Bachelor of Science- Mechanical Engineering

A mechanical engineering education develops student skills in designing product and processes.  Mechanical engineers use analytical tools and problem solving skills to achieve their design and overcome processing barriers and constraints.  Students learn to design products and processes for functionality, aesthetics, and durability, and are taught using a hands-on approach, while working with area employers to learn the best manufacturing methods that result in successful industrial implementations.  In addition to physics and mathematics, it encompasses key elements of dynamics, statics, vibrations, and controls. 


Mechanical engineers play key roles in such industries as forest products, automotive, tire manufacturing, plastics, aerospace, computers, electronics, electromechanical systems, energy, robotics, automation, and manufacturing. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) currently lists 36 technical divisions, ranging from advanced energy systems to aerospace engineering.

Degree Requirements

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

Major Requirements
General Education Requirements42
MATH 2413Calculus I Satisfies Core Curriculum4
MATH 2414Calculus II4
MATH 2415Calculus III4
MATH 2320Differential Equations3
ENGR 1201Introduction to Engineering2
ENGR 2305Electric Circuits I3
MEEN 301Engineering Mechanics I- Statics3
MEEN 302Engineering Mechanics II- Dynamics3
CS 332C++ Programming3
MEEN 305Materials Science & Engineering3
MEEN 333Principles of Thermodynamics3
MEEN 340Fluid Mechanics3
MEEN 341Fluid Mechanics Laboratory1
MEEN 343Mechanics of Materials3
MEEN 357Engineering Analysis for Mechanical Engineers3
MEEN 360Manufacturing and Materials Selection in Design3
MEEN 361Manufacturing and Materials in Design Laboratory1
MEEN 364Control Systems3
MEEN 363Dynamics and Vibrations3
MEEN 368Solid Mechanics in Mechanical Design3
MEEN 404Project Management and Engineering Operations3
MEEN 461Heat Transfer3
MEEN 462Heat Transfer Laboratory1
MEEN 490Senior Design I3
MEEN 491Senior Design II3
ENGR 440Computer Aided Design of Mechanical Components3
Select 9sch from any upper division (300-400 level) Mechanical Engineering (MEEN) or Engineering (ENGR) Electives except ENGR 3159
Other Requirements:
CHEM 1311General Chemistry I Satisfies Core Curriculum3
or CHEM 1307 General Chemistry for Engineering Students
CHEM 1111General Chemistry I (Lab)1
or CHEM 1117 General Chemistry for Engineering Students Lab
PHYS 2325
PHYS 2125
University Physics I
and University Physics I Lab Satisfies Core Curriculum
4
PHYS 2326
PHYS 2126
University Physics II
and University Physics II Lab Satisfies Core Curriculum
4
ECON 2301Principles of Macroeconomics Satisfies Core Curriculum3
Minimum Hours for Degree125

Note: A minimum of 54 upper division hours (300 and 400 level courses) are required for this degree. Resident credit totaling 25% of the hours is required for the degree.  A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in three areas for graduation:  Overall GPA, Institutional GPA, and Major GPA.

Four Year Plan

Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.

First Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 1301Composition I requires minimum grade of 'C', Satisfies Core Curriculum3
CHEM 1311General Chemistry I Satisfies Core Curriculum3
or CHEM 1307 General Chemistry for Engineering Students
CHEM 1111General Chemistry I (Lab)1
or CHEM 1117 General Chemistry for Engineering Students Lab
MATH 2413Calculus I Satisfies Core Curriculum4
IS 1100University Foundations mandatory for FTIC students only1
ENGR 1201Introduction to Engineering2
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours13-14
SpringSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 1302Composition II Satisfies Core Curriculum3
or ENGL 2311 Technical Writing & Communication
MATH 2414Calculus II4
PHYS 2325
PHYS 2125
University Physics I
and University Physics I Lab
4
ECON 2301Principles of Macroeconomics3
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours14
Total First Year Semester Credit Hours27-28

Second Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
MATH 2415Calculus III4
MEEN 301Engineering Mechanics I- Statics3
PHYS 2326
PHYS 2126
University Physics II
and University Physics II Lab
4
PSCI 2301American Government I: Federal & Texas Constitutions3
SPCH 1315Public Speaking3
or COMM 1307 Introduction to Mass Communication
or COMM 1311 Introduction to Communication Studies
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours17
SpringSemester Credit Hours
MATH 2320Differential Equations3
MEEN 302Engineering Mechanics II- Dynamics3
MEEN 305Materials Science & Engineering3
PSCI 2302American Government II: Federal & Texas Political Behavior3
Language, Philosophy and Culture Core Curriculum Requirement3
CS 332C++ Programming3
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours18
Total Second Year Semester Credit Hours35

