Mechanical Engineering
Department Overview
The mission of the mechanical engineering department at UAF is to offer the highest quality contemporary education at undergraduate and graduate levels and to perform research appropriate to the technical needs of the state of Alaska, the nation and the world.
Mechanical engineers conceive, plan, design and direct the manufacturing, distribution and operation of a wide variety of devices, machines and systems for energy conversion, environmental control, materials processing, transportation, materials handling and other purposes. Mechanical engineers are engaged in creative design, applied research, development and management. A degree in mechanical engineering also frequently forms the base for entering law, medical or business school, as well as for graduate work in engineering.
B.S., Aerospace Engineering
The aerospace engineering program is housed within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. It is taught and supported through the combined efforts of the multiple departments within the College of Engineering & Mines.
Aerospace engineering encompasses disciplines including commercial/military aviation, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), satellite systems, rocketry/launch vehicles and robotics, as well as supporting technologies in the design of vehicle subsystems, telecommunications, command, control and operational planning required for mission design. Aerospace engineers participate in the analysis, design, fabrication, test and applied operations of vital ground, air and space systems. An advanced degree in aerospace engineering also provides a strong foundation for tackling other multidisciplinary/systems engineering projects across a wide spectrum of applications.
Minimum Requirements for Aerospace Engineering Bachelor's Degree: 131 credits
B.S., B.S./M.S., Mechanical Engineering
The objectives of the mechanical engineering program are to produce graduates who are able to compete successfully on the world stage at the professional level; deal with the significant local, regional, national and global issues facing humankind; continue to develop as engineers through lifelong learning; and serve as resources of technical knowledge for the state as well as the nation, especially with respect to Northern issues. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET has accredited the B.S. degree program in mechanical engineering since 1980.
Because engineering is based on mathematics, chemistry and physics, students are introduced to the basic principles in these areas during their first two years of study. The third year encompasses courses in engineering science — extensions to the basic sciences forming the foundation for engineering synthesis and design. The design project course draws on much of the student’s previous learning through a simulated industrial design project. Throughout the four-year program, courses in communication, humanities and social sciences are required because mechanical engineers must be able to communicate effectively in written, oral and graphical form.
Students may choose a concentration in mechanical, aerospace or petroleum engineering. Because of UAF’s unique location, special emphasis is placed on cold regions' engineering problems. The program offers a range of Arctic-related elective courses. Candidates for the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering are required to take the State of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering examination in their general field.
Undergraduate students who plan to pursue graduate studies in engineering may also choose an accelerated degree for a master’s in mechanical engineering. This program speeds the process and allows qualified mechanical engineering students to complete both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in five years.
Minimum Requirements for Mechanical Engineering Degree: B.S.: 128 credits; B.S./M.S.: 148 credits
Learn more about the bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Learn more about the combined bachelor's/master’s degree in mechanical engineering, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
M.S., Mechanical Engineering
The mechanical engineering program prepares its graduates for careers at the professional level; maintains, as a base, ABET accreditation of the undergraduate program; provides continuing educational opportunities for graduate engineers; is a resource of technical knowledge for the state and nation; conducts research in all areas of mechanical engineering including cold regions mechanical engineering; and offers a graduate program in mechanical engineering at the M.S. level.
The educational objectives of the department are that graduates from the mechanical engineering program must be able to apply the knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering; be able to design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data; be able to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs; be able to function on multi-interdisciplinary teams; be able to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems; understand professional and ethical responsibility; be able to communicate effectively; have the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context; recognize the need for, and be able to engage in life-long learning; understand contemporary issues; and be able to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. The department ensures that each course in the curriculum plays a meaningful role in satisfying one or more of these objectives.
Minimum Requirements for Mechanical Engineering Master's Degree: 30 credits
Learn more about the master’s degree in mechanical engineering, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Ph.D., Engineering
Engineers use knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences to develop economical uses of materials and forces of nature for human benefit. The professional practice of engineering requires sophisticated skills, the use of judgment and the exercise of discretion. The basic education necessary for the professional practice of engineering is provided by the engineering bachelor's and master’s degrees. Doctoral-level education requires independent research that generates fundamental advances in technology and discovers new knowledge for the benefit of society. Engineering Ph.D. degrees provide leadership in scientific research, academia and industrial research and development. The Ph.D. degree in engineering draws on the combined strength of the College of Engineering and Mines and offers opportunities for engineers at other UA campuses to participate.
