Energy systems are pervasive in our society. A list of energy-related subjects and applications in the engineering curriculum would be nearly endless, but here are some examples:
- Mechanical engineers have a core area in thermo-fluids where courses in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer for a base for energy systems.
- Electrical engineers address power transmission and distribution as well as electric motors and power systems.
- Civil engineers develop structures for wind turbines and hydroelectric dams.
- Chemical engineers develop alternative fuels and clean burning technologies.
- Material engineers develop new materials for batteries and fuel cells.
- Aerospace engineers develop wind turbines.
- Industrial engineers address manufacturing efficiency and energy reduction.
- Agricultural engineers develop biorenewable energy sources.
Energy systems are also a significant focus of the grand challenges of engineering, and this minor will help our students address these issues in their engineering careers.
The goal of the minor in energy systems is to provide ISU engineering students with focused educational opportunities in the broad area of energy systems. Successful energy systems minor students will understand broad energy perspectives, the language of energy systems, and the economic, environmental, and policy issues related to energy in the two required courses (six credits) for the minor (Econ 380 and EE 351 OR ME 433). Note that credit for both EE 351 and ME 433 is no longer accepted (as of January 2017). The remaining nine credits in the minor can be selected from a list of approved engineering courses related to energy systems to give students the opportunity to extend their knowledge.
Required Courses
Econ 380. Energy, Environmental and Resource Economics.
*Only offered during spring semester*
(Cross-listed with ENV S) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: ECON 101
Natural resource availability, use, conservation, and government policy, with emphasis on energy issues. Environmental quality and pollution control policies.
Effective January 2017, one of the following two courses is required in addition to Econ 380, either EE 351 OR ME 433. Note that credit for both EE 351 and ME 433 will no longer be accepted.
EE 351. Analysis of Energy Systems.
(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: PHYS 222
Energy-scientific, engineering and economic foundations. Energy utilization-global and national. Sectoral analysis of energy consumption. Relationship of energy consumption and production to economic growth and environment. Technology for energy production. Economic evaluation of energy utilization and production. Scientific basis for global warming. Environmental impact of energy production and utilization. Renewable energy.
ME 433. Alternative Energy
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: PHYS 221/PHYS 222 and CHEM 167
Basic principles, performance, and cost analysis of alternative energy systems including biofuels, bioenergy, wind, solar, fuel cells, storage and other alternative energy systems. Performance analysis and operating principles of systems and components, and economic analysis for system design and operation will be taught. Emphasis is on alternative energy technologies needed to meet our future energy needs at various scales ranging from household to city to national levels.
Elective Courses (Updated May 2023)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: MATH 166, PHYS 221
Basic introduction to the fundamentals of Wind Energy and Wind Energy conversion systems. Topics include but not limited to various types of wind energy conversion systems and the aerodynamics, blade and tower structural loads, kinematics of the blades and meteorology.
AER E 481. Advanced Wind Energy: Technology and Design.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: AER E 381 or senior classification in engineering or junior in engineering with a course in fluid mechanics
Advanced topics in wind energy, emphasis on current practices. Theoretical foundations for horizontal and vertical axis wind turbine. Design codes for energy conversion systems design, aerodynamic an structural load estimation, wind resource characterization wind farm design, optimization.
AER E 570. Wind Engineering.
(Cross-listed with E M). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years. Prereq: E M 378, E M 345
Atmospheric circulations, atmospheric boundary layer wind, bluff-body aerodynamics, aeroelastic phenomena, wind-tunnel and full-scale testing, wind-load code and standards, effect of tornado and thunderstorm winds, design applications.
(Cross-listed with TSM). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: ECON 101, CHEM 163 or higher, MATH 140 or higher
Converting biorenewable resources into bioenergy and biobased products. Biorenewable concepts as they relate to drivers of change, feedstock production, processes, products, co-products, economics, and transportation/logistics.
ABE 342. Agricultural Tractor Power.
(2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: CH E 381 or M E 231
Thermodynamic principles and construction of tractor engines. Fuels, combustion, and lubrication. Kinematics and dynamics of tractor power applications; drawbar, power take-off and traction mechanisms.
ABE 363. Agri-Industrial Applications of Electric Power and Electronics.
