BS in Mechatronic Engineering

Mechatronic Engineering is a new discipline that combines many of the skills of a mechanical engineer with those of a computer engineer and an electrical engineer. The mechatronic engineering graduate is prepared to design "intelligent" products such as "jitter-free" camcorders, active vehicle suspension systems that adjust to road conditions, anti-lock braking systems, and laser printers.

The mechatronic engineering program has the primary mission of providing students a high-quality undergraduate engineering education with:

• A curriculum that is firmly grounded in engineering fundamentals
• A faculty that provides superior teaching and mentoring both in and out of the classroom
• A faculty whose focus is undergraduate education
• Class sizes that encourage student participation
• Project experiences that build on fundamentals and develop team skills
• Facilities and equipment that are readily accessible
• 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.

The program's educational objectives are best framed in terms of goals for its graduates. Mechatronic engineering graduates will:

• Be effective interdisciplinary engineers and problem solvers.
• Be well educated in the basic engineering sciences and fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.
• Be able to use engineering tools that will enhance their productivity.
• Be able to design, analyze, and test "intelligent" products and processes that incorporate suitable computers, sensors, and actuators.
• Be effective oral, written, and graphical communicators.
• Be able to function effectively as members of multi-disciplinary teams.
• 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.
• Be prepared for a variety of engineering careers, graduate studies, and continuing education.

Our MECA graduates should demonstrate:

1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2. An ability to design experiments to evaluate the performance of a mechatronic system or component with respect to specifications
3. An ability to conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data
4. An ability to design a mechatronic system, component, or process to meet desired needs
5. An ability to function effectively as members of multidisciplinary teams
6. An ability to define engineering problems
7. An understanding of professional ethical responsibility
8. An ability to communicate technical matters effectively in oral form
9. An ability to communicate technical matters effectively in written form
10. An ability to communicate technical matters effectively in graphical form
11. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
12. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning
13. A knowledge of contemporary issues
14. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern mechatronic engineering tools necessary for engineering practice