Mechanical Engineering

Timothy W. McLain, Chair
435-A CTB, (801) 422-2625
http://me.byu.edu

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 University Core 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
• Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office

Undergraduate Programs and Degrees

Major

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.

Graduate Programs and Degrees

MS in Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Mechanical Engineering

For more information see the BYU 2009–2010 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Provide practical and open-ended engineering experiences to develop graduates who think independently and demonstrate leadership and creativity.
4. 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:

1. A basic understanding of fundamental physical phenomena and governing principles.
2. The ability to develop and solve mathematical models of fundamental physical phenomena and apply them to predict the behavior of engineering systems.
3. The ability to use engineering principles to design an innovative system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
4. The expertise to plan and conduct an experimental program and evaluate the results.
5. The ability to use modern engineering tools and techniques in engineering practice.
6. An understanding of manufacturing processes and planning.
7. Effective oral and written communication skills.
8. The ability to work with and lead others to accomplish goals.
9. An appreciation of history, philosophy, literature, science, and the fine arts and how they influence the culture and behavior of societies.
10. Personal behavior demonstrating and practicing high moral and ethical standards.
11. The ability to practice engineering in a global environment.
12. 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):

1. One course from the basic science core (item 1 in the major requirements).
2. One course from the mathematics core (item 2 in the major requirements).
3. Me En 172.
4. 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 professional 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 1, 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.