Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.E.


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Requirements for the major in mechanical engineering, B.S.E. program


The field of mechanical engineering offers career opportunities in areas such as design, analysis, test development, research and the manufacturing of various products. Oakland University’s mechanical engineering program provides students with a foundation in the fundamental concepts and principles associated with mechanics of solids, thermodynamics, fluid and thermal energy, materials, manufacturing, design of mechanical systems, electrical circuits, computer programming and software utilization.   A strong laboratory experience and the utilization of instrumentation and computer simulation tools are interwoven through the curriculum. The program also provides numerous engineering design experiences. The BSE in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Program educational objectives

The objectives of the Mechanical Engineering program are to produce graduates, who three to five years after graduation, will:

  • function successfully in engineering roles within the automotive and other global industries,
  • engage in lifelong learning and pursue graduate study in mechanical engineering or other post-graduate education,
  • contribute effectively and ethically to a modern, multidisciplinary workplace, and
  • demonstrate effective communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Course requirements (minimum of 128 total credits)

In order to earn the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in mechanical engineering, students must complete a minimum of 128 credits and meet the following requirements:

General education (excluding mathematics and science) – 28 credits


Select one course from the list below.


Students majoring in mechanical engineering are advised to take MTH 2775  to broaden their knowledge of linear algebra. However, students who have an explicit interest in broadening their knowledge in a specific area of math or science should select and elective from the following approved course list:

Note


*ME 4998  requires approval of project proposal by the Mechanical Engineering Department. If taken in place of ME 4999 , it must be team-based.

Professional electives –12 credits


Mechanical engineering students must complete at least 12 additional credits of 4000- or 5000-level engineering courses (must have instructor’s permission to take 5000-level courses). At least 8 of these credits must have an ME designation. Students interested in broadening their knowledge in a specific area of mechanical engineering should elect sequences of courses as described in the specialized professional depth areas listed below:

1. Energy, fluid and thermal systems depth area. Includes courses in the fluid and thermal energy transport area.


2. Computer-aided design depth area. Includes courses in the computer-aided design (CAD) and analysis area.


3. Automotive engineering depth area. Includes courses with an automotive engineering emphasis area with two possible areas of specialty: automotive structures or internal combustion engines.


4. Manufacturing engineering depth area. This depth area includes courses in the manufacturing area.


5.Materials engineering depth area. This depth area includes courses in the areas of basic and advanced materials, plastics and composites manufacturing


Recommended fundamental subjects

6. Nuclear engineering depth area. This depth area includes courses in the nuclear engineering area.


Required fundamental subjects

Economics requirement


In addition to the requirements stated above, mechanical engineering students must fulfill the economics requirement. This may be met by completion of ECN 1500 , ECN 2020 , ECN 2010  or ECN 2100 .

Performance requirements


In addition to previously stated requirements, satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of at least 2.0 within each group: namely, mathematics and science, core subjects, and professional subjects. Within professional subjects, at most two grades below 2.0 are permitted, at most two different courses may be repeated and a total of three attempts are permitted.

Sample mechanical engineering schedule


Students entering the School of Engineering and Computer Science with the required background may follow a schedule such as the one indicated below. However, students will need additional time to complete the program if they do not have the required background upon entrance to the program.

Freshman year


Sophomore year


Junior year


Winter semester – 15 total credits

Senior year


Fall semester – 16 total credits

Winter semester – 16 total credits

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