Program Overview

Undergraduate Students

The Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering department at Old Dominion University provides advising services to undergraduate students. Every student is assigned a faculty advisor upon admission to the program, who advises on course selection, graduation requirements, professional opportunities, and other related matters.

Advisors

The MAE faculty are active in advising undergraduate students about curricular matters. The department also has a Chief Department Advisor (CDA) who provides oversight to advising functions in the department.

Capstone Projects

Topics for senior design projects (MAE 434W and 435) are available for the current academic year, along with an archive of previous projects.

Transfers from Community College

The department has articulation agreements with Tidewater Community College (TCC) and Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) for a 2 + 2 program. Students complete their freshman and sophomore years at TCC and TNCC to receive the Associate of Science (AS) degree in engineering, and transfer to ODU to complete the Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME).

Program Objectives

The objectives of the mechanical engineering undergraduate program at Old Dominion University are that graduates should:

1. Establish themselves as successful professionals in the general areas of thermal/fluid systems, mechanical systems and design, and materials and manufacturing in industry and government settings by demonstrating their ability to:
   • Conduct themselves consistently in a responsible, professional, and ethical manner
   • Participate in continuing education, research, and development, and in other lifelong creative efforts in science and technology
   • Lead others in support of activities that promote service to, and economic development of, the community, the region, state, and nation
2. Successfully pursue and complete graduate programs in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field if they so desire

Program Outcomes

Students who qualify for graduation will:

1. Be proficient in mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, general chemistry, and engineering science, and have the ability to apply knowledge in these areas to mechanical engineering problems
2. Have the ability to design and conduct experiments and to critically analyze and interpret data in various mechanical engineering fields
3. Be able to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
4. Have the ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
5. Be able to identify and formulate an engineering problem, collect and analyze relevant data, and develop a solution
6. Understand and appreciate professional and ethical responsibilities and professional practice issues such as procurement of work, and bidding versus quality-based selection processes
7. Be able to effectively present ideas and technical material to diverse audiences in writing, visually, and verbally
8. Have the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
9. Understand and appreciate the importance of professional licensure and commitment to life-long learning
10. Have knowledge of current issues and awareness of emerging technologies
11. Have the ability to use modern engineering techniques, skills, and tools including computer-based tools for mechanical engineering analysis and design

Accelerated BS/Masters Program

The accelerated programs provide unique opportunities for students to be involved in industrial, government, and academic research projects. Linked programs are designed to allow qualified students to secure a space in a graduate program available in the Frank Batten College of Engineering & Technology, while pursuing their graduate degree in mechanical engineering.