Global Arc

Independent work is intended for juniors doing only a one-term project. Students develop a topic of their own or select from a list of topics prepared by the faculty. They develop a work plan and select an adviser and are assigned a second reader. At the end of the term, students submit a written report. Enroll in either MAE 339 for fall or MAE 340 for spring. This course does not fulfill the departments independent work or thesis requirement.

Independent work with design is intended for juniors doing only a one-term project. Similar to MAE 340, with the principal difference that the project must incorporate aspects and principles of design in a system, product, vehicle, device, apparatus, or other design element. At the end of the term, students submit a written report. This course will fulfill the additional engineering science elective in the Mechanical Program. It will not fulfill the departments independent work or senior thesis requirement.

This course addresses the various concepts that form the basis of modern space flight and astronautics. The focus is on space flight analysis and planning and not hardware or spacecraft design. The topics include space flight history, orbital mechanics, orbit perturbations, near-Earth and interplanetary mission analysis, orbit determination and satellite tracking, spacecraft maneuvers and attitude control, launch, and entry dynamics. Use of advanced software for the planning and analysis of space missions. Two 90-minute lectures. Prerequisite: 305 or instructor's permission.

This course examines the design of a modern spacecraft or complex space system, including the space environment and its impact on design. The principles and design aspects of the structure, propulsion, power, thermal, communication, and attitude subsystems are studied. The course also introduces systems engineering, project management, manufacturing and test, mission operations, mission design, and space policy. Acting as a single project team, students will design a satellite or space system from conception to critical design review. Two 90-minute lectures. Prerequisite: 206, 305, 341 recommended, or instructor's permission.

The fundamental concepts required for the design and function of implantable medical devices, including basic applications of materials, solid mechanics and fluid mechanics to bone/implant systems. The course examines the interfaces between cells and the surfaces of synthetic biomaterials that are used in orthopedic and dental applications. Prerequisites: MAT 103 and 104, and PHY 103 and 104. Three one-hour lectures.

Robotics is a rapidly-growing field with applications including unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous cars, and robotic manipulators. This course will provide an introduction to the basic theoretical and algorithmic principles behind robotic systems. The course will also allow students to get hands-on experience through project-based assignments. Topics include inverse kinematics, motion planning, localization, mapping, vision, and reinforcement learning. Prerequisites: MAT 201 or 203, MAT 202 or 204, COS 126. Recommended ORF 309 and MAE 305. A.B. students ST requirement; B.S.E. students 1st-year science requirement. Two 90-minute lectures.

This course covers the science and technology underlying existing and emerging nuclear security issues. Part I introduces the principles of nuclear fission, nuclear radiation, and nuclear weapons (and their effects). Part II develops the concepts required to model and analyze nuclear systems, including the production of fissile materials and the detection and characterization of these materials with radiation measurement techniques. Relevant applications are explored in Part III and include nuclear forensic analysis, nuclear archaeology, and nuclear warhead verification. Such case studies will also be part of the final projects.

This is an introductory aerospace engineering course for non-engineers. It gives an elementary technical understanding of what it takes to explore and operate in outer space. We will cover the history of space flight, the space environment, rockets, orbits, launches, re-entries, spacecraft subsystems, and human factors. Students will work with the technical tradeoffs in space mission design in weekly computer labs. Guest lecturers from the engineering and scientific communities will present case studies. Towards the end of the course students will lead critical evaluations of realistic science fiction and visionary non-fiction.

Introduction to microcontroller applications. A laboratory course dealing with the design and construction of self-contained computer-based electronics projects. Major topics include a review of digital and linear electronics, an introduction to microcomputer architecture and assembly language programming, device interfacing, mechanical mechanisms, electromechanical actuation, and system design. Two lectures, two two-hour laboratories. Prerequisite: 221 and 224, or equivalent.

The bioinspired design course offers interdisciplinary, advanced design and critical thinking experience. Students will work in teams to integrate biological knowledge into the engineering design process. The course uses case studies to show how biological solutions can be transferred into engineering design. The case studies will include themes such as locomotion, materials, and sensing. By the end of the course, students will be able to use analogical design concepts to engineer a prototype based on biological function.