(3-2) Cr. 4. F.S. Prereq: A B E 218
Single phase and three phase circuit design. Electrical safety. Electric motors and controls. Programmable logic controllers. Digital logic, instrumentation and sensors.
ABE 380. Principles of Biological Systems Engineering.
(2-2) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: A B E 316
Unit-operation analysis of biological systems, through the study of mass, energy, and information transport in bioresource production and conversion systems. Quantification and modeling of biomass production, ecological interactions, and bioreactor operations.
ABE 413. Fluid Power Engineering.
(Cross-listed with M E). (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in E M 378 or M E 335, A B E 216 or M E 270
Properties of hydraulic fluids. Performance parameters of fixed and variable displacement pumps and motors. Hydraulic circuits and systems. Hydrostatic transmissions. Characteristics of control valves. Analysis and design of hydraulic systems for power and control functions.
ABE 472. Design of Environmental Modification Systems for Animal Housing.
(Dual-listed with A B E 572). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: A E 216, M E 231
Principles and design of animal environmental control systems. Insulation, heat and mass transfer, fans, ventilation, air distribution, heating and cooling equipment, energy use, control strategies. Individual and group projects required for graduate credit.
ABE 480. Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems.
(Cross-listed with ENSCI). (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: A B E 380
Systems-level quantitative analysis of biological systems, including applications in foods, feeds, biofuels, bioenergy, and other biological systems. Introduction to economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of these systems at multiple production scales. Applying these tools to evaluate and improve cost and sustainability performance of these biological systems.
ABE 572. Design of Environmental Modification Systems for Animal Housing
(Dual-listed with A B E 472). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S. Prereq: A B E 216, M E 231
Principles and design of animal environmental control systems. Insulation, heat and mass transfer, fans, ventilation, air distribution, heating and cooling equipment, and controls. Individual and group projects required for graduate credit.
ABE 580. Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems.
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: A B E 216; MATH 266; BIOL 211 or BIOL 212; M E 231
Systems-level engineering analysis of biological systems. Economic and life-cycle analysis of bioresource production and conversion systems. Global energy and resource issues and the role of biologically derived materials in addressing these issues. Students enrolled in ABE 580 will be required to answer additional exam questions and report on two journal articles.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Undergraduate training in an engineering or physical or biological discipline or degrees in agriculture or economics
Introduction to the science and engineering of converting biorenewable resources into bioenergy and biobased products. Survey of biorenewable resource base and properties; description of biofuels and biobased products; production of biorenewable resources; processing technologies for fuels, chemicals, materials, and energy; environmental impacts; technoeconomic analysis of production and processing; and biofuels policy.
BRT 515. Biorenewables Law and Policy.
(Cross-listed with POL S). (3.0) Cr. 3. F.
Evaluation of the Biorenewables field as it relates to the areas of law and policy. Primary emphasis on the following topics: concerns that motivated the development and expansion of the Biorenewables field, a history of the interactions between biorenewable pathways. U.S. law and policy and controversies that have arisen from these interactions and their effects.
BRT 516. International Biorenewables Law & Policy.
(Cross-listed with POL S). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Evaluation of the international biorenewables field as it relates to the areas of law and policy. Primary emphasis on the following topics: concerns that motivated the development and expansion of the field by adopting countries, a history of the interactions between biorenewable pathways. Law and policy in adopting countries and international controversies that have arisen from these interactions and their effects.
BRT 535. Thermochemical Processing of Biomass.
(Cross-listed with M E). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Undergraduate course work in thermodynamics and transport phenomena.
Introduction to thermal and catalytic processes for the conversion of biomass to biofuels and other biobased products. Topics include gasification, fast pyrolysis, hydrothermal processing, syngas to synfuels, and bio-oil upgrading. Application of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics to bioenergy and biofuels.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: CH E 205, CH E 210, PHYS 221, credit or enrollment in MATH 267
Momentum and mechanical energy balances. Incompressible and compressible fluid flow. Applications to fluid drag, piping system design, filtration, packed beds and settling.
CH E 357. Transport Phenomena II.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in CH E 310; CH E 356
Conduction and diffusion, convective heat and mass transfer, boiling and condensation, radiation, and design of heat exchange equipment. Introduction to diffusion.
CH E 358. Separations.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: CH E 310, CH E 357
Diffusion and mass transfer in fluids. Analysis and design of continuous contacting and multistage separation processes. Binary and multicomponent distillation, absorption, extraction, evaporation, membrane processes, and simultaneous heat and mass transfer.
