Timothy McLain, Chair
435-A CTB, (801) 422-2625
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology Advisement Center
264 CB, (801) 422-4325
Admission to Degree Program
The degree program in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering carries special enrollment limitations at the junior
level. Please see Professional Program Acceptance below and the
college advisement center for specific details.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in
addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following
university requirements:
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and
religious education. (See the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
| BS |
Mechanical Engineering |
Students should see their college advisement center or a
faculty member for help or information concerning the
undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
| MS |
Mechanical Engineering |
| PhD |
Mechanical Engineering |
For more information see the BYU 2007–2008
Graduate Catalog.
The Discipline
Mechanical engineers work with concepts, ideas, and products
that are primarily mechanical or energy related. Mechanical
engineering is a broad discipline that prepares a person to
contribute in a wide range of fields such as aerospace, computer
graphics, power generation, machine tools, petroleum,
agricultural and construction equipment, medicine, government,
and all types of transportation. A mechanical engineer may work
in research, design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, operations,
sales, or management. Engineers use critical problem-solving
methods and basic principles of mathematics and science to
creatively solve problems.
Educational Objectives
The Brigham Young University Department of Mechanical
Engineering undergraduate bachelor of science program pursues
the following objectives:
- Teach the fundamental concepts of math, science, and
mechanical engineering to produce graduates who
demonstrate technical excellence and provide service to their
profession, community, family, and church.
- Instill a desire and ability to learn continuously, both through
study and faith, to enable graduates to meet the changing
demands of their profession and personal life.
- Provide practical and open-ended engineering experiences to
develop graduates who think independently and demonstrate
leadership and creativity.
- Engage students in activities to produce graduates who
communicate and work effectively and ethically with people
of diverse backgrounds.
Program Outcomes
To assure that these objectives are reached, the department has
articulated twelve outcomes of the BS program. Each student
graduating from this program is expected to have:
- A basic understanding of fundamental physical phenomena
and governing principles.
- An ability to develop and solve mathematical models of
fundamental physical phenomena.
- An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet
desired needs.
- The expertise to plan and conduct an experimental program
and evaluate the results.
- An ability to use modern engineering tools and techniques in
engineering practice.
- An understanding of manufacturing processes and planning.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- An ability to work with others to accomplish common goals.
- An appreciation of history, philosophy, literature, science, and
the fine arts.
- Personal behavior consistent with high moral and ethical
standards.
- An understanding of engineering in a global, societal context.
- A desire for and commitment to lifelong learning and service.
All courses in the curriculum are designed to help achieve
these outcomes.
The curriculum in mechanical engineering is accredited by the
Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board
for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET).
Career Opportunities
A bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering provides
widely recognized professional training for careers in industry,
government, and other areas. Most industrial companies hire
some mechanical engineers. Companies that make mechanical or
energy-related products may hire mostly mechanical engineers.
As a result, many mechanical engineering positions are available
worldwide. Mechanical engineers have job opportunities in
companies involved in such areas as aircraft and spacecraft
design; manufacturing processes; product safety and reliability;
solar energy; electronic equipment packaging and cooling; power
plant design; jet, train, truck, and automobile engines;
environmental protection; artificial intelligence; robotics; medical
and hospital equipment; new material development and
applications; and technical writing. Increasing numbers of
positions utilize foreign language experience.
A graduate in mechanical engineering is prepared for advanced
studies in the field as well as in a variety of other disciplines,
including law, medicine, and business administration. Perhaps
most important to graduates are the problem-solving strategies and
thinking processes acquired in the study of mechanical engineering
that help one to succeed in any area of endeavor.
General Information
Any student may choose to major in mechanical engineering and
to enroll in all classes in the preprofessional program (items 1 and
2 under BS Mechanical Engineering Major Requirements).
Professional Program Acceptance
Students must be accepted into the professional program before
they may take the professional Me En core or technical electives
(items 4 and 5 in major requirements). To apply, students must
have completed the following four courses at a college or
university (neither AP nor concurrent enrollment credit meet this
requirement):
- One course from
the basic
science core (item 1 in the major requirements).
- One course from
the mathematics
core (item 2 in the major requirements).
- Me En 172.
- CE En 103.
Only one repeat is allowed in any of these courses for purposes of
determining professional program acceptance. If a student has
taken more than four professional application courses or has
repeated any of these courses, all grades received in the
profesional application courses will be considered in determining
professional program acceptance.
A fixed number of students is granted acceptance to the
professional program each year. Acceptance is based primarily
upon the grade point average for the professional application
courses. Because the class size is fixed, the GPA necessary for
admission varies from year to year. Historically, students with a
GPA of 2.9 or above in the professional application courses have
been admitted to the professional program.
Normal application deadlines are June 12, October 1, and
February 1. Applications from transfer students who have been
admitted to the university may be considered at other times.
Professional program application forms are available in the
college advisement center.
Academic Standards and Continuance
On gaining acceptance into the professional program, students
must maintain a minimum university cumulative grade point
average of 2.0. No more than 6 credit hours of grades below C– in
major courses may be applied toward graduation. A professional
program course may not be retaken more than once.
