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Undergraduate Student Guide
(Last Modifed 06/09/2005)
Table of Content
- Mission Statement
- Information for Transfer Students
-
Bachelor of engineering degree requirements: ME major
- Diversified Education Curriculum (DEC)
- Requirements for the Major in Mechanical Engineering (MEC)
- Other College-Wide Information
- Combined BE/MS Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering
- The Minor In Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering Course Descriptions
- Other Courses Offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department
- Faculty - Area of Specialization
- Lab Safety
- Important Campus Phone Numbers
- Directions To Stony Brook University
- Address and Important Contact People
Mission Statement
Mechanical engineering is one of the core disciplines of engineering. It encompasses a large number of subdisciplines that are at the heart of both traditional and leading edge technologies. Mechanical engineers can be found in leadership roles in almost any sector of industry, ranging from electronics and aerospace to civil transportation and consumer household products. The undergraduate mechanical engineering program at Stony Brook recognizes that students have a variety of career path objectives within the wide variety of industrial environments available to mechanical engineers. While the majority of our graduates directly pursue careers in industry, a significant percentage of them join graduate schools. Most of the students entering graduate schools continue their mechanical engineering studies. However, many of them have gone to law, business and medical schools. The undergraduate curriculum in mechanical engineering is designed to provide students with the detailed mechanical engineering education and training required for immediate entry into the job market. At the same time, the curriculum maintains enough flexibility to enable students to fully prepare themselves for graduate studies and research careers.
Educational Objectives
1. The educational objectives of our mechanical engineering program are to prepare our graduates to establish a successful career in mechanical engineering or related fields in industry and other organizations where an engineering approach to problem solving is highly valued.
2. Contribute significantly in multidisciplinary work environment with high ethical standards and with an understanding of the role of engineering in the economy and the environment.
3. Excel in graduate study and research, reaching advanced degrees in engineering and related disciplines.
4. Achieve success in professional development through life-long learning.Curriculum Overview
The undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum includes the Diversified Educational Curriculum (DEC) required by the university as well as a core curriculum designed for the mechanical engineering major.
The core curriculum provides students with a solid education in mathematics and the physical sciences along with a broad sequence of courses covering thermal processes and fluid mechanics, mechanical design, solid mechanics, and the dynamic behavior and control of mechanical systems. Students also take courses that introduce them to the use of advanced computational methods for engineering design and analysis as well as data processing and analysis. A series of laboratory courses introduces them to sensors and electronics, modern instrumentation and experimental techniques used in engineering for tasks ranging from product design, evaluation and testing to research. In addition, students can select electives to provide either higher level academic training in preparation for graduate school or a broader exposure to subjects related to engineering practice to enhance their preparation for a job after graduation.
Program Outcomes
All of the aforementioned curricular activities are carefully integrated so that students, upon graduation, are expected to have:
• the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to mechanical engineering problems;
• the ability to design and conduct experiments and to analyze and interpret data;
• the ability to work professionally in both the thermal and mechanical systems areas including the design and realization of such systems to meet desired needs;
• the ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
• the ability to function as a member of multidisciplinary teams;
• a solid understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
• an ability to communicate effectively in written, oral, and visual form;
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;
• a recognition of the need for and the ability to engage in life-long learning;
• a knowledge of contemporary issues;
• the ability to use modern engineering techniques, skills, and computing tools necessary for engineering practice.
Accreditation
The B.E. (M.E.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This guide is provided to incoming or transferring Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students to assist them in selecting the sequence of courses needed to obtain a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering. It is extremely important that students carefully study the information given in this guide, know the recommended sequence of courses and be familiar with the prerequisites for these courses. They should consult their advisors before deviating from the recommended course scheduling sequence. As part of a continuing effort to improve our educational program, the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering may change. This guide describes the degree requirements that apply to all students who enter the major during or after the Fall 2007-Spring 2008 academic year.
Acceptance
Requirements For The Major In Mechanical Engineering
Freshman and transfer applicants who have specified their interest in the mechanical engineering major may be accepted directly into the major upon admission to the University. Students in good academic standing who were admitted to the University but not immediately accepted into major may apply for acceptance after they have completed their first semester at the University. Priority for admission to the mechanical engineering major is given to those students who have 1). completed MAT 132 and PHY 132 or their equivalents, 2). earned a G.P.A. of 3.0 in all mathematics and physics courses with no more than one grade in the C range, and 3). received completed course evaluations for all transferred courses that are to be used to meet requirements of the major. Students interested in joining the Mechanical Engineering major are encouraged to talk to the Undergraduate Program Director (listed in the front matter of this document).
Information for Transfer Students
Students who are interested in transferring or have transferred into department of mechanical engineering from community colleges or other universities should consult the Undergraduate Transfer Office (http://ws.cc.stonybrook.edu/ugadmissions/transfer/) regarding transfer admission, transfer credit evaluations as well as other university and CEAS policies regarding transfer credits. Advising by the Undergraduate Transfer Office for new transfers is available on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm , by e-mail, and by telephone at (631) 632-7028. The office is located in Room 134 of the Administration Building .
