28 courses with the subject ME, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
ME 1520The Technology of Alpine Skiing1/3
This course explores science and engineering issues associated with equipment and technique for alpine skiing, particularly racing. A diverse group of technical subjects related to engineering mechanics are discussed: tribology, beams, rigid body motion, material science, machining and biomechanics. Specifically we will examine: ski-snow interactions, technique for gliding, turning and stepping, selection of line in racing; equipment design, testing and performance; and ski injuries. We will also address issues in the epidemiology of skiing injuries, the calculation of the cost of ski injuries to society, the impact of ski equipment technology on litigation and the impact of litigation on equipment and trail design. This course will be offered in academic years ending in odd numbers.
Capstone Design Experience (IE MQP) (3/3 unit) The MQP must have an IE faculty advisor from the Business School. Free Electives (3/3 units) Program Chart and/or Course Flow Chart 361 WPI 2025-26 Catalog
An introduction to the synthesis and analysis of linkages, cams and gear trains is presented. The design process is introduced and used to solve unstructured design problems in linkage and cam design. Algebraic and graphical techniques to analyze the displacement, velocity and acceleration of linkages and cams are developed. Computer programs for the design and analysis of linkages are used by students. Results of student design projects are presented in professional engineering reports.
This is an introductory course in mechanical design analysis, and it examines stress and fatigue in many machine elements. Common machine elements are studied and methods of selection and design are related to the associated hardware. Topics covered include: combined stresses, fatigue analysis, design of shafts, springs, gears, bearings and miscellaneous machine elements.
This project based design course focuses on the design and use of devices to aid persons with disabilities. Human factors and ergonomics are integrated into all phases of the design process with particular emphasis on the user interface. Topics include: defining the problem, developing design specifications, development of preliminary designs, selection, realization and evaluation of a final design. Students will also learn how physical, and cognitive parameters, safety, economics, reliability and aesthetics need to be incorporated into the design process.
This introductory course in modern control systems will give students an understanding of the basic techniques, and the range of equipment used in most computer controlled manufacturing operations. The class work is reinforced by hands-on laboratories in the Robotics/CAM lab. Modeling and analysis of machining processes, and applications of PLC (programmable logic control) are included. Class topics include: Manufacturing Automation, Microcomputers for Process Monitoring and Control, Computer Numerical Control, Switching Theory and Ladder Logic, Transducers and Signal Conditioning, and Closed Loop Digital Control. The laboratories allow students to program and implement several types of the controllers, and will provide an introduction to the topic of industrial robotics.
ME 3902Project-Based Engineering Experimentation 1/3
Mechanical Engineering Electives (Minimum 4/3 Unit) Elective courses from engineering disciplines may be selected at the 2000 or higher level. They may also include ES and ME courses at the 1000 level. 2/3 Unit of elective credits must be selected from ME 2000 or ME 3000 level courses or ES 3011 Control Engineering 1 or ES 3323 Advanced Computer Aided Design. Two Stems of Coherent Course and/or Project Offerings: Mechanical Systems (Minimum 4/3 Units) A minimum of 4/3 unit of work in mechanical systems that includes the topics of statics, stress analysis, and dynamics, plus 1/3 unit at or above the 4000 level that integrates mechanical design.
This product-oriented course focuses on engineering fundamentals of ground vehicle drivetrain systems with application to automobiles, commercial and off-road vehicles as well as autonomous and electrically driven ground vehicles. The course focuses on “theory and practice” aspects of engineering design of vehicle transmissions, transfer cases, open and limited slip differentials, etc. A term project integrates design principles with materials selection to improve a drivetrain component for a given vehicle. Project steps include: problem definition and analysis, development of design specifications, development and analysis of alternative designs, conceptual design and material analysis, and a CAE design.
