Major code #BS7257
Mechanical engineering is concerned with (1) the economical and ecological conversion of energy from natural sources to provide power, heat, cooling, and propulsion; (2) the design of all types of machines, engines, and vehicles; (3) the processing of materials into useful production; and (4) the development of systems for using machines and resources. Professional areas include research, development, design, testing, production, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, and administration.
The curriculum provides the versatile academic preparation required to enter the profession and the fundamentals of a liberal education. Theoretical analysis, practicality, laboratory skills, and design synthesis are important factors in the curriculum. The coursework is quite diversified to provide the broad background required by mechanical engineers. The opportunity for specialization is provided by elective courses during the senior year. There are three major areas of specialization: energy-systems design, mechanical systems design, and manufacturing process design.
If you are majoring in mechanical engineering as preparation for entry into another profession such as law, medicine, business, etc., you should consult witnnnh the department chair regarding modifying your schedule to meet specific career objectives.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a co-op program that allows you to acquire practical experience and income by working in industry after completing your freshman year. Sophomore and junior courses are scheduled to accommodate a work-academics plan based on alternate periods of study and work. Consult the department chair if you are interested in the co-op program.
The Paul H. and Irene C. Black Memorial Fund provides generous scholarships for seniors majoring in mechanical engineering. A good academic record, a history of work to cover the cost of education, and an intent to acquire a graduate degree are key considerations in awarding the scholarship. Contact the department chair for additional information.
Freshman
Fall
IT 101 Engineering Drawing I 3 cr
MATH 263A Analytic Geom. and Calc. 4 cr
English Composition1 5 cr
Soc. Sci. and Hum.6
Winter
ET 181 Computer Meth. in Engr. I 4 cr
INCO 103 Public Speaking 4 cr
MATH 263B Analytic Geom. and Calc. 4 cr
PHYS 251 Gen. Phys. 5 cr
Soc. Sci. and Hum.6
Spring
ET 280 Engr. and Tech.-An Overview 4 cr
MATH 263C Analytic Geom. and Calc. 4 cr
PHYS 252 Gen. Phys. 5 cr
Soc. Sci. and Hum.6
Sophomore
Fall
CE 220 Statics 4 cr
CHEM 151 Fund. of Chemistry I 5 cr
MATH 263D Analytic Geom. and Calc. 4 cr
PHYS 253 Gen. Phys. 5 cr
Winter
CHEM 152 Fund. of Chemistry II 5 cr
IT 117 Basic Metal Machining 3 cr
MATH 340 Diff. Equations 4 cr
ME 224 Dynamics 4 cr
Spring
CE 222 Strength of Materials 4 cr
CE 223 Strength of Materials Lab 1 cr
CHEM 123 Prin. of Chemistry III 4 cr
ENG 305J Technical Writing 4 cr
Soc. Sci. and Hum. 6
Junior
Fall
CE 340 Fluid Mechanics 5 cr
CHE 331 Prin. of Engr. Materials 4 cr
ME 321 Intro to Thermodynamics 4 cr
ME 350 Intro to CAD 3 cr
ME 398 Junior Laboratory2 3 cr
Winter
ET 240 Computer Meth. in Engr. II 4 cr
ME 301 Kinematics and Dynamics of
Machines 4 cr
ME 313 Metal Processing
Technical Electives5 3 cr
Spring
CHE 418 Chem. Engineering Lab-Materials 2 cr
ME 328 Applied Thermodynamics 4 cr
ME 403 Machine Design I 4 cr
ME 412 Heat Transfer 4 cr
Senior
Fall
EE 304 Basic EE I Lab 1 cr
EE 313 Basic EE I (Circuits) 3 cr
ME 480 Colloquium7 0 cr
ME 491 Mechanical Vibrations I 3 cr
ME 498 Senior Lab3 3 cr
ME 499 Senior Design Project8 4 cr
Winter
EE 305 Basic EE II Lab 1 cr
EE 314 Basic EE II (Electronics) 3 cr
ME 404 Machine Design II4 4 cr
ME 450 Computer-aided Design 3 cr
Spring
EE 315 Basic EE III (Power) 3 cr
ME 401 Systems Analysis and Controls 4 cr
ME 417 Design of Thermal Systems4 4 cr
Tier III requirement 4 cr
Technical Electives5
1 You must meet university freshman and junior English standards.
2 Schedule this laboratory during one quarter of the junior year.
3 Schedule this laboratory during one quarter of the senior year.
4 Students interested in mechanical design should enroll in ME 404, while those interested in design of energy systems should enroll in ME 417. You may take the other course for a technical elective.
5 Ten quarter credits of technical electives are required, to be selected in consultation with your advisor.
6 Twenty-four hours of humanities and social sciences with a minimum of eight hours in each area are required. Course sequences should be selected to build depth in two areas of concentration. See the College of Engineering and Technology section for more details and course selection.
7 Attending the ME symposium and passing a review test are required of all ME students during their last three quarters on campus.
8 Consult your advisor regarding Senior Design Project options. Presentations of Senior Design Projects are required.