Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Program Overview
Mechanical Engineering Program
The Mechanical Engineering Department offers a design-oriented, project-based undergraduate program that emphasizes fundamental engineering principles, with many courses providing hands-on and active learning experiences. Students receive a strong foundation in mechanical engineering disciplines and a working knowledge of modern engineering tools, e.g., design and manufacturing techniques.
Program Description
The program prepares graduates to apply their Mechanical Engineering education as active contributors to their professional community and society more broadly. It emphasizes professional and technical skills, such as working on teams, engineering design, technical communication, and programming, throughout the Mechanical Engineering curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering. The program intentionally embeds professional and technical skills throughout the Mechanical Engineering curriculum.
Program Educational Objectives
The Mechanical Engineering program prepares graduates within three to five years of completing their degree to:
- Apply their Mechanical Engineering education as active contributors to their professional community and society more broadly
- Effectively communicate information and its practical and societal impact to a diverse and globally integrated society
- Demonstrate their commitment to professional development and life-long learning through workforce readiness training, professional community involvement, and community outreach
- Embody ethical, environmental, and societal responsibility encompassing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their professional activities
Student Outcomes
The program enables students to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
Courses
The program includes a range of courses, such as:
- MEGN200: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering: Programming and Hardware Interface
- MEGN201: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering: Design and Fabrication
- MEGN300: Instrumentation and Automation
- MEGN301: Mechanical Integration and Design
- MEGN315: Dynamics
- MEGN324: Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
- MEGN330: Introduction to Biomechanical Engineering
- MEGN351: Fluid Mechanics
- MEGN381: Manufacturing Processes
- MEGN391: Introduction to Automotive Design
- MEGN412: Advanced Mechanics of Materials
- MEGN414: Mechanics of Composite Materials
- MEGN416: Engineering Vibration
- MEGN417: Vehicle Dynamics and Powertrain Systems
- MEGN430: Musculoskeletal Biomechanics
- MEGN435: Modeling and Simulation of Human Movement
- MEGN441: Introduction to Robotics
- MEGN451: Aerodynamics
- MEGN452: Introduction to Space Exploration and Resources
- MEGN453: Aerospace Structures
- MEGN454: Orbital Mechanics
- MEGN455: Aerospace Systems Engineering
- MEGN456: Space Operations and Mission Design
- MEGN461: Thermodynamics II
- MEGN465: Electric Vehicle Powertrain Systems
- MEGN466: Introduction to Internal Combustion Engines
- MEGN467: Principles of Building Science
- MEGN469: Fuel Cell Science and Technology
- MEGN471: Heat Transfer
- MEGN475: Introduction to Nuclear Engineering
- MEGN479: Optimization Models in Manufacturing
- MEGN481: Machine Design
- MEGN485: Manufacturing Optimization with Network Models
- MEGN486: Linear Optimization
- MEGN487: Nonlinear Optimization
- MEGN488: Integer Optimization
Tracks
The program offers several tracks, including:
- Aerospace
- Automation and Controls
- Automotive
- Biomechanics
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Materials
- Nuclear Energy
Minor and ASI Programs
The department offers minor and Area of Special Interest (ASI) programs in Mechanical Engineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Additive Manufacturing, and Aerospace Engineering.
Combined Mechanical Engineering Baccalaureate and Masters Degrees
The department offers a five-year combined program in which students can obtain specific engineering skills supplemented with graduate coursework in mechanical engineering. Upon completion of the program, students receive two degrees, the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.