The Undergraduate Transfer Office maintains and publishes a list of courses from other institutions that are deemed equivalent to Stony Brook courses. Transfer students must fill out the appropriate forms at the Undergraduate Transfer Office in order for their transfer credits appear in the Solar system. For courses that are not on the list, students should fill out a transfer credit evaluation form in CEAS Undergraduate Student Office. The form will be sent out for transfer credit evaluation to the department that a potentially equivalently course is offered.
The policy with regard to transfer credits is uniform throughout the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Faculty members in the appropriate department evaluate all transfer credits, e.g., mathematics courses are evaluated by the Department of Mathematics, etc. No Credits is granted for grades less than C. Credits earned at unaccredited institutions or in a technical (2-year/Associates Degree program) curriculum are generally not accepted for transfer or technical elective Credits.
For advice about registering for courses required for mechanical engineering major, transfer students should consult their faculty advisor or Undergraduate Program Director of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Occasionally, students wish to take a course at another institution during their matriculation at Stony Brook. This happens, for example, if students (especially transfer students) find themselves out of sequence; credits for a summer course at another institution might ease their subsequent scheduling problems. In these cases, students may request advanced written permission from the Undergraduate Program Director of the Department so that there is no doubt that such courses taken off campus are transferable.
Bachelor of Engineering Degree Requirements: Mechanical Engineering Major
Students following a program of study leading to a B.E. degree must satisfy the general education requirements of the university, as well as the requirements of the major, which comprises of a core of mandated courses and a set of three approved technical electives. The total number of credits required for a B.E. degree in mechanical engineering is 128.
Diversified Education Curriculum (DEC)
The general education Diversified Education Curriculum (DEC) Requirements of the University are described in the Diversified Education Undergraduate Bulletin, and are summarized in Table 1. DEC requirements are divided into three categories: 1). University Skills, 2). Disciplinary Diversity, and 3). Expanding Perspectives and Cultural Awareness. Additionally, each category is subdivided and assigned a letter from A through K. (Categories D and K are not required for the Bachelor of Engineering degree). Courses satisfying each letter category may be taken at any time, except for Writing Workshop, WRT 101, 102 (or 103) which must be taken in the freshman year. EST 392 (or ECO 108) is a required DEC course for Mechanical Engineering majors and may be used to satisfy letter category F . No single DEC course may be used to satisfy two categories simultaneously; however, it may be used to satisfy the majo r r equirements. For example, PHY 131 satisfies DEC category E and the major requirements. For more details, please refer to the Diversified Education Undergraduate Bulletin.
Students are encouraged to visit the CEAS ( College of Engineering and Applied Sciences) Undergraduate Student Office for a formal review of their D.E.C. requirements at least two semesters prior to their expected date of graduation . Students should use Table 1 in planning their DEC course assignments.
Table 1: DEC Requirements
|
Level |
Courses |
Grade (min) |
Example |
| University Skills: A-Writing
Workshop |
2 |
C |
WRT 101,102 MAT131 |
| Disciplinary Diversity: E-Natural
Sciences |
2 |
D |
PHY 131 |
| Expanding Perspectives and Cultural Awareness: H-Implications
of Science & Technology |
1 |
D |
Notes:
- Only EST392 or ECO108 may be used for DEC F.
- DECs C and E are automatically satisfied because of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum’s mandatory mathematics and physics course requirements.
- Physics and Math have new minimum grade policies. Please check with these departments to determine their grade and course repetition policies.
Notes on Category A requirements:
- A score of 4 or 5 on the University's writing placement examination, or a score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the AP English Language and Composition examination or the AP English Language and Literature examination, satisfies the first course of the two course requirement.
- Students must begin completion of Category A during their first year at Stony Brook and must take writing courses in sequence until the requirement is satisfied. In addition, completion of Category A will be a prerequisite for MEC 300 beginning in Fall 2005. Starting from fall 2005, students will not be allowed to take MEC 300 without completing the Category A requirements.
- All transfer and re-matriculated students who have passed, with a grade of C or higher, a composition course judged equivalent to WRT 102 or WRT 103 will have satisfied this requirement.
- Once matriculated, the student must complete Category A at Stony Brook. In other words, you cannot take these writing courses at another institution after you have enrolled at Stony Brook.
Figure 1 : Writing and technical communication requirements linked through pre-requisites.
Notes on Category I and J requirements:
- In choosing courses to satisfy D.E.C. I and J, students should choose one with a humanities designator and one with a social and behavioral sciences designator.
- B.E. degree students may petition the CEAS Undergraduate Student Office for permission to substitute a category K course for a category I or J course. Category K deals with the American Experience in Historical Perspective. It is not required for a B.E. degree. Petitions are approved only in special circumstances and must be approved before taking the DEC K course .
Requirements for the Major in Mechanical Engineering (MEC)
The major in mechanical engineering leads to the Bachelor of Engineering degree. Completion of the degree requirements for the major requires approximately 107 credits . Students are strongly encouraged to visit the Office of Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Program Director for a formal review of their MEC major requirements at least one semester prior to their expected date of graduation. A sample graduate clearance form is shown in Table 2.
