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Fall 2008 Courses

Engineering Science Courses
ES7 - Thermodynamics
A course stressing the concepts and laws of classical thermodynamics. Topics
include definition of thermodynamic functions, first law, second law, properties
of pure substance, irreversibility and availability. Emphasis will be placed on
teaching the student how to apply the thermodynamic mode of reasoning.
ES8 - Fluid
Mechanics
This course is an introduction to statics and dynamics of fluids. In particular,
we will examine fluid motion in terms of conservation of mass, momentum and
energy. We will cover applications of Bernoulli's equation both theoretically
and in in-class experiments. We also introduce flow through ducts, boundary
layers and compressible flows. Grading is based on weekly tests, homework, a
final exam and a project.
Prerequisite: Statics ES 5, Mathematics 13
All students in ES 8 must register for a ME 25L section.
If a student is taking both ES 8 and ME 25, he or she needs to register
for only one ME 25L section since the lab sections for the two courses are
concurrent
ES95 - Electronic Musical Instrument Design
We will examine non-standard electronic musical instruments, or "controllers",
which work by incorporating sensors that respond to touch, position, movement,
finger pressure, wind pressure, and other human factors, and translating them
into musical sounds. Examples of these are the theremin, woodwind simulators,
drum pads, and positional sensors. We will then design and construct original
instruments and performance systems using mechanical, electronic, and sensing
components. The instruments will rely on MIDI, the Musical Instrument Digital
Interface protocol; Max, an object-oriented language for processing MIDI and
audio data; and Reason, a MIDI-controlled software-based synthesizer and sound
processor.
Students from a wide variety of majors are encouraged, to
provide each other with complementary skills. Students will work in teams on a
variety of projects.
Prerequisites: Experience in one, and preferably two or more,
of the following: electronic music, electrical engineering and prototyping,
mechanical engineering and model building, audio production, computer
programming with real-time systems.
ES101 -
Numerical Methods
Numerical methods are studied and applied to the solution of problems in
engineering and applied science. Interpolation, approximation, numerical linear
algebra including system solution and eigenvalue problems, solution of nonlinear
equations, numerical differentiation and integration, ordinary differential
equation algorithms, and finite-difference solution of partial differential
equations. The course is also designed to develop the students' ability to
select and apply these techniques using spreadsheets and mathematical analysis
software.
This course can be counted as either a concentration or a math/science elective.
Prerequisites: Differential Equations MTH 38 and the ability to perform
computer-based algorithmic calculations.
Mechanical Engineering Courses
ME1 - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Labs: ME 1A students take ME 1LA, ME 1LB, or ME 1LC
ME 1B students take ME 1LD, ME 1LE, or ME 1LF
ME 1 is an introductory course required for all mechanical engineers. The course
is divided into two parts: fabrication techniques and experimental methods.
Section A will begin with fabrication for the first half of the semester and
experimentation for the second; Section B will follow the reverse pattern. The
main goal of the experimentation portion of the course is to introduce
measurement, data acquisition and presentation methods.
The course will emphasize basic LabVIEW skills for
computerized data acquisition including an introduction to statistical data
analysis. The fabrication portion of the course focuses on manual machines and
CNC machines through classroom lectures and a hands-on project. Students will
work with both metallic and non-metallic materials. The fabrication techniques
include an introduction to other machining practices, such as welding, casting,
and forming.
Note that the required weekly lab sections are coordinated
with the two sections of the course. This lab period is primarily for executing
the assigned weekly work. Grades will be based on homework assignments, tests
and project scores.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing in Mechanical Engineering
ME11 - Applied
Thermodynamics
In
this course, the Thermodynamics concepts learned in ES 7, such as the First and
Second Law, properties and state, are applied to several systems typical of
mechanical engineering problems. These applications include power cycles for
electricity generation and transportation vehicles, refrigeration cycles,
combustion of fossil fuels and basic concepts of compressible flow including
nozzle flows and shock waves. A review of ES 7 material is included with
emphasis on system level analysis of closed and steady state, steady flow
problems. Methods for analyzing mixtures including multi-component (humidity,
solid-solid alloys) and multi-phase (liquid-solid-vapor) substances are
introduced.
