Mechanical Engineering 1

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Fathi Ghorbel

C. Fred Higgs, III
Marcia K. O'Malley
Contact Information Laura Schaefer
Pol D. Spanos
Mechanical Engineering
Tayfun E. Tezduyar
https://mech.rice.edu/
101 Mechanical Engineering Building
713-348-4906
Associate Professors
Matthew Brake
Marcia K. O'Malley Peter Lillehoj
Department Chair
[email protected] Assistant Professors
Pedram Hassanzadeh
Daniel Preston
Undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering can lead to careers Geoffrey Wehmeyer
that focus on a diverse set of areas, including aerospace engineering,
biomedical systems, computational fluid dynamics, computational
mechanics, fluids-thermal science, mechanical design, mechanics,
Professor Emeritus
Chao-Cheng Wang
robotics, systems dynamics and controls.

The graduate program offers professional degrees in mechanical Professor in the Practice
engineering, which permits specialization in the areas previously Patrick Rodi
mentioned. Graduate students also may pursue research degrees.
The graduate program, in its comprehensive educational and research
activities, collaborates with other departments at Rice and other
Lecturers
institutions in Houston, including those in the Texas Medical Center. Roberto Dugnani
Collaborations also are extended to universities in the United States, David Trevas
Europe, Japan, and South America. International collaborations include
joint research activities and faculty and student visitor exchanges. Professors, Joint Appointments
Reginald DesRoches
Bachelor's Programs Kathryn Jane Grande-Allen
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Mechanical Engineering Lydia Kavraki
(https://ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-programs/ Satish Nagarajaiah
engineering/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineering-ba/)
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) Degree Adjunct Professors
(https://ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-programs/ Aladin Boriek
engineering/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineering-bsme/) James Dabney
Thomas J. R. Hughes
Master's Programs
• Master of Mechanical Engineering (MME) Degree (https:// Adjunct Associate Professors
ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-programs/engineering/ Kenji Takizawa
mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineering-mme/) David Woffinden
• Master of Science (MS) Degree in the field of Mechanical Engineering
For Rice University degree-granting programs:
(https://ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-programs/
To view the list of official course offerings, please see Rice’s
engineering/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineering-ms/)
Course Catalog (https://courses.rice.edu/admweb/!SWKSCAT.cat?

Doctoral Program p_action=cata)

To view the most recent semester’s course schedule, please see Rice's
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in the field of Mechanical Course Schedule (https://courses.rice.edu/admweb/!SWKSCAT.cat)
Engineering (https://ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-
programs/engineering/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-
engineering-phd/)

Chair
Marcia K. O'Malley

Professors
John Edward Akin
Yildiz Bayazitoglu
Benjamin J. Fregly

2023-2024 General Announcements PDF Generated 11/06/23

2 Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering (MECH) MECH 210 - INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS

Short Title: INTRO TO NUMERICAL METHODS
MECH 200 - CLASSICAL THERMODYNAMICS Department: Mechanical Engineering
Short Title: CLASSICAL THERMODYNAMICS Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Type: Lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Credit Hours: 3
Course Type: Lecture Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Credit Hours: 3 Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 101 and PHYS 102 and (MATH 101 or MATH 105)
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level and (MATH 102 or MATH 106)
Description: Explication of the fundamental laws of classical Description: Numerical Methods covers computational methods for
thermodynamics and deductions from them. Includes applications generating numerical solutions to mathematical problems, with an
with particular attention to pure substances. Required for mechanical emphasis on engineering applications and computer implementation in
engineering majors. Recommended Prerequisite(s): PHYS 101 and MATLAB.
PHYS 102.
MECH 211 - ENGINEERING MECHANICS
MECH 202 - MECHANICS/STATICS Short Title: ENGINEERING MECHANICS
Short Title: MECHANICS/STATICS Department: Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Type: Lecture
Course Type: Lecture Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3 Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level Prerequisite(s): (PHYS 101 or PHYS 111 or PHYS 125 or PHYS 141) and
Prerequisite(s): (MATH 101 or MATH 105) and (MATH 102 or MATH 106) (MATH 101 or MATH 105) and (MATH 102 or MATH 106)
and (PHYS 101 or PHYS 111) Description: The study equilibrium of static systems, the dynamics of
Description: Mechanics is the branch of the physical sciences that a particle and particle systems, and rigid-body dynamics. Cross-list:
deals with the response of bodies to the action of forces and is based CEVE 211.
on the implementation of Newton’s laws. This class is divided into
MECH 231 - SOPHOMORE LAB
two sections: study of rigid bodies in equilibrium; and strength of
Short Title: SOPHOMORE LAB
materials. Fundamental concepts such as equilibrium, stress and strain,
Department: Mechanical Engineering
deformations and displacements, elasticity and inelasticity, strain energy,
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
and load-carrying capacity will be covered.
Course Type: Laboratory
MECH 203 - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN TOOLS Credit Hour: 1
Short Title: MECH ENG DESIGN TOOLS Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Department: Mechanical Engineering Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory Description: Instruction in application of engineering thermodynamics.
Credit Hours: 3 Includes uncertainty analysis, measurement of thermodynamic
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Mechanical properties, and design of experiments. Required for mechanical
Engineering. Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate engineering majors in B.S. program. Recommended Prerequisite(s):
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. MECH 200
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
MECH 238 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 101
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Description: Learning the use of computer aided design tools for
Department: Mechanical Engineering
preparing complex solid parts, assemblies, and their dimensioned
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
drawings. Learn to apply black-box simulation tools for stress analysis,
Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar,
heat transfer, vibration, etc. of complex parts and assemblies.
Independent Study
Credit Hours: 1-4
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact
department for current semester’s topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.

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 Mechanical Engineering 3

MECH 308 - SENIOR DESIGN JUNIOR OBSERVERS MECH 315 - STRESS ANALYSIS
Short Title: SENIOR DESIGN JUNIOR OBSERVERS Short Title: STRESS ANALYSIS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Independent Study Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hour: 1 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Repeatable for Credit. Prerequisite(s): MECH 202 or MECH 211
Description: Stress analysis is integral to much of mechanical
MECH 310 - RIGID BODY DYNAMICS
engineering, whether in industrial design or academic research. This
Short Title: RIGID BODY DYNAMICS
course is divided into two parts. First, the concepts of stress analysis
Department: Mechanical Engineering
are introduced for two-dimensional, then three-dimensional bodies. The
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
second part of this course builds upon stress analysis by going into
Course Type: Lecture
failure – both dynamic and static theories. A series of month long design
Credit Hours: 3
projects will apply the tools learned in this course to specific engineering
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
problems.
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level MECH 331 - JUNIOR LABORATORY I
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 101 and PHYS 102 and (MATH 101 or MATH 105) Short Title: JUNIOR LABORATORY I
and (MATH 102 or MATH 106) Department: Mechanical Engineering
Description: Mechanics is the branch of the physical sciences that deals Grade Mode: Standard Letter
with the response of bodies to the action of forces and is based on Course Type: Laboratory
the implementation of Newton’s laws. Statics is the study of bodies in Credit Hour: 1
equilibrium and is based on Newton’s first and third laws, while Dynamics Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
focuses on bodies in motion and is based on Newton’s second and third Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
laws. This class focuses on Rigid Body Dynamics. Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Instruction in static and impact testing of engineering
MECH 311 - MECHANICS OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES
materials. Includes beam deflection and shear center experiments,
Short Title: MECHANICS OF SOLIDS
as well as the application and testing of strain gauges. Required for
Department: Mechanical Engineering
mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture MECH 332 - JUNIOR LABORATORY II
Credit Hours: 3 Short Title: JUNIOR LABORATORY II
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Department: Mechanical Engineering
Bioengineering, Civil & Environmental Engineer, Civil Engineering or Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Mechanical Engineering. Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Course Type: Laboratory
Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Credit Hour: 1
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Prerequisite(s): CEVE 211 or MECH 211 Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Description: Analysis of stress and the deformation of solids with Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
applications to beams, circular shafts, and columns. Required for Corequisite: MECH 371
following undergraduate majors: civil and environmental and mechanical Description: Instruction in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
engineering. Cross-list: CEVE 311. Students work in groups and perform classic experiments in fluid flow.
This laboratory course provides experimental support to MECH 371.
Required course for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program. See
on-line registration for sections.

