Requirements for the Major in Mechanical Engineering (MEC)

The major in Mechanical Engineering leads to a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Completion of the major requires approx­imately 107 credits.

1. Mathematics 

a. MAT 131, MAT 132 Calculus I, II 
b. AMS 261 Applied Calculus III or MAT 203 Calculus III with Applications 
c. AMS 361 Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations or MAT 303 Calculus IV with Applications
d. AMS 210 Applied Linear Algebra or MAT 211 Introduction to Linear Algebra

Note: The following alternate calculus course sequences may be substituted for MAT 131, MAT 132 in major requirements or prerequisites: MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 127 or AMS 151, AMS 161 or MAT 141, MAT 142

2. Natural Sciences

a. PHY 131/PHY 133, PHY 132/PHY 134 Classical Physics I, II and Laboratories 
b. A basic science elective to be selected from the following list of courses: PHY 251/252, Modern Physics/Modern Physics Laboratory; ESG 281, Engineering Introduction to the Solid State; PHY 300, Waves and Optics; CHE 132 General Chemistry II; BIO 202, Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology; BIO 203, Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology; GEO 310, Introduction to Geophysics; GEO 312, Structure and Properties of Materials; AST 203, Astronomy; AST 205, Introduction to Planetary Sciences; ATM 205, Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
c. ESG 198 Fundamentals of Engineering Chemistry or CHE 131 General Chemistry or CHE 152 Molecular Science I

Notes: 
The following alternate physics course sequences may be substituted for PHY 131/PHY 133, PHY 132/PHY 134: PHY 125, PHY 126, PHY 127, PHY 133, PHY 134 Classical Physics A, B, C and Laboratories or PHY 141, PHY 142, PHY 133, PHY 134 Classical Physics I, II: Honors

The following chemistry course may be substituted for ESG 198: CHE 131 General Chemistry I or CHE 152 Molecular Science I

3. Laboratories

  • MEC 316 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I

  • MEC 317 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory II

4. Mechanical Engineering

  • MEC 101 Freshman Design Innovation

  • MEC 102 Engineering Computing and Problem Solving

  • MEC 203 Engineering Graphics and CAD 

  • MEC 214 Probability and Statistics

  • MEC 220 Practical Electronics Mechanical Engineers 

  • MEC 225 Fundamentals of Machining Practices or MEC 226 Modern Machining Practices

  • MEC 260 Engineering Statics

  • MEC 262 Engineering Dynamics

  • MEC 301 Thermodynamics

  • MEC 305 Heat and Mass Transfer

  • MEC 325 Manufacturing Processes

  • MEC 363 Mechanics of Solids

  • MEC 364 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

5. Materials Science

  • ESG 332 Materials Science I: Structure and Properties of Materials

6. Engineering Design

  • MEC 310 Introduction to Machine Design

  • MEC 320 Numerical Methods in Engineering Design and Analysis

  • MEC 410 Design of Machine Elements

  • MEC 411 System Dynamics and Controls

  • MEC 422 Thermal System Design

  • MEC 440 Mechanical Engineering Design I

  • MEC 441 Mechanical Engineering Design II

7. Engineering Economics

  • EST 392 Engineering and Manufacturing Economics or ECO 108 Introduction to Economics

8. Technical Electives

Three technical elective courses are required, two mechanical engineering (MEC) courses and one selected from courses offered by any department of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, including MEC. A list of approved technical elective courses may be found in the Department's Undergraduate Guide.

9. Writing and Oral Communication Requirement

  • MEC 300 Technical Communication in Mechanical Engineering

Requirements for the Minor in Mechanical Engineering (MEC)

Completion of the minor requires 18-20 credits, of which 12-13 are from required courses and 6-7 from electives. 
A student who wishes to pursue this minor should consult with the undergraduate program director in the Department of Mechanical Engineering before registering for the elective courses. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and a g.p.a. of 2.00 or higher is required for the six courses that constitute the minor.

1. Four required courses:

2. Two elective courses chosen from the following: 

  • MEC 305 Heat and Mass Transfer

  • MEC 310 Introduction to Machine Design

  • MEC 320 Numerical Methods in Engineering Design and Analysis

  • MEC 325 Manufacturing Processes and Machining

  • MEC 364 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

  • MEC 393 Engineering Fluid Mechanics

  • MEC 398 Thermodynamics II

  • MEC 402 Mechanical Vibrations

  • MEC 411 System Dynamics and Control

  • MEC 455 Applied Stress Analysis

Note: Other electives require the appro­val of the undergraduate program director.