Prerequisite: Thermodynamics ES 7
ME16 - Heat Transfer
This course is intended to provide an introduction to heat transfer for
mechanical engineering juniors. It has two goals. First, it is designed to
impart the ability to apply the subject matter to analyze practical
applications. Second, the student is prepared for more advanced work in
thermal-fluid sciences. Subjects to be studied include steady state and
transient conduction in solids; numerical solution of conduction problems;
radioactive heat transfer; forced and natural convective heat transfer;
introduction to boiling and condensation; and heat exchanger analysis. The use
of MathCAD is integrated into the homework assignments.
Prerequisites: ES 7 (Thermodynamics), ES 8 (Fluid Mechanics) and Math 38
(Differential Equations)
ME19 - Project
Laboratory
An
independent or small group project laboratory course that builds on the
background and experiences of the sophomore and junior laboratory program.
Although students will be allowed as much freedom as possible in working out
problems involved, they will be supervised by and responsible to a designated
mechanical engineering faculty member. All projects will abide by common grading
and reporting requirements. An organizational meeting to describe the project
options and the course requirements will be held at the beginning of the Fall
term.
Note that no incompletes are allowed in ME 19.
Prerequisites: Senior standing or consent.
ME25 -
Engineering Materials
A
study of the relationships between structure, properties, processing, and
performance of materials used in engineering materials; the course covers the
internal structure of both perfect and imperfect materials and the principles
and techniques by which this structure can be controlled. The relationship of
physical properties to structure is studied and the influence of these
properties on material performance is covered.
Prerequisites: Introductory courses in physics and chemistry are expected.
All students in ME 25 must register for a ME 25L section. If a student is
taking both ES 8 and ME 25, he or she needs to register for only one ME
25L section since the lab sections for the two courses are concurrent.
ME25L - Lab/Recitation for ES8/ME25
All students registered in either section of ES 8 (A or B) or ME 25 (A or B) are
required to register for one section of ME 25L. These scheduled laboratory and
curriculum support periods are part of an integrated laboratory program for
junior BSME students. This coordinated program will involve either experiments
from ES 8 or ME 25, demonstrations both experimental and computational, and
problem solving recitations. Their purpose is to provide students with a
scheduled opportunity to integrate the theory and analysis presented in the
lecture portions of the core mechanical engineering courses. A comprehensive
weekly schedule will be provided at the beginning of the term to all ES 8 and ME
25 students. Participation in these meetings is a requirement of the respective
courses. Students who are enrolled in only one of the courses will not be
required to attend sessions devoted to the other subject. This integrated
laboratory session model will be duplicated in the spring term with ME 16L,
which will support ME 16 (Heat Transfer) and ME37 (Dynamics).
ME37 - Dynamics & Vibrations
This course has been modified to make it compatible with the
changes that were incorporated in ES 5 starting in 2004. The new version will
include more material on vibration. Kinematics, geometric description of the
motion of particles. Kinetics, the relation of force to prediction of the
motion of particles using: work-energy; conservation of energy; impulse-momentum
principles. Kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies in plane motion. Free and
forced vibration of single-degree of freedom systems.
Prerequisites: Statics and Dynamics ES 5, Strength of
Materials ES 9, and Differential Equations MTH 38.
ME38 - Mechanical Vibrations
Single degree-of-freedom vibrating systems: undamped free vibration, Rayleigh’s
method, damped free vibration, forced response to harmonic excitation including
resonance, base excitation, rotating unbalance, and vibration measuring devices,
general forced response including impulse response, shock spectra, and random
inputs. Two degrees-of-freedom vibrating systems: natural frequencies and
natural mode shapes, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, modal analysis, Lagrange’s
equations, case histories illustrating how to design for vibration control using
isolation, dynamic vibration absorbers, and viscoelastic damping treatments.
Pre-requisites: ES6 Dynamics or ME37 Dynamics and Vibrations, or consent of the
instructor.
ME41 - Machine
Design I
This course deals with the fundamentals of machine design. This includes a
review of mechanics and strengths of materials and also serves to extend this
background to include elastic and plastic deformation, theories of failure,
impact, and fatigue of machine elements. The design of machines is approached
through selected design problems that are integrated throughout the course.