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4 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 340 - INDUSTRIAL PROCESS LAB MECH 371 - FLUID MECHANICS I

Short Title: INDUSTRIAL PROCESS LAB Short Title: FLUID MECHANICS I
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Laboratory Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hour: 1 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Mechanical Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Engineering. Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Prerequisite(s): MECH 200 and MATH 212
Description: Practical experience in, and observation of, selected Description: Introduction to fluid statics and dynamics. Includes the
industrial processes. Must sign up in department office at the beginning development of the fundamental equations of fluid mechanics and their
of registration for sections; each section is limited to 8 students. application to problems of engineering interest. Required for mechanical
Open only to mechanical engineering majors. Required for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program. Department Permission Required.
engineering majors in B.S. program. Final registration confirmed after the MECH 373 - ACOUSTICS
first week's organizational meeting. Meeting announcements posted in Short Title: ACOUSTICS
the MEMS department. Department: Mechanical Engineering
MECH 343 - MODELING OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Short Title: MODELING OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS Course Type: Lecture
Department: Mechanical Engineering Credit Hours: 3
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Course Type: Lecture Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Credit Hours: 4 Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Description: Basics of technical acoustics, including generation,
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. propagation, reception and reproduction of sound, speech and hearing,
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level musical and architectural acoustics, and noise control. Offered alternate
Prerequisite(s): (MECH 211 or CEVE 211 or MECH 310) and MECH 200 years.
and MATH 211 and (CAAM 335 (may be taken concurrently) or CMOR 302 MECH 380 - INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL EFFECTS IN TISSUES
(may be taken concurrently)) Short Title: INTRO TO MECHANICAL EFFECTS
Description: Energy-based modeling of dynamic systems. The focus of Department: Mechanical Engineering
the course will be mechanical systems and electrical circuits, but will Grade Mode: Standard Letter
also involve fluid, thermal and other domains. The course will introduce Course Type: Lecture
modeling and simulation of systems via MATLAB, Simulink, and Labview, Credit Hours: 3
and an introduction to systems theory. Modeling and simulation of Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
systems via MATLAB, and an introduction to systems theory. Includes Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
laboratory assignments. Required for mechanical engineering majors in Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
B.S. program. Note: Prerequisite, CMOR 302 may be taken concurrently. Prerequisite(s): MECH 211 and MECH 311 or CEVE 300
MECH 350 - MECHANICAL ELEMENTS Description: Development of a general background in physiology and
Short Title: MECHANICAL ELEMENTS in advanced mechanics for applications in medicine. Includes bone
Department: Mechanical Engineering mechanics in remodeling, cartilage and ligament mechanics, and muscle
Grade Mode: Standard Letter mechanics, as well as an on paper design project on a subject selected
Course Type: Lecture by students.
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Prerequisite(s): MECH 315 or MECH 311 or CEVE 311
Description: The principles of mechanics are applied to the design of
machine elements, including load path and stress analysis, selection of
mechanical components, and materials selection. A semester design
project requires using the analysis tools learned in the course. Required
for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program.

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 Mechanical Engineering 5

MECH 383 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION AND MECH 401 - MECHANICAL DESIGN APPLICATIONS
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES Short Title: MECHANICAL DESIGN APPLICATIONS
Short Title: BIOMED INSTRUMENT&MESURE TECHN Department: Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Type: Lecture
Course Type: Lecture Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3 Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Prerequisite(s): MECH 311 or CEVE 311
Prerequisite(s): ELEC 381 Description: Brief review of solid mechanics with introduction to failure
Description: Review of basic sensors, measurement principles and theories and fatigue analysis. The principles of mechanics are applied
analog electronics using operational amplifiers. Includes design problems to the design of machine elements. A semester design project requires
using operational amplifier circuits (e.g. instrumentation and isolation using the analysis tools learned in the course. Required for mechanical
amplifiers, comparators, timer circuits). Introduction to development engineering majors in B.S. program.
of virtual instruments (VIs) using LabView. Discussion of micro and MECH 403 - COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
macro-biopotential electrodes, cell cytometry, the measurement of blood Short Title: COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
pressure, blood flow, and heart sounds, temperature, and the principles Department: Mechanical Engineering
of electrical safety (e.g. micro and macro-shock hazards in the clinical Grade Mode: Standard Letter
environment). Includes discussion of pulmonary instrumentation and Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
medical applications of ultrasound. Two lab exercises and a term project Credit Hours: 3
required. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
MECH 390 - TOPICAL ISSUES IN ENGINEERING Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Short Title: TOPICAL ISSUES IN ENG Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Department: Mechanical Engineering Description: Investigation of the integration of the computer into the
Grade Mode: Standard Letter area of mechanical design. Includes such subjects as optimization, finite
Course Type: Seminar element, analysis, and commercial software. Graduate/Undergraduate
Credit Hour: 1 Equivalency: MECH 503. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate MECH 403 if student has credit for MECH 503.
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. MECH 404 - MECHANICAL DESIGN PROJECT
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Short Title: MECHANICAL DESIGN PROJECT
Description: This discussion based class will focus on current events Department: Mechanical Engineering
and how engineering can be used to directly address them throughout a Grade Mode: Standard Letter
career. Topics will include energy, environmental, space, and societal (e.g., Course Type: Lecture
inequality, social media, etc.) related issues amongst others. Credit Hours: 1-4
MECH 400 - ADVANCED MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Short Title: ADV MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Description: Project based course for group or individual design projects
Course Type: Lecture relating to mechanical engineering topics.
Credit Hours: 3 MECH 407 - CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT I
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Short Title: CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT I
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Department: Mechanical Engineering
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Prerequisite(s): (MECH 202 or MECH 211 or CEVE 211) and (MECH 311 or Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
MECH 315 or CEVE 311)
Credit Hours: 4
Description: Advanced topics in materials mechanics, including elasticity, Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
plasticity, and brittle and ductile fracture mechanics. A major focus of Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
this course is to approach these advanced mechanics topics from a Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
material perspective. Cross-list: CEVE 400. Graduate/Undergraduate Prerequisite(s): MECH 343 and (MECH 350 or MECH 401) and MECH 481
Equivalency: MECH 500. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for Description: An interdisciplinary capstone design experience in
MECH 400 if student has credit for MECH 500. mechanical engineering. This course provides an opportunity for students
to apply knowledge and skills acquired in previous courses to the solution
of a realistic engineering problem. Teams of students will specify,
design, and build a system to meet a prescribed set of requirements. The
topics covered in this course will include design methodology, effective
teamwork, project management, documentation, and presentation skills.
Must complete MECH 408 to receive credit for MECH 407. Required for
mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program.

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6 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 408 - CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT II MECH 416 - ADVANCED MACHINE DESIGN AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
Short Title: CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT II Short Title: MACHINES AND MECHANISMS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: An interdisciplinary capstone design experience in Prerequisite(s): MECH 350
mechanical engineering. This course provides an opportunity for students Description: Continuation of topics covered in a standard undergraduate
to apply knowledge and skills acquired in previous courses to the solution machine design course, as well as an introduction to mechanical systems
of a realistic engineering problem. Teams of students will specify, commonly used in industry and research. Topics to include mechanical
design, and build a system to meet a prescribed set of requirements. The fasteners, weldment design, advanced gearing systems, friction and
topics covered in this course will include design methodology, effective energy storage devices, and fluid power systems.
teamwork, project management, documentation, and presentation skills. MECH 417 - FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Must complete MECH 408 to receive credit for MECH 407. Required for Short Title: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program. Department Permission Department: Mechanical Engineering
Required. Grade Mode: Standard Letter
MECH 411 - DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS Course Type: Lecture
Short Title: DYNAMICS & CONTROL OF MECH SYS Credit Hours: 3
Department: Mechanical Engineering Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Type: Lecture Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Credit Hours: 3 Prerequisite(s): (MATH 212 or MATH 222) and (CAAM 210 or CAAM 211
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate or CMOR 220)
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Description: An introduction to finite element analysis by Galerkin's
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level method and the method of least squares as applied to both ordinary
Prerequisite(s): MECH 343 and MECH 420 and partial differential equations common in engineering applications.
Description: The application of the principles of kinematics, dynamics Element interpolations, numerical integration, computational
and systems and control theory to the design and analysis of controlled considerations for efficient solution and post-processing methods.
mechanical systems. Kinematics and Newtonian dynamics of particles Application of the commercial codes to ANSYS and Cosmosworks.
and rigid bodies, elements of analytical dynamics, system analysis, Cross-list: CEVE 417. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 517.
stability, and simulation of dynamical behavior, control of mechanical Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 417 if student has credit for
systems. Demonstrations and laboratory examples. Graduate/ MECH 517.
Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 501. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot MECH 420 - FUNDAMENTALS OF CONTROL SYSTEMS
register for MECH 411 if student has credit for MECH 501. Short Title: FUNDAMENTALS OF CONTROL SYST
MECH 412 - VIBRATIONS Department: Mechanical Engineering
Short Title: VIBRATIONS Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Type: Lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Credit Hours: 3
Course Type: Lecture Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Credit Hours: 3 Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Prerequisite(s): (CAAM 335 or CMOR 302 and MECH 343) or (MATH 355
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level and MECH 343) or (CAAM 335 or CMOR 302 and ELEC 242 and ELEC 244)
Prerequisite(s): MECH 343 or (MATH 355 and ELEC 242 and ELEC 244)
Description: Analysis of discrete and continuous linear vibrating Description: Linear systems and the fundamental principles of classical
systems, with emphasis on multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Includes feedback control, state variable analysis of linear dynamic systems,
approximate methods. Coverage of statistics (e.g. Gaussian and other stability of linear control systems, time-domain analysis and control of
distributions; and power spectra) as a foundation for random vibrations linear systems, root-locus analysis and design and pole-zero synthesis,
analysis. Required for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program. frequency domain techniques for the analysis and design of control
Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 502. Mutually Exclusive: systems. Required for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program.
Cannot register for MECH 412 if student has credit for MECH 502. Cross-list: ELEC 436. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 620.
Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 420 if student has credit for
MECH 620.

