Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] Mechanical Engineering

at Khalifa University

To be recommended for graduation with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering degree, students must satisfactorily complete the courses in the specified categories as set out below. The categories cover the University General Education Requirements (GER, 47 credits), College of Engineering Requirements (CER, 22 credits), as well as the Mechanical Engineering Core and Technical Electives requirements. The normal length of the program is 138 credits.
 

Additional Math/Sciences Requirements (12 credits)
 

To satisfy the College of Engineering Requirements, the BSc in Mechanical Engineering requires the following Math courses in addition to the Math/Sciences required in GER: CHEM115, PHYS121, PHYS122, MATH111, and MATH112.
 

Mechanical Engineering Core Requirements (60 credits)
 

Mechanical Engineering Major/Technical Electives (6 credits)
 

The following is a sample list of courses that will satisfy the major/technical electives for the BSc in Mechanical Engineering. A major elective is a course from the department with MEEN code. A technical elective is selected from an approved list and can be taken from another major. Major technical electives are at 300-level or 400-level. At most three credits may be independent study. In addition, courses from the list below may be taken to satisfy the free elective requirement.
 

Free Electives (3 credits)
 

Students must complete 3 credits of free electives which are intended to provide students with flexibility to support their career paths and individual interests.
 

MEEN 180                           Computer Aided Design (2-3-3)

Prerequisite:      None

This course introduces students to key concepts, techniques and applications of a Computer Aided Design (CAD) 3D Solid Modeling. Course emphasizes graphics communication and its role in engineering design. Relevant ANSI/ASME and ISO standards for producing technical drawings are introduced. Topics include projections and visualization, 3-D computer modeling, building computer assembly models, multiviews, section views, dimensioning, tolerancing and engineering drawings.

MEEN 200                           Statics (3-0-3)

*(Cross listed with AERO 200; CIVE 200)

Prerequisite:      PHYS 121

A vector treatment of force systems and their resultants: equilibrium of trusses, beams, frames, and machines, including internal forces and three-dimensional configurations, static friction, properties of areas, and distributed loads and hydrostatics.

MEEN 201                           Engineering Dynamics (3-0-3)

*(Cross listed with AERO 201; CIVE 201)

Prerequisite:      ENGR 200

Co-requisites:    MATH 204; MATH 206

This course introduces rectilinear and curvilinear motion of particles and rigid bodies, kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies, rotational and translational motion of rigid bodies, principle of work and energy, and principle of impulse and momentum in particles and rigid body dynamics.

MEEN 225                           Engineering Materials (3-3-4)

Prerequisites:    CHEM 115; PHYS 121

This course introduces the three primary groups of engineering materials and the relationship between the structural elements of these materials and their properties. Atomic structure and inter-atomic bonding in metals, ceramics and polymers are discussed. Imperfections in crystal structure, diffusion, phase transformations, and microstructure are studied in relationship to material properties such as tensile strength, hardness, fatigue, and creep.

MEEN 240                           Thermodynamics (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      PHYS 121

This course introduces the concept of energy and the laws governing the transfer and transformations of energy. Emphasis is placed on the thermodynamic properties of pure substances, the first and second law analyses of closed and open systems, and the concept of entropy and its applications to the analysis of such systems.

MEEN 300                            System Dynamics and Control (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MATH 204; MATH 206

Restrictions:       Students majoring in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering are not allowed to take this course

The contents include both dynamic modelling of mechanical and electromechanical systems, different types of controller designs and their practical applications. Review of kinematics and kinetics of particles; Kinematics and kinetics of plane motion of rigid bodies; Principles of feedback; Time domain specifications and stability analysis; PID controller design and PID tuning; Root Locus method.

MEEN 325                           Mechanics of Solids (3-3-4)

(Cross listed with AERO 225 and CIVE 225)

Prerequisites:    ENGR 200

The course is an introduction to the mechanics of deformable solids applied to basic engineering structures. It covers the concepts of stress and strain at a point; factor of safety in design, deformation of axially loaded members; symmetric and unsymmetric bending of elastic and elastic-perfectly plastic beams; torsion of open and closed section; beam deflection; stress and strain transformations, and elastic buckling of columns.