CH E 381. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in CH E 310; MATH 267, PHYS 222, CHEM 325
Application of thermodynamic principles to chemical engineering problems. Thermodynamic properties of fluids, phase equilibria, and chemical reaction equilibria.
CH E 382. Chemical Reaction Engineering.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Credit in CH E 310; CH E 381, credit or enrollment in CH E 357
Kinetics of chemical reactions. Design of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactors.
CH E 415. Biochemical Engineering.
(Dual-listed with CH E 515). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: CH E 357, CH E 382 recommended, CHEM 331
Application of basic chemical engineering principles in biochemical and biological process industries such as enzyme technology and fermentation.
CH E 515. Biochemical Engineering.
(Dual-listed with CH E 415). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: CH E 357, CH E 382 recommended, CHEM 331
Application of basic chemical engineering principles in biochemical and biological process industries such as enzyme technology and fermentation.
CH E 554. Integrated Transport Phenomena.
(4-0) Cr. 4. F Prereq: CH E 357, CH E 381, MATH 267, credit or enrollment in CH E 545
Conservation equations governing diffusive and convective transport of momentum, thermal energy and chemical species. Transport during laminar flow in conduits, boundary layer flow, creeping flow. Heat and mass transport coupled with chemical reactions and phase change. Scaling and approximation methods for mathematical solution of transport models. Diffusive fluxes; conservation equations for heat and mass transfer; scaling and approximation techniques; fundamentals of fluid mechanics; unidirectional flow; creeping flow; laminar flow at high Reynolds number; forced-convection heat and mass transfer in confined and unconfined laminar flows.
CH E 583. Advanced Thermodynamics.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: CH E 381
Application of thermodynamic principles to chemical engineering problems. Thermodynamic properties of non-ideal fluids and solutions; phase and chemical-reaction equilibria/stability.
CH E 587. Advanced Chemical Reactor Design.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: CH E 382
Analysis of complex reactions and kinetics. Fixed bed, fluidized bed, and other industrial reactors. Analysis and design of non-ideal flow mixing, and residence times. Heterogeneous reactors.
(Dual-listed with C E 540). (Cross-listed with FS HN). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: C E 326 or equivalent, MATH 160 or MATH 165, CHEM 167 or higher, BIOL 173 or BIOL 211 or higher, senior or graduate classification
Sustainability, cleaner production. Taxonomy, kinetics, metabolism, microbial cultivation, aerobic and anaerobic fermentation. Antibiotics, food supplements, fermented foods, vitamin production. Biofuels, bioenergy and coproducts. Mass/energy balances, process integration, pretreatment, separation. Membrane reactors, bioelectrolysis, microbial fuel cells, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, mutagenesis.
C E 540. Bioprocessing and Bioproducts.
(Dual-listed with C E 440). (Cross-listed with BRT, FS HN). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: C E 326 or equivalent, MATH 160 or MATH 165, CHEM 167 or higher, BIOL 173 or BIOL 211 or higher, senior or graduate classification
Sustainability, cleaner production. Taxonomy, kinetics, metabolism, microbial cultivation, aerobic and anaerobic fermentation. Antibiotics, food supplements, fermented foods, vitamin production. Biofuels, bioenergy and coproducts. Mass/energy balances, process integration, pretreatment, separation. Membrane reactors, bioelectrolysis, microbial fuel cells, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, mutagenesis.
(2-2) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: CON E 251, PHYS 222
Comprehensive coverage of mechanical systems, plumbing, fire protection. Analysis techniques and design principles for each system. Required comprehensive design project for a major building project.
CON E 353. Electrical Systems in Buildings.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: PHYS 222 and credit or enrollment in CON E 352
Comprehensive coverage of building electrical systems including power, lighting, fire alarm, security and communications. Analysis techniques and design principles for each system. Required comprehensive design project for a major building project.
