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Undergraduate Catalog

2011 - 2012

BS in Mechanical Engineering
(97.5–98.5 hours*)

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This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. Please see the college advisement center or the department office for information regarding requirements for admission to this major.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. Complete the following basic science core:
      CHEM 105 : General College Chemistry. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      CHEM 105 : General College Chemistry. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: Math 110 (or equivalent) or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Atomic and molecular structure including bonding and periodic properties of the elements; reaction energetics, electrochemistry, acids and bases, inorganic and organic chemistry.
      NOTE: Primarily for students in engineering and biological sciences. Three lectures and two recitation sections per week.

      Course Outcomes


      PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PHSCS 123 : Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: PHSCS 121
      DESCRIPTION: Waves, thermal physics, optics, special relativity, and introduction to modern physics. Weekly lab.

      Course Outcomes


      PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PHSCS 220 : Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: Phscs 121 or equivalent; Math 113 or equivalent.
      DESCRIPTION: Electricity and magnetism. Weekly lab.

      Course Outcomes



      Note: Students without high school physics should start with Phscs 121.

  2. Complete one of the following mathematics core sequences:

  3. Complete the following preprofessional engineering courses:

  4. Complete the following professional mechanical engineering core:
      ME EN 250 : Science of Engineering Materials. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 250 : Science of Engineering Materials. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: CHEM 105
      DESCRIPTION: Principles and properties of solid materials and their behavior as applied to engineering.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 282 : Manufacturing Processes. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 282 : Manufacturing Processes. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: CE EN 203 & ME EN 250
      DESCRIPTION: Common manufacturing processes, including technological limitations and economic considerations. Influence of product design on process selection and manufacturing efficiency.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 312 : Fluid Mechanics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 312 : Fluid Mechanics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: ME EN 321 & ME EN 363; MeEn 373 or concurrent enrollment
      DESCRIPTION: Physics and modeling of fluid flow; fluid statics, dimensional analysis, momentum, internal and external viscous flow, compressible flow, and fluid machinery.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 321 : Thermodynamics. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: PHSCS 123 & MATH 303; or PHSCS 123 & MATH 334
      DESCRIPTION: Fundamentals of thermal energy and work; principle of state, conservation of mass, conservation of energy, increase of entropy principle; application to thermal and mechanical processes.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 335 : Dynamic System Modeling and Analysis. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 335 : Dynamic System Modeling and Analysis. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: MATH 303 & ME EN 363 & ME EN 373 & CE EN 204; or MATH 334 & ME EN 363 & ME EN 373 & CE EN 204
      DESCRIPTION: Formulating mathematical models for mechanical, electrical, fluid, and combined systems; numerical solution of motion equations; first- and second-order systems, frequency response, and transfer functions.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 340 : Heat Transfer. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: ME EN 312
      DESCRIPTION: Fundamentals of heat transfer; basics of conduction, convection, and radiation; mass transfer by analogy; heat exchangers; computer applications to practical design and analysis problems.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 363 : Elementary Instrumentation. (3:3:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 363 : Elementary Instrumentation. (3:3:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: MATH 303 & EC EN 301; or MATH 334 & EC EN 301; Engl 316 or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Fundamentals of mechanical measuring systems; sensors, signal conditioning, statistical error analysis, dynamic response, standards.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 372 : Mechanical System Design Fundamentals. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 372 : Mechanical System Design Fundamentals. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: CE EN 203 & ME EN 172 & ME EN 250 & ME EN 282; 373 or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Static and dynamic stress and failure analysis for mechanical systems.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 373 : Introduction to Scientific Computing and Computer-Aided Engineering. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 373 : Introduction to Scientific Computing and Computer-Aided Engineering. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: MATH 113; Concurrent enrollment in Math 214 or 302.
      DESCRIPTION: Computer programming for engineers taught in context of solving physical systems using numerical methods. Student will program solutions using the C++ language, spreadsheets, symbolic solvers, etc.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 475 : Integrated Product and Process Design 1. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 475 : Integrated Product and Process Design 1. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter
      PREREQUISITE: ME EN 321 & ME EN 363 & ME EN 372 & ME EN 373; Senior standing (fewer than 30 hours remaining in the program) in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, industrial design, or related disciplines with instructor's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Comprehensive two-semester design experience from conception to manufacturing planning and prototype. Product development process. Economic and manufacturing considerations. Intellectual property assignment agreement required.
      NOTE: MeEn 475 and 476 must be taken in consecutive fall and winter semesters.

