Knutsen, Jeffrey Steven

Research

research overview

As a teaching faculty member with the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, my interests focus primarily on the implementation of novel teaching strategies in the classroom, especially the use of electronic resources such as concept tests, screencasts, and the use of other electronic resources to facilitate a more dynamic presentation of course material. I am currently developing a number of screencasts, facilitating “flipped classrooms” that move lectures outside the classroom via a series of short videos. Class time is then available for more valuable activities such as discussions of conceptual questions, workshops, and projects.

keywords

STEM, DBER, ABET, chemical exposure assessment, filtration, rheology

Publications

selected publications

conference proceeding
- Improving Student Interaction with Chemical Engineering Learning Tools: Screencasts and Simulations. ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2014
journal article
- A Calibrated Human PBPK Model for Benzene Inhalation with Urinary Bladder and Bone Marrow Compartments. Risk Analysis: an international journal. 1237-1251. 2013
- Airborne benzene exposures from cleaning metal surfaces with small volumes of petroleum solvents. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 324-332. 2013
- Empirical Evaluation of Inhibitory Product, Substrate, and Enzyme Effects During the Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocellulosic Biomass. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 468-482. 2010
- Comparison of modeled and measured concentrations of airborne benzene from the use of petroleum-based solvents spiked with low levels of benzene. Chemico-Biological Interactions. 296-298. 2010
- Historical Analysis of Airborne Beryllium Concentrations at a Copper Beryllium Machining Facility (1964-2000). Annals of Occupational Hygiene. 373-382. 2009

Teaching

courses taught

COEN 3930 - Engineering Internship/Co-op
Primary Instructor - Summer 2019 / Summer 2020 / Summer 2021 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
Students enrolled in this course participate in a pre-approved internship or cooperative education program with an employer that allows them to explore the relationship between theory and practice and demonstrate evidence of significant learning (e.g., academic assignments and employer/sponsor evaluations). Credits may apply towards BS or BA degree program in CEAS, please check with the department for specifics (even if student has multiple enrollments in this course and/or COEN 4950).
GEEN 1400 - Engineering Projects
Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
First-year students solve real engineering design problems in interdisciplinary teams. Design projects vary by section. Curriculum focuses on iterative design process, teamwork and team dynamics, supporting design with testing and analysis, and technical writing. Completed projects are exhibited at an end-of-semester design expo. Students are responsible for contributing towards their design project budget, workshop costs, and course arduino kit (approximately $125). Degree credit not granted for this course and ASTR 2500, ASEN 1400, ASEN 1403 and ECEN 1400.
MCEN 2023 - Statics and Structures
Primary Instructor - Fall 2022
Covers statics of particles, equivalent force systems, rigid bodies, equilibrium of rigid bodies in two and three dimensions, analysis of truss and frame structures, uniaxially-loaded members, distributed force systems and friction. Degree credit not granted for this course and CVEN 2121 or GEEN 2851.
MCEN 2024 - Materials Science
Primary Instructor - Fall 2020 / Fall 2023
Provides an overview of the structure, properties and processing of metallic, polymeric and ceramic materials. Specific topics include perfect and imperfect solids, phase equilibria, transformation kinetics, mechanical behavior and material degradation. Approach incorporates both materials science and materials engineering components. Degree credit not granted for this course and GEEN 3024.
MCEN 2043 - Dynamics
Primary Instructor - Fall 2024
Covers dynamic behavior of particle systems and rigid bodies. Topics include 2-D and 3-D kinematics and kinetics, impulse, momentum, potential and kinetic energy, and work and collision. Degree credit not granted for this course and CVEN 3111.

MCEN 3012 - Thermodynamics
Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Explores fundamental concepts and basic theory, including first and second laws of thermodynamics, properties, states, thermodynamic functions and cycles. Degree credit not granted for this course and GEEN 3852 or AREN 2110.

MCEN 3021 - Fluid Mechanics
Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
Examines fundamentals of fluid flow with application to engineering problems. Topics covered include fluid statics and kinematics, Bernoulli equations, laminar and turbulent viscous boundary layers, laminar and turbulent pipe flow, and conservation equations for mass, momentum and energy. Same as CHEN 3200 and CVEN 3313.

MCEN 3022 - Heat Transfer
Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2024
Studies fundamentals of heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation. Emphasizes problem formulation and selection of appropriate solution techniques. Provides applications to modern engineering systems, which may include energy, biological, environmental, and materials engineering problems.

MCEN 3025 - Component Design
Primary Instructor - Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Application of mechanics and materials science to the detailed design of various machine elements including shafts, bearings, gears, brakes, springs, and fasteners. Emphasizes application and open-ended design problems.

MCEN 3030 - Computational Methods
Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Summer 2022
Studies fundamental numerical techniques for the solution of commonly encountered engineering problems. Includes methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, data analysis, numerical differentiation and integration, ordinary and partial differential equations.

MCEN 4173 - Finite Element Analysis
Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2024
Introduces the theory behind and applications of the finite element method as a general and powerful tool to model a variety of phenomena in mechanical engineering. Applications include structural mechanics, mechanics of elastic continua and heat conduction. Same as MCEN 5173.

MCEN 5042 - Heat Transfer
Primary Instructor - Spring 2019 / Spring 2020
Studies development of equations governing transport of heat by conduction, convection, and radiation, and their solution. Includes analytical and numerical solution of initial and boundary value problems representative of heat conduction in solids. Describes heat transfer in free and forced convection, including laminar and turbulent flow. Also involves radiation properties of solids, liquids, and gases and transport of heat by radiation.

MCEN 5173 - Finite Element Analysis
Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2024
Introduces the theory behind and applications of the finite element method as a general and powerful tool to model a variety of phenomena in mechanical engineering. Applications include structural mechanics, mechanics of elastic continua and heat conduction. Same as MCEN 4173.

MCEN 5930 - Professional Internship
Primary Instructor - Summer 2024
This class provides a structure for Mechanical Engineering graduate students to receive academic credit for internships with industry partners that have an academic component to them suitable for graduate-level work. Participation in the program will consist of an internship agreement between a student and an industry partner who will employ the student in a role that supports the academic goals of the internship. Instructor participation will include facilitation of mid-term and final assessments of student performance as well as support for any academic-related issues that may arise during the internship period. May be taken during any term following initial enrollment and participation in ME graduate programs. Department permission required to enroll. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

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Background

education and training

Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder 2005
B.S., University of Minnesota Central office 1999

awards and honors

Peebles Award for Innovation in Teaching, conferred by College of Engineering and Applied Science, 2014

Other Profiles

ORCID iD

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7882-3961

VIVO

Positions

Research Areas