2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

Suggested Course Sequence
3rd-Class Year 2nd-Class Year 1st-Class Year
Chem 200 Aero Engr 315 Academy/Mech Engr Opt 2
Econ 201 Beh Sci 310 Astro Engr 410
El Engr 231 Biology 315 English 411
English 211 Engr Mech 305 Engr Mech 460
Engr Mech 220 Engr Mech 320 Mech Engr 325
Engr Mech 330 Engr Mech 350 Mech Engr 441
Law 220 History 302 Mech Engr 491
Math 243 Math 346 Mech Engr 492
Math 245 Math 356 Mech Engr Analysis Opt
MSS 200 Mech Engr 341 Mech Engr Opt 1
Physics 215 Mech Engr 370 MSS 400
Pol Sci 211 Philos 310 Soc Sci 412
Sys Opt Mech Engr 312
Mechanical Engineering (Mech Engr)
Offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Mech Engr 312. Thermal Fluids Systems Engineering I. First and second laws of thermodynamics applied to closed
systems; basic modes of heat and work processes, with concentration on conduction. Mass and momentum conservation,
entropy balance. Cycle concepts as applied to Carnot cycle. Properties of thermodynamic substances, including phase
diagrams, ideal gases, and pure substances. Fundamental aspects of fluid statics. Bernoulli and mechanical energy equations.
Laboratory methods and applications. Emphasis on developing problem solving methods applied to thermal-fluids systems,
and on communication skills.
Mech Engr 325. Engineering System Dynamics. Modeling, analysis, and design of multi-domain engineering systems
including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, instrumentation, and control elements. Models are developed based on tracking
power interactions between system components. Mathematical models are developed in state space form and are investigated
both analytically and numerically. System response to initial conditions and forcing functions is examined. Tools are introduced
to predict system stability, behavior and response to parameter variation. Non-linear models and elementary control systems
are introduced.
Mech Engr 341. Thermal Fluids Systems Engineering II. Continuation of Mech Engr 312. First and second laws of
thermodynamics applied to open systems. Basic engineering plant component analysis, to include isentropic efficiencies.
Navier-Stokes equations and applications. Fluid flow and heat transfer boundary layer applications. Convection heat
transfer, with a concentration on heat exchangers. Dimensional analysis, modeling, and similitude. Laboratory methods and
applications. Emphasis on developing problem solving methods applied to thermal-fluids systems, and on communications
skills.
Mech Engr 370. Introduction to Machine Design. Introduction to static failure theories and fatigue. Analysis and design of
machine components including shafts, hydrodynamic and rolling element bearings, spur gears, clutches, brakes, and springs.
Design of joints using screws, bolts, and welds. Emphasis on stress analysis and design trade-offs.
Mech Engr 396. Mechatronics. Integration of mechanical and electrical design, applying the design process to develop
an integrated electromechanical system autonomously controlled by a microprocessor. Electrical system development topics
include digital logic, actuator control, sensor integration, and signal conditioning. Group design projects throughout the
semester leading to the integrated final project. Open only to Mechanical Engineering majors with departmental permission.
Mech Engr 441. Thermal Fluids Systems Engineering III. Radiation heat transfer. Numerical methods applied to selected
problems in heat transfer and fluid mechanics. Introduction to basic power cycles (Rankine, Otto, Diesel, Brayton, etc.).
Psychometric processes. 1-D compressible flow with application to turbomachinery and varying area channels, to include
normal shocks. Analysis of turbomachinery. Laboratory methods and applications. Emphasis on developing problem solving
methods applied to thermal fluids systems, and on communications skills.
Mech Engr 467. Energy Conversion. Applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to the major energy
converters including steam plants, internal combustion engines, and turbojet engines. Additional topics may include
combustion analysis, energy storage, refrigeration, and alternate energy sources.
126 United States Air Force Academy Catalog