MEEN 335                           Fluid Mechanics (3-3-4)

Prerequisite:      MATH 231

Co-requisite:      MEEN 240

This course introduces students to concepts relating to fluids and examines the forces on them. Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are introduced using differential and integral formulations. Introduce inviscid and viscous flows, laminar and turbulent flows and dimensional analysis. Calculations of pressure drop in internal flows and lift and drag forces over immersed bodies.

MEEN 343                            Heat Transfer (3-3-4)

Prerequisites:    MATH 231; MEEN 240

Co-requisite:      MEEN 335

This course covers the fundamental mechanisms and concepts of heat transfer. Steady and transient conduction, convective heat transfer and the Reynolds analogy, free and forced convection for laminar and turbulent flows, and heat exchangers are covered. Radiative heat transfer is introduced.

MEEN 350                           Dynamic Systems and Vibration (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    PHYS 122; MATH 206; MEEN 201

Mathematical modeling of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and/or thermal systems; basic concepts in dynamic systems analysis – equilibrium, linearization; mechanical vibrations: free and forced vibration of single degree-of-freedom systems, transient and steady-state response, resonance, free vibration of two degree-of-freedom systems; transfer functions and block diagrams, design specifications based on step response, applications.

MEEN 356                           Computer-Controlled Systems (3-3-4)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 350

This course introduces control of mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems, feedback control in mechatronic systems, prototype systems, transient response analyses and servomechanism, root locus method, frequency response techniques, state-space representation. Controller specifications, design and architectures; PID and alternative controller design. Digital filters and principles of Digital Signal Processing, digital controllers. Data acquisition and real-time control, computer-aided control system design and simulation. Industrial control applications.

MEEN 360                           Computational Methods for Mechanical Engineers (3-0-3)

Pre-requisite:    ENGR 113; MATH 204

Co-requisite:      MATH 206

Understand the concept of numerical methods and their application in solving computational problems related to mechanical engineering using MATLAB.

MEEN 370                           Introduction to Manufacturing Processes (3-3-4)

Co-requisite:      MEEN 325

Introduction to basic manufacturing processes, including casting, forming, material removal, joining, forming of plastics and composites, powder metals, and ceramics processes. Additionally, design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) methodologies and rapid prototyping are introduced.

MEEN 380                           Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    CHEM 115; PHYS 122

This course introduces fundamentals, properties and applications of polymers. Classification of polymers, polymer formation, polymer structure, characterization, and the relationship between structure and properties are covered. Mechanical properties of polymers are discussed in relationship to their application as engineering materials. The influence of the various stages of polymer processing on properties of the end product is emphasized.

MEEN 387                           Machine Element Design (2-3-3)

Prerequisites:    MEEN 325

Design and analysis of machine components for load bearing and power transmission. Consideration of material failure modes. Design and selection of machine elements: shafts, rolling element bearings, bolts, belts, and power transmissions such as gears. Computer aided engineering (CAE) is also introduced in laboratory sessions.

MEEN 391                            Independent Study I (Variable course credits from 1 to 3)

Prerequisite:      Approval of department and junior standing

This course gives an upper level undergraduate student the opportunity to participate in an individual or group project, study, or research activity under the supervision of a faculty member.  A formal report is required.

MEEN 395                            Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    Junior Standing and Topic Specific

This course mainly deals with new trends in mechanical engineering and emerging technologies. Course is repeatable if title and content differ

MEEN 405                           Vibration Analysis (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 350

Free and forced vibrations of one and two degree- of-freedom systems. Vibration measurement and isolation. Numerical methods for multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Modal analysis techniques. Dynamic vibration absorbers. Shaft whirling. Vibration of continuous systems: bars, plates, beams and shafts. Energy methods. Holzer method.

MEEN 410                           Viscous and Boundary Layer Flows (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 335

This course covers differential analysis of viscous fluid flow, exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations, laminar and turbulent boundary layers, Blasius and Von Karman integral solutions, the Polhausen method, and flow separation.

