ME 373
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING METHODS

Course Description

Analytical and numerical methods for solving representative mechanical engineering problems.

Topics

• Mechanical equations: Numerical integration and predictor/corrector methods
• Second-order differentials equations: predictor/corrector methods
• Boundary value problems: "Shooting" methods, finite difference equations, systems of linear equations, iteration techniques, and nonlinear equations
• Eigenvalue problems
  
• Power series solutions
  
• Applications of LaPlace transforms
  
• Partial differential equations

Learning Outcomes

The student, upon completion of this course, will be able to:

• Formulate and solve mechanical engineering initial value problems of practical importance presented by first- and second-order differential equations using both analytical and explicit numerical methods.
  
• Formulate and solve mechanical engineering boundary value problems of practical importance represented by first- and second-order differential equations using both analytical and implicit numerical methods.
  
• Formulate and numerically solve partial differential equations.
  
• Identify and implement the most appropriate numerical method for solving a specific type of engineering problem.
• Recognize and describe the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of numerical methods.