Mechanical engineering is a broadly based discipline which applies technical skills to solving engineering problems and also to creating and operating mechanical devices and systems. The undergraduate programme provides students with the broad intellectual tools and skills which are essential for professional practice as well as for continuing study. The programme emphasises a sound understanding of fundamental principles and the behaviour of engineering systems. It trains students in experimental, computational, and analytical methods and exposes them to state- of-the-artdesignandtechnology. Moreimportantly theprogrammedevelopsstudents' self-confidence and powers of observation, analysis, decision-making, and perse- verance. The Mechanical Engineering programme also teaches students the importance of continued learning, team work, and a thorough and systematic approach to problem solving.
Postgraduate programmes begin in 1991, togetherwith afew undergraduate courses. Undergraduate programmes begin in 1992.
Faculty
Professor and Head of Department :
Pin TONG, BS National Taiwan; MS, PhD Calif lnst of Tech Professor :
Jay-Chung CHEN, BS Cheng Kung; MS, PhD Calif lnst of Tech (Director of the Research Centre)
Senior Lecturers :
Chin-Tsau HSU, BS, MS NationalTaiwan; MS, PhD Stanford See-Chun KOT, BS Univoflllinois, Urbana-Champaign; MEng, PhD Cornell Research Associate :
Guangyu SHI, BS, MS Dalian Tech; PhD Georgia Tech Consultant :
Kai Ming YU, BS(Eng), PhD Univ of Hong Kong
Undergraduate Programme
Spring Semester The three-year programme for Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineer-
ing has three stages. The first stage concentrates on the fundamentals of mechanical engineering in solid mechanics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, properties of materials, and design. The second stage deals with the integration of these engineering sciences with laboratory work, design projects, and the manufacturing process. The third stage consists of electives focusing on specific professional concentrations which include the design and analysis of mechanical devices and systems, environ- mental studies, materials engineering, bio-engineering, and mechatronics. A general programme is also available for those who elect not to specialize.
Because of the importance of electronics and computers to all future me- chanical systems, all mechanical engineering students are required to take courses in circuits, electronics, and microprocessor architecture.
Acceptable grades in the following Hong Kong A-level subjects are required for entrance into the programme : Chemistry, Physics and Pure Mathematics.
The following semester-by-semester description of the undergraduate pro- grammedefines which coursesare required and when they should betaken. Courses designated C in the first-year curriculum are core courses which must be taken in the semester indicated. In certain circumstances, and with the permission of the Head of Department, those courses designated as R (required) and E (elective) may be taken at othertimes. When aspecific course is not identified, thecoursevector shown defines the minimum credit required. Second- and third-year programmes are provisional.
First Year Fall Semester
COMP 102 R Programming Techniques [3-0-1131
COMP 105 R Pascal Programming (0-1 -2:1]
ELEC 101 R Electronics and Instrumentation [3-1-3:4]
(1) LANG 001 Language Skills Enhancement I [0-3-2:0]
MATH 151 C Differential Equations & Applications [3-1-0:4]
MECH 101 C Mechanics of Solids [3-1-0:4]
16 credits
ELEC 251 R Digital Circuits and Systems H&SS E Humanities and Social Science MECH 102 C lntroduction to Dynamics MECH 131 C Thermodynamics MECH 182 C Experimental Methods
Second Year Fall Semester
MECH 221 Fluid Mechanics
MECH 241 Mechanical Behaviour of Material MECH 251 Introduction to Design
SB&M Business and Management
SClE Science Elective
18 credits
18 credits
Spring Semester
H&SS Humanities and Social Science [3-0-0131 MECH 172 Seminar on Design and Manufacturing [O-2-0121
MECH 231 Heat and Mass Transfer [3-0-2:4]
MECH 271 Manufacturing Process [2-0-3:3]
MECH Mechanical Engineering Elective [3-0-0131
SClE Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
18 credits
(1 ) Students excusedfrom this course by the Language Centre will replace itwith a Humanities and Social Science course.
Third Year Materials engineering focuses on characterising new materials, developing processes for controlling their properties and their economical production, generating Fall Semester
H&SS MECH MECH MECH SB&M SClE
Spring Semester
Humanities and Social Science Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Business and Management Science Elective
H&SS Humanities and Social Science MECH 381 Project Laboratory
MECH Mechanical Engineering
SClE Science Elective
18 credits
14 credits A minimum of 102 credits is required for the Mechanical Engineering programme. A student's choice of electives may result in this minimum being exceeded.
Postgraduate Programmes and Research
Research in the Department focuses on four areas which are relevant to the economicdevelopment of Hong Kong, suitablefora university environment, and likely to yield important advances.
