Undergraduate Courses 2018-19

Undergraduate courses marked with [EXP] may adopt the approach of experiential learning subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.

• MECH 1901

  Automotive Engineering

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course teaches fundamental technologies in automotive engineering. It is targeted at the general student body and opens to all the students of science, engineering, or business majors. It will cover all the important aspects of automobile engineering and technologies, including its history, development, and current state. Content wise, it will cover key components of an automobile, i.e., the engine, transmission (both manual and automatic), brake system, control, chassis, etc. In addition, it will cover the managerial and operational aspects of modern automobile companies.
• MECH 1902

  Energy Systems in a Sustainable World

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Various fuels used by mankind, fossil and renewable sources; power generation technologies and the controversies; energy efficient technologies and the applications in buildings and consumable products; energy efficient manufacturing technologies; low energy infrastructure and impact to modern life style; myths behind sustainable energy systems and the debates; energy entrepreneurship, case studies and social impact.
• MECH 1903

  The Rise of Autonomous Robots

  3 Credit(s)
  Alternate code(s)

  ELEC 1030

  Description

  Fueled by the rise of artificial intelligence, robotic devices are envisioned to become an ubiquitous part of daily life. New technologies such as wireless communication, voice and visual understanding, and machine learning will enable the development of biologically-inspired cognitive humanoid robots. This course will give students with little or no technical background an enriched understanding about robots and how they will change society. Fundamental social, economic, and technological issues of a human-machine society will be identified and discussed. The learning process will be facilitated through demonstrative sessions, where students can observe, evaluate, examine, and interact with a variety of autonomous robots and humanoids. Guided by internal and external experts, students will focus on a specific social, business or technology issue based on their personal background and interest. Through experimentation with robot kits, they will identify and explore ways robotics and automation might impact our quality of life.
• MECH 1905

  Buildings for Contemporary Living

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Functions of buildings; intelligent and green buildings for contemporary living; sustainability and financial assessments of building systems; building systems: building materials/indoor comfort and health/lighting/water supply/information; security, energy use and supply for buildings; renewable energy for future; energy supply, energy conservation; impact of technology development on contemporary living.
• MECH 1906

  Mechanical Engineering for Modern Life

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Mechanical Engineering covers the broadest range of engineering amongst all related disciplines. In addition to the production of modern products useful in daily life, it is also associated with power generation and distribution, as well as new materials development. These will be used to explain mechanical engineering principles and their usage in product design and manufacture. Contents include Engineering Materials, Solid Mechanics and Structural Design, Renewable Energy, Indoor Environmental Quality, Smart Green Building, Energy Design, Sensors and Instrumentation, Robots and Controls, together with MEMS and LED Fabrication. First year students are preferred.
• MECH 1907

  Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Introduction to the field of Aerospace engineering, discussion of basic aerospace systems and disciplines, working vocabulary of the field. Basic concepts. Demonstration through examples. Wind tunnel visit.
• MECH 1990

  Industrial Training

  0 Credit(s)
  Description

  A practical training course in an industrial simulated environment. For students of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department only. Graded P, PP or F.
• MECH 2020

  Statics and Dynamics

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  (MATH 1012 OR MATH 1013 OR MATH 1020 OR MATH 1023) AND (PHYS 1111 OR PHYS 1112 OR PHYS 1312)

  Exclusion(s)

  CIVL 2110

  Description

  Fundamental course on the analysis of the equilibrium and dynamic behavior of mechanical systems. Statics: equilibrium of particles and of rigid bodies; distributed forces; analysis of structures, including, trusses, frames, cables and beams. Dynamics: kinematics of particles; kinetics of particles, Newton's second law, energy, momenta, impact dynamics; systems of particles; kinematics of rigid bodies; kinetics of rigid bodies in two and three dimensions.
• MECH 2040

  Solid Mechanics I

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 3010

  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2020

  Exclusion(s)

  CIVL 2120

  Description

  Forces, moments, equilibrium; principles of virtual work; analysis of structural members under axial load, torsion and bending; shear force and bending moment diagrams; statically indeterminate trusses; buckling and structural stability.
• MECH 2210

  Fluid Mechanics

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 3210

  Prerequisite(s)

  (MATH 2011 OR MATH 2023) AND MECH 2310

  Exclusion(s)

