For complete course descriptions, see the Cornell Courses of Study.
A&EP 363 Electronic Circuits 4 credits. Students analyze, design, build, and experimentally test circuits used in scientific and engineering instrumentation (with discrete components and integrated circuits). Analog circuits: resistors, capacitors, operational amplifiers (linear amplifiers with feedback, oscillators, comparators), filters, diodes, and transistors. Digital circuits: combinatorial (gates) and sequential (flip-flops, counters, shift registers) logic. Computer interfacing introduced and used to investigate digital to analog (DAC) and analog to digital conversion (ADC) and signal averaging.
BEE 151 Introduction to Computer Programming
4 credits. Introduction to computer programming and concepts of problem analysis, algorithm development, and data structure in an engineering context. The structured programming language MATLAB is used, implemented on interactive personal computers and applied to problems of interest in biological and environmental engineering.
BIO G 101-102 Biological Sciences, Lectures
2 credits each course. Designed for students who intend to specialize in biological sciences. The fall semester [101] covers the chemical and cellular basis of life, energy transformations, physiology, neurobiology, and behavior. The spring semester [102] covers genetics, development, evolution, and ecology. Each topic is considered in terms of modern evolutionary theory, and discussions of plant and animal systems are integrated.
BIO G 103-104 Biological Sciences, Laboratory
2 credits each course. First-semester [103] topics include biochemistry, physiology, plant biology, and behavior. In the second semester [104], laboratory experience is provided in genetics, biotechnology, invertebrate diversity, plant and animal development, and ecology.
BIO G 109 Biological Principles
3 credits. Offers a comprehensive knowledge of biology as part of a general education. Broad goals of the course encompass an understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of science, the complexity and workings of the natural world, and the internal machinery of how our bodies and those of other animals and plants work. Topics: biological diversity, genetics, evolution, ecology, behavior, and conservation biology. Laboratory sessions are used for problem-solving experiments, demonstrations, discussions, and dissections (preserved vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant materials.)
Biology Elective
See the Undergraduate Engineering Handbook for more details on this requirement.
CHEM 208 General Chemistry II
4 credits. Covers fundamental chemical principles, with considerable attention given to the quantitative aspects and techniques important for further work in chemistry. (Course includes a laboratory component.)
CHEM 209 Engineering General Chemistry I
4 credits. Covers fundamental chemical principles, with considerable attention given to the quantitative aspects and techniques important for further work in chemistry. (Course includes a laboratory component.)
CHEM 257 Intro to Organic & Biological Chemistry
3 credits. Introduction to organic chemistry with an emphasis on those structures and reactions of organic compounds having particular relevance to biological chemistry.
CHEM 290 Introductory Physical Chemistry Laboratory
2 credits. Survey of the methods basic to the experimental study of physical chemistry, with a focus on the areas of kinetics, equilibrium, calorimetry, and molecular spectroscopy.
CHEME 323 Fluid Mechanics
3 credits. Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. Macroscopic and microscopic balances. Applications to problems involving viscous flow.
CHEM 389-390 Honors Physical Chemistry I & II
4 credits each. CHEM 389 is primarily an introduction to the quantum mechanics of atoms and molecules. The behavior of ensembles of quantum mechanical particles (statistical mechanics) is introduced near the end of the semester. Rotational, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy are covered in detail. CHEM 390 is a continuation of CHEM 389 and discusses the thermodynamic behavior of macroscopic systems in the context of quantum and statistical mechanics. Kinetic theory and the laws of thermodynamics are covered in detail.
C S 100 Introduction to Computer Programming
4 credits. Programming and problem solving using Java. Emphasizes principles of software development, style, and testing. Topics include object-oriented concepts, procedures and functions, iteration, arrays, strings, algorithms, exceptions, GUIs (graphical user interfaces). Weekly labs provide guided practice on the computer, with staff present to help. Assignments use graphics and GUIs to help develop fluency and understanding. (Similar courses in C++ are also acceptable.)