Minimum Requirements for Engineering Doctorate Degree: 36 credits
Graduate Certificate, Aerospace Engineering
This program provides graduate students the opportunity to focus a portion of their studies on the discipline of aerospace engineering and to highlight this specialization on their academic transcripts. The topics within aerospace engineering may vary according to student desires and course topic availability but may include unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as well as aeronautical systems, rocketry and space systems.
Minimum Requirements for Aerospace Engineering Graduate Certificate: 12 credits
Minor, Aerospace Engineering
UAF offers an aerospace engineering minor for students interested in a career in the aerospace industry or in expanding their knowledge of applied interdisciplinary engineering. The minor includes capstone courses in aeronautics and astronautics, with tracks emphasizing either aerodynamics or space systems. Several electives allow the program to be tailored to students' desires and schedules.
Aerospace Club
UAF hosts a local student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The club participates in AIAA’s annual Design Build Fly competition, with the flight demonstration occurring in April and rotating between Wichita, Kansas, and Tucson, Arizona. UAF’s team has done very well in this international competition, being within the top 100 schools to be invited for each of the past four years and placing 23rd in the 2019 competition. For more information visit UAF’s Aerospace Club's website.
Minimum Requirements for Aerospace Engineering Minor: 15 credits
Programs
Degrees
- B.S., Aerospace Engineering
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering
- Accelerated B.S./M.S., Mechanical Engineering
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering
- Ph.D. Engineering
Graduate Certificate
Minor
Courses
Aerospace Engineering (AERO)
AERO F254 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Investigation
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An introductory analysis of unmanned air systems (UAS), including typical missions and performance expectations for various classes of UAS. Students investigate subsystem choices for a UAS and how these affect mission performance. Includes discussion of external factors impacting UAS design choices, including support infrastructure, flight operations and data requirements.
Cross-listed with ME F254.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F256 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Design
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A multidisciplinary team of students will design, build, test and deliver an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in support of university research mission requirements. Students will learn basic concepts related to the systems engineering design process. Graded events include team briefings, written reports, multimedia products and a finished UAS product.
Prerequisites: AERO F254; ME F254.
Cross-listed with CS F254 and ME F256.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F258 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Covers the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), sensors, and support infrastructure required to conduct a selected mission set. Emphasis is on mission analysis, planning, and conduct, including definition of requirements/constraints, identification of appropriate assets, flight planning considerations, and data analysis requirements. Teams coordinate resources for mission and report results.
Cross-listed with CS F258; GEOS F258; ME F258.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F450 Theory of Flight
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Airfoil theory in subsonic flow. Performance, stability and control of aircraft. Aircraft design.
Prerequisites: ES F341 (may be taken concurrently); ES F346.
Cross-listed with ME F450.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F451 Aerodynamics
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Aerodynamics of non-lifting and lifting airfoils in incompressible irrotational flow, wings of finite span, the Navier-Stokes equations, boundary layers, numerical methods, supersonic and transonic flow past airfoils, rocket aerodynamics, rocket drag.
Prerequisites: ES F341 (may be taken concurrently); ES F301; ES F346.
Cross-listed with ME F451.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F452 Introduction to Astrodynamics
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Geometry of the solar system, detailed analysis of two-body dynamics and introduction to artificial satellite orbits; Hohmann transfer and patched conics for lunar and interplanetary trajectories. Elements of orbit determination.
Prerequisites: ES F208 or ES F210; ES F301 (may be taken concurrently).
Cross-listed with ME F452.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F453 Propulsion Systems
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Basic principles of propulsion: turbojet, turboprop and rocket engines. Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics of flow in nozzles, compressors, combustors and turbines. Liquid and solid propellant rockets. Heat transfer in rocket motors and nozzles. Design and testing methods for components of propulsion systems.
Prerequisites: ME F313 (may be taken concurrently); ES F341.
Cross-listed with ME F453.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F654 UAS Systems Design
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Course covers the analysis of unmanned air vehicle subsystems, including support infrastructure elements comprising an unmanned air system. Course contains mission planning considerations, including flight planning and data requirements. Focus is on remote sensing missions which may be accomplished by appropriate UAS. Students participate in a UAS design/build/fly workshop.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with EE F654.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F656 Aerospace Systems Engineering
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
A multidisciplinary team of students will perform a preliminary design study of a major aerospace system. Design considerations will include requirements for project management, aerospace vehicle design, power, attitude control, thermal control, communications, computer control and data handling.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with EE F656; ME F656.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F658 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Covers application of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to satisfy scientific research or public service missions. Students analyze mission requirements and recommend appropriate UAS vehicles, subsystems, sensors and data analysis tools to accomplish a specified mission. Students design mission profiles, conduct representative missions, produce required data products and present mission results.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with CS F658; EE F658.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
AERO F660 Rocket Systems Design
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A multidisciplinary team of students will perform the design, construction and flights of a simple rocket system. Design considerations will include requirements for project management, rocket vehicle design, performance, thrust, stability, recovery system, telemetry and payload data.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in engineering or physics.
Cross-listed with CS F660; EE F660; ME F660.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
ME F254 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Investigation
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An introductory analysis of unmanned air systems (UAS), including typical missions and performance expectations for various classes of UAS. Students investigate subsystem choices for a UAS and how these affect mission performance. Includes discussion of external factors impacting UAS design choices, including support infrastructure, flight operations and data requirements.
Cross-listed with AERO F254.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F256 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Design
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A multidisciplinary team of students will design, build, test and deliver an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in support of university research mission requirements. Students will learn basic concepts related to the systems engineering design process. Graded events include team briefings, written reports, multimedia products and a finished UAS product.
Prerequisites: AERO F254; ME F254.
Crosslisted with CS F254, AERO F256.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F258 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Covers the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), sensors, and support infrastructure required to conduct a selected mission set. Emphasis is on mission analysis, planning, and conduct, including definition of requirements/constraints, identification of appropriate assets, flight planning considerations, and data analysis requirements. Teams coordinate resources for mission and report results.
Cross-listed with CS F258; GEOS F258; and AERO F258.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F302 Dynamics of Machinery
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Kinematics and dynamics of mechanisms. Analysis of displacements, velocities, accelerations, and forces in linkages, cams and gear systems by analytical, experimental and computer methods. Design applications.
Prerequisites: ES F301 (may be taken concurrently); ES F210.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F308 Instrumentation and Measurement
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Principles of measurement, instrumentation, Laplace transform, Fourier series, transfer function, steady-state response, calibration, and errors. Signal filtering and amplification, data acquisition, recording, and processing. Methods and devices for measuring strain, force, torque, displacement, velocity, acceleration, pressure, fluid flow properties, and temperature. Mechatronics, sensors, actuators, and controls.
Prerequisites: ES F331.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F313 Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Investigation and design of power and refrigeration cycles (Rankine, Brayton, Otto, and Diesel), compressible flow (isentropic, shock waves, and flow in ducts with friction), and combustion and gas vapor mixtures.
Prerequisites: ES F346.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F321 Industrial Processes
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Manufacturing processes used in modern industry. Primary and secondary manufacturing processes, casting, hot and cold forming, machining, welding and mass production tools and techniques as related to economic and efficient product design.
Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering major.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F334 Elements of Material Science/Engineering
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Properties of engineering materials. Crystal structure, defect structure, structure and properties, aspects of metal processing, heat treatment, joining, testing and failure analysis for engineering applications and design.
Prerequisites: CHEM F105X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F402 Advanced Mechanical System Design
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Advanced analysis of two- and three-dimensional multi-body mechanical systems. Rigid body system formulation and deformable body system formulation. Application of CAE software for rigid body and large deformable body systems.
Prerequisites: ME F302; ME F408.
Stacked with ME F602.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F403 Machine Design
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Design and analysis of machines by analytical, experimental and computer methods. Identification of requirements and conceptual design of mechanical systems, detailed design of components, strength, life, reliability, and cost analysis.
Prerequisites: ES F331.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F405 Computer Aided Design
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Introduction to principles of computer aided design and engineering. Applications of software and hardware in solid modeling, design analysis, motion analysis, rapid prototyping, and interface between computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing.
Prerequisites: Senior standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 4.5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F406 Computer Aided Manufacturing
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Introduction to computer aided manufacturing (CAM). This includes the principles of computer aided process planning (CAPP) and an introduction to computer numerical control (CNC) tools used in manufacturing. Emphasis will be on methodology with hands-on applications of computer software and specific machine tools.
Prerequisites: ME F321; senior standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 4.5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F408 Mechanical Vibrations
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Modeling of vibratory mechanical systems with single and multiple degrees of freedom. Study of free and forced vibrations with or without damping by lumped-parameter methods and finite element analysis. Vibrations of rotor systems and vibration stability.
Prerequisites: ES F210, ES F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F409 Controls
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Analysis and design of control systems. Block diagrams, transfer functions and frequency analysis. Closed loop systems and system stability. Industrial controllers and system compensation.
Prerequisites: ME F408.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F414 HVAC Systems Optimization
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Design of thermal and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with emphasis on economic considerations and optimization. Concepts of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer will be integrated under a design framework, and include economic and technical considerations.
Prerequisites: ES F341; ES F346.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F415 Thermal Systems Laboratory
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Testing and evaluation of components and energy systems such as pumps, fans, engines, heat exchangers, refrigerators and heating/power plants.
Prerequisites: ME F308 (may be taken concurrently); WRTG F111X; ES F341; ME F313; ME F441.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 4.5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F416 Design of Mechanical Equipment for the Petroleum Industry
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Design, selection and operation of equipment used in production and processing of crude oil and gas. Instrumentation and control systems used with mechanical equipment.
Prerequisites: ES F341; ES F346.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F418 Shape and Structure of Mechanical Systems
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Optimization of flow configuration by minimizing the flow resistance in mechanical and energy systems. Introduction to the concepts of entropy minimization and constructal law. Applications to engineering problems in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
Prerequisites: ES F331; ES F341; ES F346.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F431 Intermediate Mechanics of Materials
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Applications of Hooke's law and energy method to thin-walled beams and shafts, and analysis of stress and strain under combined loading. Introduction to fatigue and fracture of elastic materials. Applications to engineering problems.
Prerequisites: ES F331.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F436 Introduction to Nanomaterials
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course aims to providing a comprehensive study of the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of nanomaterials. It will cover the fundamental scientific principles for the different synthesis techniques, assembly of nanostructured materials, and new physical and chemical properties at the nanoscale. Existing and emerging applications will also be discussed.
Prerequisites: ME F334 (may be taken concurrently).
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F440 Introduction to Microfluidics
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Overview of basic concepts and principles of fluids at the micron scale; introduction to the design and fabrication of microfluidic devices.
Prerequisites: ES F341 (may be taken concurrently); PHYS F123X (for Math and non-Physics science major); PHYS F211X (for Engineering, Math and Physics major); junior standing.
Stacked with ME F640.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F441 Heat Transfer
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Application of heat transfer concepts to engineering problems including steady state and transient conduction, numerical analysis of heat transfer problems, laminar and turbulent free and forced convection, and black body and real surface radiation.
Prerequisites: ES F301; ES F341; ES F346.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F443 Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Nanofluids
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Description of nanofluids, nanostructured materials and dispersion in base fluids. Thermophysical properties: density, viscosity, thermal conductivity and specific heat. Theoretical equations and empirical correlations for properties. Principles of measurements of properties. Fluid dynamic losses and pumping power required for nanofluid flow in heat transfer systems. Experimental methods of determining the convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids. Practical application to heat exchangers in industries. Nanofluids flows in mini- and microchannels.
Prerequisites: ES F341; ME F441; senior standing.
Stacked with ME F643.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F450 Theory of Flight
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Airfoil theory in subsonic flow. Performance, stability and control of aircraft. Aircraft design.
Prerequisites: ES F341 (may be taken concurrently); ES F346.
Cross-listed with AERO F450.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F451 Aerodynamics
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Aerodynamics of non-lifting and lifting airfoils in incompressible irrotational flow, wings of finite span, the Navier-Stokes equations, boundary layers, numerical methods, supersonic and transonic flow past airfoils, rocket aerodynamics, rocket drag.
Prerequisites: ES F341 (may be taken concurrently); ES F301; ES F346.
Cross-listed with AERO F451.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F452 Introduction to Astrodynamics
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Geometry of the solar system, detailed analysis of two-body dynamics and introduction to artificial satellite orbits; Hohmann transfer and patched conics for lunar and interplanetary trajectories. Elements of orbit determination.
Prerequisites: ES F208 or ES F210; ES F301 (may be taken concurrently).
Cross-listed with AERO F452.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F453 Propulsion Systems
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Basic principles of propulsion: turbojet, turboprop and rocket engines. Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics of flow in nozzles, compressors, combustors and turbines. Liquid and solid propellant rockets. Heat transfer in rocket motors and nozzles. Design and testing methods for components of propulsion systems.
Prerequisites: ME F313 (may be taken concurrently); ES F341.
Cross-listed with AERO F453.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F458 Energy and the Environment
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Overview of basic concepts of energy supply, demand, production of heat and power impacts of energy use on the environment. Extensive discussion of mitigation technologies and strategies for meeting energy needs while preserving environmental quality.
Prerequisites: CHEM F106X; ES F346 or equivalent; MATH F252X; PHYS F211X.
Cross-listed with ERE F458.
Stacked with ERE F658; ME F658.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F464 Corrosion Engineering
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Principles and forms of corrosion and factors that affect it. Methods of testing and measurement, control and prevention are examined.
Prerequisites: ME F334.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F486 Senior Design
1 Credit
Offered Fall
Focused on pursuing the design of a project selected jointly by students, project advisors, and/or the instructor. Emphasis will be on the design of practical engineering systems and components which integrate engineering knowledge and skills. Principles of the design process will be introduced.
Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; ME F441 (may be taken concurrently); WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; senior standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F487 Design Project
3 Credits
Offered Spring
A real or simulated engineering design project selected jointly by student and instructor. Emphasis on design of practical mechanical engineering systems and/or components which integrate students' engineering knowledge and skills.
Prerequisites: ME F486.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F601 Finite Element Analysis in Engineering
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Formulation of the finite element method. Applications to problems of engineering in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Use and development of codes for computer solution of problems.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in engineering; ES F201; MATH F302.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F602 Advanced Mechanical System Design
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Advanced analysis of two- and three-dimensional multi-body mechanical systems. Rigid body system formulation and deformable body system formulation. Application of CAE software for rigid body and large deformable body systems.
Prerequisites: ME F302; ME F408.
Stacked with ME F402.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F608 Advanced Dynamics
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies, introduction to analytical mechanics, Lagrange's equations and Hamiltonian mechanics. Applications to engineering problems.
Prerequisites: ES F210; MATH F302; graduate standing in engineering.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F609 Advanced Vibrations
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Analysis of discrete and continuous vibrations via energy methods, free and forced response of linear systems, stability criteria, and introduction to random and nonlinear vibration. Applications to engineering problems.
Prerequisites: MATH F302; ME F408; graduate standing in engineering.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F617 Power Analysis
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Fundamentals of power generation including piping, pumps, fuels and combustion, steam generators, condensers, deaerators, evaporators, feedwater treatment and heating, regeneration, fuel handling, heat balance, equipment, economics, and plant layout.
Prerequisites: ME F313.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F631 Advanced Mechanics of Materials
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Theories of elasticity and plasticity for small and large deformations. Applications to engineering problems.
Prerequisites: ES F331; graduate standing in engineering.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F634 Advanced Materials Engineering
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Atomic bonding, crystal structure, crystal imperfections, phases and interfaces, microstructures, phase diagrams, phase transformation, transport and diffusion, metal deformation, fracture of materials, deterioration of materials, electronic and physical properties of materials.
Prerequisites: ME F334; MATH F302; graduate standing in engineering.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F640 Introduction to Microfluidics
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Overview of basic concepts and principles of fluids at the micron scale; introduction to the design and fabrication of microfluidic devices.