  CENG 2220, CIVL 2510, MATH 4326

  Description

  Fundamental concepts; hydrostatics; integral and differential equations of fluid flows; conservation of mass, momentum and energy; dimensional analysis; pipe flow; channel flow and boundary layers.
• MECH 2310

  Thermodynamics

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MATH 1012 OR MATH 1013 OR MATH 1020 OR MATH 1023

  Description

  Fundamental concepts; pure substance; work and heat; control volume; Ideal and real gases. First and second laws of thermodynamics. Entropy. Elementary power and refrigeration cycles.
• MECH 2410

  Engineering Materials I

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  PHYS 3040

  Description

  Atomic bonding of materials; crystal structure and defects; mechanical properties of materials; phase diagrams and phase transformations; heat treatment of metals; processing and applications of metallic materials.
• MECH 2520

  Design and Manufacturing I

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Introduction to the engineering design process and engineering graphics; design specification, concept generation, and concept evaluation; geometric construction, sketching, orthographic projection, auxillary views, sectioning, dimensioning, tolerancing, and working drawing. For students under the four-year degree only.
• MECH 2907

  Mechatronic Design and Prototyping

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2520

  Description

  This course's aim is to broaden the professional and engineering interests of students by enhancing their practicum/team-based experience through initiatives different from those of traditional lectures and tutorials. This is a project-based course to develop the students' knowledge/experience in designing and building a practical mechatronics system (formerly called Industrial Training). Students will work in teams to identify the needs for their designed prototype. Also, students will be given the opportunity to design and build various mechatronics components including electronic circuits, motors, sensors, etc. from CAD drawings, and practise their engineering knowledge through all laboratory sessions. The main goal is to develop and nurture skills in problem-solving, communication, interpersonal interaction, project and time management, etc. via the entire project.
• MECH 3020

  Solid Mechanics II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2040

  Description

  Bi-axial stress state and failure criteria; thick-walled cylinders and spinning disks; bending of plates; elastic foundations; unsymmetric bending and torsion; curved beams; frame analysis; energy methods; plastic collapse and limit analysis.
• MECH 3030

  Mechanisms of Machinery

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2020

  Description

  Application of kinematics and dynamics in the analysis, design and synthesis of mechanisms. Type and dimensional design of linkages, cams and gears based on motion requirements and force transmission, in contrast to the strength requirements. Graphical, analytical and computer methods in analysis and design of mechanisms. Design considerations in mechanism synthesis.
• MECH 3110

  Materials for Energy Technologies

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 4000E

  Alternate code(s)

  ENEG 3110

  Description

  The societal energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources requires novel energy technologies, with material design and engineering at the center of the innovation process. In this course, we will explain the enabling materials science and engineering behind advanced energy technologies by answering questions such as why lithium powers our batteries and why it takes silicon to make a solar panel. Major material challenges of emerging energy technologies will also be discussed. During the course, the students will be exposed to 1) the knowledge of material structure-property correlations used in energy technologies, 2) materials synthesis and fabrication techniques for their incorporation into energy devices, and 3) material evaluation principles in energy applications. After taking the course, students will be able to identify desirable material properties and potentially propose new materials and manufacturing methods for specific energy technologies.
• MECH 3300

  Energy Conversion

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2310

  Description

  Thermodynamics of combustion, chemical equilibrium, refrigeration and mixtures of gases. Analysis of power generation, propulsion systems. Performance of modern steam plants, gas turbines, internal combustion engines and refrigeration plants.
• MECH 3310

  Heat Transfer

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2210 AND MECH 2310

  Description

  Transient and steady heat conduction. Natural and forced convection. Radiative exchange. Introduction to computational methods.
• MECH 3400

  Introduction to Composite Materials

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 4000G

  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2040 AND MECH 2410

  Description

  This course introduces fundamentals of composite materials, which will cover the definitions of composites, their classifications and characteristics, the basic mechanics of their reinforcement mechanisms and common applications in science and engineering, especially in aerospace engineering. One important objective of the course is to underlie the concepts of rule of mixtures and laws of solid mechanics, by which the composite materials can be designed with desirable characteristics for engineering applications.
• MECH 3420

  Engineering Materials II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2410

  Description

  Structure, properties and applications of ceramics and polymers; introduction to composites; construction materials; corrosion and degradation of materials; materials selection and design considerations.
• MECH 3510