Third Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
HIST 1301United States History I3
MEEN 333Principles of Thermodynamics3
MEEN 340Fluid Mechanics3
MEEN 341Fluid Mechanics Laboratory1
MEEN 343Mechanics of Materials3
MEEN 357Engineering Analysis for Mechanical Engineers3
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours16
SpringSemester Credit Hours
HIST 1302United States History II3
ENGR 2305Electric Circuits I3
MEEN 360Manufacturing and Materials Selection in Design3
MEEN 361Manufacturing and Materials in Design Laboratory1
MEEN 368Solid Mechanics in Mechanical Design3
MEEN 461Heat Transfer3
MEEN 462Heat Transfer Laboratory1
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours17
Total Third Year Semester Credit Hours33

Fourth Year

FallSemester Credit Hours
ENGR 440Computer Aided Design of Mechanical Components3
MEEN 363Dynamics and Vibrations3
MEEN 404Project Management and Engineering Operations3
MEEN 490Senior Design I3
Upper Division Mechanical Engineering (MEEN)or Engineering (ENGR)Elective except for ENGR 3153
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours15
SpringSemester Credit Hours
MEEN 364Control Systems3
MEEN 491Senior Design II3
Upper Division Mechanical Engineering (MEEN)or Engineering (ENGR)Elective except for ENGR 3153
Upper Division Mechanical Engineering (MEEN)or Engineering (ENGR)Elective except for ENGR 315 3
Creative Arts Core Curriculum Requirement3
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours15
Total Fourth Year Semester Credit Hours30
Total Semester Credit Hours Required for Degree125-126

Note: A minimum of 54 upper division hours (300 and 400 level courses) are required for this degree. Resident credit totaling 25% of the hours is required for the degree.  A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in three areas for graduation:  Overall GPA, Institutional GPA, and Major GPA.

Undergraduate Courses in Mechanical Engineering

MEEN 301. Engineering Mechanics I- Statics. 3 Hours.

This course covers the principles of engineering mechanics in statics including force systems, moments of inertia, vector mechanics and analysis of structures. Corequisite or Prerequisite: PHYS 2325.

MEEN 302. Engineering Mechanics II- Dynamics. 3 Hours.

This course covers the principles of engineering mechanics in dynamics including Newton's laws, kinetic and potential energy, linear and angular momentum, work, impulse, and inertia properties. Prerequisite: PHYS 2325.

MEEN 305. Materials Science & Engineering. 3 Hours.

The present course introduces the basic principles behind materials science and engineering. It provides the scientific foundation for an understanding of the relationships among material properties, structure, and performance in metals and alloys, polymers, composites, ceramics, semiconductors, etc. Throughout the classes, students are expected to gain an understanding of these materials, processing techniques, their properties, and how they are applied in the industry. Prerequisite: CHEM 1311 or CHEM 1307 and PHYS 2325.

MEEN 333. Principles of Thermodynamics. 3 Hours.

This course examines theory and application of energy methods in engineering, conservation principles to investigate "traditional" thermodynamics, and internal flow fluids. Topics include the Laws of Thermodynamics, entropy, refrigeration, fluid properties, momentum, and head transfer. Prerequisite: PHYS 2325.

MEEN 340. Fluid Mechanics. 3 Hours.

Application of laws of statics, buoyancy, stability, energy and momentum to behavior of ideal and real fluids; dimensional analysis and similitude and their application to flow through ducts and piping; lift and drag related problems. Prerequisite: MEEN 301 or Instructor Permission. Corequisite: MEEN 341.

MEEN 341. Fluid Mechanics Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Introduction to basic fluid mechanics instrumentation; experimental verification and reinforcement of the analytical concepts introduced in the Fluid Mechanics lecture. Corequisite: MEEN 340.

MEEN 343. Mechanics of Materials. 3 Hours.

Stress analysis of deformable bodies and mechanical elements; stress transformation; combined loading; failure modes; material failure theories; fracture and fatigue; deflections and instabilities; thick cylinders; curved beams; design of structural/mechanical members; design processes. Prerequisite: MEEN 301.

MEEN 357. Engineering Analysis for Mechanical Engineers. 3 Hours.

Practical foundation for the use of numerical methods to solve engineering problems. Introduction to Matlab, error estimation, Taylor series, solution of non-linear algebraic equations and linear simultaneous equations; numerical integration and differentiation; initial value and boundary value problems; finite difference methods for parabolic and elliptic partial differential equations. Prerequisite: MATH 2413.