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 Mechanical Engineering 7

MECH 427 - PHYSICS GUIDED MACHINE LEARNING & DATA DRIVEN MECH 444 - FLUID MECHANICS OF COMPUTING
MODELING FEM Short Title: FLUID MECHANICS OF COMPUTING
Short Title: PHY GUIDED ML-DATA DRIVEN FEM Department: Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Type: Lecture
Course Type: Lecture Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3 Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Description: The objective is to learn and develop a good understanding
Prerequisite(s): CEVE 311 or MECH 311 or MECH 315 of the fluid mechanics concepts and tools that are essential to know for
Description: Introduction to physics guided machine learning and data successful computational flow analysis. For successful computational
driven modeling from a rigorous finite element analysis and system flow analysis, we first have to know the problem we want to solve, set
dynamics (& optimization) perspective. Programming needed will be up the computational conditions correctly, have a good idea about what
introduced in the course. The course involves series of assignments results to expect, and properly interpret and evaluate the computed
involving programming. Project work will be assigned at the end of the results. This course will help us learn the fluid mechanics concepts
semester in lieu of the final exam. Cannot be taken concurrently with and tools required for that. The course will have both an easy to follow
CEVE/MECH 527. Prerequisites CEVE/MECH 311. Cross-list: CEVE 427. mathematical approach and an easy to relate to physical-interpretation
Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 427 if student has credit for approach. The topics covered include the basic mathematical framework,
MECH 527. key fluid mechanics mechanisms, scaling and nondimensional variables
Course URL: Satishnagarajaiah.rice.edu (http:// and equations, and simple fluid mechanics formulas that can be used
Satishnagarajaiah.rice.edu) in obtaining analytical estimates to the problems solved. Graduate/
Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 544. Recommended Prerequisite(s):
MECH 430 - TRIBOMECHADYNAMICS
MECH 200 and MATH 212 Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for
Short Title: TRIBOMECHADYNAMICS
MECH 444 if student has credit for MECH 544.
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter MECH 450 - ALGORITHMIC ROBOTICS
Course Type: Lecture Short Title: ALGORITHMIC ROBOTICS
Credit Hours: 3 Department: Mechanical Engineering
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Type: Lecture
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisite(s): MECH 315 and MECH 343 Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Description: Tribomechadynamics is a graduate/upper level Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
undergraduate course that spans the topics of tribology, contact Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
mechanics, and nonlinear dynamics. These three topics are integral to Prerequisite(s): COMP 321 and COMP 215
understanding interfacial contact, how assembled structures behave, Description: Robots have fascinated people for generations. Today,
and how the evolution of damage (wear) over time at the micro-scale robots are built for applications as diverse as exploring remote planets,
influences the structural-scale response of a system. In brief, the de-mining war zones, cleaning toxic waste, assembling cars, inspecting
subjects covered by this course are: • Tribology. Topics will include pipes in industrial plants and mowing lawns. Robots are also interacting
empirical and heuristic friction models, the fundamentals of wear, with humans in a variety of ways: robots are museum guides, robots
lubrication selection and considerations, and fundamental failure assist surgeon sin life threatening operations, and robotic cars can
modes. • Contact Mechanics. Topics will include elastic deformation, drive us around. The field of robotics studies not only the design of
constitutive modeling, plasticity, failure criteria, and numerical simulation. new mechanisms but also the development of artificial intelligence
• Nonlinear Dynamics. Topics will include an overview of linear vibration frameworks to make these mechanism useful in the physical world,
theory, model reduction theories, nonlinear vibration theory, nonlinear integrating computer science, engineering, mathematics and more
analysis including quasi-static analysis and harmonic balance methods, recently biology and sociology, in a unique way. This class will present
continuation, and modal analysis. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: fundamental algorithmic advances that enable today’s robots to
MECH 530. move in real environments and plan their actions. It will also explore
fundamentals of the field of Artificial Intelligence through the prism of
MECH 431 - SENIOR LABORATORY I
robotics. The class involves a significant programming project. Cross-list:
Short Title: SENIOR LABORATORY I
COMP 450, ELEC 450. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 550.
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 450 if student has credit for
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
MECH 550.
Course Type: Laboratory
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Laboratory instruction in heat transfer and thermodynamics.
Students work in groups doing experiments with emphasis on applied
thermodynamics. Required for mechanical engineering majors in B.S.
program. See online registration for sections.

2023-2024 General Announcements PDF Generated 11/06/23

8 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 454 - COMPUTATIONAL FLUID MECHANICS MECH 473 - ADVANCED FLUID MECHANICS I
Short Title: COMPUTATIONAL FLUID MECHANICS Short Title: ADVANCED FLUID MECHANICS I
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Prerequisite(s): MECH 371 (may be taken concurrently) or MECH 444 Description: Governing equations for inviscid and viscous flows.
(may be taken concurrently) or CEVE 363 (may be taken concurrently) Constitutive laws, simple non-Newtonian flows, and surface tension.
or CHBE 401 (may be taken concurrently) or BIOE 420 (may be taken Derivation and applications of the equations representing the
concurrently) or CHBE 420 (may be taken concurrently) conservation of mass and momentum. Various forms of the Bernoulli
Description: Fundamental concepts of finite element methods in fluid equation. Introductory concepts of computational fluid mechanics.
mechanics, including spatial discretization and numerical integration Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 573. Mutually Exclusive:
in multidimensions, time-integration, and solution of nonlinear ordinary Cannot register for MECH 473 if student has credit for MECH 573.
differential equation systems. Advanced numerical stabilization MECH 474 - ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS
techniques designed for fluid mechanics problems. Strategies for Short Title: ADV COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS
solution of complex, real-world problems. Topics in large-scale Department: Mechanical Engineering
computing, parallel processing, and visualization. Prerequisites may Grade Mode: Standard Letter
be taken concurrently. Cross-list: BIOE 454, CEVE 454. Graduate/ Course Type: Lecture
Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 554. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot Credit Hours: 3
register for MECH 454 if student has credit for MECH 554. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
MECH 466 - SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS WITH Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
MACHINE LEARNING Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Short Title: SYSTEM I.D. & MACHINE LEARNING Prerequisite(s): BIOE 454 or CEVE 454 or MECH 454 or BIOE 554 or
Department: Mechanical Engineering CEVE 554 or MECH 554
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Description: Undergraduate version of MECH 654. The required semester-
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory end report and presentation will be on the introductory topics of the
Credit Hours: 3 course. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 654. Mutually
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 474 if student has credit for
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. MECH 654.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level MECH 477 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Prerequisite(s): CEVE 311 or MECH 311 or MECH 315 Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Description: Introduction to modeling and system identification of Department: Mechanical Engineering
dynamic systems with machine learning. Students in CEVE 596/ Grade Mode: Standard Letter
MECH 566 will be required to do more advanced assignments and a Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar, Lecture/
project. Cross-list: CEVE 496. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: Laboratory
MECH 566. Credit Hours: 1-4
MECH 472 - THERMAL SYSTEMS DESIGN Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Short Title: THERMAL DESIGN Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact
Course Type: Lecture department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.
Credit Hours: 3 MECH 481 - HEAT TRANSFER
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Short Title: HEAT TRANSFER
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Department: Mechanical Engineering
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Prerequisite(s): MECH 371 (may be taken concurrently) and MECH 481 Course Type: Lecture
Description: Design and synthesis of systems based on applications Credit Hours: 3
of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, economics, and Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
optimization theories. Required for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
program. Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Prerequisite(s): (MECH 200 and MECH 371)
Description: Study of the general principles of heat transfer by
conduction, convection, and radiation. Includes their application to
problems of engineering practice. Required for mechanical engineering
majors in B.S. program.

