Intensive writing course dealing with various topics in economics. Fulfills the Junior Year Writing requirement for students whose primary major is Economics at UMass Amherst.

Fundamentals of thermodynamics, conservation of mass and energy, control volume analysis. Heat engines, heat pumps, Carnot cycles, entropy, process efficiencies. Heat transfer mechanisms. Applications to civil engineering facilities.

The purpose of this course is to develop critical thinking in the study of economic theories from pre-Classical to 21st century developments in economic thought. The perspective of the course is multi-disciplinary, in line with the objectives of the integrative educational experience. Students are required to do two writing assignments that integrate prior learning into the analysis of the economic theories covered in the course and to present these projects in both poster session and PowerPoint formats.

Introduction to economic analysis for majors and nonmajors. Facts and concepts basic to understanding the U.S. economy today. Topics may include:
unemployment, economic development, inequality, technology, social wealth, environment, government economic policy, economic alternatives, race and gender, and discrimination. Contrasting theoretical perspectives. (Gen.Ed. SB, U)

This course will introduce the basic concepts of Information Theory: entropy, relative entropy, mutual information, channel capacity, and rate distortion. Applications, rather than proofs, will be emphasized. In addition, the statistical problem of computing information theoretic quantities from data will be emphasized. Non-parametric and semi-parametric statistical models will also be covered.

The design and analysis of efficient algorithms for important computational problems. Paradigms for algorithm design including Divide and Conquer, Greedy Algorithms, Dynamic Programming; and, the use of Randomness and Parallelism in algorithms. Algorithms for Sorting and Searching, Graph Algorithms, Approximation Algorithms for NP Complete Problems, and others. Prerequisites: The mathematical maturity expected of incoming Computer Science graduate students, knowledge of algorithms at the level of COMPSCI 311.

Mechatronics as the synergistic integration of mechanical design, electronics design, controls, and embedded programming throughout the product and process design, with the aim to optimize the final design output. Mechatronic product design, with a focus on integrating the various engineering disciplines into electromechanical systems. Students work in teams on mechatronic design projects using a microcontroller development system.