- Mathematics
- MAT 131, 132 Calculus I, II
- AMS 261 Applied Calculus III
or MAT 203 Calculus III with Applications - AMS 361 Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations
or MAT 303 Calculus IV with Applications
Note: The following alternate calculus course sequences may be substituted for MAT 131, 132 in major requirements or prerequisites:
- MAT 125, 126, 127
- AMS 151, 161
- MAT 141, 142
- Natural Sciences
a. PHY 131/133, 132/134 Classical Physics I, II and labs
b. PHY 251 Modern Physics and PHY 252 Modern Physics Laboratory,
or ESG 281 An Engineering Introduction to the Solid Statec. CHE 131 General Chemistry or CHE 141 Honors Chemistry or ESG 198
Notes: The following alternate physics course sequences may be substituted for PHY 131/133, 132/134:
- PHY 125, 126, 127 Classical Physics A, B, C
- PHY 141, 142 Classical Physics I, II: Honors
The following chemistry course sequences may be substituted for CHE 198 :
- CHE 131 General Chemistry I
- Laboratories
- Mechanical Engineering
- MEC 101 Engineering Computing and Problem Solving I
- MEC 102 Engineering Computing and Problem Solving II
- MEC 125 Fundamentals of Machining Laboratory
- MEC 202 Engineering Drawing and CAD I
- MEC 203 Engineering Drawing and CAD II
- MEC 214 Probability and Statistical Analysis for Experiments
- MEC 260 Engineering Statics
- MEC 262 Engineering Dynamics
- MEC 301 Thermodynamics
- MEC 305 Heat and Mass Transfer
- MEC 325 Manufacturing Processes and Machining
- MEC 363 Mechanics of Solids
- MEC 364 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
- Materials Science
- ESG 332 Materials Science I: Structure and Properties of Materials
- ESG 332 Materials Science I: Structure and Properties of Materials
- Engineering Design
- Engineering Economics
- EST 392 Engineering and Managerial Economics or ECO 108 Introduction to Economics
- EST 392 Engineering and Managerial Economics or ECO 108 Introduction to Economics
- Technical Electives
Three technical elective courses are required, at least two must be a mechanical engineering (MEC) course and the other may be selected from courses offered by any department of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, including MEC. The following is a list of approved technical elective courses:
Figure 2 : Required courses in Mathematics and Natural Sciences linked through pre-requisites (solid lines) and co-requisites (dotted lines).
Mechanical Engineering:
MEC: 350, 391/392, 393, 398, 402, 412, 442, 450, 455, 460, 470, 490, 491, 492, 499.Applied Math and Statistics:
AMS: 310, 311, 312, 315, 341, 342, 351.Computer Science:
CSE: 308, 327, 328, 329, 352.Electrical Engineering:
ESE: 305, 306, 307, 310, 311, 316, 330, 347, 350, 352, 380, 381.Material Science and Engineering:
ESG: 333, 339.
ESM: 309, 334, 335, 336, 338, 352, 353, 369.Technology and Society:
EST: 326, 327, 393Other electives for the major require the approval of the undergraduate program director.
For departments other than Mechanical Engineering, check with that department for the semester in which these courses are offered and their frequencies. Note that many of these courses have several prerequisites and/or co-requisites that must be satisfied in order to take the course.
Table 1 shows a recommended course sequence. Due to strict pre- and co-requisite requirements (see Figure 3), students are strongly advised to follow this course sequence. Any deviation from this course sequence should be discussed with the faculty advisor.
Table 1: A recommended course sequence
|
|
Fall |
|
Spring |
Freshman |
1 |
ITS 101 |
1 |
ITS 102 |
|
2 |
2 |
||
|
4 |
MAT 131 |
4 |
MAT 132 |
|
4 |
PHY 131+133 |
4 |
PHY 132+134 |
|
3 |
WRT 101 |
3 |
WRT 102 |
|
3 |
DEC(B) |
3 |
DEC (G) |
total |
17 |
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sophomore |
1 |
MEC 125* |
2 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
||
|
1 |
3 |
MEC 262†‡ |
|
|
3 |
3 |
||
4 |
PHY 251+252/ESG 281 |
4 |
CHE 198/131 |
|
|
4 |
MAT203/AMS261 |
4 |
|
|
3 |
DEC (H) |
|
|
total |
17 |
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
DEC (F, EST 392) |
1 |
|
Junior |
4 |
3 |
||
|
3 |
3 |
||
|
4 |
2 |
||
|
3 |
3 |
||
|
|
|
3 |
|
total |
16 |
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
||
Senior |
4 |
3 |
Tech Elec #2 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
Tech Elec #3 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
DEC (I) |
|
|
3 |
Tech Elec #1 |
3 |
DEC (J) |
total |
16 |
|
15 |
|
|
|
TOTAL = 130 |
|
|
* May be taken in any semester prior to or including MEC 325.
† A minimum grade of “C” or higher is required in order to graduate.