Prerequisites: ES 5 (Statics) and ES 9 (Strength of Materials).
ME42 - Machine Design II
Continuation of ME 41. Advanced topics used in the design
and analysis of real systems. Design and selection of individual machine
elements, including gears, bearings, springs, fasteners, brakes, motors, fluid
actuators etc. Design projects that relate to these topics are assigned with
emphasis placed on the application of fundamental engineering concepts as well
as establishing the validity and practicality of the solution.
Prerequisite: ME 41 (Machine Design I)
ME43 - Senior Design Project
This is a project course focused on the execution of a
full-blown design. Students may work individually or in groups (maximum of 8
members), depending on the scope of the specific project. The projects can
involve the design of a machine, device or system which performs a task – often
a manufacturing or measurement task. The outcome will be a complete design
package and a possible working prototype. All senior design projects are done
within the department guidelines which include submission of specific report
documents according to a schedule set at the beginning of the term, and an oral
presentation, open to the public at the conclusion of the semester.
The design projects will be client-based; that is, either
industry sponsors or faculty within the Mechanical Engineering Department will
act as the client for the student design team. Client-based projects tend
to have a focused goal related to active product lines or related to active
research that a faculty member is conducting. Some of these projects will fall
into the general area of biomedical engineering and will fulfill the project
requirement of the Biomedical Engineering Minor or Second Major. These projects
will be open to other students as well.
Organization: Project selection will occur at the
beginning of the semester. Initial lectures will focus on the design process,
scheduling, and leadership. Remaining class time will be devoted to solving
problems with the designs, critical design review, and status updating. Students
will act in the role of project engineers, working individually or in groups,
the instructor in the role of the mentor, and an industry sponsor or Tufts
faculty member acting as the client.
Prerequisites: ME 41 (Machine Design I), ME 42 (Machine
Design II), and senior standing.
ME80 - System
Design
Fundamental concepts in modeling, design and control of dynamic mechanical
systems. Formal analysis reduces system physics to a differential mathematical
model, and studies system behavior and properties in the time and frequency
domain. State-space methods, Laplace transform techniques. Use of MATLAB and
SIMULINK simulation in solution process. Feedback control design techniques.
Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent
ME92/93 & ME94 - Thesis & Special Topics
ME 93 (Fall) and 94 (Spring) are independent study courses
intended for undergraduate students who are pursuing an independent study
project for credit under the supervision of a Mechanical Engineering faculty
member. During the Fall term, ME 93 is reserved for non-laboratory based
projects since ME 19 (Project Laboratory) is also offered. Students are reminded
that taking ME 93/94 requires the approval, prior to the beginning of the
semester, of the faculty mentor. Students are not allowed to use both ME 19 and
ME 93/94 as BSME concentration electives. Students who wish to pursue a second
independent study credit are expected to register for ME 92 (undergraduate
thesis) and write an undergraduate thesis on the topic.
Prerequisites: Consent
ME99 - Mechanical Engineering Internships
A mentored pre-professional experience in Mechanical
Engineering at an off-site organization. The internship must conform to all the
requirements of the College of Engineering Internship Program. The Department
will grant course credit for internships if all of the following conditions are
met:
The student has junior or senior standing and has declared a
major in Mechanical Engineering.
The student must submit a written internship proposal,
which must be approved prior to the semester in which the internship will be
performed. No internships with course credit will be approved once the semester
of the internship has started.
A faculty mentor must have supervisory and technical
control of any work that receives credit in the Department.
A written report must be submitted that is to be
evaluated by the faculty advisor and the outside institutional supervisor. Work
of a proprietary nature cannot be used as a basis for the granting of course
credit.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and consent
ME102 - Inventive Design
This course addresses the engineering of new products under
the realities of the corporate world. In addition to the technology issues, we
will look at funding, government regulation, liability, patent protection, roll
out strategies and other issues, which effect the way the product is engineered.
Products can range from consumer disposables (paper towels) to manufacturing
capital equipment (milling machines). Medical products get a lot of attention
because they contain all of the issues and we have access to a number of guest
lecturers experienced in this field.
Prerequisite: Senior standing in Engineering
ME103 - MEMS
An introduction to Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS).
