Marca Lam Headshot

Marca Lam

Principal Lecturer

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
Undergraduate Program Director

585-475-6871
Office Location
Office Mailing Address
GLE-2111

Marca Lam

Principal Lecturer

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
Undergraduate Program Director

Education

BS, MS, State University of New York at Buffalo; Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Bio

Dr. Marca Lam received her B.S. (summa cum laude) and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University at Buffalo, and her Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Lam’s specialty is in vibrations and control. She teaches a variety of courses to both graduate and undergraduate students, such as a 3-D graphics course, materials science, system dynamics, optimal design, and the vibrations sequence.

Dr. Lam is the faculty advisor for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and an executive board member for WE@RIT. She received the SWE Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year Award in 2015. She is active in the SWE Rochester Section, where she holds to position of president. She also serves as an advocate for the KGCOE Honors Program, and is the main lead for the second year curriculum. Dr. Lam is actively involved as associate organizer for RIT-hosted Mini-Baja competition.

585-475-6871

Currently Teaching

EGEN-231
1 Credits
The second course in a series of three courses for engineering honors students focused on how innovative products are developed, designed and manufactured to effectively meet the expanding needs of a global economy. This course highlights key issues that decision-makers in industry need to understand as they shape their companies to be more competitive in a global context. Specific topics in the course include an in-depth discussion of the manufacturing supply chain and how active management of the supply chain can enhance profitability and customer satisfaction. Additionally, the course addresses issues such as the the impact of government policies and monetary issues on globalization and outsourcing.
EGEN-232
1 Credits
The third course in a series of courses for engineering honors students focused on how innovative products are developed, designed and manufactured to effectively meet the expanding needs of a global economy. This course highlights key issues that decision-makers in industry need to understand as they shape their companies to be more competitive in a global context. A series of presentations by guest speakers address the topics of leadership, ethics, and sustainability.
MECE-211
2 Credits
This course is focused on developing skills and knowledge in the areas of instrumentation, computer data acquisition (DAQ), measurement theory, uncertainty analysis, data analysis, and technical report writing. Specific topics that are covered include: • Physical dimension variability assessment • Centrifugal pump performance evaluation • Temperature, pressure, and flow instrumentation and measurements • LabVIEW programming and DAQ hardware application • Transient measurements including computer data acquisition • Digital signal input and output Each topic includes background theoretical content with some individual exercises and then a team-based lab with accompanying lab report. Reports are submitted first in draft form and are reviewed by peers in class before preparing them for final draft submission
MECE-305
3 Credits
This course provides the student with an overview of structure, properties, and processing of metals, polymers, and ceramics. Relevant basic manufacturing processes and materials selection is also discussed. There is a particular emphasis on steels, but significant attention is given to non-ferrous metals, ceramics, and polymers
MECE-320
3 Credits
This required course introduces the student to lumped parameter system modeling, analysis and design. The determination and solution of differential equations that model system behavior is a vital aspect of the course. System response phenomena are characterized in both time and frequency domains and evaluated based on performance criteria. Laboratory exercises enhance student proficiency with model simulation, basic instrumentation, data acquisition, data analysis, and model validation.
MECE-520
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to basic optimization techniques for engineering design synthesis. Topics covered include: basic concepts, the general problem statement, necessary conditions of optimization, numerical techniques for unconstrained optimization, constrained optimization through unconstrained optimization, and direct methods. Numerical solutions are obtained using MATLAB software. A design project is required.
MECE-620
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to basic optimization techniques for engineering design synthesis. Topics covered include: techniques, the general problem statement, necessary conditions of optimization, numerical techniques for unconstrained optimization, constrained optimization through unconstrained optimization, and direct methods. Numerical solutions are obtained using MATLAB.software. A design project is required.