  CAD/CAM

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Geometric modeling systems, data structures, NC technology, NC machining, project.
• MECH 3520

  Design and Manufacturing II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2520

  Description

  Engineering specification, selection of materials, design criteria. Methods of joining and assembly. Engineering components design and applications: shafts and bearing, gearing, pulleys and belts, brakes and clutches. Design for manufacturing.
• MECH 3610

  Control Principles

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  ELEC 3200

  Description

  Introduction to system equations, block diagrams, signal flow graphs, state-space systems, transient response using convolution integral, root locus and frequency response methods. Design by root locus, frequency response and state space method. Nyquist stability test.
• MECH 3620

  Aircraft Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 1907 AND MECH 3640 AND MECH 3650

  Corequisite(s)

  MECH 3660 AND MECH 3670

  Description

  Students will work in teams to develop a conceptual design for a complete flight vehicle, using knowledge and skills acquired in the Aerospace Engineering Major curriculum. Specific considerations will include market conditions, mission requirements, aircraft size and layout, airfoil/wing geometry, aerodynamics, engine selection, airframe-engine integration, fuselage design, electrical and hydraulic systems, landing gear arrangement, flight stability and control, structures and materials, avionics and navigation systems, human factors, safety, manufacturing processes, and cost analysis. The teams will present their proposed designs via oral presentations and written reports.
• MECH 3630

  Electrical Technology

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Electromagnetic circuits, transformers, electromechanical energy conversion, DC machines, asynchronous and synchronous machines, special machines, transients and dynamics, three-phase circuits and power electronics, applications in electrical building services.
• MECH 3640

  Aerodynamics

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 4610

  Prerequisite(s)

  CENG 2220 OR CIVL 2510 OR MECH 1907 OR MECH 2210

  Description

  Irrotational flow, circulation, lift and drag, aerofoil, conformal mapping, lifting line theory, Elliptical wing, swept wing, delta wing, supersonic flow. For science and engineering students in their second year of study or above.
• MECH 3650

  Aircraft Structural Analysis

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 4620

  Prerequisite(s)

  CIVL 2120 OR MECH 1907 OR MECH 2040

  Description

  Elasticity, structural analysis, energy and matrix methods, fatigue, vibration, airworthiness and aeroelasticity. For science and engineering students in their second year of study or above.
• MECH 3660

  Gas Turbines and Jet Propulsion

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 4630

  Prerequisite(s)

  (MATH 2111 OR MATH 2350 OR MATH 2351) AND MECH 3640

  Description

  Rotating machinery, turbojet, compressor blades, turbine blades, combustion, high temperature material, high by‐pass fan jet, rocket. For science and engineering students in their second year of study or above.
• MECH 3670

  Aircraft Performance and Stability

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 4640

  Prerequisite(s)

  CENG 2220 OR CIVL 2510 OR MECH 1907 OR MECH 2020 OR MECH 2210

  Description

  Introduction to the dynamics and control of atmospheric flight vehicles. Airplan performance, static longitudinal stability, maneuvering flight, directional stability and control, control surfaces, aerodynamic coefficients, flying modes, Laplace transform, open and feedback control, stall recovery. For science and engineering students in their second year of study or above.
• MECH 3680

  Avionics Systems

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ELEC 2420 AND {COMP 1022P OR [(COMP 1021 OR COMP 1022Q OR COMP 2011) AND COMP 1029J ]}

  Description

  This course covers avionic systems and communications, including analog and digital systems, aviation bands and frequencies, satellite and aircraft communications, selective calling, emergency locator transmitter, omni-directional range, instrument and microwave landing systems, and automatic direction finder. Other relevant topics may also be discussed in the course.
• MECH 3690

  Aerospace Engineering Laboratory

  3 Credit(s)
  Corequisite(s)

  LANG 4034 AND (MECH 3640 OR MECH 3650 OR MECH 3660 OR MECH 3670 OR MECH 3680)

  Description

  Fundamentals of instrumentation and measurement and their application in engineering testing and experimentation. Focuses primarily on application of the fundamental principles learned in MECH 3640, MECH 3650, MECH 3660, MECH 3670 and MECH 3680 to more advanced test and measurement applications. Includes principles of analog and digital data acquisition, analysis of discrete measurement data, statistical assessment of hypotheses, design of experiments, and similarity scaling of data. For AE students only.
• MECH 3710

