Course Descriptions - Undergraduate Calendar 2023-2024

This course is focused on fundamental knowledge and skills essential for academic and professional development in mechanical engineering. It covers basic methods and principles used by mechanical engineers, e.g., fundamentals of technical communication, the design process and problem solving, measurements and data analysis, engineering professionalism, safety, and intellectual property. The fundamentals of engineering graphical communication using computer-aided design (CAD) and freehand sketching will be a significant component of this course. Written, graphical and oral communications are emphasized. Examples are drawn from Mechanical Engineering. [Offered: F]

Discussion of the structure of and options within the mechanical engineering curriculum; of the operation of department, faculty, university, technical societies; of student team and graduate school opportunities; of safety training; and of subject material in support of core courses. [Offered: W,S]

This course is a continuation of ME 100 and is aimed at reinforcing the concepts related to technical communications, professionalism, and professional development, with emphasis on mechanical engineering concepts and practical examples. The fundamentals of programming are a significant component of this course, focusing on digital computing, and basic programming and algorithm writing. Programming examples are drawn from mechanical engineering. [Offered: W,S]

The relevance of materials to engineering practice. The microstructure of materials, crystallinity and crystal imperfections, glasses, and amorphous solids. Elastic and plastic deformation in metals, viscoelasticity of plastics. Strengthening mechanisms in metals, polymers, and ceramics. Fracture of brittle and ductile solids. Electrical and magnetic properties of materials. [Offered: W,S]

Definitions of electric and magnetic fields. Introduction to circuit theory (direct current) DC circuits, amplifiers, operational amplifiers, single- and three-phase (alternating current) AC circuits. Introduction to basic electronic devices.

Discussion of the structure of and options within the mechanical engineering curriculum; of the operation of department, faculty, university, technical societies; of student team and graduate school opportunities; of safety training; and of subject material in support of core courses. [Offered: F,W]

Discussion of the structure of and options within the mechanical engineering curriculum; of the operation of department, faculty, university, technical societies; of student team and graduate school opportunities; of safety training; and of subject material in support of core courses. [Offered: F,S]

A continuation of First Year calculus, focusing on calculus of scalar and vector functions of several variables. Both classical calculus techniques and the computer implementation of numerical methods are discussed. Partial differentiation, total derivatives, chain rule, transformation of variables, Taylor series. Applications include geometrical problems, error estimation, maxima and minima, least squares curve fits. Multiple integration in standard coordinate systems, Jacobians. Vector calculus, divergence, curl, Laplacian, and Stokes', Green's and Divergence theorems. Scalar flux transport, work and energy, conservative force fields. [Offered: F, W]

Frequency distributions; measures of central tendency; standard deviation and other measures of dispersion. Probability. Binomial, Poisson, normal distributions. Techniques of sampling and statistical estimation. Tests of hypotheses; significance. The t-test and chi-squared test. Curve fitting by least squares. Statistical process control. Correlation and regression. Experimental design. [Offered: F, W]

Solution of ordinary differential equations. First and higher order differential equations. Nonlinear equations. Linear equations with constant and variable coefficients. Systems of linear equations. Applications involving simple dynamical systems and principles of mass, momentum and heat conservation will emphasize the role of ordinary differential equations in understanding the behaviour of physical systems. Introduction to the Laplace transform method for solving ordinary differential equations. [Offered: F, S]

An introduction to the kinematics of particle and rigid body motion. Impulse-momentum equations. Work-energy methods and Euler's equations. Simple gyroscopes. Vibrations. [Offered: F, S]

Concept of equilibrium, force analysis of structures and structural components, equilibrium of deformable bodies, stress and strain concepts, stress-strain relationships, stress analysis of prismatic members in axial, shearing, torsional and flexural deformations, shear force and bending moment diagrams. [Offered: F, W, S]

A general treatment of the behaviour of structural components from the study of stress and strain in solids. Topics include superposition, energy theorems, theories of failure, elastic and inelastic analysis of symmetrical bending, torsion of circular members, columns and stability, and virtual work. [Offered: F, S]

Phase equilibria, non-equilibrium behaviour, heat treatment of metals, diffusion, strengthening processes. Alloying, composite materials, cold and hot working. Failure of engineering materials; creep, fatigue, corrosion and other environmental degradation processes. Prevention of service failures. [Offered: F,W]

