ME 498

Fall 2026 Part of Term 1

Part of Term 1
Aug 24-Dec 9

Credit: 1 TO 4 hours.

Subject offerings of new and developing areas of knowledge in mechanical engineering intended to augment the existing curriculum. See Class Schedule or departmental course information for topics and prerequisites.

1 to 4 undergraduate hours. 1 to 4 graduate hours. May be repeated in the same or separate terms if topics vary to a maximum of 9 hours.

ME 498 class schedule data for fall 2026
Status CRN Type Section Time Day Location Instructor Section Details
1
60501
Lecture
GB
10:00AM -11:30AM
TR
3100 Sidney Lu Mech Engr Bldg
Bahl, G
Availability:
Open
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/24/26-12/09/26
Credit:
4 hours
Section Title:
Modern Microsystems
Section Info:
From wristwatches and smartphones to hyperscale data centers and satellites, microsystems quietly power many of today’s most important technologies. This course explores the MEMS and photonic devices behind modern inertial navigation, timekeeping, networking, and signal processing systems. Students will learn how these devices work, how they are fabricated, and what fundamentally limits their performance, with emphasis on transduction, signal vs noise, and real-world engineering tradeoffs. Contemporary case studies and research papers will connect foundational concepts to cutting-edge technologies and applications. The course is well suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate students interested in multidisciplinary mechanical and electrical engineering, applied physics, micro/nanofabrication and semiconductor technologies, and related fields. Strongly recommended: Basic dynamics (e.g. mass-spring-damper systems, ME340 or equivalent). Fourier analysis (e.g. basics of signal filtering and processing, ME360 or equivalent). Analog circuits (e.g. up to frequency response and Laplace analysis, ECE 211 or equivalent) Suggested companion material: Fundamentals of microfabrication (ME 487 or ECE 444)
4
64197
Lecture-Discussion
IJU
10:00AM -11:20AM
MW
101 Transportation Building
Jasiuk, I
Availability:
CrossListOpen (Restricted)
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/24/26-12/09/26
Credit:
3 hours
Section Title:
Laser 3D Printing
Section Info:
The course addresses laser powder bed fusion (LPBD) 3D printing technology. The LPBF is an additive manufacturing (AM) process where a laser fuses particulate materials such as metals, polymers, or ceramics. The course includes an overview of the LPBD method, data preparation workflow, AM process chain, AM parameters-microstructure-property relations, post-processing, and case studies. EOS company will offer a summer internship to a top student in the class.
Restriction(s):
Restricted to Undergrad - Urbana-Champaign.
2
58480
Lecture-Discussion
TG3
12:00PM -1:20PM
TR
2045 Sidney Lu Mech Engr Bldg
Golecki, T
Availability:
CrossListOpen
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/24/26-12/09/26
Credit:
3 hours
Section Title:
Mech. Des. Optimization
Section Info:
PREREQUISITES: MATH 257 (or equivalent), TAM 251 (or equivalent) and familiarity with programming (Python/Matlab) . This course is intended to introduce the basic concepts of design optimization with applications from multiple industries. The course begins with a brief summary of numerical optimization and examples using parametric design and sizing optimization. Then the finite element method is introduced for use in topology optimization. These tools are then used to optimize structures and mechanisms to demonstrate a reduction in material usage, improved product performance and shorter design cycles compared to heuristic/iterative design. The course includes assignments in the form of design challenges and a final project in which students will optimize an original design.
4
58481
Lecture-Discussion
TG4
12:00PM -1:20PM
TR
2045 Sidney Lu Mech Engr Bldg
Golecki, T
Availability:
CrossListOpen (Restricted)
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/24/26-12/09/26
Credit:
4 hours
Section Title:
Mech. Des. Optimization
Section Info:
PREREQUISITES: MATH 257 (or equivalent), TAM 251 (or equivalent) and familiarity with programming (Python/Matlab) . This course is intended to introduce the basic concepts of design optimization with applications from multiple industries. The course begins with a brief summary of numerical optimization and examples using parametric design and sizing optimization. Then the finite element method is introduced for use in topology optimization. These tools are then used to optimize structures and mechanisms to demonstrate a reduction in material usage, improved product performance and shorter design cycles compared to heuristic/iterative design. The course includes assignments in the form of design challenges and a final project in which students will optimize an original design.
Restriction(s):
Restricted to Grainger Engineering or Graduate College. Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.
3
55931
Online
TGO
ARRANGED
n.a.
n.a.
Golecki, T
Availability:
Open (Restricted)
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/24/26-12/09/26
Credit:
4 hours
Section Title:
Mech. Des. Optimization
Section Info:
PREREQUISITES: MATH 257 (or equivalent), TAM 251 (or equivalent) and familiarity with programming (Python/Matlab) . This course is intended to introduce the basic concepts of design optimization with applications from multiple industries. The course begins with a brief summary of numerical optimization and examples using parametric design and sizing optimization. Then the finite element method is introduced for use in topology optimization. These tools are then used to optimize structures and mechanisms to demonstrate a reduction in material usage, improved product performance and shorter design cycles compared to heuristic/iterative design. The course includes assignments in the form of design challenges and a final project in which students will optimize an original design.
Restriction(s):
Restricted to NDEG:Engineering UG ONL - UIUC, MS: Civil Engr - Online - UIUC, MS:Industrial Engr Online-UIUC, MS:Mechanical Engineerng -UIUC, MS:Env Engr CivilEngr ONL-UIUC, NDEG:Engineering GR ONL - UIUC, MS: Aerospace Engr-Online-UIUC, MENG:Mech Engineering Onl-UIUC, MENG:Elec & Comp Eng ONL -UIUC, MENG:Engr:Energy Sys Onl-UIUC, MENG:Bioeng:Gen Bioeng On-UIUC, MENG:Bioeng:Bioinstr Onl -UIUC, MENG:Engr:AeroSys Online- UIUC, MENG:ENGR:Digital Ag ONL- UIUC, or MENG:Engr:ChemEngLead ONL-UIUC.
COURSE EXPLORER
Email: Course Explorer Feedback

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR | 901 W. Illinois Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801

Site developed by: Technology Services at Illinois | UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
1102 Digital Computer Laboratory | MC-256 | Urbana, IL 61801 | phone 217-244-7000