Academic Catalog 2021–2022

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Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics Engineering

Overview

Mechatronics is a modern, multidisciplinary professional engineering area of study that combines several essential aspects from the fields of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering.

Every day, mechatronics engineers are involved in the research and development of state-of-the-art technologies in automation, control and robotic systems that are widely adopted in the fields of medicine, security, energy, construction, and economics, among others. Examples of the applications of mechatronics include driverless autonomous vehicles, medical robots, exoskeletons, artificial human limbs, and smart building management systems.

As part of the academic program, six credits of professional experience are also included in the last summer prior to graduation to give students an opportunity to integrate classroom instruction with practical work experience. Students also have the choice to follow an Extended Experiential Learning Study Plan, which requires performing an extended professional experience for an extra semester (Fall or Spring, spanning 6 uninterrupted months) to further gain from working on real-life problems.

Graduates with a degree in mechatronics engineering work in several disciplines, including industrial automation and control, intelligent systems, robotics, manufacturing, product development, oil well drilling, home automation, smart transportation systems, Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) devices and smart grids, as well as other fields.

As part of the academic program, six credits of professional experience are also included in the last summer prior to graduation to give students an opportunity to integrate classroom instruction with practical work experience. Students also have the choice to follow an Extended Experiential Learning Study Plan, which requires performing an extended professional experience for an extra semester (Fall or Spring, spanning 6 uninterrupted months) to further gain from working on real-life problems.

Mission

The B.E. in Mechatronics will provide students with a comprehensive, specialized, and contemporary education, preparing them for successful careers in the industry and graduate studies.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, graduates of the B.E. in Mechatronics Engineering will:

  1. establish themselves as practicing mechatronics engineers or be engaged in advanced studies,
  2. conduct themselves as effective professionals, and
  3. demonstrate leadership and collaborate effectively with diverse team members.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.E. in Mechatronics Engineering, students will be able to:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to 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
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to 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
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Admission Requirements

The application process is the same as for all undergraduate programs (see Admissions). Applicants will be evaluated by the School of Engineering Admissions Council and final acceptance will be based on each applicant’s qualifications and the availability of places. More details are found in the SOE Admissions Quick Guide.

Curriculum

The total number of credits required for graduation is 150 credits, including the following:

  • 4 Technical Elective courses for emphasis, depending on students’ interests and current market needs
  • 9 courses with a separate industry standard software laboratory or physical laboratory sessions to enhance the learning experience and improve employment opportunity
  • A minimum residency of four years, including three summer semesters

Requirements for graduation are grouped as follows:

  • Technical Electives (12 credits)
  • Mathematics and Science Core Courses (19 credits)
  • Other Engineering Required Courses (18 credits)
  • Mechatronics Engineering Required Courses (83 credits)
  • LAS Requirements (18 credits)

Technical Electives (12 credits)

MCE Technical Electives could be taken from any of the following courses:

MCE Elective Courses1

  • MCE510 Real Time Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE520 Industrial Automation (3 cr.)
  • MCE522 Intelligent Building Management Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE524 Building Automation Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE530 Smart Materials (3 cr.)
  • MCE532 MEMS (3 cr.)
  • MCE540 Introduction to Biomechatronics (3 cr.)
  • MCE550 Robotics & Intelligent Systems (3 cr.)
  • MCE552 Computer Vision & Image Processing (3 cr.)
  • ELE529 Design and Operation of Smart Grids (3 cr.)

ELE Elective Courses

  • ELE501 Microelectronics (3 cr.)
  • ELE526 Renewable Energy Sources (3 cr.)
  • ELE537 Communication Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE548 Linear Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE553 Reliability (3 cr.)
  • ELE557 Simulation of Electronics Circuits (3 cr.)
  • ELE599B Topics in Computer Vision and Deep Learning (4 cr.)

MEE Elective Courses

  • MEE403 Heat Transfer (3 cr.)
  • MEE442 Mechanical Vibrations (3 cr.)
  • MEE505 Solar Systems (3 cr.)
  • MEE543 Acoustics & Vibration Control (3 cr.)
  • MEE590 Energy Audit (3 cr.)
  • MEE599D Intro to Sustainable Energy (3 cr.)
  • MEE599H Passive Building Design (3 cr.)

