Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2020 - 2021 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2020 - 2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Mechanical Engineering, B.M.E.



Description

Mechanical Engineering is a very diverse branch of engineering. A wide range of study that includes mathematics, natural sciences, engineering science and practice prepares the mechanical engineering student to analyze and design devices and systems that enhance and improve our lives.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

Graduates work in careers such as: Aeronautic, Aerospace, Automative Acoustics Engineering, Building Systems Engineering, Biomedical, Cryogenics, Marine Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Engineering, Manufacturing, Nuclear Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Tool Engineering.

What skills are developed within this major?

Students learn apply principles of mathematics, science, and engineering in a variety of contexts. They hone their ability to use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for science and engineering practice as well as design and conduct experiments. They learn to analyze and interpret data.

Admission to Major


Admission to the Washkewicz College of Engineering.

Hours Required for Degree


Minimum hours required for degree: 128 (not including credits earned in the Engineering Cooperative Education Program)

Major-Field Requirements


Grade Restriction: Mechanical Engineering students are limited to a total of two D grades in ESC and MCE courses.

Ethics Required Courses (1 course)


Co-Op Required Course


(Course optional for degree - required for co-op program)

Mechanical Engineering Capstone Required Courses (2 courses)


Honors Program Requirements


The Department of Mechanical Engineering requires honors students to complete four courses for a total of 16 credit hours. These four courses are integrated into the requirements for the bachelor’s degree and do not increase the total number of hours beyond the regular curriculum. The objective of the upper division requirements is to expose the student to an advanced level and broader base of engineering design and problem solving. The one course at the junior level is a contract course and introduces problem solving in a more realistic setting than most design problems at this level. The student must accommodate the myriad of constraints encountered by projects in industry. The two courses at the graduate level introduce the student to advanced design and analysis methods. The final course is the honors thesis and exposes the student to the process of research, analysis, and documentation so crucial to future success in all career fields. Each of these courses are four credit hours.

1. One (1) junior level honors contract course chosen from:


  • MCE 260HC Kinematics
  • MCE 324HC Honors Introduction to Heat Transfer
  • MCE 365HC Machine Design I
  • MCE 371HC Honors Vibrations

2. Two (2) graduate level courses chosen from:


  • MCE 521 Applied Thermodynamics
  • MCE 541 Introduction to Linear Controls
  • MCE 5XX (Any departmental 500 level course will also substitute for a senior technical elective)

3. One (1) honors thesis course:


  • MCE 499H Honors Thesis (This course substitutes for the second senior technical elective)

Honors students will be graded in the graduate courses according to graduate level standards and on the graduate grading scale (no “D” grade). Honors students are encouraged to enroll in the M.E. 4+1 accelerated masters program during their junior year. In this program, the graduate coursework will apply towards the student’s undergraduate degree as well as the masters degree. Note however, while grades of “C” or “B-” in graduate coursework will apply towards the undergraduate degree, they will not be accepted for graduate credit in the 4+1 program.

University Scholars Requirements


The Department of Mechanical Engineering requires scholars students to complete three courses for a total of 12 credit hours at the graduate level. These courses form an integrated part of the bachelor’s degree and do not increase the total number of hours beyond the regular curriculum. The purpose of these courses is to expose the student to the advanced level of design and analysis required in many career fields. These courses may be chosen from:

  • MCE 521 Applied Thermodynamics
  • MCE 541 Introduction to Linear Controls
  • MCE 5XX (Any departmental 500 level course will also substitute for a senior technical elective)

Scholars students are also strongly encouraged to enroll in the M.E. 4+1 accelerated masters program during their junior year. In this program, the graduate coursework will apply towards the student’s undergraduate degree as well as the masters degree. Note however, while grades of “C” or “B-” in graduate coursework will apply towards the undergraduate degree, they will not be accepted for graduate credit in the 4+1 program.

Accelerated 4+1 Program


See the Mechanical Engineering, Accelerated 4+1 BME/MSME  page.