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 Mechanical Engineering 9

MECH 482 - CONVECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER MECH 488 - DESIGN OF MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS
Short Title: CONVECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER Short Title: DESIGN OF MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Prerequisite(s): MECH 481 Prerequisite(s): MECH 343 or ELEC 241 or ELEC 243
Description: Rigorous study of the transfer of heat by free and forced Description: Analog electronic design for purposes of controlling
convection. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 582. Mutually electromechanical systems, including electromechanical sensors
Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 482 if student has credit for and actuators, analog electronic design of filters, state space and
MECH 582. classical controllers, and transistor-based servo amplifiers and high
voltage amplifiers. Implementation of digital controllers. Significant
MECH 484 - MICROSCOPIC THERMODYNAMICS AND TRANSPORT
laboratory component with design and fabrication of circuits to control
Short Title: MICRO THERMO & TRANSPORT
electromechanical systems. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency:
Department: Mechanical Engineering
MECH 588. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 310 and ELEC 436 or
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
MECH 420. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 488 if student
Course Type: Lecture
has credit for MECH 588.
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate MECH 489 - MICROFLUIDICS: FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Short Title: MICROFLUIDICS
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Department: Mechanical Engineering
Prerequisite(s): MECH 481 Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Description: This course introduces concepts in statistical mechanics Course Type: Lecture
and non-equilibrium thermodynamics that are used to understand the Credit Hours: 3
physical mechanisms of heat transfer, particularly in micro/nanoscale Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
systems. Emphasis is placed on energy storage and thermal transport Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
by electrons, phonons, molecules, and photons. Topics include the Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamic distribution functions, energy Prerequisite(s): MECH 371
carrier dispersion relations, Boltzmann equation modeling of thermal and Description: This course presents an introduction to microfluidics,
electrical properties, size effects (classical and quantum-mechanical) including theoretical analysis of microscale flows, basic understanding
on material properties, and thermoelectric energy conversion. Graduate/ of microscale properties, fabrication processes for microfluidic devices
Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 584. and an overview of common applications, many of which are relevant
for bioprocessing and biodetection. Basic understanding of physics,
MECH 487 - INTERFACIAL PHENOMENA, CAPILLARITY, AND WETTING
chemistry, intermediate calculus and fluid mechanics is required.
Short Title: CAPILLARITY AND WETTING
Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 589.
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter MECH 490 - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH PROJECTS
Course Type: Lecture Short Title: MECH ENG RESEARCH PROJECTS
Credit Hours: 3 Department: Mechanical Engineering
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Type: Research
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Credit Hours: 1-4
Description: This course will provide the fundamental knowledge required Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate
for students to analyze, model, and design systems based on interfacial Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
phenomena, with applications including wetting, enhanced oil recovery, Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, microfluidic devices, phase change heat Description: Independent investigation of a specific topic or problem
transfer, and even everyday food and drink. After completing this course, in mechanical engineering. Research under the direction of a selected
students will exhibit a strong understanding of surface tension and faculty member. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
surface energy, adsorption and adhesion, surface-tension-driven flows,
capillarity, capillary instabilities, contact angle, fluid spreading, wetting of
textured surfaces leading to superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity,
and self-cleaning surfaces. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency:
MECH 587. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 200 (or equivalent)
and MECH 371 (or equivalent) Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for
MECH 487 if student has credit for MECH 587.

2023-2024 General Announcements PDF Generated 11/06/23

10 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 497 - NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MODELING AND SIMULATION MECH 500 - ADVANCED MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Short Title: NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MODELING Short Title: ADV MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Course Level: Graduate
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level Prerequisite(s): (MECH 211 or CEVE 211) and (MECH 311 or CEVE 311)
Prerequisite(s): (MECH 211 or CEVE 211 or MECH 310) and (CAAM 210 or Description: Advanced topics in solid mechanics and strength
CMOR 220) of materials including energy methods, principle of virtual work,
Description: Introduction to computer modeling and simulation of the conservation laws, constitutive modeling, aspects of elasticity theory,
human neuromusculoskeletal system. Topics include measurement of stability and fracture mechanics with application to the analysis
human movement, 3D kinematic modeling, inverse and forward dynamic and design of reliable structures. Cross-list: CEVE 500. Graduate/
simulations, muscle and joint contact force estimation, and neural Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 400. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot
control modeling. Programming proficiency in Matlab required. Graduate/ register for MECH 500 if student has credit for MECH 400.
Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 597. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot MECH 501 - DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
register for MECH 497 if student has credit for MECH 597. Short Title: DYNAMICS & CONTROL OF MECH SYS
MECH 498 - INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS Department: Mechanical Engineering
Short Title: INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Type: Lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Credit Hours: 3
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Credit Hours: 3 Course Level: Graduate
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Prerequisite(s): MECH 343 and MECH 420
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Description: Graduate version of MECH 411. Offered continually with
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level MECH 411. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 411. Mutually
Prerequisite(s): MATH 354 or MATH 355 or CAAM 335 or CMOR 302 Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 501 if student has credit for
Description: The course will provide the student with a mathematical MECH 411.
introduction to many of the key ideas used in today's intelligent MECH 502 - VIBRATIONS
robot systems. The focus of the course is on the analysis and Short Title: VIBRATIONS
control of manipulators. The course will also give an overview of Department: Mechanical Engineering
common approaches to building intelligent robot systems. Cross-list: Grade Mode: Standard Letter
COMP 498, ELEC 498. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 598. Course Type: Lecture
Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 211 or CEVE 211 or MECH 310 Credit Hours: 3
Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 498 if student has credit for Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
MECH 598. Course Level: Graduate
MECH 499 - CURRENT TOPICS Prerequisite(s): MECH 343
Short Title: CURRENT TOPICS Description: Term project is required. Graduate/Undergraduate
Department: Mechanical Engineering Equivalency: MECH 412. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for
Grade Mode: Standard Letter MECH 502 if student has credit for MECH 412.
Course Type: Lecture MECH 503 - COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
Credit Hours: 3 Short Title: COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Department: Mechanical Engineering
Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students. Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Description: Designed for undergraduate mechanical engineering Credit Hours: 3
students. Lectures in areas of current interest in mechanical engineering. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Topics vary from term to term. Repeatable for Credit. Course Level: Graduate
Description: Investigation of the integration of the computer into the area
of design. Includes such subjects as optimization, finite element analysis,
and commercial software. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency:
MECH 403. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 503 if student
has credit for MECH 403.