‡ A minimum of “C” or higher is required in MEC 260 to take this course
(bold) MEC 125, 202, 203, 260, and 262 are offered both fall and spring; all other courses offered only in their respective semesters. MEC 262 and MEC 363 are also offered during the summer, in general.
Figure 3 : Required mechanical engineering courses linked through pre-requisites or co-requisites. Non-mechanical engineering courses are designated with their own prefixes such as ESG or CHE or PHY or CAL.
Note: Students are not allowed to register for a course without meeting its pre- or co-requisite requirements. These requirements are enforced through a computer based course registration system by the Solar System.
Table 2: A sample graduation clearance form.
|
Graduation Clearance Form (students entering program after |
|||||||
|
NAME: |
|||||||
|
COURSE |
SB |
TR |
GRADE |
MAT |
SCI |
ES |
DES |
|
EST 392/ECO 108 (3) |
|||||||
|
CHE 131, 141, or ESG 198 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
MAT 131 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
MAT 132 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
MAT 203 or AMS 261 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
MAT 303 or AMS 361 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
PHY 131 + 133 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
PHY 132 + 134 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
PHY 251 + 252 or ESG 281 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
ESG 332 (4) |
4 |
||||||
|
MEC 101 (2) |
2 |
+ |
|||||
|
MEC 102 (2) |
2 |
+ |
|||||
| MEc 125 (1) | 1 |
||||||
|
MEC 200 (1) |
|||||||
|
MEC 202 (1) |
1 |
+ |
|||||
|
MEC 203 (2) |
2 |
+ |
|||||
| MEC 214 (1) | 1 |
||||||
|
MEC 260 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
MEC 262 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
MEC 300 (1) |
|||||||
|
MEC 301 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
MEC 305 (3) |
2 |
1 |
|||||
|
MEC 310 (3) |
2 |
1 |
|||||
|
MEC 316 (3) |
|
2 |
1 |
||||
|
MEC 317 (2) |
2 |
||||||
|
MEC 320 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
MEC 325 (3) |
3 |
|
|||||
|
MEC 363 (3) |
3 |
+ |
|||||
|
MEC 364 (3) |
3 |
+ |
|||||
|
MEC 410 (3) |
1 |
2 |
|||||
|
MEC 411(4) |
3 |
1 |
|||||
|
MEC 422 (3) |
2 |
1 |
|||||
|
MEC 440 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
MEC 441 (3) |
3 |
||||||
3 |
|||||||
|
TE 1 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
TE 2 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
TE 3 (3) |
3 |
||||||
|
OTHER |
|||||||
|
TOTALS |
17 |
16 |
52 |
20 |
|||
Advising for Course Registration
Every mechanical engineering student will be assigned an academic advisor who is a member of the mechanical engineering faculty. The Department will schedule an "Advising Week" before the pre-registration period of each semester. Students are required to obtain the advisor's approval before registering for mechanical engineering courses for the following semester.
All courses taken to satisfy requirements 1 through 9 above must be taken for a letter grade. No courses fulfilling the major requirements for the B.E. in Mechanical Engineering may be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis.
In addition, the grade point average for the courses MEC 260, MEC 262, MEC 301, MEC 305 , MEC 310, MEC 316, MEC 317, MEC 320 , MEC 326, MEC 363, MEC 364, MEC 410, MEC 411, MEC 422 , MEC 440, MEC 441, and all technical electives (with the exception of MEC 488) must be at least 2.0. When a course is repeated, the higher grade will be used in calculating this average.
Starting in spring, 2008, the following minimum grades will be required in the following courses before being allowed to move onward:
A grade of C or higher must be obtained in MEC 260 and MEC 262 in order to graduate.
A grade of C or higher must be obtained in MEC 260 in order to take MEC 262 and MEC 363.
Note also that the Physics and Mathematics departments have minimum grade requirements for their courses, including those required for Mechanical Engineering. Please check with these departments for details.
Students with a superior academic record (a G.P.A of 3.0 or better) may use MEC 499 (3 credits) for an independent research study under the guidance of a Mechanical Engineering. faculty. Additional details may be found in the course description. The department has several research laboratories; a description of these laboratories can be found in the Graduate Bulletin. This course must be taken at Stony Brook.
Graduate level courses may be taken by undergraduate students with a superior academic record and may be counted as technical electives. Approval must be obtained from the Department of Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Program Director, the course instructor, and the Graduate School .
In addition to course requirements for a B.E. degree in mechanical engineering, students must meet the Residence Requirement of the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) as follows.
At least seven engineering courses (those with the designator BME, MEC, ESE, ESG, or ESM) and/or approved technical elective courses must be completed in CEAS at Stony Brook At least five of the seven courses must be taken in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In addition, the following courses may not be used to meet the above requirement: MEC 200, MEC 300; MEC 316, MEC 317; MEC 440, and MEC 441. Similar courses (laboratories and senior design) in other departments of CEAS also may not be used to meet the requirement.