Prerequisites: ES F341 (may be taken concurrently); PHYS F123X (for Math and non-Physics science major); PHYS F211X (for Engineering, Math and Physics major); junior standing.
Stacked with ME F440.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F641 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Introduction to viscous flows, laminar boundary layers, turbulent boundary layers, turbulent jets and wakes, applications to heat transfer and drag.
Prerequisites: ES F341; graduate standing in engineering.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F642 Advanced Heat Transfer
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Heat conduction in two and three dimensions under steady and transient conditions. Free and forced convection in internal and external flows. Radiation from black and gray surfaces and gas-filled enclosures. Both analytical and numerical methods are covered.
Prerequisites: ME F441; graduate standing in engineering.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F643 Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Nanofluids
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Description of nanofluids, nanostructured materials and dispersion in base fluids. Thermophysical properties: density, viscosity, thermal conductivity and specific heat. Theoretical equations and empirical correlations for properties. Principles of measurements of properties. Fluid dynamic losses and pumping power required for nanofluid flow in heat transfer systems. Experimental methods of determining the convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids. Practical application to heat exchangers in industries. Nanofluids flows in mini- and microchannels.
Prerequisites: ES F341; ME F441; graduate standing.
Stacked with ME F443.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F656 Aerospace Systems Engineering
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
A multidisciplinary team of students will perform a preliminary design study of a major aerospace system. Design considerations will include requirements for project management, aerospace vehicle design, power, attitude control, thermal control, communications, computer control and data handling.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with AERO F656; EE F656.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F658 Energy and the Environment
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Overview of basic concepts of energy supply, demand, production of heat and power impacts of energy use on the environment. Extensive discussion of mitigation technologies and strategies for meeting energy needs while preserving environmental quality.
Recommended: CHEM F106X; ES F346 MATH F252X; PHYS F211X; graduate standing.
Cross-listed with ERE F658.
Stacked with ERE F458; ME F458.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F660 Rocket Systems Design
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A multidisciplinary team of students will perform the design, construction and flights of a simple rocket system. Design considerations will include requirements for project management, rocket vehicle design, performance, thrust, stability, recovery system, telemetry and payload data.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in engineering or physics.
Cross-listed with AERO F660; CS F660; EE F660.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F685 Arctic Heat and Mass Transfer
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An introduction to the principles of heat and mass transfer with special emphasis on application to problems encountered in the Arctic such as ice and frost formation, permafrost, condensation and heat loss in structures.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F687 Arctic Materials Engineering
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A study of engineering material performance at low temperatures.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
ME F698 Non-thesis Research/Project
1-9 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits
ME F699 Thesis
1-9 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits
Faculty
Cheng-fu Chen
Professor
Organic-inorganic coating for space and bioengineering applications, stress corrosion cracking and corrosion characterization of coated alloys, development and applications of fluorescence spectrometry for DNA strands detection, droplet microfluidics (rapid prototyping, microdialysis), thermomechanical characterization of electronic packaging
cchen4@alaska.edu
907-474-7265
Duck 351A
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Daisy Huang
Associate Professor
dhuang@alaska.edu
907-474-5663
Duck 329
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Sun Woo Kim
Associate Professor
Renewable energy, thermal system management, heat transfer, cooling technology for roadways on permafrost, metal hydrides and its applications to thermal systems, hydrogen compression and storage
swkim@alaska.edu
907-474-6096
Duck 323
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Rorik Peterson
Department Chair | Associate Professor
Frost heave of soils and fracture of brittle materials (rock, concrete) due to ice lensing, numerical dispersion models for tracking volcanic ash clouds
rapeterson@alaska.edu
907-474-5593
Duck 351B
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Lei Zhang
Associate Professor
Material science, synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials such as nanoporous materials, nanocomposites, and nanocoatings for environmental, biomedical, and energy applications, corrosion properties of alloys and developing anti-corrosion coatings for applications in aerospace industry and biodegradable implants
lzhang14@alaska.edu
907-474-6135
Duck 337A
Troth Yeddha' Campus
