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Programs of Study, 1997-1999
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
Head of the Department: A. L. Addy
Associate Heads of the Department: A. M. Clausing and H. Sehitoglu
Graduate Programs Committee Chairperson: J. S. Walker
Correspondence and Information: Celia G. Snyder, Graduate Programs Coordinator, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 140 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-4390. URL: http://www.mie.uiuc.edu
GRADUATE FACULTY
Professors: A. L. Addy. M. Q. Brewster, R. O. Buckius, C. W. Bullard, J. C. Chato, A. M. Clausing, H. E. Cook, C. Cusano, J. A. Dantzig, P. A. DeLisle, R. E. DeVor, J. C. Dutton, S. G. Kapoor, H. Krier, C. S. Larson, J. S. Liebman, R. P. Lucht, J. Mazumder, C. O. Pedersen, J. E. Peters, H. Sehitoglu, D. F. Socie, S. L. Soo, C. L. Tucker, S. P. Vanka, J.S. Walker, R.A. White
Associate Professors: J. Bentsman, W. E. Dunn, P. M. Ferreira, J. G. Georgiadis, R. E. Klein, N. R. Miller, T. A. Newell, J. W. Nowak, U. S. Palekar, A. J. Pearlstein, M. L. Philpott, P. M. Sanderson, B. G. Thomas, T-C. Tsao, A. F. Vakakis
Assistant Professors: A. G. Alleyne, A. M. Jacobi, M. A. Johnson, P. M. Jones, C.-F. Lee, T. J. Mackin, N. V. Sahinidis, M. A. Shannon, D. A. Tortorelli
GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering offers studies leading to the master of science in mechanical engineering, the master of science in industrial engineering, the doctor of philosophy in mechanical engineering, and the doctor of philosophy in industrial engineering. Details outlining specific degree requirements are included in brochures available from the graduate programs coordinator, whose address is listed above.
RESEARCH AREAS
Research in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is broadly based, following the traditional disciplines of mechanical engineering and industrial engineering on the one hand and encompassing areas that are at the cutting edge of the profession on the other. The activities reflect not only the interests and creativity of our faculty and students, but also their responsiveness to societal problems. While the generation of new knowledge remains a basic function, a number of ongoing research projects have been prompted by the current needs of the state of Illinois and of the nation. Current studies are conducted in combustion; computer-aided design; control systems; electromechanical systems; fluid mechanics; gas dynamics; heat and mass transfer; kinematics and dynamics of machinery; manufacturing systems; materials behavior; materials processing; multiphase flow; propulsion; system simulation and optimization; and tribology. Problems in energy systems include air pollution, combustion, energy logistics, internal-combustion engines, propulsion, solar and renewable energy, and waste handling. Progress in the study of materials behavior and processing includes casting processes, composite materials, creep, fatigue, fracture, high-temperature material behavior, laser processing, polymer processing, ceramic-matrix composites, and thin films. Tribology studies include elastohydrodynamics and lubrication of oil and refrigerant mixtures. In industrial engineering, studies are conducted in human factors and engineering psychology, operations research, and production engineering. Study in the areas of cognitive engineering, computer-aided manufacturing, ergonomics, facilities planning, human-machine interaction, large-scale systems analysis, machine tool systems design, mathematical programming and optimization, production planning and control, and project management is aimed at improving the design and implementation of integrated systems of persons, materials and equipment.
The department has a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and works closely with other departments: the Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in the fields of aerodynamics and combustion; the Department of Agricultural Engineering in petroleum and nonpetroleum fuels; the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in controls; the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in materials properties and processing; and the Department of Psychology in ergonomics and human factors engineering. Cooperation with the Department of Bioengineering faculty, the Coordinated Science Laboratory, and the Materials Research Laboratory also lends diversity to our research.
The department has several center-based research activities including two NSF industry/University cooperative research centers: one in air conditioning and refrigeration, and one in machine tool systems. The University of Illinois is also the lead institution in the newly formed NSF/ARPA Agile Manufacturing Research Institute for Machine Tools. In addition, the department has the Center for Laser Materials Processing, the Institute for Competitive Manufacturing, and the Fracture Control Program.
Research facilities include laboratories for advanced automation, air conditioning and refrigeration, combustion, computer-aided design and simulation, computer-integrated manufacturing, control systems, design for manufacturing, flexible automation, gas dynamics, heat transfer, human factors and simulation of human-machine interaction, internal-combustion engines, laser diagnostics for combustion, laser processing, machining and machine tool systems, mechanical behavior of materials, metrology, operations research, precision engineering, polymer and composite materials processing, propulsion, rapid prototyping, robotics, solar energy, thermal processing of materials, thermodynamics, tribology, vehicle dynamics, and welding and heat treatment. Special facilities include 1/2-acre solar pond, test facilities for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and components, low- and high-speed wind tunnels, and laboratories for study of combustion, radiation, particulate and multiphase flow, complete specimen-scale mechanical testing equipment including an environmental testing chamber, thermomechanical and multiaxial loading capabilities, and laser processing facilities. The department has a construction shop with instrument makers and electronics technicians.
ADMISSION
An applicant for admission to the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering must (I) be a graduate of an institution awarding a baccalaureate degree equivalent to that granted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; (2) be adequately prepared for advanced study as demonstrated by his or her previous program of study and scholastic record; and (3) be recommended for admission by the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. An unofficial minimum grade point average of 3.25 (A = 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate study is required. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination general test are required of all applicants. There is no language requirement. The department requires a minimum TOEFL score of 607 for those applicants who have not completed at least two years of full-time study in an institution in a country where English is the primary language, and in a school where English is the primary language of instruction. Based upon the previous preparation of the student, prerequisite courses may be specified by the adviser, but the credit may not be applied toward a degree.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
A total of eight units is required, of which six units are formal graded course work (including two units at the 400 level) and two units, minimum, are thesis credit. For those students terminating their studies with the M.S. degree, a nonthesis option is available by departmental petition. Those pursuing the nonthesis option are required to complete a minimum of eight units of formal graded course work (including two units at the 400 level) plus one unit of a 400-level independent investigations course since each student is required to show evidence of the ability to do independent research.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
For those students entering the program with a master's degree, a total of eight units of formal graded course work (including four units at the 400 level) is required in addition to eight units, minimum, of thesis credit. Qualifying examinations are required and should be taken no later than the second calendar semester after initial enrollment.
A student entering with a bachelor's degree has the option of a direct Ph.D. program. A total of 14 units of formal graded course work (including six at the 400 level) is required in addition to 10 units, minimum, of thesis credit. Qualifying examinations should be taken as soon as possible.
For both Ph.D. options, the preliminary examination is taken after the qualifying examination. A minimum of six months should elapse between the successful completion of the doctoral preliminary examination and the doctoral final oral dissertation defense.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial assistance is available to most students who are admitted and includes fellowships, assistantships, and/or waivers of tuition and fees. Assistantship stipends vary with one's entry level into the program.
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