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MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mechanical Engineering
Director: Michael J. Panza, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION
The graduate program in Mechanical Engineering is designed to provide advanced studies for the
graduate engineer who wishes to continue preparation for effective participation in the
professions of mechanical engineering. The program also provides continuing education in
advanced subjects for the working engineer who acknowledges the need to stay abreast of the
rapidly changing technological world. Emphasis is placed on the development of the engineer’s
capacity for independent study and continued professional growth.
DEGREE OFFERED
The program offers a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program or its equivalent with a QPA of 2.5 or better.
- Applicants without the appropriate Mechanical Engineering degree may be admitted and required to take additional course work as determined by the program director.
- Applicants must submit the following:
• Completed application
• Transcripts for all prior college course work
• Three recommendation letters
• TOEFL scores if English is not a first language.
CURRICULUM
The student will be assigned an initial advisor through the academic approval sequence. The
advisor and the student will select appropriate courses for the objectives of the student and
obtain approval of this curriculum through the academic approval sequence. Within the first 12
credits, students must take the following two courses.
GENG 603 Engineering Analysis 1
GENG 703 Engineering Analysis 2
Note: A student may replace GENG 603 Engineering Analysis 1 with another approved GME or GENG
course by passing an exam conducted during the first week of class. The exam time will be
announced at the first GENG 603 class.
After the student has completed 12 credits of study, the student will be assessed relative to
their preparedness to begin thesis or project work. The candidate must have a 3.0 QPA to
continue for the degree. The candidate must then choose one of the three project/thesis plans
below for completion of their degree; an advisor will be assigned to guide the candidate for the
completion of the degree work.
The advisor (thesis or project) will recommend a program of study and advise the student
regarding the thesis/project subject, act as the academic advisor, and determine when to
recommend the student for final examination, at which time this recommendation will be
transmitted for approval through the academic approval sequence.
Plan A (Thesis)
The student will be required to submit a six credit thesis as part of the 30 credits of graduate
course work and pass a final oral examination on the thesis material and related subjects. The
thesis work must be approved by the academic approval sequence prior to the commencement of the
research work. The thesis advisor will direct the student’s work and determine when to recommend
the manuscript for review by a faculty committee. The review committee will be appointed by the
usual academic approval sequence and will consist of three full-time Gannon Mechanical Engineering
faculty members familiar with the subject material. In some cases, one committee member may be
from outside the Mechanical Engineering Department. The advisor will be the chair of the review
committee.
Plan B (Project)
The student will be required to complete a design project and to pass a final oral examination
covering the student’s project and related subject areas. The project will be worth three
graduate credits as part of the 30 credits of graduate work. The project must be approved by the
usual academic approval sequence prior to the commencement of the project work. The project
advisor will direct the student’s work and determine when to recommend the manuscript for review
by a faculty committee. The review committee will be appointed by the usual academic approval
sequence and will consist of three full-time Gannon Mechanical Engineering faculty members
familiar with the subject material. In some cases, one committee member may be from outside of
the Mechanical Engineering Department. The advisor will be the chair of the review committee.
Plan C (Project Course)
The student will be required to complete a three credit course designated as a project course as
part of the 30 credits of graduate work. The project course will be approved by the usual
academic approval sequence prior to the commencement of the course and must include a significant
project for its completion. The course instructor will inform the student of the complete
requirements for the project course and will be responsible for seeing that the student satisfies
these requirements.
Professional Track (Work-Study Program)
The objective of the professional track is to present an academic program combined with
application training on actual industrial problems to give students a targeted education,
complemented by hands-on, real-world development exposure. Students are selected for this track
based on academic background, leadership skills, and communications skills. The student is
assigned a Gannon professor as a mentor while working at the industrial site. The mentor advises
the student on his academic work and guides the student on industrial engineering projects. The
projects are carefully chosen to reinforce classroom work and to develop students into outstanding
engineers. In addition to the mentorship in technical areas, the professor also mentors the
student in leadership skills, work and personal ethics, and communication skills that are needed
in the industrial workplace. The student is also assigned an engineering mentor from the
industrial sponsor. This track requires that the student work on these projects half-time during
the school year and full-time during the summer. The number of students in this track is
dependent on availability of industrial sponsorship.
Mechanical Engineering Curriculum with Professional Track
The curriculum and internship training for Mechanical Engineering with professional track is as
follows:
Fall First Semester
Engineering Analysis I
Two Mechanical Engineering Graduate Courses
CPT
Spring Second Semester
Engineering Analysis II
Two Mechanical Engineering Graduate Courses
CPT
Summer
Curricular Practical Training
Fall Third Semester
Three Mechanical Engineering Graduate Courses
CPT
Spring Fourth Semester
Two Mechanical Engineering Graduate Courses
One Free Elective with Advisor’s Approval
CPT
Co-op Track
The objective of the co-op track is to present an academic program combined with application
training on actual industrial problems in engineering environments. This is to give students a
targeted education on real-world problems. Students may join this program after completing
sufficient coursework to be successful in an industrial environment, and receiving approved
industrial sponsorship. International students must meet INS eligibility requirements.
