A tour of the Valpo Solar Energy Research Facility

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering students develop expertise in the areas of alternative energy; automatic control of processes; and the design, development, and manufacture of mechanical components or systems.

The Mechanical Engineering Department provides a program of professional studies grounded in engineering fundamentals and arts and sciences and augmented by the development of interpersonal skills, experiential learning, and an appreciation of lifelong learning. Graduates are prepared to apply their knowledge to society’s needs and help shape the future.

  • Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org
  • Exclusive undergraduate program featuring small class sizes and extensive contact with faculty
  • Interdisciplinary design projects that foster teamwork
  • Multiple laboratory experiences that foster hands-on learning
  • Extensive laboratory and computational facilities
  • Opportunities for participation in funded undergraduate research programs including summer research

Training in mechanical engineering prepares graduates for a variety of careers. Among them are:

  • Design engineer
  • Project engineer
  • Process engineer
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Operations engineer
  • Applications engineer
  • Technical sales
  • Engineering management

And with further studies, mechanical engineering forms a solid foundation for a career as a:

  • Patent attorney
  • Medical doctor
  • Entrepreneur
  • Businessperson

Finally, students who earn an undergraduate mechanical engineering degree can pursue graduate studies in:

  • Biomedical engineering
  • Aerospace engineering
  • Chemical engineering
  • Business
  • Law
  • Medicine
SEMESTER 1
 
GE 100 Fundamentals of Engineering 2 Cr.
GE 100L Fundamentals of Engineering Lab 0 Cr.
CORE 110 The Human Experience 4 Cr.
MATH 131 Analytic Geom. & Calc. I 4 Cr.
PHYS 141 Newtonian Mechanics 3 Cr.
PHYS 141L Experimental Physics I 1 Cr.
KIN 101 Wellness & Stress 1 Cr.
   
SEMESTER 2
 
ME 102 Computer-Aided Design 1 Cr.
ME 125 Introduction to MATLAB 1 Cr.
GE 109 Mechanics-Statics 3 Cr.
MATH 132 Calculus II 4 Cr.
PHYS 142 Physics: II E&M 3 Cr.
CORE 115 The Human Experience 4 Cr.
   
SEMESTER 3
 
ME 209 Mechanics-Dynamics 3 Cr.
ME 251L Manufacturing Processes Lab 1 Cr.
ME 201 Technical Writing 1 Cr.
ECE 281 Fund. Of ECE 2.5 Cr.
MATH 253 Calc. III 4 Cr.
CHEM 115 Chemistry 4 Cr.
   
SEMESTER 4
 
ME 215 Mechanics of Matls. 3 Cr.
ME 261 Analog Circuits Lab 0.5 Cr.
ME 270 Thermodynamics I 3 Cr.
MATH 270 Ordinary Differential Equations. 3 Cr.
MATH 260 Linear Systems and Matrices 1 Cr.
ME 252 Materials Science 2.5 Cr.
STAT 240 Statistical Analysis 3 Cr.
   
SEMESTER 5
 
ME 352 Materials Science & Mechanics Lab 0.5 Cr.
ME 333/L Measurements 4 Cr.
ME 373 Fluid Mechanics 3 Cr.
ME 363 Machine Des. I 3 Cr.
ME 317 Sustainable Engineering 2 Cr.
ME 355 System Modeling & Numerical Meth. 3 Cr.
   
SEMESTER 6
 
GE 311 Financial Decisions in Engr. 1.5 Cr.
GE 312 Ethical Decisions in Engr. 1.5 Cr.
ME 351 Manufacturing Processes 3 Cr.
ME 354 Mechanical Systems Lab 0.5 Cr.
ME 372 Heat Power Lab 0.5 Cr.
ME 376 Heat Transfer 3 Cr.
ME 364 Vibrations 2 Cr.
THEO 200 The Christian Tradition 3 Cr.
Mechanical Engineering Elective 3 Cr.
   
SEMESTER 7
 
ME 442 Controls 3 Cr.
GE 497 Sr. Design Proj. I 3 Cr.
Mechanical Engineering Elective 3 Cr.
Professional Elective 3 Cr.
Humanities, or Social Science or Upper Theo 3 Cr.
   
SEMESTER 8
 
GE 498 Senior Design Project II 3 Cr.
Humanities, or Social Science or Upper Theo 3 Cr.
Mechanical Engineering Elective 3 Cr.
Mechanical Engineering Elective 3 Cr.
World Language (102 or above) or Cult. Div. 3 Cr.
   
Total credits required for graduation= 126 Cr.
 
Electives

Writing Intensive Course (as indicated by a superscript “w”): At least one course taken to satisfy the World Languages/Diversity Elective, Humanities, Social Science, and Theology Electives, THEO 200:  The Christian Tradition, or ME 201 must be a Writing Intensive Course.  List of approved Writing Intensive Courses

Cooperative Education:  GE 481 through GE 483 may be used to satisfy the Professional Electives requirement.  All courses are graded S/U only.

Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses, Social Science courses, or Theology courses.  Courses may be from the same area or from different areas.  List of approved Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives

Mechanical Engineering Electives: Twelve (12) credits must be taken from the following courses: ME 361, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 377, 453, 455, 456, 457, 467, 475, 476, 477, and BE 200, 320, 340, 369, 468, and multiple sections of ME 490, ME 499, BE 490 or BE 499.  Other courses may be used to satisfy this elective with the approval of the department faculty.  Up to six credits may be substituted for students taking an approved second technical major, and three credits may be substituted for students taking an approved technical minor.  Only three hours of ME 499 or BE 499 course credits may be applied as an ME elective.  Courses which fulfill mechanical engineering elective requirements are indicated with a superscript “m”(…)m.

Professional Electives: These courses are selected, in consultation with the advisor, to support the student’s specific career goals.  Other choices may be made available by petition to the MEBE Department. List of approved Professional Electives

Computer Specifications: When looking for a computer to use for engineering classes, click here for the specifications.

The Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering provides a program of professional study grounded in engineering fundamentals and arts and sciences augmented by the development of interpersonal skills, experiential learning, and an appreciation of life-long learning. Graduates are prepared to apply their knowledge to society’s needs and help shape the future.

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. They are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. The Program Educational Objectives help to direct and measure the success of the Mechanical Engineering Program in accomplishing its mission. Review of the Educational Objectives is an integral part of the annual assessment process.

Within a few years of graduation, mechanical engineering alumni will be expected to:

  1. Have a vocation.
  2. Demonstrate growth or advancement in their chosen vocation.
  3. Serve society through their endeavors in their chosen vocation.
  4. Lead in society through their endeavors in their chosen vocation.

Student Outcomes

Student Outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation.  These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. The Student Outcomes help to direct and measure the success of the Mechanical Engineering Program in accomplishing its mission. Review of the Student Outcomes is an integral part of the annual assessment process.

Upon successful completion of the Mechanical Engineering Program, graduates will have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors;
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives;
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Additionally:

  1. The curriculum must require students to apply principles of engineering, basic science, and mathematics (including multivariate calculus and differential equations); to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems, components or processes; and prepare students to work professionally in either thermal or mechanical systems while requiring topics in each area.
  2. The program must demonstrate that faculty members responsible for the upper-level professional program are maintaining currency in their specialty area.

Enrollment and Graduation Data

The College of Engineering tracks its enrollment and graduation data, click the link below to view our data over the past five years.

Enrollment and Graduation Data