2008–2009 - Florida Institute of Technology

Associate Professors
David C. Fleming, Ph.D., structural mechanics, advanced composite
materials, crashworthy aerospace vehicle design, finite element analysis,
fracture mechanics.
Hector Gutierrez, Ph.D., P.E., mechatronics, nonlinear control,
microprocessor control of electromechanical systems, magnetic suspension
systems, intelligent control, automation, computer-based instrumentation,
computer-aided engineering of control systems.
Kunal Mitra, Ph.D., thermal fluid sciences with emphasis on laser
applications, thermal radiation, microscale heat transfer, material
processing, bio-heat transfer modeling, biomedical imaging, short-pulse
laser therapy, photovoltaic systems.
Paavo Sepri, Ph.D., fluid mechanics, turbulence, convective heat transfer,
boundary layers, aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, droplet combustion,
computational fluid dynamics.
Yahya I. Sharaf-Eldeen, Ph.D., P.E., modeling, simulation, and design
of dynamic systems, advanced dynamics, vibration, design of machinery,
thermal-fluid sciences, energy/power systems.
Assistant Professors
Mark R. Archambault, Ph.D., rocket combustion and propulsion, rocket
fuel injector modeling, computational fluid dynamics, multi-phase fluid
flow, spray and particulate dynamics, hydrogen fuel cell modeling.
Youngsik Choi, Ph.D., superfinish hard machining service life methodology,
micro-electrodischarge machining (MEDM)system, machine designs.
Daniel R. Kirk, Ph.D., fluid mechanics, heat transfer, combustion, airbreathing
propulsion, chemical and nuclear thermal rocket propulsion,
shock tube flow experimentation, high-speed aerodynamics, internal flows,
superconductivity for launch assist, spacecraft shielding, energy storage and
propulsion.
Razvan Rusovici, Ph.D., structural dynamics, smart material applications,
damping modeling, vibration and acoustics, sensors and instrumentation,
experimental modal analysis, turbomachinery.
Bo Yang, Ph.D., micro-/nano-mechanics, fabrication and reliability of
advanced materials and devices, fracture mechanics, mesh-reduction
computational methods, boundary elements, molecular dynamics,
multiscale modeling.
Shengyuan Yang, Ph.D., cell and tissue mechanics and mechanobiology,
micro-electro/mechanical systems (MEMS), nano-electro/mechanical
systems (NEMS), bio-MEMS/NEMS.
Adjunct Faculty
J. Martin, Ph.D.; T. Mashburn, Ph.D.; D. Tse, Ph.D.; B. Vu, Ph.D.;
D. Willard, M.S.
Professors Emeriti
Thomas E. Bowman, Ph.D.; Armand Dilpare, Ph.D.;
John J. Engblom, Ph.D., P.E.; John M. Russell, Sc.D.;
Palmer C. Stiles, M.S.
Mission Statement
The mission of the mechanical and aerospace engineering department
is to prepare our students to be successful professionals
in the global industrial, research and/or academic environment.
This is achieved via developing curricula that enable students
to achieve four education objectives: academic fundamentals,
engineering practices, teamwork and communication, and professional
development. Graduates of the mechanical and aerospace
engineering department are equipped with the knowledge and
capabilities to solve real-world engineering problems and to
advance the state-of-the-art in their selected fields.
unDergrADuATe Degree ProgrAmS
Undergraduate Programs Chair
Chelakara S. Subramanian, Ph.D.
Bachelor of Science
Aerospace Engineering _______________________
The field of aerospace engineering has grown rapidly in recent
decades to assume a vital role in modern human endeavors.
Ranging from manned lunar excursions, exploration of the solar
system and ecological study of Earth, to beneficial commerce on
space stations and high-quality products for humans and military
concerns, the contributions from the aerospace engineering
profession have been profound. Accomplishments in airframe
materials, computational fluid dynamics and propulsion system
designs have resulted in the circumnavigation of Earth by an
airplane without recourse to refueling. Aerospace engineers are
currently involved in space station operations and are expected to
take part in future moon-base and space station missions, as well
as manned exploration of Mars. The many spin-offs from their
involvement in these activities in space will surely benefit humanity
here on Earth just as their previous space involvement has.
The aerospace engineering undergraduate curriculum at Florida
Tech presents the fundamentals underlying modern aerospace
engineering and prepares the student for a lifetime of continued
learning. During the freshman and sophomore years, emphasis is
placed on mathematics and physics, while aerospace engineering
is introduced through a sequence of three courses. The sophomore
and junior years direct the student toward the engineering
sciences, including materials science, thermodynamics and
fluid mechanics. During the junior and senior years, the study
becomes progressively centered on the specific issues facing
practicing aerospace engineers. The student uses the basic tools
imparted during the first two years and applies them in studies
of aerodynamics, propulsion systems, aerospace structures and
design projects. Other courses taken during the last two years
expand the student’s knowledge in the fields of mechanics of
solids, electric circuits, flight stability and control, and mission
analysis. Technical electives taken during the junior and senior
years allow the student to direct the program toward specific
areas of personal interest, such as flight training and human factors
engineering, space science, mathematics, computer science
or other engineering disciplines.
Laboratory experiences are essential to the education of engineers,
and these are provided in chemistry, physics, computers,
materials, fluids, structures and experimental aerodynamics. The
capstone of the educational process is embodied in the aerospace
engineering design project, which synthesizes and focuses
elements from the various disciplines into a design activity of
current aerospace engineering interest. The faculty of the program
serve jointly in the supervision and consultation for these
projects.
Students are encouraged to define career objectives early in
the program (preferably during the sophomore year), so that in
consultation with faculty advisers, electives can be selected that
are best suited to the achievement of specific goals.
Students may also choose to benefit from the experience gained
through the cooperative education program.
Degree Programs—College of Engineering 91