ME 435 – ME Systems Lab

Students study fundamental mechanical engineering subjects, including mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, material science, and control in a holistic approach, through real-world systems in topics such as energy and sustainability, autonomy and robotics, and big data. They analyze and divide complex thermal and mechanical problems into manageable subtasks, devise and conduct hands-on experiments to solve engineering problems. This course gives students experience with data acquisition and analysis, evaluating the strength and limitations of theoretical predictions using computational tools, and interpreting data to support a conclusion. In particular, the course emphasizes helping students develop skills in observation, problem-solving, analysis, and critical thinking. This course has weekly laboratory sessions as well as two weekly lectures to provide project background, reinforce knowledge, reflect and discuss experimental observations, and train communication, documentation, and presentation skills.

 

 

 

 

Course Goals and Objectives:

Course Instructional Outcomes [Mapping to Student Outcomes shown in brackets]:

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Identify fundamental engineering knowledge in complex thermal or mechanical systems. [SO1]
• Explain the connections between components in a complex problem. [SO 1]
• Apply ASTM standards to perform material testing.[SO7]
• Evaluate the benefits and limitations of computational and experimental works. [SO1,6]
• Analyze and interpret data to explore a hypothesis and draw a conclusion. [SO6]
• Devise and conduct experiments to evaluate parametric dependence. [SO6]
• Create a vision-aided robotic system. [SO1,6,7]
• Produce written documents and oral presentations for different audiences. [SO3]
• Practice team problem solving through laboratory activities. [SO5]

ABET Student Outcomes:

• SO1: An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• SO3: An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• SO5: An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• SO6: An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• SO7: An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.