AC 2008-722: ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS: BRIDGING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP Kendrick Aung, Lamar University Kendrick Aung is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. He received his Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering from University of Michigan in 1996. He has published over 60 papers in international journals and conference proceedings. Jiang Zhou, Lamar University JIANG ZHOU is currently an assistant professor with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. She received her Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland, in May 2003. Her research interests include mechanical applications in microelectronics, biomechanics, system dynamics, and system optimizations, etc. X. Chang Li, Lamar University X. CHANG LI is currently an assistant professor with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. He received his Ph. D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University. His research interests include gas turbine cooling technologies and energy conservation. 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