Research in solid mechanics, dynamics, and acoustics involves the applica- tion of mathematics, theoretical mechanics, and computational skills to the design and analysis of mechanical components and systems. Research includes technical assessments, computer modelling and testing the linear and nonlinear behaviour of structures and continua, the mechanical behaviour of both conventional and new engineering materials, computational mechanics for analysing solids and structures, and the study and control of failure of mechanical components and systems.
engineering data necessary for design, and predicting the performance of products.
Potential research topics include : interface properties of composites, fracture and fatigue, residual life assessment, thermo-mismatch of electronic board and chip- carrier modules, hydrodynamics and instability in processing systems, metal forming, plastics flow in injection moulding, and instrumentation and measurement technics.
Research in energy, environment, fluid mechanics, and thermoscience includes a diverse set of activities including the technology associated with energy generation and conversion, the synthesis and analysis of thermal and fluid systems, and the preservation and control of the environment. In the environmental area, research applies principles of fluid mechanics and heat transfer to develop (1) processes that minimise both theconsumption of natural resources and the production of pollutants; (2) waste-treatment methods to reduce the discharge of pollutants; and (3) technologies to halt the degradation and/or bring about the rejuvenation of already polluted surroundings. This includes technical assessments; computer modelling;
studies of the phenomena involved; studies of environmental control options; field work to collect critical data needed to evaluate systems, concepts and models.
Research in thermoscience includeswaste heat management, heat pumps, fuel cells, heat generation and cooling of electronic devices, multi-phase enhanced or forced convection cooling for microelectronic systems, rotor forces of turbomachines, performance of small internal combustion engines, and geothermo and ocean thermosciences.
Mechanical design and manufacturing are the heart of mechanical engineer- ing in which engineers conceive, design, build, and test solutions to "real world"
problems. Activities include CAD/CAM, design analysis, manufacturing technology, and robotics with emphasis on integrated approaches to design for manufacture, inspection, maintenance, and repair.
The Department offers postgraduate programmes leading to the degrees of Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering. The programmes aim to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of Hong Kong's present and future development needs.
The master's programmes focus on strengthening the students' background in mechanical engineering, increasing their mathematical proficiency, and exposing them to the environment of engineering research and development. The PhD programme aims at imbuing students with a greater proficiency and depth in mechanical engineering, and with the capability of formulating and conducting independent and original research and development in their chosen specialisation.
Applicants for admission to the postgraduate programme normally should have completed a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. The student must demonstrate basic knowledge in mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials, electronics and circuits, and design. Qualified students may be admitted directly to the PhD programme. Students must demonstrate sufficient command of English.
Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering
The MSc programme is for students who intend to pursue an engineering career along with management responsibilities. The MSc degree is a course degree which normally requiresone and a half yearsof full-time study. Thestudent is required to complete an approved programme which includes a design project undertaken under the supervision of an adviser from either the University or industry.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Mechanical Engineering
The MPhil programme differs from the MSc programme in that students are required to complete fewer postgraduate courses. However, in addition to course work, students must complete a thesis to demonstrate competence in engineering research. The MPhil degree programme normally takes one and a half years to two years depending on undergraduate preparation.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering
The PhD degree is awarded upon the successful completion of an advanced study programme of postgraduate subjects, and a thesis based on original research or development work. Students entering with a master's degree in engineering may, with the approval of the Department, be granted transfer credits toward fulfilling the PhD requirements. The doctoral programme takes a minimum of three years of full- time study beyond the bachelor's degree, or a minimum of two years beyond the master's degree.
After a student enters the PhD programme, a doctoral committee will be established to supervise the programme of study and thesis. To become a doctoral candidate, the student must pass a qualifying examination. The written part, which covers undergraduate and first-year postgraduate materia student's preparation for doctoral study in mechanical engineering. The oral portion is given by the doctoral
committee after the student passes the written examination. The purpose of the oral examination is to establish the student's ability to formulate and conduct original research in the chosen discipline.
Upon completion of the postgraduate programme and thesis, the candidate is required to defend the thesis before a Thesis Examination Committee.
Research Interests Professor Pin TONG Head of Department
Solid mechanics, fracture, finite element methods, structural integrity, micrornechanics, and computational mechanics.
Professor Jay-Chung CHEN Director of Research Centre
Structural dynamics, including the development of analytical and experimen- tal methods, testlanalysis correlation criteria, dynamic test of complex structural systems, structural system identification, damage assessment and structure-control interaction.
Dr Chin-Tsau HSU Senior Lecturer
Heat transfer; ocean wave dynamics, air-sea interaction, pollutant transport.
Dr See-Chun KOT Senior Lecturer
Computational and environmental fluid mechanics, atmospheric dispersion of pollutants, micrometeorology.
Dr Guangyu SHI Research Associate
Finite element methods; elasto-plastic large deformation of structures; shell theory and nonlinear dynamic response of structures.
Dr Kai-Ming YU Consultant