The microstructure of crystalline and amorphous materials including metals, polymers and ceramics. Elastic and plastic deformation in metals, viscoelastic deformation of polymers and viscous deformation of ceramic glasses. Fracture of brittle and ductile solids. Phase equilibria, non-equilibrium behaviour, heat treatment of metals, diffusion, strengthening processes. [Offered: F]

The engineering science of energy. The scope and limitations of thermodynamics. Macroscopic approach to heat, work, energy and the First Law. Properties and state of simple substances. Control-mass and control-volume energy analysis. The Second Law of Thermodynamics, principle of increase of entropy, limiting cycle efficiencies, criteria for equilibrium. [Offered: F, S]

Number systems, logic gates, Boolean algebra. Karnaugh maps and combinational logic design. Sequential logic and state machines. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and PLC programming using ladder logic and statement list. Microcomputer structure and operation, I/O and interfacing. Assembly language programming. Laboratory work includes microcomputer and PLC programming. [Offered: F,S]

Review of circuit analysis. Basic electromagnetic theory. DC machines, synchronous generators, transformers, and induction motors. Introduction to typical speed and torque control techniques of machines using power electronic based devices.

Discussion of the structure of and options within the mechanical engineering curriculum; of the operation of department, faculty, university, technical societies; of student team and graduate school opportunities; of safety training; and of subject material in support of core courses. [Offered: W,S]

Discussion of the structure of and options within the mechanical engineering curriculum; of the operation of department, faculty, university, technical societies; of student team and graduate school opportunities; of safety training; and of subject material in support of core courses. [Offered: F,W]

A continuation of ME 201 and ME 203 in which both classical calculus techniques and the computer implementation of numerical methods are discussed. Partial differential equations of mathematical physics: wave, diffusion, Laplace, Poisson equations. Boundary and initial conditions. Separation of variables. Numerical methods for ordinary and partial differential equations. Applications will emphasize the role of ordinary and partial differential equations in understanding the behaviour of physical systems. [Offered: W, S]

Principles of the geometry of motion, uniform and non-uniform motion, linkage, gears, cams. Synthesis and analysis of mechanisms. Consideration of the static and dynamic forces in machines. Vibration analysis, response to shock, motion and force transmissibility, vibration isolation. [Offered: W,S]

Adequacy assessment and synthesis of machine elements with a focus on the design process. Static failure of ductile and brittle materials, fatigue analysis of structures. Topics include the design of welds, bolted connections, springs and shafts. [Offered: F, W]

The principles of manufacturing unit processes including casting, forming, machining and joining. Interactions between design, materials (metals, polymers, ceramics) and processes. Advantages and limitations, relative cost, and production rates of competitive processes. [Offered: W, S]

Physical properties of fluids and fundamental concepts in fluid mechanics. Hydrostatics. Conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy. Flow similarity and dimensional analysis as applied to engineering problems in fluid mechanics. Laminar and turbulent flow. Engineering applications such as flow measurement, flow in pipes and fluid forces on moving bodies. [Offered: F, W, S]

Introduction to heat transfer mechanisms. The formulation and solution of steady and transient heat conduction. Radiant heat transfer including exchange laws and view factors. Introductory convective heat transfer. [Offered: F, W]

Emphasis on applications of thermodynamics to flow processes. Real fluids, evaluation of state functions of real fluids. Non-reacting mixtures, reacting mixtures, equilibrium considerations. [Offered: W, S]

Open loop and feedback control. Laws governing mechanical, electrical, fluid and thermal control components. Analogies. Analysis of some engineering control systems using block diagram algebra, transient and steady-state operation. Different modes of control. Review of Laplace Transform methods. Concepts of stability. Principles of analog computer simulation. Brief treatment of linear flow graphs and bondgraphs. [Offered: F,W]

Basic equations of two-dimensional flow, potential flow, exact viscous solutions. Introduction to lubrication, boundary layers, turbulence, and compressible flow. Turbomachinery fundamentals and applications. Selected advanced topics. [Offered: F, W]

In this course, students study the design process, including needs analysis, problem definition; design criteria and critical parameter identification, generation of alternative solutions; conceptual design, detailed design, optimization; and implementation. Most of the term is devoted to a significant design project in which student groups work independently and competitively, applying the design process to a project goal set by the faculty co-ordinator. The design project typically includes construction of a prototype, and part of the course grade may depend on the performance of the prototype in a competitive test. In exceptional circumstances, the requirement for a prototype may be replaced by a computer simulation, or may be waived. Other mechanical engineering faculty members, particularly those teaching 3B courses, are available to provide advice and supervision to ME 380 students. [Offered: F,W]

