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 101/ENAS 101/ENVE 101/EVST 105, Energy, Engines, and Environment
Energy sustainability and global warming; thermodynamic fundamentals; engines (combustion technologies, fossil-fuel pollution, carbon capture and sequestration). Wind, solar, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. Designed for non–science majors and for freshmen and sophomores in science and engineering. Prerequisite: a strong background in mathematics and/or science, typically demonstrated by a score of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement examinations.

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

MENG 211, 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. Applications focus on engineering devices such as power and refrigeration systems and their efficiencies. Prerequisites: PHYS 180 or 200, and MATH 115.

MENG 280, 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 180 or 200, and MATH 115.

MENG 285, 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 120 or ENAS 151, and PHYS 180, 181.

MENG 286, 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 315/ENVE 315, Transport Phenomena
For description, see under Chemical Engineering.

MENG 361, 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 194 or equivalent, and physics at least at the level of PHYS 150.

MENG 363, 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 211 and 361.

MENG 365, Propulsion and Energy Conversion
Review of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics; discussion of elements of gas dynamics. Air-breathing engines for aircraft propulsion, gas turbines, and different forms of rocket propulsion. Engineering aspects of other forms of energy conversion, with applications to one of the following areas: internal combustion engines, fossil-fuel power plants, solar energy. Prerequisite: MENG 361 or permission of instructor.

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

MENG 385, 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: MATH 120 and PHYS 180, 181.

MENG 389, Mechanical Engineering IV: Fluid and Thermal Energy Science
Development of 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 211, 361, and ENAS 194 or b; or permission of instructor.

MENG 390, 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.

MENG 400, 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 three-dimensional drafting and assembly modeling; finite-element analysis software for modeling mechanical, thermal, and fluid systems. Prerequisite: ENAS 130 or permission of instructor.

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

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

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

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

MENG 463, 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 361 or equivalent.

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

MENG 471 and 472, Special Projects
Faculty-supervised individual or small-group projects with emphasis on research (laboratory or theory), engineering design (required for the 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 489, 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 280, 361, or permission of instructor.