Click Images for Larger Version
You may download this chapter in a printable .pdf format.
Engineering
College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management
Dean: Michael Ward
Department of Civil Engineering
Langdon Engineering Center 207
530-898-5342
530-898-4576 (fax)
e-mail:
ce@csuchico.edu
http://www.csuchico.edu/ce/
Chair: Thomas C. Ferrara
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
O'Connell Technology Center 313
530-898-5343
530-898-4956 (fax)
e-mail:
elce@csuchico.edu
http://www.csuchico.edu/ece/
Chair: Adel A. Ghandakly
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, and Manufacturing Technology
O'Connell Technology Center 419
530-898-5346
530-898-4070 (fax)
e-mail:
mmem@csuchico.edu
http://www.csuchico.edu/mmem/
Chair: Ronald Roth
MESA Engineering Programs
O'Connell Technology Center 114
530-898-4017
e-mail:
mep@csuchico.edu
http://www.csuchico.edu/mesa/
Director: Paul Villegas
Program
BS in Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering includes mechanical design, thermal-fluid systems, applied mechanics, and automation. The mechanical engineering student is prepared in all of these areas in order to analyze and design complex mechanical systems. Graduates can specialize in areas such as energy conversion systems, mechanisms and machines, manufacturing, materials, and automation through electives.
Mechanical Engineering Program Mission
The mechanical engineering program has the primary mission of providing students a high-quality undergraduate engineering education with
1. A curriculum that is firmly grounded in engineering fundamentals
2. A faculty that provides superior teaching and mentoring both in and out of the classroom
3. A faculty whose focus is undergraduate education
4. Class sizes that encourage student participation
5. Project experiences that build on fundamentals and develop team skills
6. Facilities and equipment that are readily accessible
7. An environment that is conducive to learning and encourages students from different genders and backgrounds.
The faculty is committed to offering a broad undergraduate experience that will promote professional growth and prepare students for a variety of engineering careers, graduate studies, and continuing education.
Mechanical Engineering Program Educational Objectives
The program's educational objectives are best framed in terms of goals for its graduates. Mechanical engineering graduates will:
1. Be effective engineers and problem solvers.
2. Be well educated in the mechanical engineering sciences.
3. Be able to use engineering tools that will enhance their productivity.
4. Be familiar with current technology and how it can be incorporated into their design, analysis, and testing activities including an understanding of manufacturing methods and the use of computers, sensors, and actuators to automate machines and processes.
5. Be effective oral, written, and graphical communicators.
6. Be able to function effectively as members of multi-disciplinary teams.
7. Have an appreciation for the individual, society, and human heritage, and be aware of the impact of their designs on human-kind and the environment.
8. Be prepared for a variety of engineering careers, graduate studies, and continuing education.
Mechanical Engineering Design Experience
The mechanical engineering program at CSU, Chico is a traditional balance of engineering science and design. The design sequence for mechanical engineers is a progressive one. The courses which are primarily devoted to design are:
MECH 140 - Introduction to Engineering Design
MECH 340 - Mechanical Engineering Design
MECH 440A- Mechanical Engineering Design Project I
MECH 440B- Mechanical Engineering Design Project II
The freshman experience (MECH 140) focuses on the creative aspects of design and gives students an opportunity to practice the engineering design process with little or no emphasis on engineering science. At the junior level (MECH 340), there is an opportunity to learn about safety, failure, reliability, codes and standards, and economic considerations, while carrying out detailed design of mechanical components. In the final senior project (MECH 440A and MECH 440B), students are expected to exercise what they learned throughout the preceding design courses in a final project that includes manufacturing and testing, as well as the more global aspects of design including product realization, economic factors, environmental issues, and social impact. Together, these experiences prepare graduates to be successful practitioners with an awareness of the multitude of issues involved.
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 132 units
See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor or view it and other current advising information at http://em.csuchico.edu/aap/ProgramSearch.