Research frontiers in mechanical engineering, specific discussion of research done at Waterloo, seminars by members of research groups. [Offered: S, F]

Research frontiers in mechanical engineering, specific discussion of research done at Waterloo, seminars by members of research groups. [Offered: W]

A continuation of the ME 322 course in analysis and synthesis of machinery, including advanced analysis of machine elements such as clutches, brakes, couplings, journal bearings and gears. Advanced machine design concepts such as reliability, optimization and techniques for stimulating innovative design. A synthesis project involving the machine elements studied is usually included. [Offered: F, S]

This course is intended for those students interested in acquiring a working knowledge of metallurgy. It covers: metals and alloy systems, iron-carbon alloys, heat treatment and the function of alloying elements in steel, corrosion and scale resistant alloys, copper and nickel base alloys, light metals and their alloys; casting, hot and cold working of metals; soldering, brazing and welding; corrosion and oxidation; metal failure analysis. [Offered: F, S]

Introduction to modern welding and joining processes for metals, polymers and ceramics. Fundamentals of the joining process and the influence of the process parameters on weld dimensions, strength and quality. Fusion welding processes such as shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, submerged arc welding and others including electron beam and laser beam welding. Resistance welding processes, solid-state welding processes, soldering and brazing. Laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experience with a number of industrially significant welding processes. [Offered: F,S]

Advanced psychrometric analysis applied to HVAC system design. Duct design and fan selection. Indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Heating and cooling load calculations. Heat flow through building elements. Solar radiation and solar gains through windows. Infiltration and exfiltration. [Offered: W]

Selected topics in heat transfer fundamentals and applications. Topics to be covered include the fundamentals of convection with analytical solutions to simple laminar flow problems and approximate solutions to turbulent flow problems based on analogies between momentum and heat transfer. Also covered is radiant exchange in grey enclosures and in black enclosures containing emitting-absorbing gases. The remaining topics will be chosen from design of heat exchangers; condensation heat transfer; boiling heat transfer; and the treatment of problems in heat conduction. [Offered: F, S]

Review of reserves and consumption trends of Canada's and the world's energy resources. Design of fossil-fuel central power plants, including boiler efficiency calculations and advanced steam and binary cycles. Review of atomic physics including fission and fusion energy. Design of nuclear fission power plants including design of reactor core for critical conditions, fuel cycles and radiation hazards. Design considerations for solar energy conversion devices including: availability of solar energy, solar-thermal converters, thermal storage and photovoltaics. Principles of fuel cells and some aspects of their design. Other topics as appropriate. [Offered: F, S]

The first of two required courses for the mechanical engineering capstone design project. This course is intended to enable students to engage in in-depth engineering design and decision-making using engineering science while encouraging creativity and resourcefulness, and addressing the criteria listed in the faculty of engineering design rubrics. Students will work in small groups on a design project of their own choosing, or as part of a major student team project. The goal is to develop a design proposal, consisting of the needs analysis, design specifications and project plan, followed by the initial and detailed design work. [Offered: F,S]

A continuation of ME 481. The final design of the major mechanical engineering project proposed in ME 481 will be undertaken. The purpose of this phase of the project is to carry out a detailed technical design and proof of feasibility of the solution proposed in ME 481. [Offered: W]

This course is a continuation of ME 212 and ME 321. It includes study of planar and three-dimensional motion of rigid bodies and systems, including gyroscopic effects. Vector (Newton's Method) and analytical (Lagrange's Equation) methods are used to derive equations of motion. Linear vibrational analyses are performed to examine natural frequencies, stability, and mode shapes. Computer simulation of non-linear systems is discussed. [Offered: W]

Fatigue and fracture analysis of metallic components including welded joints. Review of test and design procedures. Sources of cyclic loading. Cyclic counting procedures and cumulative damage. S-N curves and effects of mean, residual and multiaxial stressing. Stress concentrations; scatter and fatigue life distributions. Transition temperature concepts. Linear elastic fracture mechanics analysis of fatigue crack propagation and fracture initiation. Crack arrest. [Offered: W]

