Program Overview

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

The Mechanical Engineering program at Baylor University offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of topics in mechanical engineering. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of mechanical engineering, as well as hands-on experience in design, analysis, and testing of mechanical systems.

Course Descriptions

The program includes a variety of courses that cover topics such as:

• ME 1V9R: Research in Mechanical Engineering (3 hours) - Undergraduate research supervised by a faculty member.
• ME 2320: Statics (3 hours) - Study of forces, moments, free-body diagrams, friction, equilibrium, first and second moments of lines, centers of pressure, mass and gravity, and moments of inertia.
• ME 2321: Dynamics (3 hours) - Kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies including Newton's Second Law, work-energy methods, impulse-momentum, and central and oblique impact.
• ME 2345: Thermodynamics (3 hours) - Thermodynamic properties, heat and work, first and second laws, processes, ideal and non-ideal cycles.
• ME 2346: Introduction to Aeronautics and Astronautics (3 hours) - Introduction to air and space flight, including history, basic aerodynamics, aircraft performance, and orbital mechanics.

Advanced Courses

The program also offers advanced courses that cover topics such as:

• ME 3320: Mechanics of Materials (3 hours) - Introduction of stress and strain, stress transformations, analysis of stresses, strain, and deflections in axial members, beams, and torsional shafts.
• ME 3321: Fluid Mechanics (3 hours) - Introductory concepts of fluid motions, fluid statics, control volume forms of basic principles, and applications basic principles of fluid mechanics to problems in viscous and compressible flow.
• ME 3322: Mechanical Engineering Materials and Manufacturing Processes (3 hours) - Properties of the principal families of materials used in mechanical engineering design with an introduction to the manufacturing processes used to convert these materials into finished products.

Specialized Courses

The program includes specialized courses that cover topics such as:

• ME 4334: Gas Dynamics (3 hours) - Compressible flows, including flows with simple area change, heat addition, friction, and shock waves.
• ME 4335: Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (3 hours) - Measurement of fluid flow, heat transfer, power and other properties of mechanical equipment.
• ME 4336: Thermal Systems Design (3 hours) - Design and analysis of thermal energy systems such as pipe networks, HVAC systems, and steam power plants.

Capstone Design Course

The program culminates in a capstone design course, ME 4390: Engineering Design II (3 hours), which emphasizes the decision-making process that must be used by a practicing engineer to apply the basic sciences in order to convert resources optimally to meet stated objectives.

Research Opportunities

The program offers research opportunities for undergraduate students, including ME 4V9R: Research in Mechanical Engineering (3 hours), which allows students to work on research projects under the supervision of a faculty member.

Faculty and Resources

The program is taught by a faculty of experienced engineers and researchers who are committed to providing students with a high-quality education. The program has access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including laboratories and computer facilities.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program at Baylor University are prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. They are also prepared for graduate study in mechanical engineering or related fields.