CON E 354. Building Energy Performance.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Junior classification
Energy performance of buildings, building shells, HVAC, electrical and other building systems. Analysis and evaluation of building performance, energy efficiency, environmental quality, first costs, and operating costs. Strategies to exceed energy code requirements through the ASHRAE Standard 90.1.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: MATH 267, PHYS 222. Credit or registration in E E 224 and E E 230
Structure of competitive electric energy systems. System operation and economic optimization. Mutual inductance, transformers. Synchronous generators. Balanced three-phase circuit analysis and power calculations. Network calculations and associated numerical algorithms. Two-port circuits. Voltage regulation. Resonance and power factor correction. DC and induction motors. Power electronic circuit applications to power supplies and motor drives.
E E 448. Introduction to AC Circuits and Motors.
(3-2) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: E E 442
Half-semester course. Magnetic circuits. Power transformers. AC steady state and three-phase circuit analysis. Basic principles of operation and control of induction and single-phase motors.
E E 452. Electrical Machines and Power Electronic Drives.
(2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: E E 303; E E 324
Basic concepts of electromagnetic energy conversion. DC motors and three-phase induction motors. Basic introduction to power electronics. Adjustable speed drives used for control of DC, induction, and AC motors. Experiments with converter topologies, DC motors, AC motors and adjustable speed drives.
E E 455. Introduction to Energy Distribution Systems.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: E E 303, credit or registration in E E 324
Overhead and underground distribution system descriptions and characteristics, load descriptions and characteristics, overhead line and underground cable models, distribution transformers, power flow and fault analysis, overcurrent protection, power factor correction, system planning and automation, and economics in a deregulated environment.
E E 456. Power System Analysis I.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: E E 303, credit or registration in E E 324
Power transmission lines and transformers, synchronous machine modeling, network analysis, power system representation, load flow.
E E 457. Power System Analysis II.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: E E 303, credit or registration in E E 324
Power system protection, symmetrical components, faults, stability. Power system operations including the new utility environment.
E E 458. Economic Systems for Electric Power Planning.
(Cross-listed with ECON). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: E E 303 or ECON 301
Evolution of electric power industry. Power system operation and planning and related information systems. Linear and integer optimization methods. Short-term electricity markets and locational marginal prices. Risk management and financial derivatives. Basics of public good economics. Cost recovery models including tax treatment for transmission investments.
E E 459. Electromechanical Wind Energy Conversion and Grid Generation.
(Dual-listed with E E 559). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in E E 452, E E 456
Summary of industry status and expected growth; power extraction from the air stream; operation and modeling of electric machines, and power electronics topologies for wind energy conversion; analysis of machine-grid power electronic circuits, controller interface, and collector (distribution) networks; treatment of harmonics, flicker, over/under-voltages, filters, low-voltage ride-through, and reactive compensation; relaying; effects on transmission expansion, planning and grid operation and coordination including variability, frequency control, reserves, and electricity markets; overview of storage technologies and hybrid configurations.
E E 552. Energy Systems Planning.
(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: E E 456, E E 457 or equivalent
Characteristics of bulk energy conversion, storage, and transport technologies. Environmental legislation. Modeling of electricity markets. Evaluation of sustainability and resiliency. Types of planning analyses: economic, multi-sector, long-term, national. Planning tools and associated optimization methods.
E E 553. Steady State Analysis.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: E E 456, E E 457
Power flow, economic dispatch, unit commitment, electricity markets, automatic generation control, sparse matrix techniques, interconnected operation, voltage control.
E E 554. Power System Dynamics.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: E E 456, E E 457, E E 475
Dynamic performance of power systems with emphasis on stability. Modeling of system components and control equipment. Analysis of the dynamic behavior of the system in response to small and large disturbances.
E E 555. Advanced Energy Distribution Systems.
(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: E E 455
Transient models of distribution components, automated system planning and distribution automation, surge protection, reliability, power quality, power electronics and intelligent systems applications.
E E 556. Power Electronic Systems.
(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: E E 452
Converter topologies, AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC, AC/AC. Converter applications to do motor drives, power supplies, AC motor drives, power system utility applications (var compensators) and power quality.
E E 559. Electromechanical Wind Energy Conversion and Grid Integration.
(Dual-listed with E E 459). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: E E 452, E E 456
Summary of industry status and expected growth; power extraction from the air stream; operation and modeling of electric machines, and power electronics topologies for wind energy conversion; analysis of machine-grid power electronic circuits, controller interface, and collector (distribution) networks; treatment of harmonics, flicker, over/under-voltages, filters, low-voltage ride-through, and reactive compensation; relaying; effects on transmission expansion, planning and grid operation and coordination including variability, frequency control, reserves, and electricity markets; overview of storage technologies and hybrid configurations.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: MATH 166, PHYS 222
Introduction to wind energy. Economic analysis related to wind energy. Electrical power generation, transmission, and grid operations. Tower, blade and nacelle materials and manufacturing. Tower design. Construction, transportation, supply chain and life cycle analysis for wind turbine components.