C S 280 Discrete Structures
3 credits. Covers the mathematics that underlies most of computer science. Topics include mathematical induction; logical proof; propositional and predicate calculus; combinatorics and discrete mathematics; basic probability theory; basic number theory; sets, functions, and relations; partially ordered sets; and graphs. These topics are discussed in the context of applications to many areas of computer science, including game playing, the RSA cryptosystem, data mining, load balancing in distributed systems, properties of the Internet and World Wide Web, and web searching.
C S 312 Data Structures & Functional Programming
4 credits. Advanced programming course that emphasizes functional programming techniques and data structures. Programming topics include recursive and higher-order procedures, models of programming language evaluation and compilation, type systems, and polymorphism. Data structures and algorithms covered include graph algorithms, balanced trees, memory heaps, and garbage collection. Also covers techniques for analyzing program performance and correctness.
ECE 220 Signals & Information
4 credits. Introduction to signal processing. Topics include frequency based representations: Fourier series and discrete Fourier transform; discrete time linear systems: input/output relationships, filtering, spectral response; analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion; continuous time signals and linear time invariant systems: frequency response and continuous-time Fourier transform.
ENGRD 202 Mechanics of Solids
4 credits. Covers principles of statics, force systems, and equilibrium; frames; mechanics of deformable solids, stress, strain, statically indeterminate problems; mechanical properties of engineering materials; axial force, shearing force, bending moment, thermal stress, stretching; bending and torsion of bars. Laboratory experiments demonstrate basic principles of solid mechanics.
ENGRD 203 Dynamics
3 credits. Newtonian dynamics of a particle, systems of particles, a rigid body. Kinematics, motion relative to a moving frame. Impulse, momentum, angular momentum, energy. Rigid-body kinematics, angular velocity, moment of momentum, the inertia tensor. Euler equations, the gyroscope. Laboratory experiments demonstrate basic principles of dynamics.
ENGRD/ECE 210 Intro to Circuits for Elec. & Comp. Engrs
4 credits. First course in electrical circuits and electronics that establishes the fundamental properties of circuits with application to modern electronics. Topics include circuit analysis methods, operational amplifiers, basic filter circuits, and elementary transistor principles. The laboratory experiments are coupled closely with the lectures.
ENGRD 211 Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures
3 credits. Intermediate programming in a high-level language and introduction to computer science. Topics include program structure and organization, object-oriented programming (classes, objects, types, sub-typing), graphical user interfaces, algorithm analysis (asymptotic complexity, big “O” notation), recursion, data structures (lists, trees, stacks, queues, heaps, search trees, hash tables, graphs), simple graph algorithms. Java is the principal programming language.
ENGRD 219 Mass & Energy Balances
3 credits. Engineering problems involving material and energy balances. Batch and continuous reactive systems in the steady and unsteady states. Introduction to phase equilibria for multicomponent systems. Examples drawn from a variety of chemical and biomolecular processes.
ENGRD 221 Engineering Thermodynamics
3 credits. Presents the definitions, concepts, and laws of thermodynamics. Topics considered include the first and second laws, thermodynamic property relationships, and applications to vapor and gas power systems, refrigeration, and heat pump systems. Examples and problems are related to contemporary aspects of energy and power generation and to broader environmental issues.
ENGRD 230 Introduction to Digital Logic Design
4 credits. Introduction to the design and implementation of practical digital circuits. Topics include transistor network design, Boolean algebra, combinational circuits, sequential circuits, finite state machine design, and analog and digital converters. Design methodology using both discrete components and hardware description languages is covered in the weekly laboratory portion of the course.
ENGRD 251 Engineering for a Sustainable Society
3 credits. Case studies of contemporary environmental issues including pollutant distribution in natural systems, air quality, hazardous waste management, and sustainable development. Emphasis is on the application of mathematics, physics, and engineering sciences to solve energy and mass balances in environmental sciences. Students are introduced to the basic chemistry, ecology, biology, ethics, and environmental legislation relevant to the particular environmental problem.
