonstrate how overall manufacturing costs are affected. Communication within the supply chain, upstream and downstream, are emphasized to achieve design and manufacturing costs goals. Traditional and nontraditional manufacturing (e.g. additive manufacturing) examples are used to show how DFM principles may be employed in globalized manufacturing. Recommendations from Bralla, Design for Manufacturing, are covered. Value engineering, outsourcing, reshoring, maquiladoras and other manufacturing trends are discussed.

Principles of feedback control. Mathematical modeling and analysis of dynamic physical elements and systems. . Linearization to approximate dynamics with linear time-invariant models. Transient and steady-state response of first and second-order systems. Use of Laplace transforms. System response with zeros and additional poles. Transfer functions and block diagrams. Stability criteria and steady-state errors. Root locus and frequency response methods.

Development of the stiffness matrix method applied to bar and beam elements. The plane problem is discussed and plane elements are presented. The Isoperimetric formulation is introduced. Modeling and accuracy in linear analysis is considered. Utilizes a commercial finite element program in problem solving. One hour lecture and two hour computer Laboratory each week.

Background of composites, stress-strain relations for composite materials, extension and bending of symmetric laminates, failure analysis of fiber-reinforced materials, design examples and design studies, non-symmetric laminates, micromechanics of composites, properties of fibers and matrix materials.

Introduction to the field of biomaterials and biomechanical engineering. Review and continuation of materials and mechanical properties concepts specific to biomaterials. Introduction to the disciplines of biomechanics and biomechanical engineering. Topics covered include orthopedic anatomy and function, implant technology, cardiac anatomy and function, and medical devices used to restore proper physiological function.

Methods of materials selection. Systematic approaches for selecting optimal material when competing criteria exist. Real applications and case studies are included. Several topics including fracture mechanics, corrosion, titanium alloys, etc. are covered.

Overview of vehicle and engine construction. Various design conditions are covered including acceleration performance, braking forces, road loads, cornering, suspension modeling, and steering systems. Safety considerations for rollover. Tire modeling and its impact on system performance. The Vehicle Development Process is developed from concept through testing. The relationship between performance, emissions, safety, and fuel efficiency to the overall vehicle design is stressed. Each student will complete a project to propose a new vehicle market entry and establish the performance and related product technical specifications for this vehicle.

In this course, you will learn about foundational concepts in surface metrology, contact mechanics, the nature of surfaces forces and fundamentals of friction, lubrication, war and failure, as well as properties of lubricant materials and bearing machine elements. Practical applications and case studies (for example, in automotive, aerospace and biotribology) will be discussed within the broader context of improving energy efficiency and reliability of mechanical systems through the application of these concepts.