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.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
General Education Requirements | 42 | |
MATH 2413 | Calculus I Satisfies Core Curriculum | 4 |
MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
MATH 2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
ENGR 1201 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
ENGR 2305 | Electric Circuits I | 3 |
MEEN 301 | Engineering Mechanics I- Statics | 3 |
MEEN 302 | Engineering Mechanics II- Dynamics | 3 |
CS 332 | C++ Programming | 3 |
MEEN 305 | Materials Science & Engineering | 3 |
MEEN 333 | Principles of Thermodynamics | 3 |
MEEN 340 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
MEEN 341 | Fluid Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
MEEN 343 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
MEEN 357 | Engineering Analysis for Mechanical Engineers | 3 |
MEEN 360 | Manufacturing and Materials Selection in Design | 3 |
MEEN 361 | Manufacturing and Materials in Design Laboratory | 1 |
MEEN 364 | Control Systems | 3 |
MEEN 363 | Dynamics and Vibrations | 3 |
MEEN 368 | Solid Mechanics in Mechanical Design | 3 |
MEEN 404 | Project Management and Engineering Operations | 3 |
MEEN 461 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
MEEN 462 | Heat Transfer Laboratory | 1 |
MEEN 490 | Senior Design I | 3 |
MEEN 491 | Senior Design II | 3 |
ENGR 440 | Computer Aided Design of Mechanical Components | 3 |
Select 9sch from any upper division (300-400 level) Mechanical Engineering (MEEN) or Engineering (ENGR) Electives except ENGR 315 | 9 | |
Other Requirements: | ||
CHEM 1311 | General Chemistry I Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
or CHEM 1307 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students | |
CHEM 1111 | General 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 2301 | Principles of Macroeconomics Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
Minimum Hours for Degree | 125 |
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
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
ENGL 1301 | Composition I requires minimum grade of 'C', Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
CHEM 1311 | General Chemistry I Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
or CHEM 1307 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students | |
CHEM 1111 | General Chemistry I (Lab) | 1 |
or CHEM 1117 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students Lab | |
MATH 2413 | Calculus I Satisfies Core Curriculum | 4 |
IS 1100 | University Foundations mandatory for FTIC students only | 1 |
ENGR 1201 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 13-14 | |
Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
ENGL 1302 | Composition II Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
or ENGL 2311 | Technical Writing & Communication | |
MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
PHYS 2325 & PHYS 2125 | University Physics I and University Physics I Lab | 4 |
ECON 2301 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
Total First Year Semester Credit Hours | 27-28 |
Second Year
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
MEEN 301 | Engineering Mechanics I- Statics | 3 |
PHYS 2326 & PHYS 2126 | University Physics II and University Physics II Lab | 4 |
PSCI 2301 | American Government I: Federal & Texas Constitutions | 3 |
SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | 3 |
or COMM 1307 | Introduction to Mass Communication | |
or COMM 1311 | Introduction to Communication Studies | |
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
MATH 2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
MEEN 302 | Engineering Mechanics II- Dynamics | 3 |
MEEN 305 | Materials Science & Engineering | 3 |
PSCI 2302 | American Government II: Federal & Texas Political Behavior | 3 |
Language, Philosophy and Culture Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 | |
CS 332 | C++ Programming | 3 |
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
Total Second Year Semester Credit Hours | 35 |
Third Year
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
HIST 1301 | United States History I | 3 |
MEEN 333 | Principles of Thermodynamics | 3 |
MEEN 340 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
MEEN 341 | Fluid Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
MEEN 343 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
MEEN 357 | Engineering Analysis for Mechanical Engineers | 3 |
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
HIST 1302 | United States History II | 3 |
ENGR 2305 | Electric Circuits I | 3 |
MEEN 360 | Manufacturing and Materials Selection in Design | 3 |
MEEN 361 | Manufacturing and Materials in Design Laboratory | 1 |
MEEN 368 | Solid Mechanics in Mechanical Design | 3 |
MEEN 461 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
MEEN 462 | Heat Transfer Laboratory | 1 |
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
Total Third Year Semester Credit Hours | 33 |
Fourth Year
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
ENGR 440 | Computer Aided Design of Mechanical Components | 3 |
MEEN 363 | Dynamics and Vibrations | 3 |
MEEN 404 | Project Management and Engineering Operations | 3 |
MEEN 490 | Senior Design I | 3 |
Upper Division Mechanical Engineering (MEEN)or Engineering (ENGR)Elective except for ENGR 315 | 3 | |
Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
MEEN 364 | Control Systems | 3 |
MEEN 491 | Senior Design II | 3 |
Upper Division Mechanical Engineering (MEEN)or Engineering (ENGR)Elective except for ENGR 315 | 3 | |
Upper Division Mechanical Engineering (MEEN)or Engineering (ENGR)Elective except for ENGR 315 | 3 | |
Creative Arts Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 | |
Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Total Fourth Year Semester Credit Hours | 30 | |
Total Semester Credit Hours Required for Degree | 125-126 |
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.