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 Mechanical Engineering 11

MECH 505 - NUMERICAL METHODS FOR ENGINEERS MECH 517 - FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Short Title: NUMERICAL METHODS Short Title: FINITE ELEMENTS ANALYSIS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Description: Numerical methods are the computational solution Prerequisite(s): (MATH 212 or MATH 222) and (CAAM 210 or CAAM 211
of mathematical problems. This course focuses on developing a or CMOR 220)
competency in the four basic areas of numerical methods: differentiation, Description: An introduction to Galerkin's method and the method of
integration, optimization, and continuation. These four categories of least squares applied to partial differential equations. Computational
methods form a tool set that are used throughout the computational considerations for efficient interpolation, numerical integration, solution
solution of engineering problems. and post-processing methods. Error estimation and adaptive finite
element analysis. Requires the use of solid works for a student project
MECH 508 - NONLINEAR SYSTEMS: ANALYSIS AND CONTROL
and a supporting literature survey. Cross-list: CEVE 517. Graduate/
Short Title: NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 417. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot
Department: Mechanical Engineering
register for MECH 517 if student has credit for MECH 417.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture MECH 519 - ELEASTICITY, PLASTICITY AND DAMAGE MECHANICS
Credit Hours: 3 Short Title: ELASTICITY/PLASTICITY/DAMAGE
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Department: Mechanical Engineering
Course Level: Graduate Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Description: Mathematical background and fundamental properties Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
of nonlinear systems: Vector norms, matrix norms, matrix measures, Credit Hours: 3
existence and uniqueness of solutions of ordinary differential equations. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Linearization, second order systems, periodic solutions, approximate Course Level: Graduate
methods. Lyapunov stability: Stability definitions, Lyapunov's direct Description: An overview of phenomena that determine the response
method, invariance theory, stability of linear systems, Lyapunov's of solids to deformation and loading: elasticity, plasticity, damage
linearization method, converse theorems. Selected topics in nonlinear mechanics and cracking. Review of continuum mechanics with emphasis
systems analysis and nonlinear control from: Input/Output stability: Small on the physical mechanisms of deformation and fracture. Classification
gain theorem, passivity theorem. Perturbation theory, averaging, and of the behavior of solids. Modeling of different types of material behavior.
singular perturbations Feedback linearization control. Other methods in The physics underlying the phenomena and methods for the numerical
the control of nonlinear systems such as backstepping, sliding mode and analysis of the resulting equations are discussed. Cross-list: CEVE 519.
other Lyapunov-based design methods. Advanced nonlinear and adaptive MECH 520 - NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
robot control. Cross-list: CMOR 508, ELEC 508. Short Title: NONLINEAR FEM
MECH 510 - ELASTO DYNAMICS Department: Mechanical Engineering
Short Title: ELASTO DYNAMICS Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Type: Lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Credit Hours: 3
Course Type: Lecture Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Credit Hours: 3 Course Level: Graduate
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Description: Formulation and solution of nonlinear initial/boundary
Course Level: Graduate value problems using the finite element method. Variational principles
Description: Propagation of waves in linearly-elastic strings, fluids, and for nonlinear problems, finite element discretization, and equation-
solids. Surface waves, wave reflection and refraction at interfaces. solving strategies for discrete nonlinear equation systems. Applications
Wave propagation in waveguides. Steady-state and transient half-space include: materially nonlinear systems, geometrically nonlinear systems,
problems. Scattering of waves by cracks. transient nonlinear problems, and treatment of non smooth constraints in
a nonlinear framework. Cross-list: CEVE 503.

2023-2024 General Announcements PDF Generated 11/06/23

12 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 523 - PROBABILISTIC STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS MECH 530 - TRIBOMECHADYNAMICS

Short Title: PROB STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS Short Title: TRIBOMECHADYNAMICS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Prerequisite(s): MECH 412 or CEVE 521 Description: Tribomechadynamics is a graduate/upper level
Description: Introduction to probability theory and random processes. undergraduate course that spans the topics of tribology, contact
Includes the dynamic analysis of linear and nonlinear structural systems mechanics, and nonlinear dynamics. These three topics are integral to
subjected to stationary and nonstationary random excitations reliability understanding interfacial contact, how assembled structures behave,
studies related to first excursion and fatigue failures, and applications and how the evolution of damage (wear) over time at the micro-scale
to earthquake engineering, offshore engineering, and wind engineering. influences the structural-scale response of a system. In brief, the
Recommended prerequisite(s): Basic knowledge of probability theory. subjects covered by this course are: • Tribology. Topics will include
empirical and heuristic friction models, the fundamentals of wear,
MECH 524 - ENGINEERING MATHEMATICAL AND NUMERICAL METHODS
lubrication selection and considerations, and fundamental failure
Short Title: ENGR MATH & NUMERICAL METHODS
modes. • Contact Mechanics. Topics will include elastic deformation,
Department: Mechanical Engineering
constitutive modeling, plasticity, failure criteria, and numerical simulation.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
• Nonlinear Dynamics. Topics will include an overview of linear vibration
Course Type: Lecture
theory, model reduction theories, nonlinear vibration theory, nonlinear
Credit Hours: 3
analysis including quasi-static analysis and harmonic balance methods,
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
continuation, and modal analysis. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency:
Course Level: Graduate
MECH 430.
Description: Elements of linear algebra, linear operators, systems of
linear differential equations for discrete physical systems, calculus of MECH 535 - INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT MECHATRONICS
variations, partial differential equations, Green's functions, examples from Short Title: INTRO TO MECHATRONICS
solid and fluid mechanics, discretization of continuous systems, finite Department: Mechanical Engineering
element method. Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
MECH 527 - PHYSICS GUIDED MACHINE LEARNING & DATA DRIVEN
Credit Hours: 3
MODELING FEM
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Short Title: PHY GUIDED ML- DATA DRIVEN FEM
Course Level: Graduate
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Description: Introduction to electromechanical systems, focusing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
on motor mechanics, electric drives & electronics, & modern digital
Course Type: Lecture
control algorithms. Covers basic principles of electromechanical energy
Credit Hours: 3
conversion & motor control. Students are introduced to energy efficiency
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
considerations of modern electric drives. Includes hands-on laboratory
Course Level: Graduate
projects involving digital computer control of various motor types.
Prerequisite(s): CEVE 311 or MECH 311 or MECH 315
Additional coursework required beyond the undergraduate course
Description: Introduction to physics guided machine learning and data
requirements. Cross-list: ELEC 532. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency:
driven modeling from a rigorous finite element analysis and system
MECH 435. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 535 if student
dynamics (& optimization) perspective. Programming needed will be
has credit for MECH 435.
introduced in the course. The course involves series of assignments
involving programming. Project work will be assigned at the end of the MECH 537 - DESIGN AND CONTROL OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
semester in lieu of the final exam. Students in CEVE 527 (GR version) Short Title: COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
will be required to do more advanced assignments and a project. Department: Mechanical Engineering
Prerequisites CEVE/MECH 311. Cross-list: CEVE 527. Mutually Exclusive: Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Cannot register for MECH 527 if student has credit for MECH 427. Course Type: Lecture
Course URL: Satishnagarajaiah.rice.edu (http:// Credit Hours: 3
Satishnagarajaiah.rice.edu) Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: Graduate-level introduction to design and analysis of
communication networks. Topics include wireless networks, medium
access, routing, traffic modeling, congestion control, and scheduling.
Cross-list: ELEC 537.