College Time Limits for the B.E. Degree
All requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering degree must be met in eleven semesters by those students with full-time status. Full-time transfer students must meet all degree requirements in the number of semester remaining after the number of transferred degree-related credits are divided by 12 (the semester equivalency) and the result is subtracted from 11 (semesters). In addition, students who withdraw from the University and return at a later date to complete degree requirements are required to have formally re-evaluated all courses more than six years old that were taken at Stony Brook or elsewhere to fulfill major requirements.
University Graduation Requirements
In addition to the above requirements a student should check that he or she has met all additional requirements set forth by the University, and the CEAS.
Allowed Calculators
Effective spring, 2008 only the following calculators will be permitted to be used on all midterm and final exams in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. There will be no exceptions! This list of calculators is identical to that allowed for the National Council for Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam that many of you will take in your senior year, as well as the Professional Engineering (PE) exam that you may take several years from now. The sooner you become comfortable on one of these calculators, the better.
NCEES Allowed calculators as of spring, 2008:
- Casio: All fx-115 models. Any Casio calculator must contain fx-115 in its model name.Hewlett Packard: The HP 33s and HP 35s models, but no others.
- Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models. Any Texas Instruments calculator must contain either TI-30X or TI-36X in its model name.
The NCEES policy on calculators can be found here: http://www.ncees.org/exams/calculators/ .
Other College-Wide Information
CEAS Undergraduate Student Office (Room 127, Engineering, 631-632-8381)
The Undergraduate Student Office of College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
provides a variety of services to undergraduate students within the College,
including general academic advising, appropriate referrals for advising
within a specific major, D.E.C. (Diversified Education Curriculum) requirement
advising, and assistance with processing transfer credits. The Undergraduate
Student Office also receives and processes student petitions to the CEAS
Committee on Academic Standing and Appeals (CASA). Student organizations,
including professional and honor societies, maintain mailboxes within the
Undergraduate Student Office, and scholarships and internships for CEAS
students are also coordinated through this office (see below). The Undergraduate
Student Office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences manages an extensive internship program for students in engineering and applied science disciplines. Students interested in obtaining an internship with an outside organization should contact the Undergraduate Student Office (Room 127, Engineering) for information on position postings and application procedures. Internships obtained through CEAS are paid and may or may not include academic credit.
CEAS students may apply for a variety of scholarships available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Applications can be obtained from the Undergraduate Student Office (Room 127, Engineering) beginning in early December for the following academic year.
The Combined BE/MS Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering
The combined BE/MS program in mechanical engineering allows students to use up to 9 graduate credits taken as an undergraduate towards both BE and MS degree requirements and 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 contact the Graduate Program Director. Please visit this link for frequently asked questions about BE/ME program: BE/MS program.
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 2.0 or higher is required for the six courses that constitute the minor .
- Four required courses:
- Two elective courses chosen from the following:
- MEC 305 Heat and Mass Transfer
- MEC 310 Introduction to Machine Design
- MEC 320 Engineering Design Methodology and Optimization
- 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 491, 492 Topics in Mechanical Engineering
Other electives require approval of the undergraduate program director.
Mechanical Engineering Course Descriptions
MEC 101: Engineering Computing and Problem Solving I, Prerequisite: None, Fall , Credits 2. Computer integrated introduction to engineering design and analysis. The mechanical engineering profession, engineering ethics, and engineering impact on society. Engineering equations, graphs, dimensional analysis, curve fitting, optimization in engineering design. Introduction to vectors and engineering statics, failure, and materials selection. Use of spreadsheets and MATLAB.
MEC 102: Engineering Computing and Problem Solving II, Prerequisite: MEC 101, Spring , Credits 2. Introduction to programming with MATLAB. Control structures, arrays and matrix operations, functions, object-oriented programming, interfacing MATLAB with other languages. Projects includes applications in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, control theory, and basic design concepts. Emphasizes the interpretation of previous analysis in terms of generating results, making quantitative comparisons, and assessing changes that optimize or otherwise maximize the usefulness of the result.
MEC 125: Fundamentals of Machining Practices, Prerequisite: MEC major or permission of instructor, Spring and Fall, Credits 1. Hands-on experience in the fundamentals of machining including metrology tools and devices, saw, sheet metal working, drilling, reaming, taping, turning, boring, milling, welding, and rapid prototyping.
MEC 200: Technical Communication in Mechanical Engineering I, Prerequisites: MEC Major; U2 standing , S/U Grading, Spring, Credit 1. Introduction to technical writing and oral communication with topics chosen from mechanical engineering. Includes technical memo and report writing and an introduction to researching sources of information. Emphasizes the development of oral presentation skills
MEC 202: Engineering Drawing and CAD I, Prerequisite: MEC major, or permission of the Department, Spring and Fall, Credit 1. Introduces methods used to communicate design ideas through the techniques of freehand technical sketching and computer-aided design software. Includes the principles of engineering drawing and sketching for mechanical design and the application of computer-aided design software in developing engineering drawings and mechanical designs.
MEC 203: Engineering Drawing and CAD II, Prerequisite: MEC 202, Spring and Fall, Credit 2. Application of computer graphics and solid modeling to design and representation of 3D objects, their assembly and tolerance analysis. Includes hands-on experience in the use of CAD software packages for solid modeling.
