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Links for Prospective Students

Undergraduate Program

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Alt Text Here Undergraduate Program

Mechanical Engineering majors at CSUN receive a solid education in the fundamentals of the discipline augmented by hands-on experience that the employers of our graduates have found to be invaluable.

The program includes study of modern topics including lab courses in contemporary measurement methods and mechatronics, the interaction between mechanical and electronic systems.

The freshmen and sophomore years provide the student with a breadth of knowledge that is required in specialized courses and in the career work of the mechanical engineer. During these years, students take courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering materials, engineering mechanics, and electrical systems. The junior year courses include engineering economics, engineering dynamics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mechanical design, and the numerical analysis of engineering systems.

The senior year is composed of a group of required courses and elective courses that are related to the student’s area of specialization within Mechanical Engineering. The required courses include system dynamics, mechatronics, and two semesters of senior design. Students can take their electives to obtain more in-depth knowledge in the specialization areas listed below.

The Mechanical Engineering Department takes a practical approach to engineering, offering hands-on design experience as well as theoretical knowledge. A key to this practical training is the department’s senior design program, which is modeled on the industry workgroups that students will encounter on the job. Like professional engineers, our students design and develop a project, from conception through manufacture. In the process they gain valuable experience in working as a team, overcoming technical and management challenges and developing communication skills.

Past senior design projects have included: human-powered and solar-powered vehicles, super mileage vehicles, mini Baja (off-road) race cars, Formula SAE race cars, intelligent ground vehicles/mobile robots, battle-bots, and payload maximized model aircraft.

The ME Department offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree. Mechanical engineering majors may elect one of the following specialization areas:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Energy and power
• Mechanical design
• Mechatronics and robotics
• Thermal-fluids

All mechanical engineering majors must complete the same set of requirements, but each specialization area will consist of a different set of senior electives.

Additional information about the undergraduate program is available in the CSUN catalog.


Applications

To apply for admission, or to learn more about CSUN, visit the Admissions and Records website.


Courses Descriptions

    Lower Division

    ME 101/L. INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING and LAB (1/1)
    Corequisite: ME 101L.     Freshman orientation course for the Mechanical Engineering program, the profession, and an introduction to the University. “Tools of the trade” – the internet, word processing, spreadsheets, power point, computer-aided design, basic lab measurement instruments, commercial component catalogs, and numerically controlled machine tools to support prototype fabrication are introduced in the context of engineering practice. Fundamental engineering analysis/design is explored through simple examples covering all aspects of Mechanical Engineering. 1 hour lecture; 3 hours lab per week.

    ME 122. ENERGY AND SOCIETY (2)
    Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division writing requirement.     Energy production and utilization in a technological society. Sources of energy. Relations between energy, technology, and industrial output. Present and projected use patterns. Alternative energy sources for the future. Designed for non-majors. Regular written assignments are required. (Available for General Education: Subject Explorations – Lifelong Learning)

    ME 125. HOW THINGS WORK (3)
    Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division writing requirement.     Intended for nonscientists seeking a connection between science and technology and the world in which they live. Primary goal is to allow students to begin to see science and technology in everyday life. How Things Work is about ordinary objects and the application of physical concepts that make them possible. Commonly used objects such as automobiles, amplifiers, cameras, airplanes and rockets, the sea and surfing, computers, etc., are used as examples to provide an easy-to-understand look at the role science and technology plays in our society. Designed for non-engineering majors. (Available for General Education: Subject Explorations – Lifelong Learning)

    ME 196A-Z/L. EXPERIMENTAL TOPICS COURSES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (1/1)
    Corequisites: ME 196AL-ZL

    ME 286A/L. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN I and LAB (2/1)
    Prerequisites: PHYS 220A/L. Corequisites: ME 286AL.     Recommended corequisite or preparatory: MSE 227/L. Introduction to mechanical design, design methodology, and design for manufacturing. Engineering materials selection, metal forming/removal theory and practice. Introduction to solid modeling, drafting, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing. 2 hours lecture; one 3-hour lab per week.

    ME 286B/L. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN II and LAB (1/1)
    Prerequisite: ME 286A, PHYS 220A/L. Corequisite: 286BL.     Study of the concepts and techniques used for engineering design, with an emphasis on modern computational tools used by mechanical engineers. Introduction to computing and programming skills, with applications to the analysis and optimization of mechanical systems using a spreadsheet with an imbedded high level language. Use of engineering solid modeling/analysis software in the design process. “Hands-on” team project is required. 1 hour lecture; one 3-hour lab per week.

