Skip to main content

2021-2022 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Major

Mechanical engineering encompasses the analysis, development, design, and testing of a wide range of mechanical systems including machines that involve mechanics, motion, and energy: alternative energy systems, biomedical devices, robotic systems, vehicles, aircraft, engines, HVAC systems, and industrial equipment.

Integral to all four years of the program is a "design and build" educational philosophy incorporated through extensive laboratory and project activities as preparation for professional practice. Students engage in design at all levels of the curriculum. At each level, they must realize their designs and proceed with testing, validation, and redesign. This approach allows students to experience many real-world constraints such as project economics, project planning and scheduling, environmental considerations, manufacturability/producibility of the designs, laboratory and product safety, and product reliability.

The junior and senior years of the mechanical engineering program build upon the freshman and sophomore courses to provide greater depth in mechanical design, and dynamic systems as well as additional background in thermal-fluid sciences and engineering. Students complete required courses in these areas and select from electives in the same areas, and/or manufacturing, and emerging fields including biomedical engineering, and alternative energy systems.

Students who elect the mechanical engineering program may prepare themselves for a wide range of engineering careers and fulfill the educational requirements for taking the Fundamentals of Engineering examination before graduation.

Accreditation

The mechanical engineering major is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the mechanical engineering program are expected within a few years of graduation to

  • demonstrate technical competency in their careers;
  • function effectively in an industrial or academic environment;
  • engage in professional development; and
  • shape their professions and societies.

Student Outcomes and Assessment

The graduate will demonstrate an ability to

  • identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
  • apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  • communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  • recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts;
  • function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives;
  • develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; and
  • acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degree Requirements

Mechanical engineering students must complete all requirements for the B.S.E. degree including the general education requirements, the foundations of engineering courses, cooperative education, the engineering design Capstone, and the following mechanical engineering courses.

Required Courses

Electives Courses

Choose a total of three elective courses from the lists as follows: core ME electives, manufacturing engineering electives, and biomedical engineering electives. No more than two courses from the manufacturing engineering electives may be used toward the three.

Core ME Electives

Choose three:

Manufacturing Engineering Electives

No more than two of the following courses may be applied toward fulfilling the elective requirements of the ME major.

Biomedical Engineering Electives

Suggested Order of Coursework

Junior and Senior Years

First Co-op Semester

Spring/Summer:

Fifth Academic Semester

Fall:

Second Co-op Semester

Winter:

Sixth Academic Semester

Spring/Summer:

Third Co-op Semester

Fall:

Seventh Academic Semester

Winter:

The prerequisites for EGR 485 are acceptance into the B.S.E. degree program and completion of the prerequisite courses listed under the student's engineering major.

For the mechanical engineering major, prerequisite courses are: EGR 250, EGR 251, EGR 329, EGR 346, EGR 365, EGR 390, and EGR 409. Corequisite: EGR 468.

Eighth Academic Semester

Spring/Summer:

Engineering Program Description

Click here for the program description.


If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.