2023-2024 General Announcements PDF Generated 11/06/23

 Mechanical Engineering 13

MECH 544 - FLUID MECHANICS OF COMPUTING MECH 554 - COMPUTATIONAL FLUID MECHANICS
Short Title: FLUID MECHANICS OF COMPUTING Short Title: COMPUTATIONAL FLUID MECHANICS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Description: The objective is to learn and develop a good understanding Prerequisite(s): MECH 371 (may be taken concurrently) or MECH 444
of the fluid mechanics concepts and tools that are essential to know for (may be taken concurrently) or CEVE 363 (may be taken concurrently)
successful computational flow analysis. For successful computational or CHBE 401 (may be taken concurrently) or BIOE 420 (may be taken
flow analysis, we first have to know the problem we want to solve, set concurrently) or CHBE 420 (may be taken concurrently)
up the computational conditions correctly, have a good idea about what Description: Fundamental concepts of finite element methods in fluid
results to expect, and properly interpret and evaluate the computed mechanics, including spatial discretization and numerical integration
results. This course will help us learn the fluid mechanics concepts in multidimensions, time-integration, and solution of nonlinear ordinary
and tools required for that. The course will have both an easy to follow differential equation systems. Advanced numerical stabilization
mathematical approach and an easy to relate to physical-interpretation techniques designed for fluid mechanics problems. Strategies for
approach. The topics covered include the basic mathematical framework, solution of complex, real-world problems. Topics in large-scale
key fluid mechanics mechanisms, scaling and nondimensional variables computing, parallel processing, and visualization. Prerequisites may
and equations, and simple fluid mechanics formulas that can be used be taken concurrently. Additional work required. Cross-list: BIOE 554,
in obtaining analytical estimates to the problems solved. Additional CEVE 554. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 454. Mutually
work required for MECH 544. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 554 if student has credit for
MECH 444. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 544 if student MECH 454.
has credit for MECH 444. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 555 - COMPUTATIONAL FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION
MECH 444. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 200 and MATH 212 Short Title: COMPUTATIONAL FSI
Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 544 if student has credit for Department: Mechanical Engineering
MECH 444. Grade Mode: Standard Letter
MECH 550 - ALGORITHMIC ROBOTICS Course Type: Lecture
Short Title: ALGORITHMIC ROBOTICS Credit Hours: 3
Department: Mechanical Engineering Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Level: Graduate
Course Type: Lecture Prerequisite(s): (MECH 454 or BIOE 454 or CEVE 454) or (MECH 554 or
Credit Hours: 4 BIOE 554 or CEVE 554)
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Description: Components and challenges of fluid-structure interaction
Course Level: Graduate (FSI) computations. Finite element methods for flows with moving
Prerequisite(s): COMP 321 and COMP 215 interfaces; space-time techniques. Fluid-structure interface projection
Description: Robots have fascinated people for generations. Today, techniques. Mesh moving and remeshing techniques. FSI coupling
robots are built for applications as diverse as exploring remote planets, techniques for fluid, structure, and mesh equation blocks. FSI
de-mining war zones, cleaning toxic waste, assembling cars, inspecting computation sequences. FSI contact algorithms, multiscale FSI,
pipes in industrial plants and mowing lawns. Robots are also interacting cardiovascular FSI, and parachute FSI.
with humans in a variety of ways: robots are museum guides, robots MECH 556 - LEGAL THEMES IN ENGINEERING AND MANAGING
assist surgeon sin life threatening operations, and robotic cars can PRACTICE
drive us around. The field of robotics studies not only the design of Short Title: LEGAL THEMES IN ENGI PRACTICES
new mechanisms but also the development of artificial intelligence Department: Mechanical Engineering
frameworks to make these mechanism useful in the physical world, Grade Mode: Standard Letter
integrating computer science, engineering, mathematics and more Course Type: Lecture
recently biology and sociology, in a unique way. This class will present Credit Hours: 3
fundamental algorithmic advances that enable today’s robots to Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
move in real environments and plan their actions. It will also explore Course Level: Graduate
fundamentals of the field of Artificial Intelligence through the prism of Description: Introduction to fundamental legal concepts of the American
robotics. The class involves a significant programming project. Cross-list: legal system for upper level undergraduate students, primarily aimed
COMP 550, ELEC 550. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 450. at what engineers, scientists and other professionals could expect to
Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 550 if student has credit for encounter in their professional careers. The primary focus is to provide
MECH 450. students with the basic tools to understand and interact with lawyers.
Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 556 if student has credit for
MECH 456.

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14 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 560 - TRIBOLOGY: THE STUDY OF FRICTION, LUBRICATION, AND MECH 574 - TURBULENCE
WEAR Short Title: TURBULENCE
Short Title: TRIBOLOGY Department: Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Type: Lecture
Course Type: Lecture Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3 Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Course Level: Graduate
Course Level: Graduate Description: Study of the fundamentals of fluid dynamic turbulence
Description: Tribology is the interdisciplinary study of interacting including origins, nature, turbulent transport of momentum and heat,
surfaces from the nanoscale to the macro-scale. These surfaces statistical description, spectral dynamics, and numerical modeling.
undergo friction and wear and sometimes, have fluids between them MECH 575 - INTRODUCTION TO HYDRODYNAMIC STABILITY
for lubrication. This course will occur mainly in two parts: (i) Contact Short Title: INTRO HYDRODYNAMIC STABILITY
Mechanics, (ii) Hydrodynamic (fluid) lubrication. Fundamental topics Department: Mechanical Engineering
include friction, wear, heat transfer within interfaces, thin-film lubrication Grade Mode: Standard Letter
and computational Tribology. Course Type: Lecture
MECH 566 - SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS WITH Credit Hours: 3
MACHINE LEARNING Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Short Title: SYSTEM I.D. & MACHINE LEARNING Course Level: Graduate
Department: Mechanical Engineering Description: Introduction to linear and nonlinear instabilities that cause
Grade Mode: Standard Letter transition from laminar to turbulent flows in thermos-fluid systems.
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory The physics of various canonical instability mechanisms and the
Credit Hours: 3 mathematical and numerical frameworks common in stability analysis
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. are discussed. Examples from industrial, geophysical, environmental,
Course Level: Graduate and astrophysical flows are presented. Recommended Prerequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): CEVE 311 or MECH 311 or MECH 315 MECH 371 or CEVE 363 or EEPS 465 or CMOR 410 or CHBE 401.
Description: Introduction to modeling and system identification of Repeatable for Credit.
dynamic systems with machine learning. Students in CEVE 596/ MECH 576 - STRUCTURAL DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
MECH 566 will be required to do more advanced assignments and a Short Title: STRUCTURAL DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
project. Cross-list: CEVE 596. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: Department: Mechanical Engineering
MECH 466. Grade Mode: Standard Letter
MECH 572 - AEROSPACE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING Course Type: Lecture
Short Title: AEROSPACE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING Credit Hours: 3
Department: Mechanical Engineering Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Level: Graduate
Course Type: Lecture Description: Introduction to structural dynamic systems. Linear SDOF
Credit Hours: 3 and MDOF discrete systems, undamped and damped systems, free and
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. forced vibration, dynamic response to periodic and arbitrary excitations,
Course Level: Graduate numerical evaluation of dynamic response, response spectrum and
Description: Integration of engineering problem solving methodologies modal analysis. Additional topics for graduate version 576: Linear
based on systems concepts. Applications to complex, large scale systems theory, transform methods, state space methods, feedback
aerospace systems and problems faced by engineering managers. control, observers and identification. Applications using MATLAB.
Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 472 and MECH 594. Demonstrations and laboratory examples. Students will be required to do
more advanced assignments and a project. Cross-list: CEVE 576.
MECH 573 - ADVANCED FLUID MECHANICS I
Short Title: ADVANCED FLUID MECHANICS I MECH 578 - ORBITAL MECHANICS AND MISSION DESIGN
Department: Mechanical Engineering Short Title: ORBITAL MECHANICS AND MISSION
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Department: Mechanical Engineering
Course Type: Lecture Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Credit Hours: 3 Course Type: Lecture
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Credit Hours: 3
Course Level: Graduate Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Description: Additional work required. Graduate/Undergraduate Course Level: Graduate
Equivalency: MECH 473. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for Prerequisite(s): MECH 343
MECH 573 if student has credit for MECH 473. Description: Develop an understanding of orbital mechanics. Obtain
a detailed knowledge of the two-body problem and its solutions with
applications to geocentric orbits and interplanetary transfers. Understand
the concept of impulsive thrusting and its use in orbital transfers
including plane changes. Obtain a knowledge of time-of-flight relations on
two-body trajectories, using both classical and universal variables.