Students accepted to the co-op track are assigned a Gannon professor as a mentor, and must take
the Graduate Professional Experience (GENG700-series) course each semester they are enrolled in
the program.
Students must complete 30 credits of graduate course work in addition to their Graduate
Professional Experience courses. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at
least 3.0 for the duration of their master’s degree program, and fulfill all other requirements
for their degree.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GENG 588 Linear System Theory
3 Credits
Linear spaces and operators, mathematical descriptions of systems. Linear dynamical systems and
impulse response; matrices. Controllability and observability of linear dynamical systems.
Irreducible realizations of rational transfer function matrices. Canonical forms, state feedback
and state estimators. Stability of linear systems. Composite systems; linear optimal control and
linear distributed systems.
GENG 603 Engineering Analysis I
3 Credits
The theory and application to engineering problems of Laplace transforms, generalized Fourier
transforms and Linear Algebra. Probability and statistics.
GENG 609 Nonlinear Analysis
3 Credits
Introduction to the understanding of nonlinear characteristics of mechanical and electrical
components and systems. Basic analytical, graphical, and numerical methods are presented.
Introduction to chaotic dynamics and nonlinear control.
GENG 621 Reliability Engineering
3 Credits
Reliability modeling, prediction, testing, physics to failure, and reliability design techniques
are studied. Hardware and software systems. Identification of weak link for reliability
improvement. Quality system reliability using advanced testing methods.
GENG 622 Risk Management
3 Credits
Introduction to project risks management and engineering ethics for engineering decision making.
Integrated models for technical, schedule, and cost risks. Management of cost-risk contributions.
Identification and control of critical paths for project schedule. Implementation of integrated
risk management with computer simulation methods.
GENG 623 Decision Making under Uncertainty
3 Credits
Introduction of general techniques for dealing systematically with uncertainty in engineering
decision problems. Computer simulation models, sensitivity analysis, and subjective probability
assessment for engineering judgement. Probabilistic design criteria, value of information,
utility analysis with risk aversion, and trade-off under uncertainty are studied.
GENG 648 Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems
3 Credits
This interdisciplinary course presents mathematical modeling methods for physical systems
containing electrical, thermal-fluid, actuators, and control components. Included are the
application of physical principles, energy approaches, non-dimensional techniques, and
discretization of continuous systems. Numerical simulation of linear and nonlinear models will
be studied and compared to experimental results.
GENG 685 Advanced Control Systems
3 Credits
This course treats the analysis and design of linear control systems from the point of view of
state space representation. Topics include system modeling, coordinate transformation,
controllability, observability, output feedback, state feedback, linear quadratic regulators, and
linear estimators. Additionally, an introduction to nonlinear control is presented with the
topics of feedback linearization and adaptive control. Applications from interdisciplinary
current state-of-of-the-art systems will be presented.
GENG 688 Digital Control
3 credits
This course deals with the control of dynamic systems by employing classical and model control
tools incorporating a digital computer in the control loop. It provides the background needed for
those practicing engineers who have studied the concepts of continuous-time control to enhance
their knowledge in the area of digital control system. Topics of discussion are Z-transform,
digital control system design, filters design, state-space approach to control system design, etc.
GENG 689 Stability Analysis of Multidimensional Dynamic System
3 Credits
Fundamental concepts of stability for various classes of dynamic systems are examined and
discussed. The systems considered include multidimensional lumped-parameter systems that can be
described by linear differential equations. The systems under consideration are divided into
certain well-defined classes, and various phenomena related to vibrations and stability of these
systems are exposed systematically. Although the course examples are drawn from mechanical
systems, the general nature of formulation can be applied to systems of similar nature in other
disciplines, such as electrical circuits.
GENG 700-702 Graduate Professional Experience
1 Credit
Prerequisite: Discipline-specific industrial sponsorship
This course complements regular academic education with hands-on, real-world development exposure.
Students are required to be engaged in practical training during the course. International
students require Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approval. Topics include issues facing
engineering and computing professionals, trends in the fields, job prospects, team and workplace
behavior, project leadership as well as reviews of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
GENG 703 Engineering Analysis 2
3 Credits
Solving engineering problems using ordinary differential equations, partial differential
equation, series solutions to differential equations. Complex analysis applied to engineering
problems.
GENG 796 Directed Research Project
3 Credits
Those students choosing their research project option will complete a directed research project.
