DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING   Chair: David A. Nelson (251) 460-6168 Professors: Donovan, Engin, Nelson Associate Professors: Cauley, Phan Assistant Professors: Dougherty, Hsiao Instructors: Foley, O'Briant   Department of Mechanical Engineering web site http://www.southalabama.edu/engineering/mechanical   Mechanical Engineering is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers invent, analyze and design systems that produce power or convert energy. This encompasses such diverse applications as designing next-generation aircraft and automobiles, inventing novel methods of generating energy from renewable sources, and developing sophisticated new medical devices and systems. Mechanical engineers are in the forefront of exciting new technological fields, including nano-engineering, biomedical engineering, and fuel cell research. The basic fields of study for mechanical engineers include:     Materials science, which is the study of the relationship between structure, properties, and processing of materials.     Thermodynamics and heat transfer deal with basic concepts and applications of work, energy, and power. Applications include power generation from fossil fuels, from renewable sources (solar, wind energy for example) and fuel cells.     Engineering mechanics is the study of static and dynamic effects of forces applied to rigid and flexible solid bodies.     Fluid mechanics is the study of the forces and motions of liquids and gases. Included in this area of study are hydraulics, gas dynamics, aerodynamics, and design and application of pumps, compressors, and turbines.     Control systems include studies of transient and steady-state response of systems to external inputs.     Design synthesis integrates all field of engineering in the production of safe, practical, efficient, and economically feasible solutions to real problems. All BSME students complete a senior-year "capstone" design project, in which a team of students defines and solves a unique, real-world engineering problem. The curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) is designed so that graduates can work in any Mechanical Engineering field, or continue their educations at the graduate level. The educational objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program at the University of South Alabama are that graduates:   1. are employed in positions in which they use mathematical and computational skills to analyze and solve problems involving mechanical and thermal systems;   2. use technical knowledge to plan and conduct experiments and apply the appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis;   3. demonstrate the ability to model, analyze, design and realize physical systems, components or processes in individual and team environments;   4. practice effective communications and teamwork in their professional careers;   5. make responsible and ethical decisions as engineers;   6. continue their educations through formal and informal means; and   7. successfully pursue professional registration, where it is appropriate to the graduate's situation. The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.   BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING   FIRST YEAR         Fall     Spring   EH 101 3   EH 102 3   MA 125 4   MA 126 4   CH 131 4   PH 201 4   EG 101 2   CA 110 3   Gen Ed* 3   ME 135 3     16     17     SECOND YEAR         Fall     Spring   MA 227 4   MA 238 3   MA 237 3   EG 220 3   PH 202 4   EG 270 3   EG 283 3   EG 284 3   Gen Ed 3   ME 228 3     17   15   THIRD YEAR         Fall     Spring   EG 231 3   ME 312 3   EG 315 3   ME 314 3   EG 360 3   ME 316 3   ME 326 3   ME 317 3   ME 328 3   ME 319 1   Gen Ed* 3 ME 336 1 18   Gen Ed* 3         17     FOURTH YEAR*****     Fall     Spring   ME 412 1   ME 414 2   ME 413 2   ME 429 1   ME 426 3   ME 472 3   Design Elect+ 3   ME Elect** 3   Tech Elect*** 3   Tech Elect*** 3   Tech Elect*** 3 Gen Ed* 3 15     15       *Eighteen hours of Humanities/Social Science courses are required. These must include nine hours in Humanities, nine hours in Social Sciences including one sequence. Also required is one literature, one fine arts, one CA 110 (Public Speaking), one history and one Social and Behavioral Science.  **The Mechanical Engineering elective must be an approved Mechanical Engineering course. ***The technical elective is a 300- or 400- level course from mathematics, science, computer and information sciences, or engineering. It must be approved by the advisor. ****All required 100- and 200-level courses are prerequisite to 400-level courses. +Either ME 411 or ME 421.   MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Admission and MS Degree requirements in Mechanical Engineering as well as three plans of study (thesis option, project option, course work only option) are stated at the beginning under College of Engineering section. Many graduate courses in Mechanical Engineering are offered at night for the benefit of full-time employed engineers within commuting distance of the campus. The program leading to the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering has several possible specializations: biomechanics, orthopaedic biomechanics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics with special emphasis on computational mechanics, vibrations, dynamics, simulation and controls. Master of Science students in Mechanical Engineering must complete four approved core courses, including two in solid mechanics, one in fluid mechanics and one in thermal sciences. Candidates for the MSME degree also must compete MA 507, MA 508, and EG 501. See degree requirements.     DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (ME) COURSES   College of Engineering