Topics include fabrication, design, and applications of MEMS devices.
Introduction to computer-aided design techniques and tools.
Course will include a laboratory component and a term project.
Prerequisites: Senior standing.
ME108 - Modern Quality Control
This course deals with principle, role, management and history of quality
control in modern manufacturing and servicing organizations. Topics
covered include statistical process control, probability and statistics, Pareto
diagrams, statistical design of experiments, Taguchi methods, acceptance
sampling, and cost of quality.
ME112 -
Advanced Heat Transfer
This course emphasizes current problems in heat transfer as
they occur in modern engineering practice. It will begin with a fast paced
review of the fundamental heat transfer mechanisms as applied to complex
systems. The course will then focus on multidimensional transient conduction and
moving boundary problems, fundamentals of convection analysis including
differential, integral and scale analyses, and two-phase heat transfer in
liquid-vapor two-phase systems will be covered. The course will include with
elementary mass transfer and simultaneous heat and mass transfer with an
emphasis on gaseous systems. Students will use analytical solutions, MathCAD and
third party software.
Prerequisite: ME 16 (Heat Transfer)
ME116 - Phase Transformation
This course is designed for students interested in thermal,
fluid and mass transport aspects of materials processing. Topics include heat
treatment, continuum diffusion, atomistics of diffusion, oxidation, evaporation,
and solidification.
A wide range of practical examples and applications is drawn
upon, and class work and readings are supplemented by in-class presentations and
small projects.
Homework, term project, mid-term, and final exam.
Prerequisites: Heat Transfer, ME16 or consent
ME118 - Data Acquisition
In this class you will learn to do advanced signal
processing. In particular we will look at audio and video processing. We will
cover spectral analysis as well as image processing. Projects from previous
years include active tracking of the face (allowing people who cannot use their
hands to move a mouse by moving their head) and having robots use the camera as
eyes to drive through a field of rocks.
Grades are based on project performance, in-class
participation, homework, and tests.
Prerequisite: LabVIEW experience, differential equations,
experience in engineering design.
ME121 - Biomaterials
The course presents topics relevant to the materials used for
implantable medical devices: elementary solid mechanics; aspects of material
science applied to metals, polymers, ceramics, and biological tissues; the
biological responses to implanted materials; and FDA requirements for
biomaterials and medical devices. These topics are presented in the context of
specific medical devices in clinical use, e.g., hip replacement implants,
vascular prostheses, and tissue engineered skin. A literature review and oral
presentation covering a medical device is assigned.
ME122 -
Advanced Strength of Materials
Strains and stresses. Basics of
elastic stress analysis. Selected topics of structural mechanics. Deformation
beyond elastic limit.
Prerequisite: Strength of Materials ES9 or equivalent
(Cross-listed as Civil and Environmental Engineering 122)
ME125 - Manufacturing Procedures and Material Techniques
A study of traditional and nontraditional manufacturing
processes related to processing of metals, ceramics, and polymers, including
computer-aided manufacturing. Topics include properties and behavior of
materials, selection of materials and processes subject to surface finish,
tolerance, design, and economic constraints.
Prerequisite: ME 25 (Engineering Materials)
ME126 - Computer Integrated Engineering
This is a project-oriented course which introduces students
to the concept of integrated engineering consisting of design, analysis,
optimization and manufacturing. Microcomputer-based commercial software
packages will be used to design and optimize a mechanical component or an
assembly. Engineering constraints such as cost, material selection, and
manufacturing techniques will be discussed. The students will then use a
CNC machining center to produce their optimized design.
ME127 - Polymer Material and Processing
This class will provide students with advanced knowledge of polymer materials
and the science of manufacturing Course focus will be on the latest modern
techniques of integrating design, materials and manufacturing, and will provide
the fundamental science and engineering information in each area. The topics
that will be covered in detail in this class include: design processes for
developing plastic parts, physical properties of engineering polymers,
environmental properties of plastics, important rheological properties,
electrical properties, material selection methods, moldfilling simulation
techniques for plastics, mechanics of polymer processing, mold design
techniques, secondary assembly techniques, secondary plastic part processing
(coatings, etc), agency considerations (UL, CSA, etc), and economics. In
addition case studies of industrial applications will be presented along with
the latest areas of polymer research.
