Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Major code BS7257

1. a strong fundamental scientific and technical knowledge base and critical thinking skills to serve as the foundation for engineering practice and life-long learning;

2. the ability to apply engineering skills to engineering analysis and design projects;

3. the ability to communicate technical information effectively in written, oral, visual, and graphical forms;

4. an awareness and understanding of ethical, legal, and economic ramifications relating to professional practice.

Mechanical engineering is an extremely diverse profession which is concerned with (1) the economical and ecological conversion of energy from natural sources to provide power, heating, cooling, and propulsion; (2) the design of all types of machines, engines, and vehicles; (3) the processing of materials into useful products; and (4) the development of systems for using machines and resources. Professional areas include research, development, design, testing, production, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, technical management and administration.

The mechanical engineering curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in higher mathematics, physics, and chemistry followed by extensive instruction in all of the classical mechanical engineering disciplines. The curriculum contains a significant amount of design content wherein students are required to apply their engineering skills to solve real-world and/or open-ended problems in a project format. The principal objectives of the design experience are: 1) to allow students to use their own creativity in formulating alternative engineering solutions; 2) to develop an ability to work independently and/or in teams which is an important skill for continued growth as a practicing engineer; 3) to bridge the gap between the acquisition of engineering knowledge in required courses and the application of that knowledge to solve engineering problems.The objectives of the design experience are consistent with the department's overall objective of producing highly competent engineers with an ability to formulate and solve real engineering problems.

The design experience begins in freshman year (ME 100) wherein students are introduced to elements of engineering design. This often involves the design and construction of a device to perform a specified task. Throughout the sophomore, junior, and senior years, mechanical engineering students are required to solve design problems in many of the required engineering courses and across the spectrum of disciplines encompassed by the mechanical engineering profession. Senior mechanical engineering students are challenged in a sequence of three formal design courses (ME 470, 471, 472) involving a capstone senior design project which begins in ME 470 and culminates in ME 472. The capstone project requires appplication of engineering knowledge in the thermal/fluid sciences, structures and motion analysis, engineering materials, engineering economy and social issues such as product safety and reliability. Students are required to submit written technical reports as well as give oral presentations describing project results. This is in accord with the department's objective of producing engineers who have good communication skills as well as excellent technical skills. The design experience is enhanced by providing students with technologically modern lab facilities and computational tools.

In addition to engineering courses, the department requires significant studies in the humanities and social sciences to establish a breadth and depth of awareness and education. Advanced courses in both the humanities and social sciences are required. The humanity and social science requirements are consistent with the department's objective of graduating individuals with a well-rounded education.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering prides itself on offering students a close working relationship with the faculty. Mechanical engineering faculty are required to set aside office hours to assist students with class assignments. In addition, each student who enters the program is assigned one of the mechanical engineering faculty members as an academic advisor who will meet quarterly with the student to assist in course scheduling.

If you are majoring in mechanical engineering as preparation for entry into another profession such as law, medicine, business, etc., consult with the department chair regarding modifying your schedule to meet specific career objectives.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a co-op program that allows you to acquire practical experience and income by working in industry after completing your freshman year. Sophomore and junior courses are scheduled to accommodate a work-academics plan based on alternate periods of study and work. Consult the co-op office if you are interested.

An honors program for students with 90 or more hours and in the top 20% of their class provides the opportunity to receive graduate credit for coursework throughout your senior year. Contact the department office for further information.

The Paul H. and Irene C. Black Memorial Fund provides a large number of generous scholarships for seniors majoring in mechanical engineering. A good academic record, a history of work to cover the cost of education, and participation in departmental activities are key considerations in awarding the scholarship. Contact the department office for additional information.

Freshman
Fall

IT 101              Engr. Graphics Fund.               3

MATH 263A           Calculus(1)                        4

                    Intro to Mech. Eng.                4

                    English composition (2)            5

Winter

ET 181              Computer Meth. in Engr. I          4

COMS 103            Public Speaking                    4

MATH 263B           Calculus                           4

PHYS 251            Gen. Phys.                         5

Spring

CE 220              Statistics                         4

MATH 263C           Calculus                           4

PHYS 252            Gen. Phys.                         5

                    Hum. or Soc. Sci.(3)               4

Sophomore

Fall

ME 224              Dynamics                           4

CHEM 151            Fund. of Chemistry I.(4)           5

MATH 263D           Calculus                           4

PHYS 253            Gen. Phys.                         5

Winter

CHEM 152            Fund. of Chemistry II              5

IT 117              Basic Metal Machining              4

MATH 340            Diff. Equations                    4

EE 313              Basic EE I                         3

EE 304              Basic EE I Lab I                   1

Spring

CE 222              Strength of Materials              4

CE 223              Strength of Materials Lab          1

ET 240              Computer Meth. in Engr. II         4

EE 314              Basic EE II                        3

EE 305              Basic EE II Lab                    1

                    Human or Soc. Sci. Elective        4


Junior

Fall

CE 340              Fluid Mechanics                    5

CHE 331             Prin. of Engr. Materials           4

ME 301              Kinematics                         4

ME 398              Junior Lab                         3

Winter

ENG 305J            Junior Composition.(5)             4

ME 321              Intro to Thermodynamics            4

ME 350              Intro to CAD                       4

ME 401              Sys. Anal. and Controls            4

Spring

CHE 418             CHE Lab-Materials                  2

ME 313              Metal Processing                   3

ME 328              Applied Thermodynamics             4

ME 403              Machine Design I                   4

                    Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective         4


Senior

Fall

ME 412              Heat Transfer                      4

ME 470              ME Design I (6)                    4

ME 491              Vibrations I                       4

                    Technical elective.(7)

Winter

                    Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective         4

ME 471              ME Design II                       4

ME 498              Senior Lab                         4

                    Technical elective                 4

Spring

                    Hum. or Soc. Sci. Elective         4

ME 472              ME Design III                      4

                    Tier III Elective                  4

1. Students must qualify to take this course by passing a placement test.

2. The level and the quarter this course is offered is determined by a placement test taken during the Precollege orientation session.

3. Twenty hours of humanities and social sciences with a minimum of eight hours in each area are required. These hours should include a tawo course sequence in each of these areas.

4. Students must qualify to take this course by passing a placement test.

5. Students may take this course any quarter upon completion or 90 hours.

6. ME 470, 471, and 472 must be taken in sequence beginning in the fall quarter of the senior year.

7. Each student must complete at least 8 hours of technical electives. Technical electives are any engineering course at the 300-level or above, or any course in math or physics at the 400 level.