Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2007-2008 
    
Undergraduate Record 2007-2008 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Mechanical Engineering


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Mechanical engineering is the broadest of the engineering disciplines, providing opportunities for employment in industry, business, government, research, and education. The mechanical engineer is concerned with the development of machines and systems for diverse applications in our modern technological society. Talents and interests of a graduate M.E. include those required to plan, analyze, design, and improve components and systems. The practice of mechanical engineering is applied to manufacturing, energy conversion, transportation, construction, and environmental control. In the future, mechanical engineers must provide leadership in developing new sources of power and new systems to accommodate societal demands.

The curriculum begins with the study of chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and general engineering courses. As students progress, they take advanced analysis, design, and laboratory courses related to mechanical and thermal systems. One-fourth of the program is devoted to the humanities and social sciences, which broaden the student’s education and assist in developing communication and leadership skills.

Young engineers need relevant experiences to be competitive in the global economy. As indicated by discussions with recruiters and industry leaders, graduating students are now expected to have some practical and/or unique experience that they will be able to apply in an industry in the near term. These experiences may come from laboratory work, projects at the University, or a co-operative education (co-op) program.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering implemented a co-op program in 1996 that is currently placing students with 40 industries. This program builds self-confidence, helps define career goals. The co-op experience often helps students obtain senior thesis topics through industrial projects, eases transition to the industrial world, and enhances the student’s marketability. Salaries for co-op students are typically two-thirds of those for B.S. level engineers. It takes four and one-half years to complete the co-op program, including one extended stay (summer plus semester) in industry, with one or more summers possible. Requirements include third year academic standing and a grade point average of at least 2.000. Participation is optional and non-credit; details can be obtained from the school or department.

Program Objectives

  1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering, and the principles of engineering design to the professional practice of the discipline in modern industry.
  2. Identify and formulate engineering problems in and related to the discipline, and to solve them using modern engineering tools and techniques, through the inspection and analysis of data obtained from the design and execution of experiments, or from the application of theoretical or computational analysis.
  3. Pursue continuous, lifelong learning and professional renewal, including undertaking graduate studies. Possess the tools and motivation for continuous learning, scholarship and self-directed research.
  4. Understand the nature of engineering knowledge and the social context of engineering; appreciate the impact of engineering solutions in a contemporary, global, societal and environmental context; exhibit professionalism, understand and adhere to professional ethics and standards.
  5. Communicate effectively, take leadership positions, and function on multi-disciplinary teams. Understand the importance of diversity in the workplace and of the ethical practice of their profession.

Minor


A minor in mechanical engineering is comprised of five courses and one lab, and requires MAE 200 and either MAE 200L or MAE 210L, as well as two courses from List A and two courses from List B. List A: MAE 210, MAE 230, MAE 231, MAE 232, MAE 321. List B: MAE 312, MAE 314, MAE 362, MAE 371, MAE 471, MAE 473, MAE 474, MAE 476.

Mechanical Engineering Curriculum (128 credits)


Second Semester Credits: 17


  • Science elective I Credits: 3
    (see footnote 4 below)
  • HSS elective Credits: 3
    (see footnote 5 below)

Fourth Semester Credits: 17


  • STS ___ STS 2xx/3xx elective Credits: 3

Fifth Semester Credits: 17


  • Math/Science II elective Credits: 3
    (see footnote 6 below)
  • Technical elective Credits: 3
    (See footnote 1 below)
  • Unrestrictive elective Credits: 3
    (See footnotes 2 & 3 below)

Sixth Semester Credits: 15


  • Technical elective Credits: 3                                                                        (See footnote 1 below)
  • HSS elective Credits: 3                                                                               (See footnote 5 below)

Seventh Semester Credits: 16


  • Technical elective Credits: 3
    (see footnote 1 below)
  • Unrestrictive elective Credits: 3
    (see footnote 2 below)
  • Design I Elective                                                                                       (see footnote 7 below)

 

Eighth Semester Credits: 15


  • Technical elective Credits: 3
    (see footnotes 1 & 3 below)
  • Technical elective Credits: 3
    (see footnotes 1 & 3 below)
  • Unrestricted elective Credits: 3
    (see footnotes 2 & 3 below)
  • Design II Elective:  3                                                                                        (see footnote 7 below)

Footnotes


(1) Chosen from the MAE Department’s approved Technical Elective List of courses. Three of these technical electives must be MAE courses not required for the degree. See Department’s website.

(2) Unrestricted electives may be chosen from any graded course in the University except mathematics courses   below MATH 131 and courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree, including PHYS 201, 202; CS 110, 120; or any introductory programming course. Students in doubt as to what is acceptable to satisfy a degree requirement should get the approval of their advisor and the dean’s office, located in A122 Thornton Hall. APMA 109 counts as a three-credit unrestricted elective. 

(3) Indicates five courses that could be used to obtain a minor within SEAS. A minor can be obtained in the  College of Arts and Sciences by appropriate use of HSS and unrestricted electives.

(4)  Chosen from: BIOL 201, 202; CHEM 152; ECE 200;  PHYS 252, or MSE 209.

(5)  Chosen from the approved list available in A122 Thornton Hall.

(6)  Chosen from the MAE Department’s Math Science II approved list or the Science Elective I list. See department’s web site.

(7)  Chosen from the MAE Department’s Design Elective approved list.  See Department’s web site

 

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