MEEN 420                            Materials: Strength and Fracture (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      AERO/MEEN 220

The course is an introduction to the mechanics of fracture for engineering materials. It covers the analysis and prevention of failure in metals, polymers, ceramics and composites; plastic deformation and plastic collapse; initiation and propagation of cracks; environment-assisted cracking, and fatigue. 

MEEN 421                            Mechanics of Deformable Solids (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 325

The course is an introduction to the theory of elasticity. It covers the concepts of deformation, stress and strain in a continuum; Formulation and solution strategy for boundary value problems in linear elasticity; Concepts of work and energy and the principle of virtual work; Problems in plane stress and plane strain in two-dimensional elasticity and solution using stress functions; Solutions to axial deformation, bending and torsion problems for elastic cylinders.

MEEN 422                            Fatigue and Fracture Analysis (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 325

The course is an introduction to elastic and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics and fatigue. It covers the topics of stress concentration due to defects, linear elastic fracture mechanics, energy methods in fracture mechanics, stress analysis of cracks and stress intensity, stress-life and strain-life methods of fatigue analysis and design, and initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks under cyclic loading.

MEEN 423                            Physical Metallurgy (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 225

This course introduces students to the processing, structure, and properties of metals, and their correlations. The course includes the fundamental elements of structure, thermodynamics and phase diagrams and diffusion. The fundamental principles are applied to the study of steels including alloying elements in steels, the heat treatment of steel, isothermal and continuous cooling transformation diagrams and hardenability.

MEEN 435                            Turbomachinery (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 335

This course covers the fundamentals of turbo machines analyses, velocity triangle method, similarity laws, performance characteristics, applications and selection of turbo machines for a variety of engineering situations such as pumping, gas compression and power production.

MEEN 439                            Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 350 or AERO 350 or MEEN 300

This course introduces fundamentals of kinematics of linkages, cams, gears and gear trains. It also covers position, velocity, and acceleration analysis of machines, static and dynamic force analysis of mechanisms.

MEEN 441                            Applied Thermodynamics (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 240

This course introduces the concept of exergy, the application of the first and second law of thermodynamics to gas (Brayton-based) and vapor (Rankine-based) power cycles, combined gas/vapor cycles, co-generation, and heat pump and refrigeration cycles (vapor compression, absorption and gas refrigeration cycles). Mixtures of perfect gases and vapors are also introduced, as well as psychometry, stoichiometry and combustion.

MEEN 446                            Internal Combustion Engines (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 240

The basic operating principles of internal combustion engines. Topics covered include: engine thermodynamics, thermochemistry and fuels, engine fluid mechanics and heat transfer and pollutant emissions. Problem analysis emphasizes propulsion and power-generation applications in mechanical engineering.

MEEN 450                            Vehicle Engineering (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    MEEN 350

The course emphasizes the engineering and design principles of road transport vehicles. Topics to be covered include: performance characteristics, handling behaviour and ride quality of road vehicles.

MEEN 454                            Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Cryogenics (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 343

This course covers psychometrics and psychometric processes applied to air conditioning, principles of indoor air quality control, air conditioning equipment, simple and advanced vapour compression refrigeration and absorption cycles, evaluation of building heating and cooling loads, and principles of cryogenics and their application to gas liquefaction

MEEN 465                            Bioengineering (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:    MEEN 325, MEEN 335, MEEN 225

This is an introductory course to bioengineering. Basic mechanical description of the hierarchical structure of an organism: molecules, membranes, cells, muscles, skeleton, and locomotion, will be covered. The biomechanics of respiratory and circulatory systems will also be covered.

MEEN 484                            Mechatronics (2-3-3)

Prerequisites:    MEEN 350 OR AERO 350 OR MEEN 300

Principles of mechatronic systems, modeling, time & frequency domain analysis. Electronic components in mechatronic systems. Sensors, actuators, microcomputers, programming. Signal measurement, A/D and D/A conversion, quantization. Analog signal processing and digital circuits. Digital circuits, including Boolean algebra and logic networks, Flip-Flops, TTL and CMOS, integrated circuit system design. Feedback control in mechatronic systems, mechatronic control system design and experiments.