Prerequisites include ME 25 and knowledge of computer aided design (CAD)
techniques.
ME128 - Structural Mechanics
This course emphasizes energy methods. Basic concepts of
stress, deformation, equilibrium, elastic stability and failure theories are
considered in terms of specific structural elements such as beams, rings,
plates, shells and pressure vessels.
Prerequisite: ES 9 Strength of Materials (cross-listed as
Civil and Environmental Engineering 128)
ME129 - Finite Element Methods in Engineering
This course covers the formulation and application of the
displacement finite element method. One dimensional structural elements are
examined to establish the fundamental principles and techniques. These concepts
are generalized by extension to plane, two dimensional continuum problems.
Element types and their implementation in general purpose codes are considered.
Applications include structural, fluid and thermal systems.
Prerequisites: Statics ES 5 and Strength of Materials ES 9
ME137 - Advanced Vibrations
Extension and generalization of single and two-degree-of
freedom systems to discrete systems with many degrees of freedom, using
Lagrange's equations and matrix theory. Numerical integration methods with
computer application. Introduction to continuous systems and random vibration.
Introduction to the finite element technique for vibratory problems.
Applications to problems of current engineering importance.
Prerequisite: ME 37 (Dynamics and Vibrations)
ME138 - Advanced Dynamics
This course emphasizes particle and rigid body motion in
three dimensions. It begins with a review on Newtonian techniques and
introduces the concepts of Analytical Mechanics such as generalized coordinates
and Lagrange equations.
Prerequisite: Dynamics and Vibrations ME 37 or Dynamics ES6
ME149 - Special Topics – Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the application of classical mechanics techniques to biological
systems. This course will provide an overview of musculoskeletal anatomy,
mechanical properties and structural behavior of biological tissues and
bio-dynamics. Topics to be covered include: anthropometry, stress, strain,
mechanical properties of muscle, force-velocity relationship, force-length
relationship, activation of muscles, kinematics and dynamics of joints, analysis
of forces in human function and movement, energy and power in human activity,
etc. Application areas are human movement analysis (e.g., walking, running,
jumping, reaching and grasping, etc.) and tool design.
Prerequisites: Statics; ES 5, ES 9, senior standing.
Open to seniors and graduate students only.
ME149 - Special Topics – Sustainable
Engineering
This course will discuss sustainable development through the eyes of an
engineering professional. By nature, it is interdisciplinary in content and
will include topics such as selection of culturally appropriate technology,
economic sustainability, green manufacturing, gender issues, community needs
assessment and implementation strategies.
ME149 - Special
Topics - Mechanical Behavior of Materials
This course introduces basic concepts of modern mechanics of
materials. Various modes of mechanical behavior will be discussed, such as:
Elasticity; Anisotropy; Large deformation of soft materials; Plasticity;
Fracture; Time-dependent behavior (creep and viscoelasticity); Overall
properties of composites and heterogeneous materials.
These topics are relevant for a broad range of materials,
including, but not limited to, metals; bio-materials–both soft tissues and hard
tissues (bones); concrete and composites.
Prerequisite: Strength of materials (ES-9) or equivalent.
ME150 - Advanced Mathematics for Engineers
Short overview of
convergence and Taylor’s series. Harmonic analysis and Fourier Series. Review
of ordinary differential equations. Partial differential equations and their
applications to fluid mechanics, heat transfer, vibration and wave propagation.
Prerequisites:
Differential Equations MTH 38 or equivalent
(Cross-listed as
Mathematics 151)
ME165 - Advanced Fluid Mechanics
This course draws from everyday to modern examples and exposes students to
physical and mathematical principles of various topics, emphasizing the
connections with other branches of sciences and engineering. Topics that will
be covered include: viscosity and surface tension; molecular hydrodynamics; the
syringe problem – Mach and Reynolds numbers; water jets, sheets and bells; smoke
rings – the Magnus effect; surface waves – from ripples to solitary waves;
laminar viscous flows and lubrication; vorticity – understanding tealeaves;
instability – supernovas; turbulence – organized chaos; non-Newtonian fluids.