ME 4324Integrated Design of Mechanical Systems 1/3
RBE 4322/ME 4322 Modeling and Analysis of Mechatronic Systems 1/3 Thermofluid Systems (Minimum 4/3 Units) Must include a minimum of 4/3 unit of work in thermofluid systems that includes the topics of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, plus 1/3 unit at or above the 4000 level that integrates thermofluid design. ES 3001 may be replaced by CH 3510 or PH Thermodynamics. If CH or PH is used to cover thermodynamics, this course counts as a science; another engineering elective is then required. 460 WPI 2025-26 Catalog
ME 4422Design and Optimization of Thermal Systems1/3
This course introduces students to design of small and large scale optimal thermal systems. The hardware associated with thermal systems includes fans, pumps, compressors, engines, expanders, turbines, heat and mass exchangers, and reactors, all interconnected with some form of conduits. Generally, the working substances are fluids. These types of systems appear in such industries as power generation, electric and gas utilities, refrigeration and cryogenics, air conditioning and heating, food, chemical, petroleum, and other process industries. This course is intended for mechanical engineering students, especially those seeking a concentration in Thermal-Fluids. Additionally, this course might be of interest to students in Aerospace Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
ME 4430Integrated Thermomechanical Design and Analysis1/3
Current state-of-the-art computer based methodologies used in the design and analysis of thermomechanical systems will be presented and illustrated by selected laboratory demonstrations, and used in projects. Projects will include thermal, mechanical, electronic, and photonic loads of steady state and dynamic nature and will integrate design, analysis, and testing. Students will prepare a technical report and present their results. Topics will include, but not be limited to, thermomechanics of fiber optic telecommunication cables, high-energy beam interactions with materials, shape memory alloys, microelectronics, MEMS and mechatronics. This course will be offered in academic years ending in odd numbers.
This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of mechanical vibrations, which are important for design and analysis of mechanical and structural systems subjected to time-varying loads. The objective of the course is to expose the students to mathematical modeling and analysis of such systems Topics covered include: formulation of the equations of motion using Newton’s Laws, D’Alembert’s Principle and energy methods; prediction of natural frequency for single-degree-of-freedom systems; modeling stiffness characteristics, damping and other vibrational properties of mechanical systems; basic solution techniques by frequency response analysis and convolution integral methods. Examples may include analysis and design for transient passage through resonance; analysis and design of vibration measurement devices; introductory rotordynamics. The course is mainly focused on analysis of single-degree-of-freedom systems, however a basic introduction into multidegree-of-freedom systems is also presented. Computer-based project may be suggested.
ME 4512Introduction to the Finite Element Method1/3
This course serves as an introduction to finite element analysis (FEA) for stress analysis problems. Finite element equations are developed for several element types from stiffness and energy approaches and used to solve simple problems. Element types considered include spring, truss, beam, two-dimensional (plane stress/strain and axisymmetric solid), three-dimensional and plates. Stress concentrations, static failures, and fatigue failures are considered for each element type. Emphasis will be placed on knowing the behavior and usage of each element type, being able to select a suitable finite element model for a given problem, and being able to interpret and evaluate the solution quality. A commercial, general-purpose finite element computer program is used to solve problems that are more complex. Projects are used to introduce the use of FEA in the iterative design process.
This course develops the processing, structure, property, performance relationships in plastic materials. The topics covered include polymerization processes, chain structure and configuration, molecular weights and distributions, amorphous and crystalline states and glass-rubber transition. The principles of various processing techniques including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming and calendaring will be discussed. The physical and mechanical properties of polymers and polymer melts will be described with specific attention to rheology and viscoelasticity. Pertinent issues related to environmental degradation and recyclability will be highlighted. This course will be offered in academic years ending in even numbers.
An introductory course designed to acquaint the student with the different forms of corrosion and the fundamentals of oxidation and electro-chemical corrosion. Topics covered include: corrosion principles, environmental effects, metallurgical aspects, galvanic corrosion, crevice corrosion, pitting, intergranular corrosion, erosion corrosion, stress corrosion, cracking and hydrogen embrittlement, corrosion testing, corrosion prevention, oxidation and other high-temper-ature metal-gas reactions.