    ME 296A-Z. EXPERIMENTAL TOPICS COURSES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (1-4)



    UPPER-DIVISION

    ME 309. NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS (2)
    Prerequisites: MATH 150B; ME 286B/L or COMP 106/L or ECE 206/L.     Features engineering problems which require the use of algorithms and numerical analysis to obtain a solution. Modern tools such as spreadsheets with imbedded high level languages are used for analysis and code development. Program documentation which requires extensive use of computer-based technical writing skills with graphical presentations. Cross section of problems are selected from various branches of engineering. Two 3-hour labs each week.

    ME 330 MACHINE DESIGN (3)
    Prerequisites: ME 286B/L. Preparatory: CE 340.     Engineering principles and practice in the selection and design of fasteners, bearings, couplings, shafting, transmissions and other mechanical power transmission devices. Design Project. 3 hours
    lecture per week.

    ME 335/L. MECHANICAL MEASUREMENTS and LAB (1/1)
    Prerequisite ECE 240/L; ME 286B/L. Corequisite: ME 335L.     Measurement of temperature, pressure, flow rate, force, and motion. Statistical methods for analysis of uncertainty and experiment design. Use of data acquisition software for data collection and storage. Analysis of dynamic response of instruments. Written and oral presentations of experimental results. One hour lecture and one
    3-hour lab per week.

    ME 370. THERMODYNAMICS (3)
    Prerequisites: MATH 250; PHYS 220A/L.     Fundamental theories and engineering applications of thermodynamics with emphasis of 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic properties of solids, liquids, gases, and mixtures. Work-producing and work-absorbing systems. Applications to design.

    ME 375. HEAT TRANSFER I (3)
    Prerequisites: MATH 250; PHYS 220A/L.     Basic principles of heat transfer and their application. Introduction to conductive, convective, and radiative heat transfer. Applications to design.

    ME 384. SYSTEM DYNAMICS: MODELING, ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION (3)
    Prerequisite: AM 316; ECE 240/L. Corequisite: ME 390.     Modeling of dynamic engineering systems in various energy domains: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic; using bond graphs, block diagrams and state equations. Analysis of response of system models. Digital computer simulation.

    ME 390. FLUID MECHANICS (3)
    Prerequisite: MATH 250; PHYS 220A/L.     Fundamental equations of fluid mechanics are derived and applied to engineering problems, with emphasis on understanding the physical principles involved. Basic developments are applied to compressible as well as incompressible fluids. Selective exploration of the state of the art of experimental knowledge in major areas of applications. Applications to design.

    ME 396A-Z. EXPERIMENTAL TOPICS COURSES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (1-4)

    ME 400A. ENGINEERING DESIGN CLINIC I (1-3)
    Group design experience involving teams of students and faculty working on the solution of engineering design problems submitted by industry and government agencies.

    ME 400B. ENGINEERING DESIGN CLINIC II (1-3)
    Prerequisite: ME 400A. Continuation of ME 400A.

    ME 409. COMPUTER-AIDED MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (3)
    Prerequisites: ME 309; senior or graduate standing.     Practice in selecting and using software for solving problems in Mechanical Engineering. General principles for various classes of problems. Specific applications to thermodynamics, heat transfer, machine design, fluid flow, and lubrication.

    ME 415. KINEMATICS OF MECHANISMS (3)
    Prerequisite: AM 316; upper-division standing.     Study of forces and motion of constrained mechanisms in machine systems. Analysis of linkages, cams, sliders, crank and rocker, offset crank-slider, universal joints, etc. Internal combustion engine is utilized to demonstrate application of these elements at a systems level.

    ME 430. MACHINE DESIGN APPLICATIONS (3)
    Prerequisite: ME 330; CE 340.     Continuation of ME 330 with emphasis on fatigue of machine parts, life, wear and friction considerations. Turbine, pump, transmissions and other devices discussed and analyzed as case studies. Design project.

    ME 432. MACHINE DESIGN LAB (1)
    Prerequisite: ME 330.     Examination of the design process and review of machine elements. Applications of CAD to machine design: design projects with machine drawings. Introduction to machining and machine tools: fabrication of machine parts.

    ME 433. TRIBOLOGY: LUBRICATION, FRICTION AND WEAR (3)
    Prerequisite: ME 390.     Study of adhesion, friction, wear and lubricated behavior of solid surfaces in relative motion. Hydrodynamic lubrication, bearing load criteria, leakage and heat balance. Influence of bearing material, surface finish and lubricant composition on the design of lubricated mechanical systems including rolling elements, gears, cams and linkages.