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 Mechanical Engineering 15

MECH 579 - LAUNCH VEHICLE AND SPACECRAFT DESIGN MECH 582 - CONVECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER
Short Title: LV AND SPACECRAFT DESIGN Short Title: CONVECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Description: This course examines the design of launch vehicles and Description: Rigorous study of the transfer of heat by free and forced
spacecraft, including the impacts of the atmosphere and the space convection. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 482. Mutually
environment on requirements and configurations. The principles Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 582 if student has credit for
and design aspects of the structure, propulsion, power, thermal, MECH 482.
communication, and control subsystems will be examined. MECH 584 - MICROSCOPIC THERMODYNAMICS AND TRANSPORT
MECH 580 - MECHANICS AND KINEMATICS OF RESPIRATORY MUSCLE Short Title: MICRO THERMO & TRANSPORT
IN OBESITY Department: Mechanical Engineering
Short Title: RESPIRATORY MECH IN OBESITY Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Type: Lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Credit Hours: 3
Course Type: Lecture Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Credit Hours: 3 Course Level: Graduate
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Description: This course introduces concepts in statistical mechanics
Course Level: Graduate and non-equilibrium thermodynamics that are used to understand the
Description: The course is designed to understand unique aspects of physical mechanisms of heat transfer, particularly in micro/nanoscale
remodeling the respiratory system mechanics in obesity. Focus will be systems. Emphasis is placed on energy storage and thermal transport
on remodeling of diaphragm muscle and chest wall as a consequence of by electrons, phonons, molecules, and photons. Topics include the
obesity. In particular, alteration in the kinematics and mechanics of the kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamic distribution functions, energy
diaphragm in obese subjects will be evaluated. carrier dispersion relations, Boltzmann equation modeling of thermal and
electrical properties, size effects (classical and quantum-mechanical)
MECH 581 - MICRO AND NANO HEAT TRANSPORT METHODOLOGIES
on material properties, and thermoelectric energy conversion. Graduate/
AND DESIGN
Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 484.
Short Title: MICRO & NANO HEAT TRANSPORT
Department: Mechanical Engineering MECH 586 - RESPIRATORY SYSTEM MECHANICS
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Short Title: RESPIRATORY SYSTEM MECHANICS
Course Type: Lecture Department: Mechanical Engineering
Credit Hours: 3 Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Mechanical Course Type: Lecture
Engineering or Materials Science & NanoEng. Enrollment is limited to Credit Hours: 3
Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Prerequisite(s): MECH 481 Description: Mechanics of ventilation, respiratory muscle mechanics, rib
Description: A thorough explanation of the methodologies used for cage mechanics, mechanical coupling between the respiratory muscles
solving conduction, convection and radiation heat transport problems in and the rib cage, and inferences on mechanics from respiratory muscle
macro, micro and nanosystems. Phonon, photon and electron transfer anatomy. The class will meet in the Pulmonary Division at Baylor College
fundamentals. Equilibrium Statistics. Basic kinetic theory and transport of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center. Cross-list: BIOE 586.
properties of ideal gases. Microchannel heat transfer. Nanofluid heat
transfer. Non-Fourier heat Conduction. Boltzmann transport equation.
Molecular dynamics and lattice dynamics numeric methods. Applications
and design problems in contemporary technologies. To be taught
alternating years for MECH and MSNE Seniors and Graduate students.
Cross-list: MSNE 581.

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16 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 587 - INTERFACIAL PHENOMENA, CAPILLARITY, AND WETTING MECH 590 - AEROSPACE PROPULSION
Short Title: CAPILLARITY AND WETTING Short Title: AEROSPACE PROPULSION
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Description: This course will provide the fundamental knowledge required Description: Aspects of one-dimensional compressible flow, including
for students to analyze, model, and design systems based on interfacial isentropic flow and normal shocks; effects of friction and combustion;
phenomena, with applications including wetting, enhanced oil recovery, analysis and design of and air-breathing and rocket engines, including
cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, microfluidic devices, phase change heat performance and cycle analysis; flow in nozzles, diffusers, compressors,
transfer, and even everyday food and drink. After completing this course, and turbines; combustion chamber processes and propellants.
students will exhibit a strong understanding of surface tension and MECH 591 - GAS DYNAMICS
surface energy, adsorption and adhesion, surface-tension-driven flows, Short Title: GAS DYNAMICS
capillarity, capillary instabilities, contact angle, fluid spreading, wetting of Department: Mechanical Engineering
textured surfaces leading to superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity, Grade Mode: Standard Letter
and self-cleaning surfaces. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: Course Type: Lecture
MECH 487. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 200 (or equivalent) Credit Hours: 3
and MECH 371 (or equivalent) Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
MECH 587 if student has credit for MECH 487. Course Level: Graduate
Course URL: N/A (http://N/A/) Prerequisite(s): MECH 371
MECH 588 - DESIGN OF MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS Description: Study of the fundamentals of compressible, one-dimensional
Short Title: DESIGN OF MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS gas flows with area change, normal shocks, friction, and heat addition.
Department: Mechanical Engineering Includes oblique shocks, Prandtl-Meyer flows expansions, and numerical
Grade Mode: Standard Letter techniques.
Course Type: Lecture MECH 592 - DESIGN FOR AEROSPACE ENVIRONMENTS
Credit Hours: 3 Short Title: AEROSPACE ENVIRONMENTS
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Department: Mechanical Engineering
Course Level: Graduate Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Description: Additional work required. Graduate/Undergraduate Course Type: Lecture
Equivalency: MECH 488. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for Credit Hours: 3
MECH 588 if student has credit for MECH 488. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
MECH 589 - MICROFLUIDICS: FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS Course Level: Graduate
Short Title: MICROFLUIDICS Description: Graduate course on aerospace environments, including
Department: Mechanical Engineering theoretical bases. Topics include key mission phases, orbital mechanics,
Grade Mode: Standard Letter the effects of the sun, plasma, particles and ionizing radiation, neutral
Course Type: Lecture atmosphere, contamination, micrometeoroid/orbital debris, thermal
Credit Hours: 3 and aerothermal environments. Extraterrestrial environments are briefly
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. discussed. Cross-list: NSCI 591.
Course Level: Graduate MECH 593 - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
Description: This course presents an introduction to microfluidics, Short Title: MECH ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
including theoretical analysis of microscale flows, basic understanding Department: Mechanical Engineering
of microscale properties, fabrication processes for microfluidic devices Grade Mode: Standard Letter
and an overview of common applications, many of which are relevant Course Type: Independent Study
for bioprocessing and biodetection. Basic understanding of physics,
Credit Hours: 3
chemistry, intermediate calculus and fluid mechanics is required. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Mechanical
Additional work required for Graduate course. Graduate/Undergraduate Engineering. Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Equivalency: MECH 489. Course Level: Graduate
Description: An approved investigation or design project under the
direction of a member of the staff. Open only to mechanical engineering
majors. Repeatable for Credit.

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 Mechanical Engineering 17

MECH 594 - INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS MECH 598 - INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS

Short Title: INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS Short Title: INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Prerequisite(s): MECH 371 Description: Introduction to the kinematics, dynamics, and control of
Description: Development of theories for the prediction of aerodynamic robot manipulators and to applications of artificial intelligence and
forces and moments acting on airfoils, wings, and bodies. Includes their computer vision in robotics. Additional work requied for Graduate course.
design applications. Cross-list: COMP 598, ELEC 598. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency:
MECH 498. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 598 if student
MECH 595 - MODELING TISSUE MECHANICS
has credit for MECH 498.
Short Title: MODELING TISSUE MECHANICS
Department: Mechanical Engineering MECH 599 - CURRENT TOPICS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Course Type: Independent Study Department: Mechanical Engineering
Credit Hours: 3 Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Course Type: Lecture
Course Level: Graduate Credit Hours: 3
Description: Independent study and seminar course which focuses Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
on modeling the mechanical properties of biological tissues. Data Course Level: Graduate
from experiments will be used to refine the predictions of nonlinear Description: Designed for senior and graduate level students. Lectures
mathematical computer models. Aimed at juniors, seniors, and graduate in areas of current interest in mechanical engineering. Topics may
students. Laboratory work performed at Baylor College of Medicine, vary from term to term. Fall 2019, Section 003: This course focuses on
computer work at Rice University. Cross-list: BIOE 595. numerical techniques for solving partial differential equations (PDEs)
including the full incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Several
MECH 596 - INTRODUCTION TO FLIGHT MECHANICS
spatial-temporal discretization methods will be taught, primarily the
Short Title: INTRO TO FLIGHT MECHANICS
finite difference method, but also moderate exposure to the finite volume
Department: Mechanical Engineering
method, and light exposure to the finite element method. Explicit and
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
implicit approaches, in addition to methods to solve linear equations
Course Type: Lecture
are employed to study fluid flows. A review of various finite difference
Credit Hours: 3
methods which will be used to analyze elliptic, hyperbolic, and parabolic
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
partial differential equations and the concepts of stability, consistency
Course Level: Graduate
and convergence are taught to familiarize the students with general
Prerequisite(s): MECH 371 or CEVE 371
numerical PDE methods. Commercial computational fluid dynamics
Description: This course will examine the basic flight mechanics of
(CFD) software used in the field will be briefly introduced. Repeatable for
aircraft and spacecraft. Simulation exercises will be conducted to
Credit.
illustrate the principles. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 594
MECH 601 - SPECIAL TOPICS
MECH 597 - NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MODELING AND SIMULATION
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Short Title: NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MODELING
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture
Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 1-9
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Course Level: Graduate
Description: Topics may vary. Please consult with the department for
Description: Introduction to computer modeling and simulation of the
additional information. FA 2016, Section 001: Special Topics: Advanced
human neuromusculoskeletal system. Topics include measurement of
Topics and Tools in Particle Flows & Tribology. Instructor Permission
human movement, 3D kinematic modeling, inverse and forward dynamic
Required.
simulations, muscle and joint contact force estimation, and neural control
modeling. Programming proficiency in Matlab required. Additional work MECH 602 - SPECIAL TOPICS
required for Graduate course. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
MECH 497. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 597 if student Department: Mechanical Engineering
has credit for MECH 497. Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 1-9
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: Topics may vary. Please consult with the department for
additional information.

