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: Dr. Masoud Rais-Rohani, Mechanical Engineering Chair, 219 Boardman Hall, Tel: 581-4120.
The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is to educate students for success in the field of mechanical engineering by providing academic programs that promote engineering principles, experiential learning, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and outreach, and to pursue innovative research and scholarly achievement for advancing the State and developing technology solutions to societal needs.
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, energy companies, and a host of other firms. Mechanical engineers conduct research on solar energy, advanced composite materials, radioactive waste removal, magnetic-levitation trains, jet and rocket propulsion, among many other topics.
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 online at https://umaine.edu/mecheng/.
Program Educational Objectives
Within a few years after graduation, those holding a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from UMaine are expected to:
- Successfully practice mechanical engineering in roles of increasing responsibility to serve state, local, national, and international industries and government agencies.
- Demonstrate a spirit of lifelong learning by pursuing professional licensure, graduate education, short courses or other training programs in engineering or related fields.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibilities towards peers, employers, and society and follow these precepts in their daily lives.
- Participate in their community and in so doing advocate for the profession.
Student Outcomes
By the end of their undergraduate degree program in mechanical engineering, students will have:
(a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
(b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
(c) An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environment, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
(d) An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
(e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
(f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
(g) An ability to communicate effectively
(h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
(i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
(j) A knowledge of contemporary issues
(k) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Program Description
The undergraduate mechanical engineering program develops the student’s creative potential to meet the increasingly complex needs of industry, government and graduate education. It provides a foundation of knowledge in mathematics, basic physical sciences, thermal sciences, dynamic systems, materials science, fluid and solid mechanics and design of systems.
Since engineers must address problems requiring awareness of economical, ethical, political, social and legal issues, the curriculum 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 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 electives among the 44 courses (130 credits) required for the bachelor’s degree. Of the ten electives required, one must be a basic science elective, and six must satisfy the Human Values and Social Context (HVSC) 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. By careful use of this flexibility in electives, students may pursue in some depth their particular interests in both technical and non-technical subjects.
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 bachelor’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
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