This course will allow the student to develop a more in depth knowledge of physical metallurgy and its application in understanding and solving relevant manufacturing problems. It will begin with a treatment of solid-state diffusion, mass transport and the principles of solidification including constitutional supercooling. This knowledge will then be applied to understand the microstructural development (and resultant properties) which occur in materials during manufacturing processes including casting, solid-state heat treatments, laser processing, and various joining operations. The course will include case studies aimed at providing the students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical way. [Offered: W]

This course is intended to provide an advanced treatment of the structure, properties, and processing of non-metallic and composite materials based on polymers, metals, and ceramics. The structure and properties of polymers and ceramics in bulk form and as matrices and reinforcements in composites will be covered. Processing methods for non-metallics and composites (example extrusion, injection molding, etc.) will be considered. The geometrical arrangement of fibres within laminae and their influences on elastic and strength properties of composites will be described based on suitable micromechanical models. The role of the matrix and fibre/matrix interface in determining composite properties will be described. [Offered: W]

Metallurgy of welding of steels (carbon, microalloy, low alloy and stainless steels), cast irons, aluminum-based, copper-based, nickel-based, cobalt-based, titanium-based and other alloys, (including dissimilar combinations) to explain the effects of welding processes and conditions (including post-weld heat treating) on microstructure and properties; causes and prevention of defects and deficiencies which can occur in different alloys, including porosity, cracking, embrittlement (hydrogen, temper, strain aging, ductile-brittle transition temperatures), overaging; metallurgy of soldered and brazed joints. Laboratory experiments will demonstrate microstructural effects and defects in a range of alloys for different welding processes and conditions. [Offered: W]

Manufacturing principles of welded mechanical components, machinery, pressure vessels, and structures subject to static or dynamic loading. Design of weld joints for structures made from ferrous alloys such as plain carbon and low alloy steels and non-ferrous alloys such as aluminum alloys. Residual stresses in weldments and distortion of weldments. Quality and quality control in welding fabrication; welding standards; welding procedure qualification; nondestructive examination methods for welds and brazed joints such as radiography, dye penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and eddy current techniques. [Offered: W]

Introduction to the field of neural and rehabilitation engineering (NRE). Topics include describing common neurological and musculoskeletal injuries, related neural and rehabilitation engineering approaches to address disabilities, and the development of a design framework for synthesizing a novel neural and rehabilitation engineering approach. Critical concepts in clinical research design to meet current regulatory, ethical, and practice policies will be studied. [Offered: W]

Homogeneous transformations, D-H convention, forward and inverse kinematics. Differential transformations and Jacobians. Robot dynamics. Programming, trajectory generation and joint control. End-of-arm sensing and outer loop control. Industrial applications. [Offered: W]

Operation fundamentals of NC machine tools. NC part programming: manual and CAD/CAM methods. Mechanics of metal cutting: examples of turning, milling, and drilling. Tool wear and breakage. Optimum cutting conditions. Dimensional and form errors due to static deformations. Dynamics of machining. Laboratory work provides hands-on experience in tool path generation, machining, and measurements of cutting forces and vibration. [Offered: F,S]

Need for geometric modelling, historic developments; wire frame models; hidden line removed models; polyhedral models; surface models and solid models. Constructive solid geometry; boundary representation and decomposition modelling. Hybrid models. Data structures and their role in modelling. Curves and surfaces in modelling (Bezier, B-splines and NURBS). Geometric models and the role of engineers. Parametric and feature-based design. The course has a heavy lab component which provides exposure to solid modelling on SDRC IDEAS and PC-based CAD packages. [Offered: W]

Combustion thermodynamics, introduction to chemical kinetics of combustion, combustion properties of fuels, flammability of combustible mixtures. Flame propagation mechanisms, pre-mixed and diffusional; stability of flames; introduction to combustion aerodynamics, jet flames; atomization; droplet and spray combustion. Elementary ignition concepts and theory. Basic detonation theory. [Offered: W]

A course presenting the fundamental ideas involved in conventional finite element analysis in mechanical engineering. Domain discretization, interpolation and shape functions, element derivation and types, element stiffness or property equations, assembly procedure, boundary conditions, solution methods for the algebraic equation system, applications in heat transfer, fluid flow, and stress analysis. Students will, throughout the course, write and test their own finite element code through individual subroutine construction as the course progresses. [Offered: F, S]

