Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering
The Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering offers students the opportunity to prepare for careers in traditional, new, and emerging technologies of mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineering is a versatile and broadly-based engineering discipline. Basic sciences and mathematics form the foundation of mechanical engineering, which requires an understanding of such subject areas as solid and fluid mechanics, thermal sciences, mechanical design, structures, material selection, manufacturing processes and systems, mechanical systems and control, and instrumentation.
The five main concentrations within mechanical engineering are: (1) general mechanical engineering; (2) manufacturing engineering and systems; (3) mechanical systems and design; (4) biomechanics, mechanics and materials; and (5) energy, thermal and fluid systems. The mechanical engineering curriculum provides educational training in all specializations. Through the selection of technical elective courses to augment required courses, students may develop a degree of specialization and depth in one of the concentrations. Design experience is integrated throughout the program. Development of open-ended, problem-solving skills is a part of many mechanical engineering courses. Design projects with formal report writing are included in many courses. A substantial portion of each technical elective course is devoted to design of systems and components. A capstone design sequence at the senior level provides an opportunity to apply and integrate the knowledge gained throughout the curriculum to the development of an instructor-approved project.
The laboratory requirements are designed to provide the hands-on experience of application of classroom theory. The required laboratories expose undergraduate students to modern measurements and instrumentation techniques. The design of experiments is integrated in both the mechanical systems and control, thermal, and fluid laboratories. Students may receive additional hands-on experiences by selecting technical elective courses with laboratory components.
In addition, opportunities exist for students to participate in research and design projects. Those students eligible for honors may work on more individualized projects. Students also have an opportunity to participate in an approved co-op program and may receive up to 3 semester credit hours for their experience.
The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science degree in the Mechanical Engineering program are to provide students with opportunities to:
- acquire the ability to apply the fundamentals of mathematics, sciences, and engineering to analyze problems
- develop innovative design skills, including the students’ ability to formulate problems, to think creatively, to synthesize information, and to communicate effectively
- develop the ability to use modern experimental techniques; collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data; and effectively communicate the results
- develop diverse skills needed to be successful engineers.
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree is 129, at least 39 of which must be at the upper-division level. All candidates for this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements, the General Engineering requirements, and the degree requirements, which are listed below.
Core Curriculum requirements: Students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students. The courses listed in the table below satisfy both major requirements and Core Curriculum requirements; however, if these courses are taken to satisfy both requirements, then students will need to take additional courses in order to meet the minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree. For a complete listing of courses that satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements see pages 5–9 of this catalog.
| Core Curriculum Component Area | Courses that Satisfy Core Curriculum and Degree Requirements |
|---|---|
Communications |
English Rhetoric/Composition (6 semester credit hours) |
Mathematics |
Mathematics (3 semester credit hours) |
Natural Sciences |
Science (6 semester credit hours) |
Humanities & Visual and Performing Arts |
Literature (3 semester credit hours) |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
United States History and Diversity (6 semester credit hours) |
World Society and Issues |
(3 semester credit hours) |
General Engineering Requirements
All degree-seeking candidates in engineering must complete the following 21 semester credit hours, as well as the Core Curriculum requirements and major requirements:
| CHE 1103 | General Chemistry I |
| EGR 2323 | Applied Engineering Analysis I |
| MAT 1214 | Calculus I |
| MAT 1223 | Calculus II |
| PHY 1903, 1911 | Engineering Physics I and Laboratory |
| PHY 1923, 1931 | Engineering Physics II and Laboratory |
Degree Requirements
All degree-seeking candidates in Mechanical Engineering must complete the following semester credit hours, as well as the Core Curriculum requirements and General Engineering requirements:
- 66 semester credit hours of required foundation and general mechanical engineering courses:
EE 2213 Electric Circuits and Electronics EGR 2103 Statics EGR 2513 Dynamics EGR 3323 Applied Engineering Analysis II MAT 2213 Calculus III ME 1301 Introduction to Engineering Design ME 1402 Engineering Graphics ME 3113 Measurements and Instrumentation ME 3173 Numerical Methods ME 3241 Materials Engineering Laboratory ME 3243 Materials Engineering ME 3263 Manufacturing Engineering ME 3293 Thermodynamics I ME 3513 Mechanism Design ME 3663 Fluid Mechanics ME 3813 Mechanics of Solids ME 3823 Machine Element Design ME 4293 Thermodynamics II ME 4313 Heat Transfer ME 4523 Dynamic Systems and Control ME 4702 Mechanical Systems and Control Laboratory ME 4802 Thermal and Fluid Laboratory ME 4811 Senior Design I ME 4813 Senior Design II
3 semester credit hours of approved mathematics or science electives. A list of acceptable courses is available in the College of Engineering Undergraduate Advising Center.
- 9 semester credit hours of mechanical engineering elective courses. Students are encouraged to choose courses from a specific concentration.
General Mechanical Engineering Concentration
Courses selected from any of the four concentrations listed below *EGR 4993 Honors Research *ME 4953 Special Studies in Mechanical Engineering †Graduate Courses in Mechanical Engineering *With prior approval, these courses may be used as a technical elective. †Graduate courses require approval; forms are available in the College of Engineering Undergraduate Advising Center.
Manufacturing Engineering and Systems Concentration
ME 4563 Computer Integrated Manufacturing ME 4573 Facilities Planning and Design ME 4583 Enterprise Process Engineering
Mechanical Systems and Design Concentration
ME 3323 Mechanical Vibration ME 4133 CAD/CAE ME 4553 Automotive Vehicle Dynamics ME 4673 Mechanical Systems Design ME 4723 Reliability and Quality Control in Engineering Design ME 4773 Fundamentals of Robotics
Mechanics and Materials Concentration
ME 4243 Intermediate Materials Engineering ME 4603 Finite Element Analysis ME 4963 Bioengineering
Thermal and Fluid Systems Concentration
ME 3593 Alternative Energy Sources ME 4183 Compressible Flow and Propulsion Systems ME 4323 Thermal Systems Design ME 4343 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Design ME 4613 Power Plant System Design ME 4623 Internal Combustion Engines ME 4663 Fluid Systems Design