Academic Catalog 2024–2025

jump to navigation

Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

Overview

ABET-logo.jpg

The Bachelor of Engineering degree program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering. ABET is the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

Mechanical engineering is a branch of the engineering profession that focuses on the design, development, and understanding of mechanical gear. Mechanical engineers design and develop everything one thinks of as a machine, specializing in areas such as manufacturing, robotics, automotive/transportation, and air conditioning.

The program emphasizes the broad spectrum of applications of mechanical engineering as well as the interaction with other engineering disciplines. Laboratory experimentation and computer simulation are used to train students in the understanding, design and testing of thermal and mechanical systems. Six credits of professional experience are included in the summer of the third year to give students an opportunity to integrate classroom instruction with practical work experience as a part of their academic program.

The mechanical engineering program prepares students for a variety of careers in the design and construction of mechanical systems. Mechanical engineers are typically involved with the generation, distribution, and use of energy. They work on power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines.

Mission

The Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering strives to support the mission of the school by providing students with a solid and contemporary mechanical engineering curriculum and a broad education that prepares them for successful careers as mechanical engineers in a globalized and diverse world as well as for graduate studies.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, the graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program will:

  1. Establish themselves as practicing mechanical engineers or be engaged in advanced studies.
  2. Embrace roles that foster innovation, collaboration and leadership in various professional contexts.
  3. Establish themselves as responsible professionals.

Student Outcomes

The students will acquire in their matriculation through the program, the following skills, knowledge, and behaviors:

  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

A total of 150 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

  • Mechanical Engineering Requirements (91 credits)
  • Math and Science Requirements (18 credits)
  • General Engineering Requirements (23 credits)
  • LAS Requirements (18 credits)

Additionally, a minimum residency of four years, including three summer terms, is required.

Mechanical Engineering Requirements (91 credits)

  • CIE200 Statics (3 cr.)
  • MEE212 Computer Applications in MEE (2 cr.)
  • MEE241 Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE301 Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE302 Energy Conversion (3 cr.)
  • MEE311 Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • MEE312 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE320 Strength of Materials (3 cr.)
  • MEE321 Material Properties and Processes (3 cr.)
  • MEE332 Manufacturing Processes (3 cr.)
  • MEE333 Manufacturing Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE341 Kinematics of Machines (3 cr.)
  • MEE351 Computer Aided Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE391 Instrumentation and Measurements (3 cr.)
  • MEE403 Heat Transfer (3 cr.)
  • MEE404 Heat Transfer Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE414 Thermal Systems Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE422 Mechanical Engineering Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE442 Mechanical Vibrations (3 cr.)
  • MEE443 Mechanical Vibrations - Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE445 Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • MEE446 Control Systems Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE491 Seminar on Contemporary Issues (2 cr.)
  • MEE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)
  • MEE515  Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (3 cr.)
  • MEE591 Project I (3 cr.)
  • MEE592 Project II (3 cr.)
  • MEE593 Capstone Engineering Design (1 cr.)

1 Technical Electives (18 credits)

  • INE527 Project Scheduling (3 cr.)
  • INE529 Project Contracting (3 cr.)
  • MEE407 Internal Combustion Engines (3 cr.)
  • MEE500 Renewable Energy (3cr.)
  • MEE503 Power Plant Engineering (3cr.)
  • MEE505 Solar System Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE506 Vehicle Powertrain Systems (3cr.)
  • MEE507 Advanced Powertrain Systems (3cr.)
  • MEE514 Computational Fluid Dynamics (3cr.)
  • MEE517 Turbo Machinery (3cr.)
  • MEE519 Piping Network and Fire Protection Systems (3cr.)
  • MEE520 Composite of Materials (3cr.)
  • MEE521 Finite Element Methods (3 cr.)
  • MEE532 Advanced Manufacturing and AI (3cr.)
  • MEE533 CAD/CAM (3 cr.)
  • MEE535 Micro and Surface Engineering (3cr.)
  • MEE536 Plastics Manufacturing (3 cr.)
  • MEE540 Introduction to Robotics (3 cr.)
  • MEE543 Acoustics and Vibration Control (3 cr.)
  • MEE547 Robotics and Intelligent Systems (3 cr.)
  • MEE549 Automotive Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE570 CFD for Wind Energy Engineering (3cr.)
  • MEE590 Energy Audit (3 cr.)
  • MEE594 Undergraduate Research Project (3cr.)
  • MEE599 Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3 cr.)

or any other Technical Elective course approved by the department

Math and Science Requirements (18 credits)

  • GNE331 Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)
  • GNE333 Engineering Analysis (3 cr.)
  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • Science Elective (3 cr.):
    • a. ENV200   Introduction to Environmental Science  (3 cr.)
      b. AST200   Introduction to Astronomy (3 cr.)
      c. CHM205  Fundamentals of Chemistry (3 cr.)
      d. BIO201/BIO201B   General Biology I/Lab (4 cr.)
      e. CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
      f. CHM005 Preparatory Chemistry (0 cr.)
      g. PHY201   Electricity and Magnetism (3 cr.)            

General Engineering Requirements (23 credits)

  • COE212 Engineering Programming (3 cr.)
  • ELE305 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (3 cr.)
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy I (3 cr.)
  • INE428 Project Management (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • SOE Signature Course 1/2 (3 cr.)
  • SOE Signature Course 2/2 (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)

  • The additional 12 credits of Liberal Arts Electives should be taken as described here.

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (16 credits)

  • COE212 Engineering Programming (3 cr.)
  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
  • CIE200 Statics (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • ELE305 Introduction to Electrical Engineering (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • MEE241 Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (9 credits)

  • GNE331 Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)
  • GNE333 Engineering Analysis (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (15 credits)

  • MEE212 Computer Applications in MEE (2 cr.)
  • MEE301 Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE311 Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • MEE312 Fluid Mechanics - Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE321 Material Properties and Processes (3 cr.)
  • MEE351 Computer Aided Design (3 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • MEE320 Strength of Materials (3 cr.)
  • MEE332 Manufacturing Processes (3 cr.)
  • MEE333 Manufacturing Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE341 Kinematics of Machines (3 cr.)
  • MEE391 Instrumentation and Measurements (3 cr.)
  • MEE403 Heat Transfer (3 cr.)
  • MEE404 Heat Transfer Laboratory (1 cr.)

Summer (8 credits)

  • COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (16 credits)

  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • MEE414 Thermal Systems Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE442 Mechanical Vibrations (3 cr.)
  • MEE443 Mechanical Vibrations Laboratory (1 cr.)
  • MEE445 Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • MEE446 Control Systems laboratory (1 cr.)
  • Science Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (17 credits)

  • INE428 Project Management (3 cr.)
  • MEE302 Energy Conversion (3 cr.)
  • MEE422 Mechanical Engineering Design (3 cr.)
  • MEE491 Seminar on Contemporary Issues (2 cr.)
  • Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • Technical Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

  • MEE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (16 credits)

  • MEE515 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (3 cr.)
  • MEE591 Project I (3 cr.)
  • MEE593 Capstone Engineering Design (1 cr.)
  • Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • SOE Signature Course (3cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • INE320 Engineering Economy (3cr.)
  • MEE592 Project II (3cr.)
  • Technical Elective (3cr.)
  • Technical Elective (3cr.)
  • SOE Signature Course (3cr.)