The topic will be approved by a three-member board consisting of the candidate’s major professor,
the department chairperson, and the Director of the Graduate Engineering Program. The student
will perform the literature search, complete the project, and submit a final report.
GENG 797 Thesis
6 Credits
Those students choosing the thesis option will have their topic approved by a three-member board
consisting of the candidate’s major professor, the department chairperson, and the Director of
the Graduate Engineering Program. The student will perform the literature search, complete the
thesis, and submit a final report.
GME 505 Finite Element Method 1
3 Credits
Fundamentals of matrix algebra; basic approach to finite element analysis; definitions and basic
]concepts; system analysis fundamentals of elasticity; element formation by direct displacement
method; element formulation by Galerkin Criterion (weight residuals method); finite element
workshop using finite element program, such as ANSYS, for design and analysis of some structures.
GME 507 Optimization in Engineering
3 Credits
Basic theory, concepts and methods of engineering optimization. Primary techniques from both
classical and modern optimizations applied to engineering decision-making.
GME 510 Thermal Systems Design
3 credits
This course reviews the fundamentals of thermal systems design and optimization. Basic
consideration in thermal systems design will be discussed. General approach to system analysis,
modeling, simulation and optimization will be introduced. Various optimization techniques and
methods will also be presented and discussed.
GME 524 Turbomachinery Design
3 credits
Application of general principles of fluid mechanics to fluid machinery design. Design principles
of centrifugal and axial compressors, degree of reaction estimates, blade design, state
performance calculations, axial flow turbines. Design calculations of blade stress, disc
stresses, and thermal stresses.
GME 525 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
3 Credits
Velocity distributions in laminar and turbulent flow. Equations of state and interphase
transports in isothermal systems. Compressible flow. Isentropic flow. Shock and expansion
waves. Frictional effects. Flow with heat consideration. Numerical analysis.
GME 526 Advanced Thermodynamics
3 Credits
Recapitulations of first and second laws of thermodynamics and their application to more
generalized engineering systems. Chemical engineering thermodynamics; partial molar properties,
chemical potential and its application to multiphase and multispecies systems. Statistical
thermodynamics. Introduction to irreversible thermodynamics.
GME 527 Internal Combustion Engines
3 Credits
This course introduces and reviews the fundamentals of internal combustion engines, including
spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines. General engine systems and working cycles are
described. Engine thermodynamics, gas exchange and combustion processes, engine fluid flow and
heat transfer, and fuel injection systems are analyzed. The course also reviews the formation of
engine exhaust emissions and methods for controlling the emissions of the internal combustion
engines. Engine design and consideration of the effects of design and operating factors are
introduced.
GME 528 Heat Exchanger Design
3 Credits
Application of general principles of heat transfer in design of heat exchanges. Different types
of heat exchangers will be studied in design-oriented projects.
GME 530 Advanced Strength of Materials
3 Credits
Special topics on the strength and stiffness of members subjected to static loads; beams on
elastic foundations; thin plates and shell contact stress; curved flexural members, energy
methods; instability-buckling loads; plasticity; ultimate load analysis.
GME 555 Computer Aided Manufacturing
3 Credits
Introduction of basis concepts of automation in manufacturing with principles of NC systems and
computer-managed manufacturing.
GME 561 Vibrations
3 Credits
Dynamics Systems Analysis-Analogies between various engineering systems, including mechanical
(linear and torsional), fluid, electrical and acoustical systems. Study of free vibration.
Solution of systems with two or more degrees of freedom. Properties and response of dynamical
systems. Methods of solution for analogous and mixed systems.
GME 563 Machine Dynamics
3 Credits
Introduction to basic machine dynamics. Analysis of forces in translating rotating and
reciprocating systems. Flywheel analysis, regulators, balancing, gyroscopic forces in machines.
GME 567 Lubrication System Design
3 Credits
Analytical and experimental results in lubrications of journal bearings and utilization of this
information in design projects.
GME 590-599 Special Topics in Engineering
3 Credits
Special courses developed from study interest in all areas of Engineering. Brief description of
current content to be announced in schedule of classes.
GME 605 Finite Element Method 2
3 Credits
Variational methods of element formulation (virtual work, potential energy, complementary energy,
discretion, and hybrid approach); variational principles in global analysis, representation of
element behavior functions and geometry (requirements, polynomials, shape functions different
elements including higher order elements); finite element programming ideas and simple routings.
GME 610 Advanced Engineering Design
3 Credits
Topics include design history, multi component mechanical and thermal/fluid system design,
analysis and synthesis, static and transient systems, reverse engineering, reliability, smart
products, and robust design. Mathematical techniques include nonlinear equation solution,
nondimensional analysis, lumped vs. distributed models, optimization and design sensitivity
analysis, probability and statistics, and Monte Carlo simulation. Examples are taken from
industrial mechanical engineering problems of current interest.