Properties of hydraulic fluids. Design and function of conventional hydraulic and pneumatic circuits. Characteristics of flow and pressure control valves. Speed control in fluid power circuits. Performance of pumps and fluid motors. Hydrostatic and hydrokinetic transmission systems. Principles of sealing, filtration and heat control in hydraulic circuits. Industrial applications of fluid power systems. [Offered: F, S]

This course is focused on theory and practice of experimental analysis of fluid mechanics problems. It covers the following topics: experimental facilities and techniques for measurements in fluid flows, flow visualization, identification of appropriate tools for experimental assessment, planning of experiments, laboratory experiments, data acquisition, analysis of experimental results and uncertainty estimation. [Offered: W]

Classification of turbomachines, performance parameters and laws of modelling. Basic equation of flow in turbomachines, compressible flow. Energy transfer in radial and axial turbomachines, performance characteristics, losses and efficiencies. Blade and cascade design, 3 dimensional effects. [Offered: W]

An introductory course in aerodynamics for engineers. Kinematics and dynamics of inviscid flow; airfoil dynamics including thin airfoil theory, finite wings, panel methods and airfoil parameters. Boundary layer theory and boundary layer control as applied in aerodynamics. Introduction to high speed aerodynamics. Introduction to dynamics of flight including stability and control. [Offered: W]

A course to develop the understanding required to simulate complex fluid flows, such as those found in turbo-machines, duct systems, and other engineering hardware. Course topics include the physics of complex viscous fluid flows, first- and second-order finite control volume discretization methods, iterative algorithms for the solution of sparse matrix equation sets, including multi-grid acceleration, boundary condition modelling, two-equation and Reynolds stress turbulence models, and grid generation techniques. Computational fluid dynamics software is used throughout the course to simulate and analyze complex fluid flows relevant to engineering applications. [Offered: F,S]

The art and science of fire safety engineering. Fundamentals of fire behaviour, fuels and flammability, heat transfer and fluid dynamics of fires and fire modeling. Practical issues and applications of fire safety, fire control and hazard assessment in the design of buildings, industrial environments and transportation systems. [Offered: W]

Nature and sources of air pollution, chemical and biological aspects, effects on health and environment. Physical aspects of the atmosphere, thermodynamics, vertical variation of wind and temperature, stability, convection, atmospheric turbulence, diffusion equations, plumes, thermals, jets in stratified flow, radioactive plumes, micrometeorological instrumentation, air pollution control techniques and equipment monitoring instrumentation. [Offered: W]

Introduction to whole-building energy analysis. Energy auditing, benchmarking, and simulation. Review of relevant concepts in heat transfer and thermodynamics, including introductory psychrometrics. Interactive effects of building elements, systems, and occupant behaviour. Economic and environmental impacts of building energy use. [Offered: F, S]

Selected topics in HVAC systems design with focus on energy-efficiency and environmental-sustainability. Heating and cooling distribution using air-, water-, and refrigerant-based systems. Constant- and variable-flow systems. Heat- and energy-recovery systems. Vapour-compression refrigeration and heat-pump systems (including air- and geothermal-source heat pumps). [Offered: W]

Introduction to engineering technologies applicable to the field of biomechanics. Specific topics covered may include biological growth, form and function; biomaterials; kinematics and neurology of gait; biotribology; joint anatomy, function and repair; occupational biomechanics; trauma prevention. [Offered: W]

Various courses dealing with selected topics at the undergraduate level in automation and control, solid mechanics and machine design, materials engineering and processing, fluid mechanics, and thermal engineering. Courses offered when resources permit.

Various courses dealing with selected topics at the undergraduate level in automation and control, solid mechanics and machine design, materials engineering and processing, fluid mechanics, and thermal engineering. Courses offered when resources permit.

Various courses dealing with selected topics at the undergraduate level in automation and control, solid mechanics and machine design, materials engineering and processing, fluid mechanics, and thermal engineering. Courses offered when resources permit.

Various courses dealing with selected topics at the undergraduate level in automation and control, solid mechanics and machine design, materials engineering and processing, fluid mechanics, and thermal engineering. Courses offered when resources permit.

Various courses dealing with selected topics at the undergraduate level in automation and control, solid mechanics and machine design, materials engineering and processing, fluid mechanics, and thermal engineering. Courses offered when resources permit.