ME180 -
Computer Control Systems
In this class, we will look at fundamental concepts and
modern techniques for the design of real-time computer-controlled systems.
Automatic control systems have been rapidly increasing in application in all
fields of engineering with the availability of the modern digital
computer. We will review modeling methods for multiple mechanical engineering
domains, and introduce closed-loop control principles in continuous and
sampled systems. The necessary hardware and software for computer
control applications is also presented, together with implementation issues.
Design of linear and non-linear computer control of real systems, is taught with
industry standard software Mathlab® and Simulink®.
Prerequisites: ME 80 or consent.
ME184 - Robotics
In this course, we will cover the basics of robotics,
starting with basic electronics and construction hints. After that we will
introduce control theory to make the robot think. We will end with looking at
distributed intelligence, how to make a lot of robots work together to solve a
problem. We will use a number of different sensors, students will learn how to
integrate their own sensors into a robot and we will introduce image processing
to turn a camera into a sensor. We will start with LEGO-based robots and end up
making robots with other processors. This class will team with a computer
science class and a child development class to form multidisciplinary teams to
solve robotics-based problems.
Grade will be based on homework, two term examinations and a
final project.
Prerequisites: Mathematics 38, Dynamics and Vibrations ME 37,
Dynamics ES 6, or consent.
ME186 - Electromechanical System Design
Lectures deal with automated actuation and control of mechanical systems and
mechanisms. Fundamentals of electromechanical design of mechanical drive systems
are discussed with the objective of sizing and selection of actuation and
sensing components; optimal design of EM systems is put forth, serving power
efficiency and performance objectives of the overall system. Basic strategies
for control of EM systems are also developed for advanced and interested
students. Introduction to matlab Modeling of EM Systems.
Prior knowledge of kinematics and dynamics, and principles of simple mechanisms
is required. Knowledge of Classical Control Theory is a plus.
Prerequisites: ME1, ME80, or equivalents.
ME265 - Flow of
Real Viscous Fluids
This course draws from everyday to modern examples and
exposes students to physical and mathematical principles of various topics,
emphasizing the connections with other branches of sciences and engineering.
Topics that will be covered include: viscosity and surface tension; molecular
hydrodynamics; the syringe problem – Mach and Reynolds numbers; water jets,
sheets and bells; smoke rings – the Magnus effect; surface waves – from ripples
to solitary waves; laminar viscous flows and lubrication; vorticity –
understanding tealeaves; instability – supernovas; turbulence – organized chaos;
non-Newtonian fluids.
ME291 & ME292 - Graduate Seminar
The
Department sponsors weekly seminars featuring outside experts in engineering and
related fields, faculty discussing their own scholarly activities and students
involved in research. These seminars are an important part of the Department’s
intellectual life. All full-time graduate students who are registered for thesis
or thesis continuation credit are required to register for ME291 (fall) and
ME292 (spring) and attend at
least 60% of the seminars. Undergraduates are encouraged to attend these
seminars and use them as a way to learn more about their chosen field of study.
Engineering Psychology Courses
ENP61 - Introduction to Human Factors & Ergonomics
An introduction to general principles of human factors and
ergonomics in safe and effective workplace design. Topics to be covered include
biomechanics, anthropometry, workspace design, work physiology, human sensory
processes, information processing, displays and control, safety and human
error.
ENP120 - Project Study in Human Systems
A project design course for the Engineering Psychology
program emphasizing Human Factors design problems. It is presented and sponsored
by industries such as MOTOROLA, DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, GTE, LOTUS,
MATHWORKS, NASA, EASTMAN KODAK, etc. Students work in small teams (typically 4
to 5), directly with the sponsors. Each team chooses a different project to
work on for the semester. Work product for the course includes a proposal, a
midway report and a final report and a formal presentation to the sponsors and
outside experts. Professional level work is required through the course. Past
students have been hired by the sponsoring industries based on their performance
on the project. Past projects have included "Human-computer" interface type
problems and product design problems.
Prerequisites: ENP 161 Human Factors in Product & Systems
Design, & ENP 162 Human-Machine Systems Design, PSY 31 Statistics for the
Behavioral Sciences, PSY 32 Experimental Psychology, PSY 130 Advanced
Engineering Psychology, and senior standing in Engineering Psychology or
consent.
