Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Courses

Below are the courses frequently offered in Mechanical Engineering. For the most up-to-date course offerings and lecturer information, visit Yale University’s Online Course Information site. Click here for the listing of courses in Engineering & Applied Science (general courses for undergraduate students in any branch of Engineering).

MENG 185b, Mechanical Design
A course designed for potential majors in mechanical engineering, with units on design, material science, structural mechanics, utilization of a machine shop, mechanical dissection, and computers in mechanical engineering. Includes a design project competition. Prerequisite: physics at the level of PHYS 180a, or permission of instructor.

MENG 211a, Thermodynamics for Mechanical Engineers
Study of energy and its transformation and utilization. First and Second Laws for closed and open systems, equations of state, multicomponent nonreacting systems, auxiliary functions (H, A, G), and the chemical potential and conditions of equilibrium. Engineering devices such as power and refrigeration systems and their efficiencies. Prerequisites: PHYS 180a or 200a, and MATH 115a or b.

MENG 280a, Mechanical Engineering I: Strength and Deformation of Mechanical Elements
Elements of statics; mechanical behavior of materials; equilibrium equations, strains and displacements, and stress-strain relations. Elementary applications to trusses, bending of beams, pressure vessels, and torsion of bars. Prerequisites: PHYS 180a or 200a, and MATH 115a or b.

MENG 285b, Introduction to Materials Science
Study of the atomic and microscopic origin of the properties of engineering materials: metals, glasses, polymers, ceramics, and composites. Phase diagrams; diffusion; rates of reaction; mechanisms of deformation, fracture, and strengthening; corrosion; thermal and electrical conduction. Prerequisites: MATH 120a or b or ENAS 151a or b, and PHYS 180a, 181b.

MENG 286Lb, Solid Mechanics and Materials Science Laboratory
Experiments that involve either structural mechanics or materials science. Comparisons between structural theories and experimental results. Relationships among processing, microstructure, and properties in materials science. Introduction to techniques for the examination of the structure of materials.

CENG 315b/ENVE 315b, Transport Phenomena
For description see under Chemical Engineering.

MENG 361a, Mechanical Engineering II: Fluid Mechanics
Mechanical properties of fluids, kinematics, Navier-Stokes equations, boundary conditions, hydrostatics, Euler’s equations, Bernoulli’s equation and applications, momentum theorems and control volume analysis, dimensional analysis and similitude, pipe flow, turbulence, concepts from boundary layer theory, elements of potential flow. Prerequisites: ENAS 194a or b or equivalent, and physics at least at the level of PHYS 150a or 170a.

MENG 363Lb, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics Laboratory
Hands-on experience in applying the principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Integration of experiment, theory, and simulation to reflect real-world phenomena. Students design and test prototype devices. Prerequisites: MENG 211a and 361a.

MENG 383a, Mechanical Engineering III: Dynamics
Kinematics and dynamics of particles and systems of particles. Relative motion; systems with constraints. Rigid body mechanics; gyroscopes. Prerequisites: PHYS 180a or 200a, and MATH 120a or b or ENAS 151a or b.

MENG 385a, Materials Science of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
An introduction to the principles, fabrication, and design of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and devices. Emphasis on materials for these devices and on the processes for micromachining. Concepts of actuation and sensing by capacitive, thermal, piezoelectric, and electrostatic means. Prerequisites: PHYS 180a, 181b, and MATH 120a or b or ENAS 151a or b, or equivalents; or permission of instructor.

MENG 389b, Mechanical Engineering IV: Fluid and Thermal Energy Science
Fundamentals of mechanical engineering applicable to the calculation of energy and power requirements, as well as transport of heat by conduction, convection, and radiation. Prerequisites: MENG 211a, 361a, and ENAS 194a or b; or permission of instructor.

MENG 390b, Mechatronics Laboratory
Hands-on synthesis of control systems, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Review of Laplace transforms, transfer functions, software tools for solving ODEs. Review of electronic components and introduction to electronic instrumentation. Introduction to sensors; mechanical power transmission elements; programming microcontrollers; PID control. Prerequisites: ENAS 194a or b or equivalent, ENAS 130b, and EENG 200a; or permission of instructor.

MENG 400a^G, Computer-Aided Engineering
Aspects of computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM). The computer’s role in the mechanical design and manufacturing process; commercial tools for two- and threedimensional drafting and assembly modeling; finite-element analysis software for modeling mechanical, thermal, and fluid systems. Prerequisite: ENAS 130b or permission of
instructor.

MENG 402La^G/EENG 402La^G, Nano and Microsystem Technology
For description see under Electrical Engineering.

MENG 440a/ENAS 440a^G, Applied Numerical Methods I
For description see under Engineering & Applied Science.

MENG 441b/ENAS 441b^G, Applied Numerical Methods II
For description see under Engineering & Applied Science.

MENG 457b/BENG 457b^G, Biomechanics
For description see under Biomedical Engineering.

MENG 463a^G, Theoretical Fluid Dynamics
Derivation of the equations of fluid motion from basic principles. Potential theory, viscous flow, flow with vorticity. Topics in hydrodynamics, gas dynamics, stability, and turbulence. Prerequisite: MENG 361a or equivalent.

MENG 469b, Aerodynamics
Review of fluid dynamics. Inviscid flows over airfoils; finite wing theory; viscous effects and boundary layer theory. Compressible aerodynamics: normal and oblique shock waves and expansion waves. Linearized compressible flows. Prerequisite: MENG 361a or permission of instructor.

MENG 471a and 472b, Special Projects
Faculty-supervised individual or small-group projects with emphasis on research (laboratory or theory), engineering design (required for the ABET-accredited program), or tutorial study. Students are expected to consult the director of undergraduate studies and appropriate faculty members to discuss ideas and suggestions for topics. These courses may be taken at any time during the student’s career when appropriate and may be taken more than once. Permission of adviser and director of undergraduate studies required.

MENG 489a^G, Mechanical Design: Process and Implementation
Study of the design process, including concept generation, project management, teamwork, detail design, and communication skills. Student teams implement a real-world design project with hardware objectives that can be achieved in a term, and a problem definition that allows room for creative solutions. Prerequisite: MENG 280a, 361a, or permission of instructor.