    ME 435/L. MECHATRONICS and LAB (2/1)
    Prerequisite: ECE 240/L. Corequisite: ME 435L.     Recommended corequisite: ME 335 or ECE 320. Machine and process control applications, data acquisition systems, sensors and transducers, actuating devices, hardware controllers, transducer signal processing and conditioning. 2 hours lecture and one 3-hour lab each week. (Crosslisted with ECE 435/L)

    ME 470. THERMODYNAMICS II (3)
    Prerequisite: ME 370.     Continuation of Thermo-dynamics I with applications to engineering systems. Gas and vapor cycles for power and refrigeration. Reactive and non-reactive mixtures. Introduction to combustion.

    ME 482. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENGINEERING I (3)
    Prerequisite: ME 370.     Principles of non-fossil fueled energy conversion systems. Review of principles of energy release in nuclear reactions. Analysis and design techniques applicable to fission, fusion, and geothermal power plants. Environmental effects, safety and safeguards considerations.

    ME 483. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENGINEERING II (3)
    Prerequisites: ME 370; 375.     Solar radiation characteristics. Solar energy collection and conversion devices. Design and analysis of passive and active solar energy systems. Solar electric power production. Wind energy conversion. Economic analysis.

    ME 484/L. CONTROL OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS and LAB (2/1)
    Prerequisites: ME 384. Corequisite 484L.     Classical feedback control theory emphasizing mechanical systems. Time domain, frequency domain, techniques: stability criteria, system sensitivity. Introduction to design compensation and methods. Digital computer simulation of translational and rotational mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Control system design projects. 2-hour lecture and one 3-hour lab per week.

    ME 485. PRINCIPLES OF POLLUTION CONTROL (3)
    Prerequisite: ME 370.     Analysis of pollution control problems in various industrial processes and energy and transportation systems. Topics include toxic wastes, resource recovery, air and water quality control. Emphasis on engineering designs for reducing emissions and for safe disposal of industrial and domestic wastes. Consideration given to both redesign of existing processes and specification of after-treatment control systems. Impacts of control and disposal systems on energy resources are considered. Design project is required.

    ME 486A. SENIOR DESIGN IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING I (2)
    Prerequisite: Senior standing in Engineering. Preparatory: ME 330; 384; 435.     Capstone design experience, simulating the ‘real’ engineering environment. Synthesis of engineering fundamentals applied to systems design, through group participation. Computer-Aided-Engineering Design. Construct, development and test proposed design components; use of wind tunnels, engine dynamometers, computerized simulations of systems performance. Two 3-hour labs per week.

    ME 486B. SENIOR DESIGN IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING II (2)
    Prerequisite: ME 486A. Continuation of ME 486A.     Students carry out the group design project initiated in ME 486A. Influence of technical, legal, ethical and regulatory constraints are considered. Computer-Aided-Engineering Design methods are utilized. Two 3-hour labs per week.

    ME 486C. DESIGN LEADERSHIP (3)
    Prerequisite: Instructor consent.     Capstone design project management and design leadership through participation in large group simulation of Engineering design project that takes process from concept to demonstrated hardware.

    ME 490. FLUID DYNAMICS (3)
    Prerequisite: ME 390.     Second-semester fluids course with applications to systems of engineering interest. Potential flows, boundary layers, duct flows, lubrication theory, lift and drag. One dimensional compressible flow with area change, friction, heating/cooling, normal shock waves, oblique shock waves, and Prandtl-Meyer expansions. Both numerical and analytical solution techniques are explored.

    ME 491. THERMAL-FLUIDS LAB (1)
    Prerequisite: ME 335; 370; 390; 375.     Experimental studies of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer. Measurement and analysis of performance of simple cyclic devices, aerodynamic shapes, turbomachines, piping systems, and heat exchangers. one 3-hour lab per week.

    ME 493. HYDRAULICS (3)
    Prerequisite: ME 390.     Fundamental principles of incompressible fluid flow and their applications to pipe flow, open channel flow, and the performance of hydraulic turbomachines. Flow in pipe systems ranging from simple series systems to complex branched networks. Uniform flows, gradually varying flows, rapid transitions, and hydraulic jumps in open channels. Performance of radial, mixed-flow, and axial flow centrifugal pumps and turbines, and of impulse turbines.

    ME 496A-Z. EXPERIMENTAL TOPICS COURSES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (1-4)

    ME 498. SUPERVISED INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS (1-3)
    Studies in Mechanical Engineering. (See subtitle in appropriate Schedule of Classes)

    ME 499A-C. INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3)