(Cross-listed as Psychology 120.)
ENP149 - Analytical Methods in Human Factors Research
This is a graduate level seminar course designed for students
who are interested in learning about research methods in the field of Human
Factors and Ergonomics. Topics to be covered will range from field studies to
controlled lab experiments. Students will also get exposure to the different
analytical techniques in Human Factors research.
Topics to be covered are related to the acquiring, recording
and analyzing of empirical data.
Pre-requisites: Graduate standing.
ENP149 - Human Factors in
Medical Instrumentation
This is a graduate level seminar course designed for students
who are interested in the accessibility and usability of medical instrumentation
and devices. This course will approach the design and implementation of medical
instrumentation and devices from the human factors perspective.
Topics to be covered will range from design guideline
considerations, tools for usability and accessibility analysis, and emerging
trends and technologies. Grading is based on 3 projects, in-class seminar
discussion, and one class presentation of a selected topic. There will be no
final exam.
Pre-requisites: Graduate standing.
ENP149 -
Ecological Interface Design
This project-based
course will focus primarily, but not exclusively, on how to design
computer-based interfaces for complex human-machine systems, such as power plant
control rooms or emergency response dispatch centers. An ecological approach
will be adopted, pointing to the importance of understanding the structure of
the work environment and then trying to present that information in a way that
takes advantage of human perceptual systems. Various design techniques for
enhancing the informativeness of interfaces will be used within the context of
several design applications. Course evaluation will be based on group design
projects, exam, an in-class oral presentation, and a final
conference/journal-style paper.
Pre-Requisites:
Graduate student standing, or senior standing with ENP 161 or equivalent.
ENP161 - Human Factors in Product Design
Systematic design techniques for designing tasks, tools,
products and systems from a user-centered design perspective. Topics to be
covered include: function and task analysis, usability analysis, prototyping and
evaluation, user interaction styles, interface design guidelines and standards.
Techniques include: patents, product liability, safety, focus groups, interviews
time/motion study, morphological techniques, questionnaires, etc.
Prerequisites: ENP 61 (Introduction to Human Factors and
Ergonomics), Junior standing in engineering college or in the Engineering
Psychology program or consent.
ENP162 -
Man-Machine System Design
Many problems people have with "technology" are attributable
to cognitive mismatches with it because system or product designers were not
aware of fundamental and uniquely human cognitive limitations. As a result, not
enough time and/or information is available to make correct decisions or
operations with the result that errors occur, safety is compromised or in
general the overall system or product performance is much less than "optimal."
In this course, the human is treated as a system component with its own set of
cognitive design characteristics. The material is put in a design framework so
that ready application of it may be made.
Prerequisites: ENP 161, PSY 31, PSY 32, PSY 53
ENP166 - Applied Design of
Software User-Interfaces
This course introduces students to the software user
interface development process, which includes user research, conceptual
modeling, user interface structure and screen design, rapid prototyping, and
usability testing. Once-a-week classes typically include a design lecture by
the professor or an invited guest from industry, a design critique session, and
a hands-on design exercise. Weekly projects range from evaluating a set of
competing retailers' websites to designing an embedded software user interface
for a digital media vending machine to designing an information kiosk for public
spaces. Ultimately, the course prepares students to help software development
teams set and achieve a vision of safe, effective, and satisfying interactions
with software-based technology.
Prerequisites: EN 1 Introduction to Computer Engineering
and EN 2 Engineering Graphics, Junior standing in engineering college or in the
Engineering Psychology Program or consent.
First Year Electives
EN10ME - Prototyping Home
Robots
The main goal of this course will be to give
you an opportunity to make your own robots - learning how to design and program
autonomous creations. You will use the LEGO RCX and LEGO bricks to construct
your robots for robotic competitions: navigating a maze, and ramp climbing. You
will also use the materials to work on collaborative and artistic projects such
as building a robotic animal, and prototyping robotic toys for young children.
Throughout the course, you will be introduced to modern control theory and
design skills - explaining how best to make these robots think and move.
Unfortunately, due to material requirements, the class size limit will be
strictly enforced.