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18 Mechanical Engineering

MECH 606 - GRADUATE SEMINAR MECH 622 - M.M.E. RESEARCH PROJECT II

Short Title: GRADUATE SEMINAR Short Title: M.M.E. RESEARCH PROJECT II
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Seminar Course Type: Research
Credit Hour: 1 Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate Course Level: Graduate
Description: Repeatable for Credit. Description: This is the second part of the M.M.E. research project and
continuation of MECH 621. Course requirements will include a final
MECH 611 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
report.
Short Title: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Department: Mechanical Engineering MECH 654 - ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Short Title: ADV COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS
Course Type: Independent Study Department: Mechanical Engineering
Credit Hours: 1-9 Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Course Type: Lecture
Course Level: Graduate Credit Hours: 3
Description: Repeatable for Credit. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
MECH 612 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
Prerequisite(s): BIOE 554 or BIOE 454 or CEVE 554 or CEVE 454 or
Short Title: INDEPENDENT STUDY
MECH 554 or MECH 454
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Description: Advanced topics in computational mechanics with emphasis
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
on finite element methods and fluid mechanics. Stabilized formulations.
Course Type: Independent Study
Fluid-particle and fluid-structure interactions and free-surface and two-
Credit Hours: 1-9
fluid flows. Interface-tracking and interface-capturing techniques, space-
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
time formulations, and mesh update methods. Enhanced discretization
Course Level: Graduate
and solution techniques. Iterative solution methods, matrix-free
Description: Repeatable for Credit.
computations, and advanced preconditioning techniques. Cross-list:
MECH 620 - FUNDAMENTALS OF CONTROL SYSTEMS BIOE 654, CEVE 654. Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 474.
Short Title: FUNDAMENTALS OF CONTROL SYST Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for MECH 654 if student has credit for
Department: Mechanical Engineering MECH 474.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
MECH 665 - ANALYSIS OF VIBRATIONS IN NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
Course Type: Lecture
Short Title: NONLINEAR VIBRATIONS
Credit Hours: 3
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Level: Graduate
Course Type: Lecture
Description: Linear systems and the fundamental principles of classical
Credit Hours: 3
feedback control, state variable analysis of linear dynamic systems,
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
stability of linear control systems, time-domain analysis and control of
Course Level: Graduate
linear systems, root-locus analysis and design and pole-zero synthesis,
Prerequisite(s): MECH 502
frequency domain techniques for the analysis and design of control
Description: Nonlinear vibrations are studied in structural and mechanical
systems. Required for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program.
systems. Methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of these
Additional work required for MECH 620. Cannot be taken if MECH 420
systems are applied. The classification and stability of equilibrium
or ELEC 436 was previously taken. Instructor Permission Required.
and periodic solutions are discussed for continuous time systems and
Graduate/Undergraduate Equivalency: MECH 420. Mutually Exclusive:
discrete maps. Floquet theory and Poincare maps are used to study
Cannot register for MECH 620 if student has credit for MECH 420.
periodic behavior.
MECH 621 - M.M.E. RESEARCH PROJECT I
Short Title: M.M.E. RESEARCH PROJECT I
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Research
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: This is the first part of the M.M.E. research project course.
The faculty advisor, taking into account the background and research
interests of the student as well as the research interests of the faculty
advisor, will determine the contents. Course requirements will include a
final report. Instructor Permission Required.

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 Mechanical Engineering 19

MECH 667 - NONLINEAR DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR IN MECHANIC SYSTEMS MECH 683 - RADIATIVE HEAT TRANSFER I
AND STRUCTURES Short Title: RADIATION HEAT TRSF I
Short Title: NONLINEAR DYNAMICS Department: Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Grade Mode: Standard Letter Course Type: Lecture
Course Type: Lecture Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3 Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Course Level: Graduate
Course Level: Graduate Description: Rigorous study of the transfer of heat by radiant exchange in
Prerequisite(s): MECH 502 the absence of absorbing media.
Description: Various types of nonlinear dynamic behavior are studied MECH 691 - INTRODUCTION TO HYPERSONIC AERODYNAMICS
in mechanical systems and structures. The course will focus mainly Short Title: INTRO TO HYPERSONICS
on quasi-periodic and chaotic behavior but will also include periodic Department: Mechanical Engineering
behavior. Modeling and analysis methods will be discussed for both Grade Mode: Standard Letter
discrete and continuous time systems including Lyapunov exponents and Course Type: Lecture
pseudo-state space. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 665 Credit Hours: 3
MECH 677 - SPECIAL TOPICS Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS Course Level: Graduate
Department: Mechanical Engineering Description: Recommended Prerequisite(s): MECH 591.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter MECH 800 - RESEARCH AND THESIS
Course Type: Independent Study, Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Short Title: RESEARCH AND THESIS
Lecture, Seminar, Lecture/Laboratory Department: Mechanical Engineering
Credit Hours: 1-4 Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Visiting Graduate level Course Type: Research
students. Credit Hours: 1-12
Course Level: Graduate Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Mechanical
Description: Topics and credit hours vary each semester. Contact Engineering. Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit. Course Level: Graduate
MECH 678 - APPLIED STOCHASTIC MECHANICS Description: Repeatable for Credit.
Short Title: APPLIED STOCHASTIC MECHANICS
Department: Mechanical Engineering Description and Code Legend
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Note: Internally, the university uses the following descriptions, codes, and
Course Type: Lecture
abbreviations for this academic program. The following is a quick reference:
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Catalog/Schedule
Course Level: Graduate
• Course offerings/subject code: MECH
Description: Nonlinear random vibrations, Statistical Linearization,
ARMA filters modeling, Monte Carlo Simulation, Wiener-Volterra series,
time-variant structural reliability, and Stochastic Finite Elements are
Department Description and Code
presented from a perspective of usefulness to aerospace, civil, marine, • Mechanical Engineering: MECH
and mechanical applications. Cross-list: CEVE 678.
Undergraduate Degree Descriptions and Codes
MECH 679 - APPLIED MONTE CARLO ANALYSIS
• Bachelor of Arts degree: BA
Short Title: APPLIED MONTE CARLO ANALYSIS
• Bachelor of Science degree: BSME
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture
Undergraduate Major Description and Code
Credit Hours: 3 • Major in Mechanical Engineering (attached to both the BA and BSME
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students. Degrees): MECH
Course Level: Graduate
Description: Probability density and power spectrum based simulation
Undergraduate Major Areas of Specialization
concepts and procedures are discussed. Scalar and vectorial simulation Descriptions and Attribute Codes*
are addressed. Spectral decomposition and digital filter algorithms are • Area of Specialization in Computational Engineering (BSME degree
presented. Applications from aerospace, earthquake, marine, and wind only): MECE
engineering, and from other applied science disciplines are included.
Cross-list: CEVE 679. • Area of Specialization in Mechanics/Dynamics (BSME degree only):
MEMD

• Area of Specialization in Thermal Fluids (BSME degree only): METF

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20 Mechanical Engineering

• Area of Specialization in Breadth in Mechanical Engineering (BSME

degree only): MEBR

Please Note: Areas of Specialization are department/program-specific

and are not formally recognized academic credentials. Unlike Major
Concentrations, Areas of Specialization do not appear on the student's official
academic transcript, etc. Students may informally choose to follow more than
one Area of Specialization (or pre-specified collections of elective courses),
however, when declaring their major they should identify and declare one Area
of Specialization with the Office of the Registrar.

Graduate Degree Descriptions and Codes

• Master of Mechanical Engineering degree: MME
• Master of Science degree: MS
• Doctor of Philosophy degree: PhD

Graduate Degree Program Description and Code

• Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering: MECH
1
CIP Code and Description
• MECH Major/Program: CIP Code/Title: 14.1901 - Mechanical
Engineering

* Systems Use Only: this information is used solely by internal offices at

Rice University (such as OTR, GPS, etc.) and primarily within student
information systems and support.
1
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020 Codes
and Descriptions from the National Center for Education
Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/

2023-2024 General Announcements PDF Generated 11/06/23