Which elective is the better choice for a fluid-focused ME graduate student?

AI Thread Summary
A mechanical engineering graduate student is deciding between two electives: Nonlinear Control Systems and Advanced Heat Transfer. The student expresses interest in Nonlinear Control Systems but is uncertain about its relevance to their focus on fluids, whereas Advanced Heat Transfer has clear applications in their field. They have not yet taken a heat transfer course but have completed a nonlinear dynamics class. Responses suggest that taking the heat transfer class is the better choice unless the student plans to shift their concentration to controls. Ultimately, the student decides to enroll in the Heat Transfer class.
johnnyTransform
Messages
16
Reaction score
2
Hi all,

I'm a ME graduate student concentrating in fluids and I'm trying to decide between two electives. The two I'm looking at are Nonlinear Control Systems or Advanced Heat Transfer. Nonlinear controls looks interesting, but I'm not sure how it could tie in with fluids...as opposed to heat transfer which obviously has its cross-over, but looks much drier. I have yet to take a heat transfer course in graduate school, whereas I did take a nonlinear dynamics class last semester. Any input is appreciated!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
johnnyTransform said:
Hi all,

I'm a ME graduate student concentrating in fluids and I'm trying to decide between two electives. The two I'm looking at are Nonlinear Control Systems or Advanced Heat Transfer. Nonlinear controls looks interesting, but I'm not sure how it could tie in with fluids...as opposed to heat transfer which obviously has its cross-over, but looks much drier. I have yet to take a heat transfer course in graduate school, whereas I did take a nonlinear dynamics class last semester. Any input is appreciated!
Take the heat transfer class, unless you want to switch your ME concentration from fluids to controls.
 
  • Like
Likes johnnyTransform
Short and to the point--very good! Thanks. I went with the Heat Transfer class =)
 
Good luck with it.
 

Thread 'Self Learning Math/Physics'

Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
View full post »

Thread 'What should I do if I found a paper with same result as mine?'

Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
View full post »

Similar threads

Other Would it be advisable to take an extra year before graduating?
Replies
8
Views
3K
Admissions Need advice for Low GPA / Good Research / HEPth PhD application
Replies
26
Views
5K
Admissions Latebloomer with many past mistakes applying to graduate school
Replies
9
Views
2K
Schools What Schools Should I Apply to as a Transfer Student?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Admissions Grad School Decisions for the Mediocre
Replies
9
Views
2K
Other Does prestige of school matter for post-graduate research positions?
Replies
8
Views
2K
Courses Want to switch to physics from engineering in undergrad
Replies
1
Views
1K
What Are the Different Concentrations in Theoretical Physics?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Admissions Questions Regarding Returning to College After Layoff
Replies
4
Views
1K
Most Fundamental or Important Class for Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
Replies
11
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top