MEC 213: Studies in Nanotechnology, Prerequisites: PHY 131 or PHY 125; CHE 131 or ESG 198, Spring, Credits 2. The emerging field of nanotechnology develops solutions to engineering problems by taking advantage of the unique physical and chemical properties of nanoscale materials. This interdisciplinary, co-taught course introduces materials and nano-fabrication methods with applications to electronics, biomedical, mechanical and environmental engineering. Guest speakers and a semester project involve ethics, toxicology, economic and business implications of nanotechnology. Basic concepts in research and design methodology and characterization techniques will be demonstrated. Course is cross-listed as BME 213, MEC 213, and EST 213 and is required for the Minor in Nanotechnology Studies (NTS).
MEC 214: Probability and Statistics for Mechanical Engineers, Prerequisite: MAT 126 or 131 or 141 or AMS 151; MEC major or permission of instructor, Spring, Credits 1. Foundations of probability and statistics as applied to mechanical measurements and experimentation. Basic statistical analysis of data and assessing likelihood of future events based on past history. Concept of random sampling. Uncertainty analysis and error propagation, using both analytical and graphical tools. Assessing dominant sources of error in measurements.
MEC 260: Engineering Statics, Prerequisites: PHY 131/133 or 141 or 125, Corequisite: MAT 203 or AMS 261, Fall, Credit 3. A review of vector algebra. Concept of force. Equilibrium of particles. Moments about points and lines, couples and equivalent force systems. Equilibrium of rigid bodies. Analysis of simple structures such as trusses, frames, and beams. Centroids, centers of gravity, and moments of inertia. Dry friction with applications to wedges, screws, and belts. Method of virtual work, potential energy, and stability.
MEC 262: Engineering Dynamics, Prerequisites: MEC 260 with a grade of "C" or higher, Spring, Credits 3 . Vectorial kinematics of particles in space, orthogonal coordinate systems. Relative and constrained motions of particles. Dynamics of particles and the systems of particles, equations of motion, energy and momentum methods. Collisions. Two- and three-dimensional kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies. Moving frames and relative motion. Free, forced, and damped vibrations of particles and rigid bodies.
MEC 300: Technical Communication in Mechanical Engineering II, Prerequisite: WRT 102; MEC major; U3 or U4; MEC 200. Spring, S/U Grading. Credits 1. Aims to ensure proficiency in the types of communication necessary for success in the engineering profession. Provides students with the ability to apply their knowledge of correct written and spoken English to the diverse modes of communication encountered and used by engineers in the professional workplace.
MEC 301: Thermodynamics, Prerequisites: AMS 261 or MAT 203; PHY 131/133 or 141 or 125, Fall, Credits 3. Variables that describe the thermodynamic state of a system or control volume, including absolute temperature, internal energy, enthalpy, and entropy are introduced, and basic principles governing the transformations of energy, especially heat and work, are developed. Underlying principles are used to analyze and solve problems related to thermodynamic systems and to determine the changes in properties of the systems and surroundings implied by changes in inputs, configuration or constraints.
MEC 305: Heat and Mass Transfer, Prerequisites: MEC 301 and MEC 364; MEC 102 or MEC 111 or MEC 112 or CSE 114 or 130 or ESG 111 or ESE 124 , Spring , Credits 3. The fundamental laws of momentum, heat and mass transfer, and the corresponding transport coefficients. Principles of steady-state and transient heat conduction in solids are investigated. Laminar and turbulent boundary layer flows are treated, as well as condensation and boiling phenomena, thermal radiation, and radiation heat transfer between surfaces. Applications to heat transfer equipment are covered throughout the course.
MEC 309: Numerical Methods for Engineering Analysis, Prerequisites: MEC 102 or MEC 111 or MEC 112 or CSE 114 or 130 or ESG 111; AMS 261 or MAT 203; AMS 361 or MAT 303 Fall, Credits 3. Solving non-linear equations, systems of linear equations, interpolation/extrapolation, curve fitting, integration, and differential equations. Special emphasis on the implementation of numerical methods in FORTRAN computer programs to solve computation problems that arise in the engineering design process.
MEC 310: Introduction to Machine Design, Prerequisites: MEC 102 or MEC 111 or MEC 112 or CSE 114 or 130 or ESG 111 ; MEC 262 (ESG 316 for ESG Majors); Pre- or co-requisites: MEC 203, Spring, Credits 3. Application of graphical and analytical methods to the analysis and synthesis of mechanism. Covers concepts of degrees of freedom, graphical and analytical linkage synthesis, position, velocity, acceleration, and force analysis of linkage mechanisms. Introduces principles behind the operation of various machine elements such as gears and gear trains, cams, flywheels, roller and journal bearings, couplings, clutches, brakes, belts, and chains and their design, and analysis techniques.
