Mission
The mission of the Engineering Science Department at Trinity University is to provide students with a broad-based undergraduate engineering education by offering a design-oriented, multi-disciplinary engineering science curriculum in the context of the University’s traditions of the liberal arts and sciences.
Objectives
The Engineering Science Department graduates are expected to attain the following objectives within a few years after graduation:
- Successful practice of engineering design and analysis in their field;
- Application of a broad background in liberal arts and sciences when solving engineering problems with humanistic dimensions in their professional practice;
- Advancement in their engineering careers with increased responsibility and leadership roles;
- Effective oral and written communication with diverse groups of people;
- The pursuit of continuing or advanced education relevant to professional interests.
The curriculum emphasizes an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering science that form the foundation for technical work in all fields of engineering. Some specialization is available through elective courses in Chemical, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, taken during the junior and senior years. The program provides significant hands-on experience in engineering laboratories and participation in engineering design projects throughout the eight-semester engineering design course sequence. The emphasis on fundamentals is intended to prepare students for dealing with the rapid pace of technological change and the interdisciplinary demands of today’s, and tomorrow’s, engineering practice. The laboratory and design portions of the program provide the student with a balanced perspective of the realities and limitations required for practical problem solving. The professional practice of engineering requires skill and resourcefulness in applying science and technology to the solution of problems in our complex technological society. The successful engineer must possess a thorough understanding of social and economic forces and have an appreciation of cultural and humanistic traditions. The Trinity Engineering Science Program encourages the development of this kind of graduate by providing a broad technical background and a significant liberal education in the humanities and social sciences.
Accreditation
Trinity's undergraduate Engineering Science Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Engineering Science(B.S.)
Engineering (ENGR)
ENGR-1190 Directed Research - Introductory Level
Description
Individual research conducted under faculty supervision. Oral and written communication of results is required, including an end-of-semester written report. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. The course may be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-1290 Directed Research - Introductory Level
Description
Individual research conducted under faculty supervision. Oral and written communication of results is required, including an end-of-semester written report. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. The course may be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair.
Credits
2 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-1313 Mechanics I
Description
Forces and couples acting on rigid bodies in equilibrium using vector analysis including equivalent force systems, free body diagrams, truss analysis, friction, centroids, and moments of inertia. Prerequisites: MATH 1311 and PHYS 1311.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-1381 Engineering Analysis & Design I
Description
Introduces students to the engineering design process utilizing a competitive design project. Small groups of students conceive, design, build, and test a structure or device to best achieve specified performance criteria under realistic constraints. Emphasis is placed on Computer Aided Design (CAD). Supporting topics include sketching, construction and testing techniques, measurement concepts, data analysis, communication, and time management.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
The Capacities | Digital Literacy
ENGR-1382 Engineering Analysis & Design II
Description
Continues the introduction to engineering design with another interactive team-oriented design project. Emphasis is placed on numerical analysis using computational software. Supporting topics include programming mathematical models of physical systems, and data gathering, analysis, and presentation. Consideration of alternate and past solutions. Prerequisite: ENGR 1381.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-1390 Directed Research - Introductory Level
Description
Individual research conducted under faculty supervision. Oral and written communication of results is required, including an end-of-semester written report. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. The course may be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2120 Electric Circuits Laboratory
Description
Laboratory course accompanying ENGR 2320. An introduction to the measurement of voltage and current, uses of simulation and experimentation for analysis and design, and the design of elementary electric circuits. The writing of technical reports and the interpretation and documentation of experimental results is emphasized. Corequisite: ENGR 2320.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
The Capacities | Written Communication
ENGR-2164 Electronics I Laboratory
Description
Laboratory course accompanying ENGR 2364. A continuation of the topics in ENGR 2120, with emphasis on electronic devices and systems. Experiments and design projects employing diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, and combinational and sequential digital logic. Corequisite: ENGR 2364.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2181 Engineering Design III
Description
Continues the development of students' design skills through a project emphasizing constraints including: ethics, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability, economics, the environment, and social and political issues. Supporting topics include project management, literature search and communication skills. Oral and written reports are required. Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2182 Engineering Design IV
Description
Continuation of ENGR 2181: final design, construction, testing, and evaluation. Engineering economics and life-cycle costs are introduced in support of the project. Multimedia presentations are required. Prerequisite: ENGR 2181.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2191 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2192 Introduction to Making
Description
