Course Websites

ME 498 GB - Modern Microsystems

Last offered Fall 2026

Official Description

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. Course Information: 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.

Section Description

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 f

Related Faculty

TitleSectionCRNTypeHoursTimesDaysLocationInstructor
Modern MicrosystemsGB60501LEC41000 - 1130 T R  3100 Sidney Lu Mech Engr Bldg Gaurav Bahl