ENGRD 260 Principles of Biological Engineering
3 credits. Focuses on the integration of biological systems with engineering, math, and physical principles. Students learn how to formulate equations for biological systems and practice it in homework sets. Topics range from molecular principles of reaction kinetics and molecular binding events to macroscopic applications, such as energy and mass balances of bioprocessing and engineering design of implantable sensors.
ENGRD 261 Mechanical Properties of Materials: from Nanodevices to Superstructures
3 credits. Examines the mechanical properties of materials (e.g., strength, stiffness, toughness, ductility) and their physical origins. The relationship of the elastic, plastic, and fracture behavior to microscopic structure in metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials is explored. Effects of time and temperature on materials properties are discussed. This course emphasizes considerations for design and optimal performance of materials and engineered objects.
ENGRD 262 Elec. Materials for the Information Age
3 credits. Examines the electrical and optical properties of materials. Topics include the mechanism of electrical conduction in metals, semiconductors and insulators, the tuning of electrical properties in semiconductors, the transport of charge across metal/semiconductor and semiconductor/semiconductor junctions, and the interaction of materials with light. Applications in electrophotography, solar cells, electronics, and display technologies are discussed.
ENGRD 270 Engineering Probability & Statistics
3 credits. Gives students a working knowledge of basic probability and statistics and their application to engineering. Includes computer analysis of data and simulation. Topics include random variables, probability distributions, expectation, estimation, testing, experimental design, quality control, and regression.
ENGRD 320 Engineering Computation
3 credits. Introduction to numerical methods, computational mathematics, and probability and statistics. Development of programming and graphics proficiency with MATLAB and spreadsheets. Topics include: Taylor-series approximations, numerical errors, condition numbers, operation counts, convergence, and stability, probability distributions, hypothesis testing. Included are numerical methods for solving engineering problems that entail roots of functions, simultaneous linear equations, statistics, regression, interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, and solution of ordinary and partial differential equations, including an introduction to finite difference methods. Applications are drawn from different areas of engineering. A group project uses these methods on a realistic engineering problem.
First-Year Writing Seminars
3 credits. More than 125 different writing-intensive courses in the liberal arts. Seminars require six to twelve writing assignments on different topics, totaling a minimum of 30 pages. For other courses to be substituted, students must demonstrate that they have done similar writing in a formal course. (It is not sufficient to write, for example, one 30-page paper.) For more information, see: http://www.arts.cornell.edu/knight_institute/fws/credit.htm
INFO 230 Intermediate Design & Programming for the Web
3 credits. The main emphasis in CS 230 is learning about server side processing. Students begin by looking at interactions with databases, learning about querying both on paper and via SQL, and then, through a succession of projects, learn how to apply this understanding to the creation of an interactive data-driven site via the use of an integrated web site development tool such as ColdFusion. Also considered are techniques to enhance security, privacy, and reliability and ways of incorporating other programs. Toward the end of the course, students are shown how these development tools are working. Design issues are emphasized. A major component of the course is the creation of a substantial web site.
INFO 330 Data-Driven Web Applications
3 credits. Introduces students to modern database systems and three-tier application development with a focus on building web-based applications using database systems. Concepts covered include the relational model, relational query languages, data modeling, normalization, database tuning, three-tier architectures, Internet data formats and query languages, server- and client-side technologies, and an introduction to web services. Students build a database-backed web site.
Liberal Studies Courses
Courses in humanities, arts and social sciences. Six liberal studies classes/18 credit minimum (not including writing seminars) are required for graduation.
MATH 191 Calculus for Engineers
4 credits. Essentially a second course in calculus. Topics include techniques of integration, finding areas and volumes by integration, exponential growth, partial fractions, infinite sequences and series, and power series.