This course is a hands-on introduction to Trinity's CSI Makerspace. This project-based course will provide instruction on the safe use of various fabrication methods, such as hand/power tools, 3D printing, laser cutting, and computer numerical control (CNC) routers. This course will cover computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided machining (CAM) software to design and visualize items for fabrication. Individual feedback and assistance will be provided to enable you to make. just about anything! Students may not register for ENGR 2192 if they have successfully completed ENGR 1381.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2291 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Credits
2 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2309 Professional Practice
Description
This is a course designed for future professionals whose fields involve a technological component including aspiring engineers, scientists, managers, and others in technology-oriented fields. This course explores topics of enduring significance and with humanistic dimensions, specifically targeting future professionals whose fields involve a technological component. The course prepares students for making ethically and financially informed decisions in the workplace environment. Topics include: finance for professionals; the ethical dimensions of professional practice; industrial workplace safety; and contemporary issues in technological fields. Prerequisite: At least Sophomore standing
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
The Capacities | Oral and Visual Communication
The Interdisciplinary Clusters | Professionalism
ENGR-2311 Mass and Energy Balances
Description
Conservation of Mass and Energy concepts applied to open and closed systems with and without chemical reactions. Phase equilibria. (Offered every year). Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2314 Mechanics II
Description
Accelerated rigid body motion including kinematics and kinetics of particles and bodies, work and energy, linear and angular impulse and momentum. Prerequisite: ENGR 1313 Corequisite: MATH 1312
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2320 Electric Circuits
Description
An introduction to the techniques of analysis and design of elementary linear electric circuits. Topics include mesh, node and equivalent circuit analyses, DC resistive circuits, operational amplifiers, modeling of RLC circuits using differential equations, transient responses and AC steady state. Prerequisite: MATH 1312 Corequisite: ENGR 2120.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2359 Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering
Description
Engineering analysis and design of treatment processes for industrial pollution of air, water, and soil. Topics include contaminates, their sources, and cleanup. Economic and legal consideration. (Offered every other year). Prerequisite: CHEM 1311 and Sophomore standing.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2364 Electronics I
Description
An introduction to the techniques of analysis, design, and understanding of elementary electronic devices and circuits. Modeling of linear and non-linear electronic devices and systems such as diodes, bipolar junction, and field effect transistors, operational amplifiers, and digital logic devices. Analysis and design of circuits using device and system models. An introduction to digital logic, including analysis and design techniques. Prerequisite: ENGR 2320. Corequisite: ENGR 2164.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2391 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Credits
3 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2491 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Credits
4 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2591 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Credits
5 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-2691 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Credits
6 credits
Level
Lower Division
ENGR-3121 Signals and Systems Laboratory
Description
Laboratory to accompany ENGR 3321. A mix of experiments and short design projects intended to motivate, illustrate, and apply concepts from ENGR 3321. Modern methods of simulation and computer-aided design of linear systems are introduced. Corequisite: ENGR 3321.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3123 Fluid Mechanics I Laboratory
Description
Experimental investigations in fluid mechanics including instrumentation and measurements, analysis, design, and reporting of results. Corequisite: ENGR 3323
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3155 Control Systems Laboratory
Description
Experimental observation of the behavior of physical systems and comparison with the mathematical models. Construction and analysis of simple control systems with examples taken from the thermal, fluid, mechanical, and electrical sciences. Corequisite: ENGR 3355.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
The Capacities | Written Communication
ENGR-3181 Engineering Design V
Description
Builds on the students' background in electrical engineering with emphasis on the design of digital logic based systems. Supporting topics include combinatorial and sequential circuits, programmable logic, finite state machines, microprocessor-based systems, introductory programming, and functional block diagrams. (Offered every year). Prerequisites: ENGR 2364 and 2164.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3182 Engineering Design VI
Description
Introduces students to the fundamentals of instrumentation and mechanical measurements that support thermal fluids designs. Students conduct measurements of quantities such as temperature, strain, pressure, and fluid flow. Topics include: operating principles, calibration procedure and techniques for obtaining measurements; computerized data acquisition, analysis, and visualization. Includes development of projects and other preparation for Senior Design. Oral and/or written reports are required. (Offered every Spring.) Prerequisite: Junior Standing
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3190 Directed Research
Description
Individual research conducted under faculty supervision. Oral and written communication of results is required, including an end-of-semester written report. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. The course may be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3290 Directed Research
Description
Individual research conducted under faculty supervision. Oral and written communication of results is required, including an end-of-semester written report. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. The course may be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair.