MEEN 360. Manufacturing and Materials Selection in Design. 3 Hours.

Selecting materials and manufacturing processes in design; emphasis on material mechanical properties; microstructure production and control; manufacturing processes for producing various shapes for components and structures; use of design methodology. Prerequisite: MEEN 343 or MEEN 305. Co-requisite: MEEN 361.

MEEN 361. Manufacturing and Materials in Design Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Experiments in materials characterization and manufacturing processes; emphasis on material mechanical properties; microstrcture production and control; manufacturing processes for producing various shapes for components and structures. Corequisite: MEEN 360.

MEEN 363. Dynamics and Vibrations. 3 Hours.

Application of Newtonian and energy methods to model dynamic systems (particles and rigid bodies) with ordinary differential equations; solution of models using analytical and numerical approaches; interpreting solutions; linear vibrations with specific application in the forest products processing industry. Generalizations used to study other industrial applications. Prerequisite: MEEN 357.

MEEN 364. Control Systems. 3 Hours.

This course is a review of the relations among transient responses, systems transfer functions, and methods of specifying system performance. It will include classical and modern feedback control system analysis and design methods, such as transfer functions, state variables, stability, root locus, Bode plot, and computer analysis. Prerequisite: EE 325 or MATH 2320.

MEEN 368. Solid Mechanics in Mechanical Design. 3 Hours.

Stress analysis of deformable bodies and mechanical elements; stress transformation; combined loading; failure modes; material failure theories; fracture and fatigue; deflections and instabilities; thick cylinders; curved beams; design of structural/mechanical members; design processes. Prerequisite: MEEN 343.

MEEN 401. Finite Element Analysis in Mechanical Design. 3 Hours.

Introduction to Finite Element Method and its application in different mechanical problems including static loading of beams and beam structures. 2-D plane stress and plane strain elasticity and 2-D steady state. Prerequisite: Senior Standing or Instructor permission.

MEEN 404. Project Management and Engineering Operations. 3 Hours.

Basic project management for engineering; project development and economic justification; estimating; scheduling; network methods; critical path analysis; earned value management; project organizational structures; project risk assessment; resource allocation; ethics; characteristics of project managers. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing or Instructor permission.

MEEN 461. Heat Transfer. 3 Hours.

Heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation. Steady and transient conduction, forced and natural convection, and blackbody and gray body radiation; multi-mode heat transfer; boiling and condensation; heat exchangers. Prerequisite: MEEN 340 or instructors permission. Corequisite: MEEN 462.

MEEN 462. Heat Transfer Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Basic measurement techniques in conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer; experimental verification of theoretical and semi-empirical results; uncertainty analysis. Corequisite: MEEN 461.

MEEN 465. Introduction to Nanotechnology. 3 Hours.

This course introduces the basic principles behind nanotechnology and associate technologies. The lectures mainly focus on processing techniques of nanoparticles, nanofibers/wires, nanotubes, nanofilms, and nanocomposites using physical, chemical, and physicochemical techniques, as well as the characterizations and potential commercial applications. Throughout the classes, students are expected to gain an understanding of these materials and fabrication techniques, and how they are applied in nanomaterials and nanodevice fabrication. Prerequisite: MEEN 343 or Instructors permission.

MEEN 490. Senior Design I. 3 Hours.

This course is taken by seniors as the first part of the senior design experience in the semester before MEEN 491. Projects may involve the design of a device, circuit system, process, or algorithm and topics covered may include the design process, project planning and management, and project costs, and includes aspects of ethics in engineering design, safety, environmental considerations, economic constraints, liability, manufacturing, and marketing. Projects are carried out using a team-based approach and selection and analysis of a design project to be continued in MEEN 491. Written progress reports, a proposal, a final report, and oral presentations are required. Taken in last 30 hours. Cross-listed with EE 490, CS 490 and MGT 490. Credit can only be awarded for one course. Open only to Mechanical Engineering majors.

MEEN 491. Senior Design II. 3 Hours.

Projects involving the design of a device, circuit system, process, or algorithm that have started in the previous semester will be completed. Team solution to an engineering design problem as formulated and initiated in MEEN 490 will continue to take place. Written progress reports, a final report, design manuals, and oral presentations are required. Cross-listed with EE 491, CS 491 and MGT 491. Credit can only be awarded for one course. Open only to Mechanical Engineering majors. Prerequisite: MEEN 490.

MEEN 497. Special Topics. 3 Hours.

Instructors will provide an organized class designed to cover areas of specific interest. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.