MATH 192 Multivariable Calculus for Engineers
4 credits. Introduction to multivariable calculus. Topics include partial derivatives, double and triple integrals, line integrals, vector fields, Green’s theorem, Stokes’ theorem, and the divergence theorem.
MATH 293 Differential Equations for Engineers
4 credits. Introduction to ordinary and partial differential equations. Topics include: first-order equations (separable, linear, homogeneous, exact); mathematical modeling (e.g., population growth, terminal velocity); qualitative methods (slope fields, phase plots, equilibria, and stability); numerical methods; second-order equations (method of undetermined coefficients, application to oscillations and resonance, boundary-value problems and eigenvalues); Fourier series; linear partial differential equations (heat flow, waves, the Laplace equation); and linear systems of ordinary differential equations.
MATH 294 Linear Algebra for Engineers
4 credits. Linear algebra and its applications. Topics include matrices, determinants, vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonality and inner product spaces; applications include brief introductions to difference equations, Markov chains, and systems of linear ordinary differential equations. May include computer use in solving problems.
MATH 304 Prove It!
4 credits. In mathematics, the methodology of proof provides a central tool for confirming the validity of mathematical assertions, functioning much as the experimental method does in the physical sciences. In this course, students learn various methods of mathematical proof, starting with basic techniques in propositional and predicate calculus and in set theory and combinatorics, and then moving to applications and illustrations of these via topics in one or more of the three main pillars of mathematics: algebra, analysis, and geometry. Since cogent communication of mathematical ideas is important in the presentation of proofs, the course emphasizes clear, concise exposition. This course is useful for all students who wish to improve their skills in mathematical proof and exposition, or who intend to study more advanced topics in mathematics.
M&AE 212 Mechanical Properties & Selection of Engineering Materials
3 credits. Mechanics of deformable bodies and a reinforcement of the concept of “simple engineering elements” for mechanical analysis associated with design. Introduction to the broad range of properties and behaviors of engineering materials as they relate to mechanical performance. Emphasis is placed on general states of stress and strain, on elasticity and combined loading effects. Failure criteria including yielding, buckling, fracture, fatigue and environmental effects are developed. A general introduction to the function/constraints/objectives approach to material selection associated with mechanical design is provided with candidate material systems coming from metals, polymers, ceramics and/or composites. A general overview of material processing is presented within this context of material selection.
M&AE 225 Mechanical Synthesis
4 credits. Hands-on introduction to the product design process, from conceptualization through prototype construction and testing. Design projects provide experience in basic prototyping skills using machine tools. Mechanical dissection used to demonstrate successful product design and function. Basic instruction on CAD and technical sketching.
MS&E 206 Atomic and Molecular Structure of Matter
4 credits. Discusses the basic elements of structure; order and disorder; ideal gas; crystals; liquids; amorphous materials; polymers; liquid crystals; composites; crystal structure; x-ray diffraction.
PHYS 112 Physics I: Mechanics
4 credits. Covers the mechanics of particles with focus on kinematics, dynamics, conservation laws, central force fields, periodic motion. Mechanics of many-particle systems: center of mass, rotational mechanics of a rigid body, and static equilibrium. At the level of University Physics, Vol. 1, by Young and Freedman. (Course is calculus-based, and includes a laboratory component.)
PHYS 213 Physics II: Heat/Electromagnetism
4 credits. Topics include temperature, heat, the laws of thermodynamics, electrostatics, behavior of matter in electric fields, DC circuits, magnetic fields, Faraday’s law, AC circuits, and electromagnetic waves. At the level of University Physics, Vols. 1 and 2, by Young and Freedman, 11th ed. (Course is calculus-based, and includes a laboratory component.)
PHYS 214 Physics III: Optics, Waves, & Particles
4 credits. Physics of oscillations and wave phenomena, mechanical waves, sound waves, electromagnetic waves, reflection and transmission of waves, interference and diffraction effects, transport of momentum and energy, wave properties of particles, and introduction to quantum physics. (Course is calculus-based, and includes a laboratory component.)