General Education Requirement
Mechanical Engineering is a major with modifications to the University's General Education Requirements. The following requirements, together with the approved General Education courses required for the Mechanical Engineering major (marked with an * below), fulfill the General Education Requirement.
1. Two courses, one selected from each of the Core Areas A1 and A2.
2. One course selected from Breadth Area B2.
3. One course selected from Breadth Area C1 or C2 or C3.
4. One course selected from Breadth Area D1 or D2 or D3.
5. Upper-division theme modification has been approved for this major. See the General Education chapter in the University Catalog for specifics on how to apply this modification or go to http://www.csuchico.edu/mmem.
Diversity Requirement: 6 units
Complete two Diversity courses, one U.S. Diversity and one Global Cultures. (See the "Bachelor's Degree Requirements" section.) Both courses must also satisfy one of the General Education requirements in order for 132 units to fulfill all requirements for the Mechanical Engineering degree.
U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals Requirement: 6 units
This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155. For other alternatives, see the "Bachelor's Degree Requirements" section.
Literacy Requirement:
See "Mathematics and Writing Requirements" in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.
Course Requirements for the Major: 105 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.
Enrollment in any mathematics course requires a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses or their transfer equivalents.
Lower-Division Requirements: 52 units
17 courses required:
| CIVL | 211 | Statics | 3.0 | FS |
| CHEM | 111 | General Chemistry | 4.0 | FS * |
| EECE | 211 | Linear Circuits I | 3.0 | FS |
| EECE | 211L | Linear Circuits I Activity | 1.0 | FS |
| MATH | 120 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS * |
| MATH | 121 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS |
| MATH | 220 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS |
| MATH | 260 | Elementary Differential Equations | 4.0 | FS |
| MECH | 100 | Graphics I | 1.0 | FS |
| MECH | 100L | Graphics I Laboratory | 1.0 | FS |
| MECH | 140 | Introduction to Engineering Design | 3.0 | FS |
| MECH | 200 | Graphics II | 2.0 | FS |
| MECH | 210 | Materials Science and Engineering | 3.0 | FS |
| MFGT | 160 | Manufacturing Processes | 3.0 | FS |
| PHYS | 204A | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Mechanics | 4.0 | FS * |
| PHYS | 204B | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism | 4.0 | FS |
| PHYS | 204C | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Heat, Wave Motion, Sound, Light, and Modern Topics | 4.0 | FS |
Upper-Division Requirements: 53 units
15 courses required:
| CIVL | 302 | Engineering Economy and Statistics | 3.0 | FS |
| CIVL | 311 | Strength of Materials | 4.0 | FS |
| CIVL | 321 | Fluid Mechanics | 4.0 | FS |
| CIVL | 495 | Professional Issues in Engineering | 3.0 | FS |
| MECA | 380 | Measurements and Instrumentation | 3.0 | SP |
| MECA | 482 | Control System Design | 4.0 | FA |
| MECH | 306 | Equation Solving Techniques | 4.0 | FA |
| MECH | 308 | Finite Element Analysis | 3.0 | SP |
| MECH | 320 | Dynamics | 3.0 | FS |
| MECH | 332 | Thermodynamics | 3.0 | FS |
| MECH | 338 | Heat Transfer | 4.0 | SP |
| MECH | 340 | Mechanical Engineering Design | 3.0 | SP |
| MECH | 432 | Energy Systems | 4.0 | FA |
| MECH | 440A | Mechanical Engineering Design Project I | 3.0 | FA WP |
| MECH | 440B | Mechanical Engineering Design Project II | 2.0 | SP |
3 units selected from:
A technical elective with advisor's approval. See http//www.csuchico.edu/mmem
Grading Requirement:
All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.
Fundamentals of Engineering Examination
The Fundamentals of Engineering Exam is the first of two exams that the California State Board of Registration requires to be passed to be a licensed professional engineer. Prior to graduation, those majoring in Mechanical Engineering must apply to the California State Board of Registration and take the exam. Passing the exam is not required for graduation.
Advising Requirement:
Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are
1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.