Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical Engineering


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors and Minors

OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 130

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: None.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: 2.0 GPA in all MEE courses

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: MEE 487 and MEE 488

Contact Information: Mohsen Shahinpoor, Professor and Chair, 5711 Boardman Hall, Tel: 581 2143, email: mohsen.shahinpoor@maine.edu


The mission of the Department  of Mechanical Engineering is to educate men and women to be future leaders in industry, academia, and government; to conduct basic and applied research in mechanical engineering and related interdisciplinary fields; and, to provide service to the engineering profession, to the State of Maine, to the country, and to the future development of engineering. The undergraduate program has been developed in order to prepare the student for the initiation of a professional career in mechanical engineering or for the continuation of studies in graduate school. Additional information can be found at the mechanical engineering web site.

The objectives of the Mechanical Engineering Program are:

  1. Prepare students to become professional practitioners of mechanical engineering;
  2. To provide the students with a solid foundation in mechanical engineering;
  3. To educate students to become aware of their moral, ethical, legal and professional obligations and to hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public;
  4. To develop fundamental science, mathematics, computer, and engineering knowledge necessary for mechanical engineering;
  5. To ensure that the students obtain a solid educational background in mechanical engineeringso that they are nationally competitive and successful in their chosen profession and are prepared for future graduate training.  Train students to develop the ability to function in the workplace through teamwork and effective communication;
  6. To provide broad education to understand the relationship between mechanical engineeringand, other engineering professionals and society as a whole; 
  7. To prepare students to communicate facts and ideas;
  8. To prepare and encourage students to continue learning beyond the undergraduate years;

In summary, the objectives of the program are to prepare students for successful careers and lifelong learning by providing a solid foundation in the principles of mechanical engineering; to train students in the mathematical and computational skills appropriate for engineers to use when solving problems; to help students develop skills pertinent to the design process-ability to formulate problems, to think creatively, to communicate effectively, to synthesize information and to work collaboratively; and, to implant in the student an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities.

Program Description
This program develops the student’s creative potential to meet the increasingly complex needs of industry, government and education. It provides a foundation of knowledge in mathematics, basic physical sciences, thermal sciences, dynamic systems, material science, fluid and solid mechanics and design of systems.

Engineers must address problems which raise issues requiring awareness of economical, ethical, political, social and legal issues as well as the technical issues of the profession. Therefore, preparation for a career in mechanical engineering includes an introduction to the humanities and social sciences as well as mathematics, science and engineering fundamentals.

In consultation with an academic advisor the student plans a program based on the following recommended curriculum. The format is a recommended program that can be modified within the constraints of all the departmental, college, and university requirements and course prerequisites to satisfy scheduling needs or student preferences.

The curriculum has ten elective courses among the 41 courses (131 credits) required for the degree. Of the ten electives required one must be a basic science elective; one must be an engineering science elective; two must be mechanical engineering design electives; and, six of the electives must satisfy the Human Values and Social Context areas of the general education requirements. Students must also complete a course placing substantial emphasis on the discussion of ethics, if not part of the 18 credits in HVSC electives. Lists of courses qualifying for these electives are available in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Office, 219 Boardman Hall. By careful use of this flexibility in electives, students may pursue in some depth their particular interests in both technical and non-technical subjects. Some mechanical engineering electives will not be offered every year.

In addition to meeting all university academic requirements, a mechanical engineering student must also have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all Mechanical engineering (MEE designator) courses. The B.S. Program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.

Cooperative “Work Experience” Program
The department provides students the opportunity to participate in a cooperative education program. The program is under the direction of a mechanical engineering co-op coordinator.

Employment Opportunities
Mechanical engineers work in industry, consulting practices, universities and governmental agencies. Many mechanical engineers are employed by equipment manufacturers, aerospace companies, shipbuilding firms, material processing plants, utilities, transportation companies, petroleum companies, and a host of other firms. Mechanical engineers work in the nuclear energy field on the design of underwater vessels, electrical power plants equipped with reactors, pressure piping, heat exchangers and other specialized components. Mechanical engineers working with government agencies conduct research on solar energy, advanced composite materials, radioactive waste removal, magnetic-levitation trains, and components associated with the space program.

Scholarships
The department has several scholarships available on a competitive basis for students majoring in mechanical engineering. Outstanding incoming students should apply for college and departmental scholarships through the College of Engineering.

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering


The recommended sequence of the four-year curriculum is shown below. Copies can also be obtained in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Office with detailed explanations of the requirements. This program can be adapted to a student’s special scheduling needs in consultation with an academic advisor.

First Year - First Semester


First Year - Second Semester


Second Year - First Semester


Second Year - Second Semester


Third Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - Second Semester


Special Requirements and Footnotes:


1General education requirements mandate English 101 and two writing intensive courses. ECP 101, ECP 341 and ECP 488 are designated as writing intensive courses within the MEE major. NOTE: MEE 101 must be taken concurrently with ECP 101, MEE 341 must be taken concurrently with ECP 341, and MEE 488 must be taken concurrently with ECP 488.

2Students are assisted by faculty advisors in developing an elective program to meet their individual needs within the University’s general education requirements. While most of the general education requirements are automatically met with a mechanical engineering degree, a student is required to select an additional 18 credit hours of electives to meet the “Human Values and Social Context” requirement (including ethics).

3Either one of the following courses are acceptable:
COS 215 - Introduction to Computing Using FORTRAN, Credits: 3
COS 220 - Introduction to C++ Programming, Credits: 3
ECE 177 – Introduction to Programming for Engineers, Credits: 4

4Courses that will satisfy the Approved Science Elective are but are not limited to: AST 109/110 (General Astronomy I with Lab), BIO 100 (Basic Biology), BIO 208 (Anatomy and Physiology), BIO 326 (General Entomology), BMB300/305 (General Microbiology with lab), CHY 122/124 (The Molecular basis Of Chemical Change), CHY 132/134 (Applications of Chemistry with Laboratory), ERS 101 (Intro to Geology), ERS 102 (Environmental Geology of Maine), ERS XXX (Geology for Engineers), PHY 223/PHY 236 (Special Relativity/Introductory Quantum Physics).

5Acceptable Engineering Science Electives include but are not limited to: MEE 444 (Robot Dynamics and Control), MEE 445 (Aeronautics), MEE 446 (Astronautics), MEE 447 (Flight Dynamics and Control), MEE 450 (Intro to Mechanics of Composite Materials), MEE 453 (Experimental Mechanics), MEE 455 (Advanced Strength of Materials) and MEE462 (Fluid Mechanics II)

6Acceptable Design Electives include but are not limited to: MEE 433 (Solar-Thermal Engng), MEE 434 (Thermodynamic Design of Engines), MEE 444 (Robot Dynamics and Control), MEE 445 (Aeronautics), MEE 446 (Astronautics), MEE 447 (Flight Dynamics and Control), MEE483 (Turbomachine Design), MEE484 (Power Plant Design and Engineering), and either MEE 485 (heating and Ventilation System design) or MEE 486 (Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems Design). 

Students may use these courses to broaden their knowledge base or to specialize in areas like engineering design, dynamic systems control, smart materials and structures, computer software, CAD/CAM and robotics, biomedical engineering, computer graphics, energy, cultural diversity, ethics and artistic and creative works.

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination - Students are recommended (but not required) to take the FE examination in their senior year before graduation.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors and Minors