      Course Outcomes


      ME EN 476 : Integrated Product and Process Design 2. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ME EN 476 : Integrated Product and Process Design 2. (3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter
      PREREQUISITE: ME EN 321 & ME EN 363 & ME EN 372 & ME EN 373; Senior standing (fewer than 30 hours remaining in the program) in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, industrial design, or related disciplines with instructor's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Comprehensive two-semester design experience from conception to manufacturing planning and prototype. Product development process. Economic and manufacturing considerations. Intellectual property assignment agreement required.
      NOTE: MeEn 475 and 476 must be taken in consecutive fall and winter semesters.

      Course Outcomes


  5. Complete the following supporting courses:
      ENG T 231 : Moral Leadership in a Technological World. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ENG T 231 : Moral Leadership in a Technological World. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
      DESCRIPTION: Principles and practices to help leaders develop consistent private and public lives and address the global environment from an integrated moral, technical, and social perspective.

      Course Outcomes


      ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      OFFERED: Honors also.
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: Junior or senior status.
      DESCRIPTION: Effective processes of written, oral, and visual technical communication, including collaborative processes. Writing for academic and professional audiences.
      NOTE: Carries GE Advanced Written and Oral Communication credit.

      Course Outcomes


      STAT 201 : Statistics for Engineers and Scientists. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      STAT 201 : Statistics for Engineers and Scientists. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: MATH 112; or MATH 119
      DESCRIPTION: The scientific method; probability, random variables, common discrete and continuous random variables, central limit theorem; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing; completely randomized experiments; factorial experiments.

      Course Outcomes


  6. Complete 15 hours (five courses) of technical electives.

    The purpose of these courses is to strengthen the engineering education of the student by a) deepening the student's understanding of engineering and/or science fundamentals, b) helping the student learn to apply engineering fundamentals in specific areas of interest, and/or c) helping the student to develop critical skills related to engineering practice.

    The technical electives are normally 400-level or higher mechanical engineering courses, but other courses may be used as long as the following requirements are met:

    • At least three courses must be in mechanical engineering.
    • No courses may be below the 300 level.
    • A maximum of 3 credit hours in Me En 495R, 595R, or other independent project courses may be applied to meet technical elective requirements.
    • All courses must be of an acceptable level from mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, or computer science; or be on the approved elective list in the department office. If a student wishes to count a course outside these areas as an elective, approval must be granted before the course is taken. Approval is requested by submitting a one-page petition to the department undergraduate committee that lists all of the proposed electives and demonstrates how the proposed exception meets the purposes described above.
    • No course used to satisfy other major requirements for graduation may be used as an elective.

    • General Elective Option

      Complete a total of 15 elective hours from the following:

      1. Complete a minimum of 9 hours from 400- or 500-level mechanical engineering courses.
      2. Complete a maximum of 6 hours of acceptable electives outside of mechanical engineering.

    • Manufacturing Option

      The Society of Manufacturing Engineers has identified four areas of competency for manufacturing engineering as follows: (1) materials and manufacturing processes; (2) process, assembly and product engineering; (3) manufacturing competitiveness; and (4) manufacturing systems design.

      An option in manufacturing engineering is available. It may be completed by taking the following 15 hours of technical electives:

      1. Complete 3 hours from the following:
          ME EN 585 : Manufacturing Competitiveness: Quality and Productivity. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
          ME EN 585 : Manufacturing Competitiveness: Quality and Productivity. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
          WHEN TAUGHT:Fall Even Yrs.
          PREREQUISITE: Stat 332, Me En 282; or equivalents.
          DESCRIPTION: Production strategies to improve quality, decrease cost, and increase throughput to create market advantage; effective production management systems; applying quality improvement tools to process data; theory of constraints and lean production.

          Course Outcomes


          MFG 532 : Manufacturing Systems. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
          MFG 532 : Manufacturing Systems. (3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
          WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
          PREREQUISITE: Mfg 480 or instructor's consent.
          DESCRIPTION: Analyzing lean manufacturing systems. Numerous examples and case studies from industry demonstrating principles of lean production, inventory management, and lean distribution. Project with a local company to gain confidence with these principles in an industrial setting.

          Course Outcomes


      2. Complete 3 hours from the following:

      3. Complete 3 hours from the following:

      4. Complete 3 additional hours from the manufacturing electives list.

      5. Complete 3 additional hours from the mechanical engineering general elective list.

      When combined with required courses for all mechanical engineering majors related to manufacturing, namely Me En 250, 282, 475/476, and Stat 332, this option provides a strong foundation in manufacturing engineering.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.



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