Instructor: Kristin Schaaf

Instructor Email: kschaaf@ucsd.edu
Prerequisites: Physics and trigonometry highly recommended, but not required

Course Description: Mechanical Engineering is one of the most dynamic and exciting engineering disciplines. Mechanical Engineering covers the design and analysis of all kinds of systems and technologies with mechanical components. Today's engineers do everything from designing roller coasters to inventing lifesaving devices to working behind the scenes on space missions. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering as well as take a more in-depth look at composite materials and mechanical testing. The students will also be taken on comprehensive tours of research labs, receive hands-on experience in fabricating test specimens, as well as conduct mechanical tests.

Course Objectives: Each student will become familiar with:

• The mechanical engineering profession
• The basic ideas in engineering mechanics and materials
• The scientific method
• The steps in the mechanical design process
• The basic tenants of engineering ethics
• The fundamentals of composite materials including fabrication
• The fundamentals of mechanical testing

Course Outline:

Week 1: Classroom: The Mechanical Engineering Profession, Problem-Solving and Communication Skills, Forces in Structures and Machines, Materials and Stresses

Lab: Tour CEAM experimental facilities including: dynamic testing, quasi-static and fatigue testing, materials diagnostics and characterization, polymer and composite processing facility, and specimen/equipment fabrication facilities

Project: Effective/Ineffective design throughout the UCSD campus (with a partner)

Week 2: Classroom: Materials and Stresses (continued), Composite materials (constituent materials, typical properties, fabrication methodologies, defect formation, environmental aspects)

Lab: Fabricate composite test specimens, Tour FiberTech Engineering, Inc.

Project: Bridge building with specific constraints (with a partner)

Week 3: Classroom: Engineering Ethics, Mechanical testing (standards, objectives, specimen preparation, quasi-static tests, fatigue tests, interpreting data/results)

Lab: Conduct mechanical testing on composite test specimens

Final Project: Egg Drop

Expectations: Students must be punctual and complete all assignments on time. Students are highly encouraged to ask questions and should actively participate in class discussions. Everyone must show respect when somebody else is speaking. All students are expected to participate in activities including field trips, laboratory experiments, and presentations. When in a laboratory setting, safety is essential. Students must be aware of their environment and wear the necessary safety gear.