BS in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering includes aspects of 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.

The mechanical 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. Mechanical engineering graduates will:

• Be effective engineers and problem solvers.
• Be well educated in the mechanical engineering sciences.
• Be able to use engineering tools that will enhance their productivity.
• 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.
• 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 MECH 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 mechanical/thermal 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 mechanical system, component, or process to meet desired needs
5. An ability to design a thermal system, component, or process to meet desired needs
6. An ability to function effectively as members of multidisciplinary teams
7. An ability to define engineering problems
8. An ability to solve engineering problems
9. An understanding of professional ethical responsibility
10. An ability to communicate technical matters effectively in oral form
11. An ability to communicate technical matters effectively in written form
12. An ability to communicate technical matters effectively in graphical form
13. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
14. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning
15. A knowledge of contemporary issues
16. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern mechanical engineering tools necessary for engineering practice