Credits
2 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3321 Signals and Systems
Description
The analysis of signals and linear systems in the time and frequency domains using transform methods. Topics include: methods of modeling signals and systems, convolution, frequency response, impulse response, the Fourier and Laplace transforms, and transfer functions as applied to circuits and general linear systems. Prerequisites: ENGR 2320 and MATH 3318.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3323 Fluid Mechanics I
Description
An introduction to the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, including hydrostatics, conservation of mass, momentum, and energy for a control volume, dimensional analysis and similarity, flow measurement, and pipe flow. Prerequisites: ENGR 3327, ENGR 2314 and MATH 2321. Corequisites: ENGR 3123.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3327 Thermodynamics I
Description
Basic principles of macroscopic thermodynamics including pressure-volume-temperature relationship of pure substances, work, heat, first and second laws of thermodynamics, entropy and the degradation of energy, thermodynamic system analysis, computer-aided design, and analysis of simple power and refrigeration systems. Prerequisites: ENGR 2311
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3339 Mechanics of Materials
Description
Stresses and deflections of structural elements including stress strain relations, Mohr's circle, tierods, columns, beams, torque tubes, and statically indeterminate systems for both elastic and plastic stress levels. Prerequisite: ENGR 1313.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3355 Control Systems
Description
Techniques of modeling and analyzing mechanical and electrical systems, linear systems including feedback control systems, solutions to system differential equations using classical techniques, both analytical using the Laplace transform, and numerical methods; transfer functions, transient and steady-state response, stability, and frequency response. Prerequisites: ENGR 2320, MATH 3318. Corequisite: ENGR 3155.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-3390 Directed Research
Description
Individual research conducted under faculty supervision. Oral and written communication of results is required, including an end-of-semester written report. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. The course may be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4126 Heat Transfer Laboratory
Description
Experimental investigations in heat transfer including instrumentation and measurements, analysis, design, and reporting of results. (Offered every year). Corequisite: ENGR 4326.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4165 Digital Logic Design Laboratory
Description
Laboratory to accompany ENGR 4365. A series of short design projects intended to motivate, illustrate, and apply design techniques taught in ENGR 4365. Projects are implemented using various programmable logic devices. Corequisite: ENGR 4365.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4177 Electronics II Laboratory
Description
Laboratory to accompany ENGR 4377. Computer-aided design of integrated circuits and verification of design using simulation and/or laboratory experimentation. Corequisite: ENGR 4377.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4191 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair.
Credits
1 credit
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4291 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair.
Credits
2 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4326 Heat Transfer
Description
A study of conduction, convection, and radiation separately and in combination; steady and unsteady states; analytical and numerical methods including explicit and implicit finite differences. Prerequisites: ENGR 3323, MATH 3318. Corequisites: ENGR 4126.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4328 High-Frequency Electromagnetics
Description
The fundamental theory of electromagnetic waves is developed and applied to the design of high-frequency electrical circuits. Topics include: how electromagnetic waves travel and are usefully directed; how to design signal transmission lines, filters and couplers; analysis of high-frequency circuit networks, and high-frequency circuit concepts such as distributed impedance. Students will also prepare an individually researched assignment on a subject of their choice exploring an emerging technology in the electrical engineering area. (Also listed as PHYS 4328.) Prerequisite: MATH 2321 and ENGR 2320.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4341 Engineering Materials
Description
Principles underlying the structure-property-application relationships of various engineering materials including metals, ceramics, glasses, polymers, composites, semiconductors, and superconductors. Analysis of material microstructures with respect to thermal, mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, and chemical properties. The role of material selection in engineering design. Laboratory work includes material testing, uses of x-ray diffractometer and the electron scanning microscope. Supplemental of x-ray diffractometer and the electron scanning microscope. Supplemental movies on advances in engineering materials. Individual project.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4342 Bioengineering Science
Description
Structure, function, and modeling of transport systems in the human body with emphasis on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and related systems. Mathematical modeling and system responses to environmental changes. Homeostasis and control systems. Prerequisites: CHEM 1311 and MATH 1311.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4356 Modern Control System Design
Description
Selected topics from the broad range of modern methods of control system analysis and design, such as: state-space and modern transfer function models and methods; discrete-time and/or nonlinear systems; multivariable systems; computer-aided control system design.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4357 Chemical Reaction Engineering
Description
Chemical reaction kinetics and its relationship to the design and scale-up of chemical reactors. Mathematical analysis of batch, mixed flow and plug flow reactors, advanced topics including multireaction analysis, heat and mass transfer in chemical reactors and catalytic reactors. Computer simulation. Prerequisites: ENGR 2311
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4358 Biochemical Engineering
Description
The fundamentals of analysis and design of bioprocesses. Topics include enzyme kinetics, immobilized enzyme reactors, cell cultivation, growth kinetics, and bioreactor design. Prerequisite: ENGR 2311.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4365 Digital Logic Design
Description
A comprehensive study of digital logic design and analysis techniques for combinational and sequential circuits. Small-scale and medium scale integrated circuits as well as several varieties of programmable logic are used as design components. Includes a case study of complex sequential circuit such as a microprocessor.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4366 Unit Operations
Description
Mass transfer in multi-component systems and its relationship to fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Techniques of design of transfer operations including distillation, gas absorption, liquid extraction and cooling towers. Computer aided design and simulation. Prerequisite: ENGR 2311
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4367 Mechatronics
Description
This course surveys topics underlying the design of mechatronic systems such as electronics, system modeling and control, and computer control systems. Components supporting system design such as sensors, actuators, and data acquisitions are also covered. Case studies of mechatronic systems, including discussion of tradeoffs between mechanical, electrical, electronic, and microcomputer control, are studied. A final project involving the design and implementation of a mechatronic system puts these principles into practice. Prerequisites: ENGR 2314, 2364, and 3355.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4369 Embedded Microcomputer Systems
Description
Study of microprocessor and microcontroller systems: hardware, including basic system architectures, processors, memory, and peripheral devices; software, including assembly language programming; and system design, including electrical and mechanical applications. Hands-on experience in a typical development environment, including interfacing and programming. Includes a case study of a typical embedded system.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4370 Mechanics of Continuous Media
Description
Mechanics of solids including elasticity, plasticity, advanced strength of materials, energy methods, experimental stress analysis, and an introduction to the finite element method. Prerequisite: ENGR 3339.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4371 Machine Design
Description
Topics chosen from among static and fatigue theories of failure, fracture, probabilistic design, shafts and shaft components, springs, welded and bolted connections, and gear design. Prerequisite: ENGR 3339
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4372 Computational Methods in Engineering
Description
Application of contemporary numerical methods to problems in chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering. Formulation of governing differential equations, weighted residuals, finite-difference, and control volume finite-element methods. Corequisite: MATH 3319
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4373 Thermal/Fluid Applications
Description
This course covers advanced topics in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics. Applications in which the interdependence of these fields is critical to the understanding of engineering systems will be emphasized. Prerequisite: ENGR 3327.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4375 Structural Dynamics
Description
Free and forces vibrations of single and multiple degree of freedom systems with and without damping, structural response to dynamic loads, eigenvalue problems, energy methods, differential equation methods, forcing functions, and numerical analysis. Prerequisites: ENGR 2314 and MATH 3318
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4377 Electronics II
Description
Analysis and design of digital electronic circuits using MOS transistors; analysis and design and operational amplifiers; feedback amplifiers and frequency response of amplifiers. Prerequisite: ENGR 2364.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4381 Engineering Design VII
Description
A capstone design experience with small groups of students, each group advised by a designated faculty member. Includes the establishment of objectives and criteria, modeling, analysis and synthesis, and synthesis, and aesthetics for the preliminary design stages of each group's project. Projects will involve realistic design constraints such as ethics, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability, economics, the environment, and social and political issues. Oral and written reports and design journals are required. Prerequisite: Full admission to the major; two of ENGR 3327, 3355, and 3323; ENGR 3155 or 3123; and ENGR 3181 or 3182.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
Approaches to Creation and Analysis | Creative Expression
The Capacities | Oral and Visual Communication
ENGR-4382 Engineering Design VIII
Description
The capstone experience continued, including final design, construction, testing, and evaluation of the projects started in ENGR 4381. Oral and written reports and design journals are required. Prerequisite: ENGR 4381 or consent of Department Chair.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4391 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair.
Credits
3 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4491 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair.
Credits
4 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4591 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair.
Credits
5 credits
Level
Upper Division
ENGR-4691 Problems in Engineering
Description
Independent work on problems in engineering as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. 1 to 6 semester hours. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair.
Credits
6 credits
Level
Upper Division
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