MEC 316: Mechanical Engineering Lab I: Sensors and Instrumentation , Prerequisites; MAT 303 or AMS 361; MEC 214 and MEC 363; Co-requisites: MEC 301 and MEC 364, Fall, Credits 3. The spatial and temporal resolution of modern instrumentation and sensors that are particular to mechanical engineering. Concepts of Fourier analysis and frequency responses are discussed together with the statistical analysis of data. Includes basic circuit components. Laboratory safety. Students learn to operate instruments for measuring temperature, pressure, flow velocity, displacement, angle, acceleration, and strain. Design project. Laboratory fee required.
MEC 317: Mechanical Engineering Laboratory II, Prerequisites: MEC 316 and MEC 364, Co-requisites: MEC 305. Spring, Credits 2. Hands-on experience in solid and fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Emphasis is on the understanding of fundamental principles as well as familiarity with modern experimentation. Lectures at the beginning of the course provide background information and theories of experimentation. Student groups perform four experiments each in solid mechanics and in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Report writing is an integral part of the course, with emphasis on design of experiment, interpretation and presentation of data, error analysis, and conclusions. Laboratory fee required.
MEC 320: Engineering Design Methodology and Optimization, Prerequisites: MEC 102 or MEC 111 or MEC 112 or CSE 114 or 130 or ESG 111, Co-requisite: MEC 310, Spring, Credits 3. The general process of engineering design as a systematic and disciplined process. Covers materials related to the formulation of design specifications and criteria; conceptual design and evaluation of the design options; design creativity; formulation of analyzable models; simulation and optimization techniques; design for manufacture; design fo r r eliability; engineering economics; and engineering ethics.
MEC 323: Internal Combustion Engine, Prerequisites: MEC 305, Credits 3. Introduces different types of internal combustion engines and their operations. Topics include the innovative concept of gas generator-expander engine; thermodynamics fundamentals; fuel-air cycle analysis; engine combustion and emission processes; engine operating characteristics. Includes both the relevant fundamental concepts and the extensive practical knowledge base on which engine research, development, and design depend.
MEC 325: Manufacturing Processes and Machining, Prerequisites: ESG 322, Pre- or Co-requisite: MEC 125, Spring, Credits 3. The relationship between product design and manufacturing. Materials properties and influence. Introduces traditional and nontraditional manufacturing processes and their capabilities and limitations. Measurement inspection, reliability, and quality engineering. Economic impact of modern process engineering. Hands-on experience in the fundamentals of machining including metrology tools, saw, sheet metal working, drilling, reaming, taping, turning, boring, milling, welding, and rapid prototyping.
MEC 350: Energy Conversion and Alternate Energy Technologies, Prerequisites: MEC 301, Credits 3. Energy conversion principles, principal energy sources, and energy storage systems. Production technologies of useful energy and useful work with emphasis on technologies based on energy sources other than fossil or nuclear fuels, including direct energy conversion technologies (fuel cells, batteries, hybrid electric vehicles, and MHD generators), solar energy (solar thermal energy and photovoltaics), and wind energy.
MEC 363: Mechanics of Solids, Prerequisite: MEC 260 with a grade of "C" or higher, Spring, Credits 3. Stress and deformation of engineering structures and the influence of the mechanical behavior of materials. Concepts of stress and strain, constitutive relations, analysis of statically indeterminate systems, study of simple bars and beams, and stability conditions. Emphasis on force equilibrium, elastic response of materials, geometric compatibility, Mohr's circle, stresses and deflections in beams, and torsion and buckling of rods. Design for bending, shear and combined states of stress.
MEC 364: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, Prerequisite: MEC 262, Pre- or Corequisite: MEC 301, Fall, Credits 3. Fundamental properties of fluids and their conservation laws with applications to the design and evaluation of flows of engineering interest. Topics include hydrostatics, surface tension, dimensional analysis and dynamic similitude, Euler's equation, rotating coordinate systems, boundary layers, lubrication, drag on immersed bodies, open channel and pipe flows, and turbomachinery.
MEC 381: Transport and Fate of Pollutants, Prerequisite: AMS 361 or MAT 303, Credits 3. General mechanisms that describe the physical transport and chemical transformations of pollutants in the air, water, and soil. Major global cycles are also considered from a transport-transformation perspective. Specific examples include lake eutrophication, acid rain deposition, river pollution, and the dispersal of air pollutants from single (point) sources and multiple (area) sources.
MEC 391: Introduction to Automotive Engineering I, Prerequisites: MEC 262, MEC 363, First part of a year-long course. Review of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Collegiate Design competitions of past years and the rules of specific competitions and other competition-related issues. Selected engineering topics and mathematical/software tools are introduced including their application to solving engineering problems and to achieving design objectives.
MEC 392 Introduction to Automotive Engineering II, Prerequisite: MEC 391, Credits 3. A continuation of MEC 391.
MEC 393: Engineering Fluid Mechanics, Prerequisite: MEC 364, Credits 3. The application of the principles of fluid mechanics to important areas of engineering practice such as turbomachinery, hydraulics, and wave propagation. Prepares students for advanced coursework in fluid dynamics. Extends the study of viscous effects, compressibility, and inertial begun in MEC 364.
