Academic Programs Catalog

Mechanical engineering is a diverse profession that relies on fundamental science principles to conceive, design, and manufacture everything from miniaturized individual parts such as biosensors, printer nozzles, and micro-reactors to large complex systems and devices such as rocket propulsion, jet engines, robotic tools, wind turbines, and automobiles. Mechanical engineers are concerned with conceiving, designing, manufacturing, testing and marketing devices and systems that alter, transfer, transform and utilize energy forms that cause motion. In order to be accomplished in the mechanical engineering profession, a broad range of skills and knowledge are required.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering provides a curriculum that intertwines a foundation in mathematics and engineering science with creativity and innovation in design. Students learn the skills to develop ideas from concept to product. The program integrates individual mastery of these subjects with teamwork-based solutions to open-ended design problems and practical engineering experiences. Along with the required courses, optional concentrations are available for students to focus their program of study within a particular area of interest.

The design program is a core pillar of the undergraduate curriculum that combines core instruction in design with hands-on experiences in design-build-test projects. A sequence of four design intensive courses culminates in a capstone course, underpinned by industrially-sponsored projects. Industrial sponsorship for the capstone design experience is strong. Over the last ten years, 130 companies, many from within the state, have sponsored over 325 capstone design projects. In addition to industrially-motivated projects, students have the option to participate in humanitarian projects. Students present their work on Design Day, the last day of classes in fall and spring.

The Department has a long-established study abroad program in Germany (RWTH in Aachen) and study abroad programs in France (École Catholique d'Arts et Métiers), the United Kingdom (University of Edinburgh), Korea (Korea University) and Denmark (Technical University of Denmark).  The program also attracts a diverse group of international students to study with us. Included in the variety of activities open to students is the cooperative education program, in which a student may participate after his/her freshman year.

The Bachelor of Science Degree program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 128 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Mechanical  Engineering major is met by completing Mechanical Engineering 332, 412, and 481. Those courses are referenced in item 3. b. (1) below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Engineering may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements for All Majors in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
2. The requirements of the College of Engineering for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following courses outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering (13 credits):
   	CE	221	Statics							3
   	CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I							1
   	ECE	345	Electronic Instrumentation and Systems							3
   	MSE	250	Materials Science and Engineering							3
   	STT	351	Probability and Statistics for Engineering							3
   b.	All of the following courses in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (40 credits):
   	ME	280	Graphic Communications							2
   	ME	222	Mechanics of Deformable Solids							3
   	ME	201	Thermodynamics							3
   	ME	300	Professional Issues in Mechanical Engineering							1
   	ME	333	Fluid Mechanics							3
   	ME	333L	Fluid Mechanics Laboratory							1
   	ME	361	Dynamics							3
   	ME	370	Mechanical Design and Manufacturing I							3
   	ME	391	Mechanical Engineering Analysis							3
   	ME	410	Heat Transfer							3
   	ME	412	Heat Transfer Laboratory							2
   	ME	452	Control Systems							3
   	ME	452L	Vibrations and Controls Laboratory							1
   	ME	461	Mechanical Vibrations							3
   	ME	470	Mechanical Design and Manufacturing II							3
   	ME	481	Mechanical Engineering Design Projects							3
   c.	Senior Electives (a minimum of 9 credits):
   	ME	413	Cryogenic-Thermal Systems							3
   	ME	414	Mechanical Design of Cryogenic Systems							3
   	ME	416	Computer Assisted Design of Thermal Systems							3
   	ME	417	Design of Alternative Energy Systems							3
   	ME	422	Introduction to Combustion							3
   	ME	423	Intermediate Mechanics of Deformable Solids							3
   	ME	425	Experimental Mechanics							3
   	ME	426	Introduction to Composite Materials							3
   	ME	433	Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics							3
   	ME	440	Aerospace Propulsion							3
   	ME	441	Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance							3
   	ME	442	Turbomachinery							3
   	ME	444	Automotive Engines							3
   	ME	445	Automotive Powertrain Design							3
   	ME	456	Mechatronic System Design							3
   	ME	464	Intermediate Dynamics							3
   	ME	465	Computer Aided Optimal Design							3
   	ME	475	Computer Aided Design of Structures							3
   	ME	477	Manufacturing Processes							3
   	ME	478	Product Development							3
   	ME	490	Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering							1 to 3
   	ME	491	Selected Topics in Mechanical Engineering							1 to 4
   	ME	494	Biofluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer							3
   	ME	495	Tissue Mechanics							3
   	ME	496	Biomechanical Analysis of Human Movement							3
   	ME	497	Biomechanical Design in Product Development							3
   d.	Design-intensive Senior Electives (a minimum of 3 credits):
   	ME	414	Mechanical Design of Cryogenic Systems							3
   	ME	416	Computer Assisted Design of Thermal Systems							3
   	ME	417	Design of Alternative Energy Systems							3
   	ME	442	Turbomachinery							3
   	ME	445	Automotive Powertrain Design							3
   	ME	456	Mechatronic System Design							3
   	ME	465	Computer Aided Optimal Design							3
   	ME	475	Computer Aided Design of Structures							3
   	ME	478	Product Development							3
   	ME	497	Biomechanical Design in Product Development							3
   	Courses used to fulfill item 3. c. may not be used to fulfill item 3. d.

Concentration in Aerospace Engineering
A concentration in Aerospace Engineering is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace Engineering may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student's transcript.

Aerospace Engineering
A mechanical engineering degree with the aerospace engineering concentration recognizes the expertise of students in subjects related to aerospace applications and to the aerospace industry, which provides many career opportunities for mechanical engineering graduates. Students who meet the requirements of this concentration will have expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion and structures, supplemented by other strengths in the core Mechanical Engineering degree program. To complete a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering with an aerospace engineering concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following:

Concentration in Automotive Powertrain
A concentration in Automotive Powertrain is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in automotive powertrain may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Automotive Powertrain
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with an automotive powertrain concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following:

Concentration in Biomedical Engineering
A concentration in Biomedical Engineering is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in biomedical engineering may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student's transcript.

Biomedical Engineering
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a biomedical engineering concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following:

Concentration in Computational Design
A concentration in Computational Design is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in computational design may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Computational Design
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a computational design concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following:

Concentration in Cryogenic Engineering
A concentration in Cryogenic Engineering is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Cryogenic Engineering may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student's transcript.

Cryogenic Engineering
A mechanical engineering degree with the cryogenic engineering concentration recognizes the expertise of students in thermal and mechanical analysis and design techniques as applied to cryogenic engineering applications. To complete a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering with a cryogenic engineering concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following:

Concentration in Energy
A concentration in Energy is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in energy may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Energy
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with an energy concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following:

Concentration in Engineering Mechanics
A concentration in Engineering Mechanics is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in engineering mechanics may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student's transcript.

Engineering Mechanics
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a engineering mechanics concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following:

Concentration in Manufacturing Engineering
A concentration in Manufacturing Engineering is available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in manufacturing engineering may require more than 128 credits. The concentration will be noted on the student's transcript.

Manufacturing Engineering
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a manufacturing engineering concentration, students must complete the requirements for the B.S. degree, including the following: