 Prof. Michael G. Pecht Rm 1103, C. Daniel Mote, Jr. Engineering Laboratory Building Phone: (301) 405-5323 Email: pecht@umd.edu |
 Dr. Diganta Das
Rm 1101, C. Daniel Mote, Jr. Engineering Laboratory Building Phone: (301) 405-7770 Email: diganta@umd.edu |
 Dr. Michael H. Azarian
Rm 3131, Glenn Martin Hall Phone: (301) 405-7555 Email: mazarian@umd.edu |
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Class Timings: Mondays, 9:30 am to 12:10 pm Location: J.M. Patterson Building, BLD #083, Room 2217, University of Maryland, College Park Also online for ER01 and RE01 sections. First day of classes, January 26, 2026. |
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Reliability is the ability to perform as intended, without failure and within specified performance limits, for a specified time in its life cycle conditions. Knowledge of reliability concepts and principles and risk assessment, mitigation, and management strategies prepare engineers to contribute effectively to product development, life-cycle management, and product safety. This course teaches the fundamental knowledge and skills of reliability concerning the design, manufacturing, and use of engineered products and systems. Specifically, students will learn how to:
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Apply design and analysis tools such as failure modes, mechanisms, and effects analysis, fault tree analysis, design of experiments, and reliability prediction as means to design for reliability.
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Implement derating as needed.
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Plan and implement product testing to assess the reliability
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Assess the suitability of the supply chain members to contribute to the development, manufacturing, distribution, and support of reliable products
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Understand process capability and process control in manufacturing
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Analyze degradation, failure, and warranty return data to estimate fundamental reliability parameters
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Conduct root cause analysis
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Implement prognostics and health monitoring to ensure system availability and safety.
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Address reliability issues associated with warranties, regulatory requirements, and liabilities
The course syllabus and class schedule are available here.
This is an interdisciplinary course, and students in all science, engineering, and business areas are welcome. Students will get the opportunity to learn the basic scientific foundations of reliability with real-life applications. The course grading will be based on Lectures, HW Assignments, a Mid-term Exam, and a Final Exam. This class will be conducted in person and online. The course is open to UMD and D.C. CONSORTIUM Students. People outside of UMD and the consortium universities (including industry professionals) need to get admission as Advanced Special Students to register for the class. See below for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions for Advanced Special Students
1. Criteria for admission:
There are three options to take UMD graduate courses without pursuing a graduate degree: Advanced Special Student Status, Visiting Graduate Student Status, or Golden Identification Cardholder Status (for Senior Citizens). Among these three options, the Advanced Special Student option is the most suitable option for most practicing engineers.
2. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average, and must satisfy ONE of the following requirements:
- Submit official transcripts covering all credits used in satisfying the baccalaureate degree requirements, OR
- If the applicant holds a master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, submit an official transcript showing the award of a master's or doctoral degree, OR
- Achieve a score that places the applicant in the upper 50th percentile of appropriate national standardized aptitude examinations, including the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test, the Miller Analogies Test, or the Graduate Management Admissions Test, (where different percentiles are possible, the Graduate School will determine which score is acceptable), OR
- Provide a strong letter of support from the Graduate Director of the program in which the applicant plans to take a course.
3. To apply, applicants must:
Submit a completed online application, which includes uploading official transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and a personal statement. After successfully submitting the application, please send out an email to the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Office informing them that you have completed the application for taking the class.
4. Other information:
- If the interested prospective student is NOT a US citizen or permanent resident, contact International Student and Scholar Services to determine how to apply for Advanced Special Student status. US citizens or permanent residents with international credentials can apply for Advanced Special Student Status here.
- To apply for Advanced Special Student status, international applicants may be required to submit results of English proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE) unless the Advanced Special Student applicant holds a degree from one of the waived countries on this page. If an Advanced Special Student is not a native English speaker and doesn’t have a degree from one of those countries, then he/she MUST submit an English proficiency score to be considered for admission.
- Please visit the following website for more information. The DC Consortium Page link is here.
5. Spring 2026 application deadline (Advanced Special Student): The deadline for application is the first day of classes, January 26, 2026.
6. Course Registration:
Advanced Special Students should register for the section RE01. If you have any questions, please contact the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Office. (megrad@umd.edu)
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