MEC 398: Thermodynamics II, Prerequisite: MEC 301 and MEC 364, Credit 3. Psychometrics and psychometric charts. Thermodynamic considerations for the design and performance of cooling towers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. Reacting mixtures, combustion, and chemical equilibrium. Thermodynamics of fluid flow, simple compression and expansion processes. Analysis and design of gas and vapor power cycles. Cycles with reheat, intercooling, and cogeneration plants. Refrigeration cycles.
MEC 402: Mechanical Vibrations, Prerequisites: MEC 262 and MEC 363, Credits 3. Modeling, analysis and design for mechanical vibrations. Fundamentals of free vibration, harmonically excited vibration and vibration under general forcing conditions are considered for one degree, two degree and multidegree of freedom systems; continuous systems; vibration design strategies including isolation and absorbers.
MEC 406: Energy Management in Commercial Buildings, Prerequisites: MEC 398, Credits 3. Basic heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system design and selection for commercial buildings. Includes both low-rise and high-rise structures. Selection of central plant components and equipment, calculation of space heating and cooling load, computer techniques for estimating annual energy consumption. ASHRAE codes. Building controls. BACnet.
MEC 410: Design of Machine Elements, Prerequisites: MEC 310 and MEC 363 , Fall, Credits 3. Application of analytical methods, material science, and mechanics to problems in design and analysis of machine components. Includes the design of mechanical components such as bearings, gears, shafting, springs, fasteners, belts, clutches, and brakes, and takes into consideration factors such as manufacturability and reliability. Design projects with open-ended and interactive problems are assigned to integrate several machine elements in a system.
MEC 411: Control System Design and Analysis, Prerequisites: MEC 262; AMS 361 or MAT 303, Fall, Credit 4. Analysis and design of feedback control systems. Topics include system modeling; transfer function, block diagram and signal-flow graph; sensors, actuators, and control circuit design; control system characteristics and performance; stability analysis; root locus method; Bode diagram; PID and lead-lag compensator design.
MEC 412: Computer-Aided Design, Prerequisites: MEC 310 and MEC 363, Credit 4. Application of the computer to solution methods and design in engineering. Discusses computer graphics, geometric modeling, and finite element analysis in structural mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Applied stress analysis. Applied fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Includes hands-on experience in the use of CAD software packages for solid modeling, system modeling, and finite element analysis. Integrated CAD in which the analysis of fluid flow, heat transfer, and solid mechanics are combined to solve a design problem.
MEC 420: Turbomachinery and Applications, Prerequisites: MEC 364, Credit 3. Classification of turbomachines, rotating flows, aerothermodynamic design of turbomachines, energy transfer between fluid and rotor, axial and radial devices, compressible gas flow, three-dimensional effects, rotating stall and surge theory. Numerous applications and design issues. Sample devices include propellers, fans, blowers, windmills, Pelton wheels, turbines, compressors, lawn sprinklers, etc.
MEC 421: Statistical Quality Control and Design of Experiments, Prerequisites: MEC 317, Credit 3. Online techniques that determine and control the quality of mass-manufactured products on a real-time basis by means of statistical analysis. Offline use and applications of the design-of-experiment and Taguchi methods to optimize a product and a process design. The concept of total quality management. Histograms, tests for normality, variables, and attribute control charts, orthogonal arrays, and signal-to-noise arrays. Z-transform for the evaluation of the percentage of nonconforming parts, tests for special causes. Zbar-R charts, and process capability analysis. Acceptance quality level and lobby-lot inspection. This course offered as both AMS 421 and MEC 421.
MEC 422: Thermal System Design, Prerequisite: MEC 305, Spring, Credits 3. Device design and system design. Quantitative data for system design including operating characteristics of compressors, turbines, heat exchangers, piping systems, internal combustion engines, and other component equipment. Component matching and system simulation. Optimization including thermo-economic evaluation and energy analysis. Case studies: refrigeration and air conditioning systems; combined cycles; steam-injected gas turbines.
MEC 440: Mechanical Engineering Design I, Prerequisites: MEC 300, MEC 310, MEC 317, MEC 320, MEC 326, and MEC major: U4 standing, Co-requisite: MEC 410 and MEC 411, Fall, Credits 3. Part I of the two-semester capstone design project sequence. Senior students select a project, develop the necessary technical background, and write a proposal, progress reports, and a preliminary design report. Includes an oral presentation on the development and progress of the project. Not counted as a technical elective. Laboratory fee required. The final grade will be assigned at the end of the two course sequence MEC 440-MEC 441.
MEC 441: Mechanical Engineering Design II, Prerequisite: MEC 440, Spring, Credits 3. Part II of the two-semester capstone design project sequence. Students complete the project design, building and test a prototype, write a mid-term report and a final design report as well as giving an oral presentation. Not counted as a technical elective. Laboratory fee required.
MEC 442: Introduction to Experimental Stress Analysis, Prerequisites: MEC 363, Varies, Credits 3. The concepts of three-dimensional stress and strain, their transformation laws, and their mutual relationships are discussed in detail. Results from theory of elasticity as pertinent to experimental stress analysis are also presented. Experimental techniques studied include two-dimensional photoelasticity, resistance strain gauge, moire method, brittle coating, and analog methods. The application o