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Paper ASEE 2003-#3265, Mathematics Division

“Introducing Special Interest Topics into an Engineering Analysis Course” Professor Frank Wicks Mechanical Engineering Department, Union College

Abstract

The Masters Degree program at Union College is primarily a part time program that serves engineers who work in area industries. Until recently no math course was required. The justification was the sufficient math content is embedded in the required engineering courses. Recent adjustments in the curriculum have added an Engineering Analysis Course which focuses on applied engineering mathematics.

Some special interest topics have been added along with the traditional differential and integral calculus, vectors, matrices and transform methods. These special interest methods topics place emphasis on the mathematical modeling of various processes and secondary emphasis on solution methods. The philosophy is that if a process can be mathematically modeled it can be solved by computer based numerical techniques. The fact that any process that can be modeled can be solved by numerical methods also means that questionable assumptions such as linearity do not have to be made during the process of developing the equations. Thus more realistic results can be obtained.

1. Introduction

Special interest topics that have been introduced in an engineering analysis course. These topics are of engineering importance but fall outside the boundaries of a traditional classical Applied Engineering Mathematics Course. They include a) Markov processes to model the transitional forecasting process that can be defined as fact to fuzz, b) the Global Positioning System problem of determining position by finding the intersection point of spheres, c) 2nd law analysis of thermodynamic cycles to develop the ideal fuel burning engine based on the varying temperature combustion products which are the source of heat, d) development of a finite element model of a cooking hotdog with constant and with temperature dependent conductivity, e) statistical analysis of the risk associated by launching a rocket outside the experience envelope as defined by the 1986 space shuttle Challenger accident, and f) development of simplified differential equation to represent nuclear reactor steady state and transient processes and then solving this differential equation for a variety of operating conditions.

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Wicks, F. (2003, June), Introducing Special Interest Topics Into An Engineering Analysis Course Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12247