(Cross-listed with ENV S, GEOL, MTEOR). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: CHEM 163 or CHEM 167 or CHEM 177
Exploration of the origin of Earth’s energy resources and the environmental and climatic impacts of energy acquisition and consumption. Renewable and non-renewable energy resources within an Earth-system context. Various environmentally-relevant topics such as water quality and availability, habitat destruction, greenhouse-gas emissions, and health and safety hazards to wildlife and human communities.
(3-0). Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: Undergraduate engineering degree or permission of instructor.
Materials, processes and systems required to produce the major components (blades, towers, nacelles) of megawatt scale wind turbines. Transportation, manufacturing siting and procurement decisions as it relates to these large components in an expanding industry.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: CHEM 178, credit or enrollment in MAT E 216, PHYS 222, and MATH 267
Basic laws of thermodynamics applied to phase equilibria, transformations, and reactions in multicomponent multiphase materials systems; thermodynamic descriptions of heterogeneous systems; binary and ternary phase diagrams; interfaces, surfaces, and defects.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: MAT E 311 or CHEM 321, MATH 266 or MATH 267
A review of the fundamental principles of heat, work, basic thermodynamic relations, and criteria for equilibrium. Analytical treatments for the thermodynamic description of multicomponent chemical solutions and reacting systems are developed and employed to predict phase equilibria in materials systems. Builds on the thermodynamic construction to treat the kinetics of chemical reactions and phase transformations. Topics include general first order and second order transitions, along with chemical diffusion. Detailed examples involving nucleation and diffusion limited growth, spinodal decomposition, martensitic transformations, magnetic and electric transitions, and glass formation will be considered.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: M E 231
Gas power cycles. Fundamentals of gas mixtures, psychrometry, and thermochemistry. Applications to one-dimensional compressible flow, refrigeration, air conditioning and combustion processes.
M E 335. Fluid Flow.
(3-2) Cr. 4. F.S.SS. Prereq: E M 345, MATH 265, MATH 266 or MATH 267, credit or enrollment in M E 332.
Incompressible and compressible fluid flow fundamentals. Dimensional analysis and similitude. Internal and external flow applications. Lab experiments emphasizing concepts in thermodynamics and fluid flow. Written reports are required.
M E 413. Fluid Power Engineering.
(Cross-listed with A B E). (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in E M 378 or M E 335, A B E 216 or M E 270.
Properties of hydraulic fluids. Performance parameters of fixed and variable displacement pumps and motors. Hydraulic circuits and systems. Hydrostatic transmissions. Characteristics of control valves. Analysis and design of hydraulic systems for power and control functions.
M E 433. Alternative Energy.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: PHYS 221/PHYS 222 and CHEM 167
Basic principles, performance, and cost analysis of alternative energy systems including biofuels, bioenergy, wind, solar, fuel cells, storage and other alternative energy systems. Performance analysis and operating principles of systems and components, and economic analysis for system design and operation will be taught. Emphasis is on alternative energy technologies needed to meet our future energy needs at various scales ranging from household to city to national levels.
M E 436. Heat Transfer.
(3-2) Cr. 4. F.S.SS. Prereq: M E 335
Heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation. Similarity concepts in heat, mass, and momentum transfer. Methods for determination of heat transfer coefficients. Combined modes of heat transfer. Heat exchangers. Lab experiments emphasizing concepts in thermodynamics and heat transfer. Written reports are required.
M E 437. Introduction to Combustion Engineering.
(3.0) Cr. 3. S. Prereqs: Credit in M E 332 or equivalent and credit or enrollment in M E 335 or equivalent
Introduction to the fundamentals of combustion and the analysis of combustion systems for gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels-including biomass fuels. Combustion fundamentals are applied to the analysis of engines; turbines, biomass cookstoves; suspension, fixed-bed, and fluidized-bed furnaces; and other combustion devices.