COE Elective Courses

  • COE414 Operating Systems
  • COE416 Software Engineering (3 cr.)
  • COE418 Database Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE423 Computer Architecture (3 cr.)
  • COE424 Digital Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE431 Computer Networks (3 cr.)
  • COE543 Intelligent Data Processing & Applications (3 cr.)
  • COE544 Intelligent Engineering Algorithms (3 cr.)
  • COE593 COE Application (3 cr.)
  • ELE599B Topics in Computer Vision and Deep Learning (4 cr.)
  • or any other Technical Elective course approved by the department
Other Electives
  • MCE594 Undergraduate Research Project (3 cr.)
  • MCE594H Undergraduate Research Project (3 cr.)

1These are planned courses; actual delivery may vary.

Note that all Technical Electives require at least senior standing in addition to their relevant prerequisites.

Mathematics and Science Core Courses (19 credits)

  • GNE331 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)
  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr.)

Other Engineering Required Courses (18 credits)

  • CIE200 Statics (3 cr.)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy (3 cr.)
  • INE428 Project Management (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • SOE Signature Course (3 cr.)

Mechatronics Engineering Required Courses (83 credits)

  • COE211 Computer Programming (4 cr.)
  • COE312 Data Structures (3 cr.)
  • COE313 Data Structures - Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE321 Logic Design (3 cr.)
  • COE322 Logic Design Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE323 Microprocessors (3 cr.)
  • COE324 Microprocessors Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE201 Electrical Circuits I (3 cr.)
  • ELE302 Electrical Circuits II (3 cr.)
  • ELE303 Electrical Circuits II Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE401 Electronics I (3 cr.)
  • ELE402 Electronics I Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE430 Signals & Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE442 Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE443 Control Systems Lab (1 cr.)
  • MCE301 Electromechanics (3 cr.)
  • MCE410 Mechatronics System Design I (3 cr.)
  • MCE411 Mechatronics System Design II (3 cr.)
  • MCE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)
  • MCE591 Capstone Design Project I (3 cr.)
  • MCE592 Capstone Design Project II (3 cr.)
  • MEE241 Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE301 Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE311 Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • MEE312 Fluid Mechanics Lab (1 cr.)
  • MEE320 Strength of Materials (3 cr.)
  • MEE321 Material Properties & Processes (3 cr.)
  • MEE341 Kinematics of Machines (3 cr.)
  • MEE351 Computer Aided Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE391 Instrumentation and Measurements (3 cr.)
  • MEE422 Mechanical Engineering Design (3 cr.)

LAS Requirements (18 credits)

Core Courses (6 credits)

  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
  • COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

  • One course in social sciences (3 cr.)
  • One course in philosophy, religion, or history (3 cr.)
  • One course in literature (3 cr.)
  • One course in arts (3 cr.)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (17 credits)

  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr.)
  • CIE200 Statics (3 cr.)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • MEE241 Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • ELE201 Electrical Circuits I (3 cr.)
  • COE211 Computer Programming (4 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)

Summer (9 credits)

  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)
  • GNE331 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (16 credits)

  • ELE302 Electrical Circuits II (3 cr.)
  • ELE303 Electrical Circuits II Lab (1 cr.)
  • MEE321 Material Properties & Processes (3 cr.)
  • COE312 Data Structures (3 cr.)
  • COE321 Logic Design (3 cr.)
  • COE322 Logic Design Lab (1 cr.)
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • ELE401 Electronics I (3 cr.)
  • ELE402 Electronics I - Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE430 Signals & Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE313 Data Structures - Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE323 Microprocessors (3 cr.)
  • MEE320 Strength of Materials (3 cr.)
  • MEE391 Instrumentation and Measurements (3 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

  • COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (17 credits)

  • ELE442  Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE443  Control Systems - Lab (1 cr.)
  • MEE311 Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • MEE312 Fluid Mechanics - Lab (1 cr.)
  • MEE351 Computer Aided Design (3 cr.)
  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • COE324 Microprocessors - Lab (1 cr.)
  • MCE410 Mechatronics System Design I (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • MEE341 Kinematics of Machines (3 cr.)
  • MCE301 Electromechanics (3 cr.)
  • MCE411 Mechatronics System Design II (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • SOE Signature Course (3 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

  • MCE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (15 credits)

  • MEE301 Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • MCE591 Capstone Design Project I (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • INE428 Project Management (3 cr.)
  • MEE422 Mechanical Engineering Design (3 cr.)
  • MCE592 Capstone Design Project II (3 cr.)
  • MCExxx Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)