Requirements for the Major in Mechanical Engineering (MEC)

The major in Mechanical Engineering leads to the 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 Instrumentation and Solid Mechanics Laboratory
  • MEC 317 Thermal Sciences and Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

4. Mechanical Engineering

  • MEC 101 Freshman Design Innovation
  • MEC 102 Engineering Computing and Problem Solving
  • MEC 203 Engineering Graphics and CAD 
  • 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 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. Upper-Division Writing and Engineering Ethics

  • MEC 300 Professional Conduct for Engineers

Grading

The grade point average of all required MEC courses and all technical electives must be at least 2.00. When a course is repeated, the higher grade will be used in calculating this average. A minimum grade of "C" in MEC 441 is required for the B.E. degree. 

The Minor in Mechanical Engineering

The minor in Mechanical Engineering is offered for students who want the record of their University studies to show a significant amount of upper-division work in the discipline. Entry into this minor presupposes a background in mathematics and physics, represented by the prerequisite requirements for the courses listed below.

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.

The Accelerated B.E./M.S. Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering

The accelerated B.E./M.S. program in mechanical engineering allows students to use up to nine graduate credits taken as an undergraduate toward both B.E. and M.S. degree requirements, thus reducing the normal time required to complete both degrees. The program is designed for upper-division mechanical engineering students with superior academic records. For detailed program require­ments, including admission require­­ments, please refer to the Graduate Bulletin.