2005-06 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

wing theory. Introduction to unsteady aerodynamic behavior of turbomachinery.
Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 237. Instructor: Hall. 3 units.
240. Patent Technology and Law. The use of patents as a technological data base is
emphasized including information retrieval in selected engineering disciplines.
Fundamentals of patent law and patent office procedures. Consent of instructor required.
Instructor: Cocks. 3 units.
245. Applications in Expert Systems. A comprehensive introduction to the key practical
principles, techniques, and tools being used to implement knowledge-based systems. The
classic MYCIN system studied in detail to provide historic perspective. Current systems
employing combinations of production rules, prototypical knowledge, and frame-based case
studies. Student term projects consist of the development of individual, unique expert
systems using the Texas Instruments Personal Consultant. Knowledge of LISP not a
prerequisite. Instructor: Staff. 3 units.
252. Buckling of Engineering Structures. 3 units. C-L: see Civil Engineering 252
263. Multivariable Control. 3 units. C-L: see Civil Engineering 263; also C-L: Electrical
and Computer Engineering 263
265. Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering. Opportunity for study of advanced
subjects related to programs within mechanical engineering tailored to fit the requirements
of a small group. Approval of director of undergraduate or graduate studies required.
Instructor: Staff. Variable credit.
268. Cellular and Biosurface Engineering. A combination of fundamental concepts in
materials science, colloids, and interfaces that form a basis for characterizing: the physical
properties of biopolymers, microparticles, artificial membranes, biological membranes, and
cells; and the interactions of these materials at biofluid interfaces. Definition of the subject
as a coherent discipline and application of its fundamental concepts to biology, medicine,
and biotechnology. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 208 or consent of instructor.
Instructor: Needham. 3 units.
270. Robot Control and Automation. Review of kinematics and dynamics of robotic
devices; mechanical considerations in design of automated systems and processes, hydraulic
and pneumatic control of components and circuits; stability analysis of robots involving
nonlinearities; robotic sensors and interfacing; flexible manufacturing; man-machine
interaction and safety consideration. Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 230 or
equivalent and consent of instructor. Instructor: Garg. 3 units.
275. Product Safety and Design. An advanced engineering design course that develops
approaches to assessing and improving the safety of products and product systems. Safety
is presented in terms of acceptable risk and analyzed through legal case studies. Probabilistic
decision making; risk economics; risk analysis and assessment. Corequisite: Mechanical
Engineering 160L. Instructor: Staff. 3 units.
276. Designs and Decisions. Successful engineering entrepreneurship requires both the
creation of new devices and processes and the ability to make rational selections among
design alternatives. Design methodology is presented that fosters creativity and introduces
TRIZ (the Russian acronym for Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). Decisions among
design alternatives are structured and analyzed in graphical and probabilistic terms: tree
diagrams; sampling theory; hypothesis testing; and confidence levels. Corequisite:
Mechanical Engineering 160L or consent of instructor. Instructor: Staff. 3 units.
277. Optimization Methods for Mechanical Design. Definition of optimal design.
Methodology of constructing quantitative mathematical models. Nonlinear programming
methods for finding ''best'' combination of design variables: minimizing steps, gradient
methods, flexible tolerance techniques for unconstrained and constrained problems.
Emphasis on computer applications and term projects. Consent of instructor required.
Instructor: Staff. 3 units.
148 Courses and Academic Programs