EN11ME - New Product Design
The proliferation of typical consumer products marketed to
serve our needs gives good and bad examples of what design is all about. The
process of engineering is central to the creation of any new product or device
that must ultimately serve human needs. This course will use the medium of
marketable products that further some societal good. This course will develop
the process of engineering design from ideation through prototype development
for a selected area in the realm of consumer products. Working mostly in groups,
students will investigate areas of need, develop alternative solutions, research
materials and production.
EN15ME - Usability Engineering
Most areas of engineering exclude the human user or worker
when designing systems and products, be it hardware or software. A new area of
engineering design has emerged and continues to develop in which the human user
is CENTRAL to the design. Design in this new area is complicated by the fact
that the designer has no control over, and often very little information about,
the user but yet must still produce a design, which is functional, safe,
competitive and satisfying. This half-course will set out some of the basic
concerns, problems and principles of usability engineering, with focus on
methodology in product usability testing. The student will practice the course
materials on short design projects.
EN34ME - Biomedical Implant Technologies
Everyday surgeons successfully replace damaged or diseased
hips, blood vessels, heart valves, teeth, skin, and other tissues of the body
with engineered, man-made equivalents. In this half-course, a survey of such
medical devices will be presented highlighting the unique biomechanical and
material challenges that need to be addressed when designing implants for the
human body. Lectures on specific clinical problems, the medical implants used
to correct them, and related biomechanical and material principles will be
supplemented with practical demonstrations.
EN42ME - Computational
Engineering
This course will examine the role of numerical
modeling and computer graphics as tools in engineering analysis and design.
Traditionally, engineers have used techniques based on experiment and theory.
Now that digital computers have developed sufficient processor speed, numerical
modeling has become a partner to traditional engineering methods. Numerical
modeling allows us to simulate the behavior of complex engineering systems such
as vehicles and manufacturing processes. The ability to visualize the result of
computation, which has in turn been facilitated by progress in computer
graphics, has dramatically expanded industrial use of such techniques. This
course will emphasize the display and animation of simulation results on desktop
engineering workstations. Examples will be drawn from models of motion and
temperature. Team projects will involve using commercial software to conduct
numerical experiments.
EN43ME -
Gourmet Engineering
A great number of events and activities in our everyday life
are direct applications of science and engineering principles. One of the most
basic activities is eating, which in most cases involves prior cooking and
processing. Exploring the art and science of cooking and what makes the kitchen,
the most complex room of any household, work offers an exciting way to study a
myriad of fundamental principles of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and materials
processing. This course studies the modes of heat transfer associated with
various cooking techniques. The relationship between conduction, convection, and
radiation heat transfer and their association with food preparation will be
examined theoretically, computationally, and experimentally using
state-of-the-art equipment. Fluid mechanics and material processing phenomena
and their effects on cooking activities will also be studied. In addition,
associated devices, such as refrigerators and kitchen heating systems will be
explored. No prior cooking experience is required, but willingness to eat the
experiments is preferred.
See all Tufts University offered courses here:
http://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/courses/main.asp
For the convenience of current students, paper
booklets of upcoming course offerings--with a reminder of deadlines and
requirements--are made available in the department office in time for fall and
spring pre-registration. Students are encouraged to discuss their program of
study with their faculty advisor. Questions regarding a specific course may also
be directed to the instructor of that course.
The Office of the A&S Registrar
provides current and upcoming semester course information including closed
courses, classroom listings, and final exam schedules. The registrar also has a
Top 10 Questions list, printable copy of the block schedule, and information on
requesting a transcript by mail or in person. Its faculty resources include
directions on reserving classrooms, course evaluations, and grading. SIS
(Student Information System) Online provides a way for students to look up
grades and view transcripts and schedules.
The Bulletin of Tufts University
includes the academic
calendar. Its section on
Mechanical Engineering
includes a complete listing of courses offered by the department.
The Summer Session office provides
information about summer programs and courses.
Course materials are often held on reserve at the
Engineering Project Development
Center and online at its
Virtual Reserve Desk, with pages for
Mechanical Engineering,
Human
Factors/Engineering Psychology, and
EN courses, plus a
plug-in page
giving information about additional plug-ins and viewers required to view some
documents.
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