M E 441. Fundamentals of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in M E 436
Space conditioning and moist air processes. Application of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid flow principles to the analysis of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning components and systems. Performance and specification of components and systems.
M E 442. Heating and Air Conditioning Design.
(1-5) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: M E 441
Design criteria and assessment of building environment and energy requirements. Design of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. System control and economic analysis. Oral and written reports required.
M E 444. Elements and Performance of Power Plants.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: M E 332, credit or enrollment in M E 335
Basic principles, thermodynamics, engineering analysis of power plant systems. Topics include existing power plant technologies, the advanced energyplex systems of the future, societal impacts of power production, and environmental and regulatory concerns.
M E 448. Fluid Dynamics of Turbomachinery.
(3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: M E 335
Basic principles, thermodynamics, combustion, and exhaust emissions of spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines. Laboratory determination of fuel properties and engine performance. Effects of engine components and operating conditions on performance. Written reports required.
M E 449. Internal Combustion Engines.
(3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: M E 335
Basic principles, thermodynamics, combustion, and exhaust emissions of spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines. Laboratory determination of fuel properties and engine performance. Effects of engine components and operating conditions on performance. Written reports required.
M E 530. Advanced Thermodynamics.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: M E 332
Fundamentals of thermodynamics from the classical viewpoint with emphasis on the use of the first and second laws for analysis of thermal systems. Generalized thermodynamic relationships. Computer applications of thermodynamic properties and system analysis. Selected topics.
M E 532. Compressible Fluid Flow.
(Cross-listed with AER E). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: AER E 310, 311, or equivalent
Thermodynamics of compressible flow. Viscous and inviscid compressible flow equations. One dimensional steady flow; isentropic flow, shocks, expansions. Multidimensional compressible flow aspects. Linear and nonlinear wave analysis and method of characteristics. Subsonic, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic flows.
M E 535. Thermochemical Processing of Biomass.
(Cross-listed with BRT). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: M E 436
Advanced treatment of heat transmission by conduction, convection, and radiation.
M E 536. Advanced Heat Transfer.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Undergraduate course work in thermodynamics and transport phenomena
Introduction to thermal and catalytic processes for the conversion of biomass to biofuels and other biobased products. Topics include gasification, fast pyrolysis, hydrothermal processing, syngas to synfuels, and bio-oil upgrading. Application of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics to bioenergy and biofuels.
M E 538. Advanced Fluid Flow.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in M E 436
Detailed analysis of incompressible/compressible, viscous/inviscid, laminar/turbulent, and developing fluid flows on a particle/point control volume basis.
M E 539. Nanoscale Heat Transfer.
Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Any undergraduate course on thermodynamics or heat transfer or transport phenomena or solid state physics
Fundamentals of heat transfer in nanoscale systems, ballistic and diffusive transport, heat conduction due to photons and electrons. Wave and particle nature of energy transfer. Basics of nanoscale thermal radiation. Size effects and transport characteristics for solids, liquids and gases. Computational methodologies and measurement techniques for thermal properties.
M E 542. Advanced Combustion.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: M E 332 or CH E 381
Thermochemistry and transport theory applied to combustion. Gas phase equilibrium. Energy balances. Reaction kinetics. Flame temperatures, speed, ignition, and extinction. Premixed and diffusion flames. Combustion aerodynamics. Mechanisms of air pollution.
M E 545. Thermal Systems Design.
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years. Prereq: M E 436
Integrating thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to model thermal equipment and to simulate thermal systems. Second law and parametric analysis; cost estimation, life cycle analysis and optimization. Some computer programming required.
Advisory Committee
| Mark Mba Wright, ME Advisory Committee Chair | markmw@iastate.edu | |
| Tom Brumm, CoE | tbrumm@iastate.edu | |
| Steve Martin, MSE | swmartin@iastate.edu | |
| Vik Dalal, ECpE | vdalal@iastate.edu |
How to Apply
To apply for the Undergraduate Minor in Energy Systems, follow these steps:
1. Complete the Request for Minor form available from the Iowa State University Registrar’s office.
2. Obtain a signature from your academic advisor.
3. Submit form to energyminor@iastate.edu.
We encourage you to consult either your undergraduate academic advisor or a member of the advisory committee for assistance during the application process. Email energyminor@iastate.edu, or visit 2019 Black Engineering if you have any questions.