MEEN 485                            Introduction to Robotics (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 350 OR AERO 350 OR MEEN 300

The course covers the theory and practice of the modeling and control of robotic devices. This includes kinematics, statics, and dynamics of robots, manipulator Jacobian, singularity analysis and manipulability. Motion planning and control of robotics systems will be covered. Including hybrid motion/force control. Different case studies will be presented to support hands-on experiments.

MEEN 486                           Sustainable Energy (2-3-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 240

The course provides introductory coverage of energy production, conversion, distribution and storage systems for different sources of energy including fossil fuel; nuclear power; biomass energy; geothermal energy; hydropower; wind energy, and solar energy.  Emphasis is placed on the sustainable use of energy in light of economic, environmental, and societal constraints.

MEEN 487                           Advanced Mechatronics (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 484, ECCE 300 or ECCE 302

This course deals with advanced mechatronic systems design and recent developments from first principles to practical applications. Detailed descriptions of the mathematical models of complex mechatronic systems, developed from fundamental physical relationships, are built on to develop innovative solutions with particular emphasis on physical model-based control strategies. Sensor fusion approaches, system integration, programing languages and implementation.

MEEN 488                           Mechatronics Systems Design (2-3-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 485

Co-requisite:      MEEN 487

Design and/or implement a product or system. The course uses case studies to overview design process of mechatronics systems, actuator types, sizing and selection, measurement systems and transducers selection, control system algorithms and selection of physical controllers, and case studies of various mechatronics systems. The students use this knowledge to design and implement their specific project.

MEEN 489                           Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines (3-0-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 350 or AERO 350 or MEEN 300

This course introduces students to mobility analysis, kinematics of mechanisms, vector methods of analysis of plane mechanisms, synthesis of plane linkages, force analysis of mechanisms, static and dynamic balancing of machines, and analysis and synthesis of cams. Modern engineering tools for mechanisms modelling, simulation and analysis will be used.

MEEN 491                            Independent Study II (Variable course credits from 1 to 3)

Prerequisites:    Approval of department and senior standing

This course gives an upper level undergraduate student the opportunity to participate in an individual or group project, study, or research activity under the supervision of a faculty member.  A formal report is required.

MEEN 495                            Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3-0-3)

Prerequisites:    Topic Specific

This course mainly deals with new trends in mechanical engineering and emerging technologies. Course is repeatable if title and content differ

MEEN 497                           Senior Design Project I (1-6-3)

Prerequisite:      Senior Standing

Co-requisites:    MEEN 350; MEEN 370; MEEN 387

Participation in team projects dealing with design and development of a product or a system, in accordance with project-specific objectives and constraints. Number of projects will be offered by the different engineering departments, some of which will be multi-disciplinary in nature. This will provide an opportunity to exercise initiative, engineering judgment, self-reliance and creativity, in a team environment similar to the industry environment. The design projects require students to use engineering standards in their design process, developing suitable criteria for selection based on their acquired engineering skills, experience, and other pertinent resources. Oral and written presentations are required.

MEEN 498                            Senior Design Project II (0-9-3)

Prerequisite:      MEEN 497

Continuation of 497

Undergraduate admission to Khalifa University is highly competitive. In order to be considered for admissions, students must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Applicant should have graduated from high school no later than two years prior to the current year.

• Minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1000, Physics 800, Arabic 700, and English 1250 to be conditionally accepted into the Foundation program.

• Or, minimum score of achievement in each of the following EmSAT subjects: Math 1250, Physics 800, Arabic 700, and English 1400 to be fully accepted into freshman year
   

International Students:
 

Students who have completed their High school outside the UAE must provide one of the following certificates to be considered for admission:
 

• SAT Math score 700 and above

• AP Math score 3 and above

• A Level Math score C and above.

The cost of studying at Khalifa University varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay AED113,113 annually, to study in Khalifa University.

Mechanical Engineers can find work in the automotive and aerospace industries, defense and security, the energy sector, at nuclear power stations, in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning, and manufacturing.

Career specializations within this field include:
 

• automotive engineer

• aerospace engineer

• energy systems engineer

• healthcare systems engineer

• manufacturing engineer