GME 612 Distributed Parameter Systems
3 Credits
Modeling and analysis of bounded engineering systems distributed over space and time.
Application of partial differential equation models and transition to infinite dimension
representations. Analytical exact and approximate solutions are combined with numerical results.
Examples are taken from areas of current interest in the fields of acoustics, mechanics,
structural dynamics, heat transfer, fluid flow, kinematic waves, and nano systems.
GME 615 Acoustics and Noise Control
3 Credits
Introduction to acoustics with a focus on noise control. The course provides the fundamentals of
noise radiation, transmission, measurement, and control. Additionally, the course covers the
fundamental principles and application of noise control materials and systems. Examples from
actual noise control problems will be used throughout the course.
GME 625 Convection Heat Transfer
3 Credits
Review of equations of change, equations of state, and constitutive and governing equations;
forced convection heat transfer in laminar internal flows; forced convection heat transfer in
turbulent internal flows; forced convection heat transfer in turbulent external flows;
condensation; boiling.
GME 629 Continuum Mechanics
3 Credits
Study of continuum media. Tensor analysis, kinematics of deformation, elastic response,
isotropic and anisotropic elasticity, finite deformations, viscoelasticity.
GME 630 Computational Fluid Dynamics
3 Credits
This is an introductory course in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The course reviews the
fundamental conservation principles and governing equations of fluid mechanics. Numerical
methods and computational techniques and skills required for analyzing and solving the fluid
mechanics governing equations are introduced. Application of the methods to practical fluid
dynamics problems is presented and discussed. Available CFD application codes are also
introduced. In addition, the fundamentals of computational heat transfer are presented.
GME 635 Structural Dynamics
3 credits
Dynamics of structures including beams, plates, and mixed systems of beams, plates, and lumped
masses/springs. Energy methods. Exact and approximate solutions for system natural frequencies
and mode shapes. Effect of damping. Response to applied forces.
GME 641 Elasticity
3 Credits
Equations of linear elasticity; techniques for solution: Airy’s stress function; polar
coordinates; numerical methods; thermal stress.
GME 643 Plasticity
3 Credits
Plasticity as applied to engineering. Stress-strain relation both in elastic and plastic medium.
Yielding, deformation energy and creep. Limit analysis and its application in design.
GME 645 Plates and Shells
3 Credits
Properties, theory, and method of analysis of plates and shells. Problems related to
rectangular, circular and annular plates, buckling; energy methods, thin shells, dynamic analysis
vibration.
GME 646 Advanced Machine Design
3 Credits
A design-project based course. This course enhances student’s machine design experience. The
course demonstrates to the student how knowledge from other engineering disciplines can be
integrated in the accomplishment of a design objective. At the same time, the student will get
acquainted with design methodology and developing the design strategy.
GME 650 Robotics
3 Credits
Introduction of basic concepts and robotic systems with principles of kinematics, dynamics
control and economics, to familiarize the student with the basics and industrial applications.
GME 655 Advanced Dynamic Systems
3 Credits
Energy considerations and development of Lagrange’s method for multi-element dynamic systems.
Applications for deriving system differential equations. Dynamics of electromechanical and
electro-hydraulic systems. Examples of current interest will be studied.
GME 657 Active Suspension Systems
3 Credits
Modeling and analysis of suspension systems for ground vehicles and aircraft. Response to
various types of inputs. Applications of control theory. Analysis and design of active and
semi-active components and systems.
GME 661 Advanced Mechanical Vibrations
3 Credits
Advanced topics related to vibration of multi-dimensional and continuous parameter systems are
examined and discussed. The course includes vibration analysis of various types of continuous
parameter homogeneous and forced systems. It further includes methods of converting continuous
parameter systems to discrete multi-dimensional systems. Additionally, concepts of vibration
design including active suppression are investigated. Finally, vibration testing methods are
discussed.
GME 670 Mechanics of Composites
3 Credits
An introduction to the mechanics composite materials, specifically fiber-reinforced plastics
(FRP). The course will focus on the macroscopic properties of laminated structures formed from
FRP, including strength, stiffness, thermal and hygrothermal properties, and theories of failure.
The course will present the classical lamination theory, with extensions to the theory as time
permits.
GME 680 Design of Experiments
3 Credits
Review of Visual Basic and MINITAB; application of Monte Carlo software for Six Sigma Design:
simple comparative experiments; experiments with single factor; the analysis of variance;
randomized blocks, Latin squares, and related designs; factorial design; two and higher level
fractional factorial designs.
GME 690-699 Special Topics in Engineering
3 Credits
Special courses developed from study interest in all areas of Engineering. Brief description of
current content to be announced in schedule of classes. Open to graduate students only.
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