  Manufacturing Processes and Systems

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2410

  Description

  Introduction to the principles of manufacturing processes; process characteristics, capabilities and limitations; related machinery and equipment; automation and common aspects of manufacturing, including metrology and quality assurance.
• MECH 3830

  Laboratory

  3 Credit(s)
  Corequisite(s)

  LANG 4034

  Description

  Introductory laboratory course to provide training in experimental techniques and laboratory procedures, data acquisition, analysis and presentation.
• MECH 4000

  Special Topics

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Covers selected topics of current interest to the Department not covered by existing courses. Offerings announced each semester.
• MECH 4010

  Materials Failure in Mechanical Applications

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2410

  Description

  Failure analysis, brittle and ductile fracture, creep rupture, fatigue cracking, environmental degradation of materials, damage tolerance design, life predication of engineering components, case studies.
• MECH 4100

  Experiential Projects in Aerospace Engineering

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  MECH 4000C

  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 1907 OR (MECH 2020 AND MECH 2310)

  Description

  This course takes an experiential approach to aerospace engineering through (i) a series of seminars and workshops delivered by faculty and industry professionals, (ii) student-initiated tutorials on aerospace-related topics, and (iii) participation in an international aerospace competition. As well as giving students the opportunity to apply theoretical classroom knowledge to real-world engineering problems, this course will nurture skills in technical communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and project management. This course will initially be led by faculty and then self-directed by students with faculty retreating as coaches. Students should seek approval from the course instructor prior to enrolling.
• MECH 4340

  Air Conditioning Systems

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 3310

  Description

  Introduction of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, moist air properties, heat transmission in building structures, solar radiation, air conditioning cooling load and heating load calculation, air distribution system design, indoor air quality, economic analysis, alternative cooling systems.
• MECH 4350

  Indoor Air Quality in Buildings

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2310

  Exclusion(s)

  IBTM 5430, JEVE 5350

  Description

  Indoor air pollutants in buildings and their transport dynamics with respect to building ventilation systems. Design methodology in handling indoor air quality in buildings and enclosed spaces. Building environmental assessment method.
• MECH 4360

  Introduction to Intelligent Building Systems

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2310 and MECH 3610

  Description

  Introduction to intelligent building and building automation, communication, safety and security systems; modeling and control of noise, illumination, mechanical transportation, electrical, electronic, fire safety subsystems; system integration and optimization with the building envelope; code of practice in design, operational characteristics and performance specifications.
• MECH 4430

  Materials Characterization

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2410 and MECH 3420

  Description

  Study of microstructure, morphology, and chemical compositions of engineering materials using optical, X-ray and electron methods; specimen preparation, instrumentation and case studies.
• MECH 4450

  Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2040

  Description

  Basic concepts of finite element methods, element equations for basic structural elements, implementation and application of FEMs in 1-D and 2-D structural analysis and heat conduction.
• MECH 4710

  Introduction to Robotics

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2020

  Description

  Rigid body motion, forward and inverse kinematics, manipulator Jacobians, force relation, dynamics and position control robot manipulators, force control and trajectory generation, collision avoidance and motion planning, robot programming languages.
• MECH 4720

  Introduction to Precision Engineering

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2520

  Description

  Principles of precision design, precision machining, and precision measurement; mathematical definitions and theoretical studies of tolerances for one-, two-, and three-dimensional precision assemblies; applications and industrial practices.
• MECH 4740

  Numerical Methods in Engineering

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  (MATH 1014 OR MATH 1020 OR MATH 1024) AND (COMP 1021 OR COMP 1022P OR COMP 1022Q)

  Exclusion(s)

  MATH 3311, MATH 3312

  Description

  This course is intended for teaching numerical methods for engineering students at the senior level as well as at the beginning graduate level. The course will have three important objectives: (1) to teach the basic theories and fundamentals of numerical methods; (2) to help the students to acquire skills to implement these methods for computer solution; and finally (3) to provide an environment where the students can familiarize themselves with many today's popular commercial software systems, such as MATLAB, and their use in the solution of engineering problems.
• MECH 4750

  Mechanical Vibration

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2020 AND MECH 2040

  Exclusion(s)

  CIVL 4330

  Description

  Single-degree-of-freedom vibration, multiple-degree-of-freedom vibration, vibration in continuous media, numerical method and their application in mechanical engineering and building services.
• MECH 4810

  Unmanned Aviation Vehicle

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 3650

  Description

  This course will introduce students unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that are capable to operate remotely or autonomously in various environments. The knowledge of the mechanics of flight and the design of quadrotors and other types of UAVs will be explored. The topics will be covered include: introducing UAV and its subsystems, developing aviation models, analyzing flight controllers, designing dynamic navigation systems, and planning the operation in complex environments.
• MECH 4820

  Flight Mechanics

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2210

  Description

  This course focuses on aircraft performance, stability and control. Specific topics include static stability and control in equilibrium flight, dynamic stability and control, the dihedral effect and lateral control, aerodynamic control surfaces and coefficients, the drag polar, open and feedback control, and stall recovery.
• MECH 4850

  Vibration and Acoustics

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  (MATH 2011 OR MATH 2023) AND (MATH 2350 OR MATH 2351 OR MATH 2352) AND MECH 2020

  Description

  Mechanical vibrations, waves and acoustics; the derivation of scalar and vector wave equations; Fourier analysis; boundary conditions; reflection, scattering and radiation; monopole, dipole and quadrupole; duct acoustics; passive and active control.
• MECH 4860

  Aeroelasticity

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 3640 AND MECH 3650

  Description

  This course will introduce you to the basic principles of aeroelasticity: the interaction between structural dynamics and unsteady aerodynamic flow over a structure. The main aeroelastic phenomena for aircraft design are explored with an emphasis on how they affect structural and aerodynamic performance. The topics covered include aeroelastic phenomena, structural and aerodynamic models for aeroelastic analysis, aeroelastic response to arbitrary forcing, state-space modelling, nonlinear aeroelasticity, aeroelastic control, and numerical tools for aeroelastic analysis.
• MECH 4870

  Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2210 OR MECH 3640

  Description

  This course covers the fundamental CFD techniques and their use in the solution of engineering problems governed by partial differential equations, with particular emphasis on applications in the area of waves, viscous incompressible flows and heat transfer, etc.. A variety of topics covered include internal and external flows, heat conduction and convection, convective-diffusive systems, CFD spatial/temporal schemes and CFD software packages.
• MECH 4880

  Combustion

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  MECH 2210 AND MECH 2310

  Description

  Thermodynamics and equilibrium, chemical kinetics, laminar premixed flames, laminar non-premixed flames, turbulent flames, kinetics of pollution formation, gas turbine combustion, condensed phase combustion, flame-flow interactions, internal flame processes, flame stabilization, heat-release dynamics.
• MECH 4900

  Final Year Design Project

  6 Credit(s)
  Description

  A one-year project course offers practice of engineering design through a group design project chosen to integrate materials covered in the curriculum. Each student will be assigned a component of a large project which may be sponsored by industry. Credit load will be spread over the year.
• MECH 4950

  Co-op Program

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course is intended to provide final year UG students with practical hands-on training in the form of a co-op program in an engineering company located in Hong Kong or China. Students must obtain approval from the UG Coordinator before enrolling in the course.
• MECH 4980

  Final Year Aerospace Design Project

  6 Credit(s)
  Description

  A one-year Design project offers practice of aircraft design for the modern aerospace industry. Students will gain an overview of how to manage a design team and will also gain skills in carrying out detailed design problems. The course will cover design requirements; conceptual design methodology developed and applied incorporating center of gravity, inertias, structural layout, materials, propulsion integration, stability and control, vehicle sizing, performance, and acquisition costs; sources of information for aircraft design; configuration design: performance, weight and balance, propulsion; aerodynamic design: lift, drag and control; structural design: loads, materials; philosophies of design and analysis; system design: requirements and specification; system design procedures; systems integration. For AE students in their fourth year of study only. May be graded PP.
• MECH 4990

  Aerospace Research Project

  6 Credit(s)
  Description

  An individual one-year research project under the close supervision of a faculty member of the department. The individual student will conduct research on a specified topic related to aerospace engineering. Normally, a project proposal and a final report are required. For MAE students only. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course. May be graded PP.
• MECH 4995

  Research Project

  6 Credit(s)
  Description

  An individual one-year research project under the close supervision of a faculty member of the department. The individual student will conduct research on a specified topic related to mechanical engineering. Normally, a project proposal and a final report are required. For students of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering only. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course. May be graded PP.