Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.E.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs

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


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 sciences) – 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 ME, BE, ISE, or ECE designated 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

Optional Specializations:


The Mechanical Engineering Department offers optional specializations in Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing, and Energy to students interested in broadening their knowledge in a specific area of mechanical engineering and wishing an area of specialization in their degree. Specializations are available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. The sequences of courses listed below for each specialization are taken to satisfy the professional electives requirement. Note that completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization may require more than 128 credits. Students may earn only one specialization and the specialization must be completed as part of their degree. The specialization will be noted on the students’ transcript and diploma.

1. Automotive Engineering Specialization


The Automotive Engineering Specialization includes courses related to powertrain, vehicle dynamics, as well as systems integration as they relate to vehicle design. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Automotive Engineering, students must complete the following sequence of courses to satisfy their professional electives requirement. Please note that completing this specialization may require more than 128 credits.

2. Manufacturing Specialization


The Manufacturing Specialization includes courses related to manufacturing processes for metals and plastics as well as manufacturing systems.  To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Manufacturing, students must complete the following sequence of courses to satisfy their professional electives requirement. Please note that completing this specialization may require more than 128 credits.

3. Energy Specialization


The Energy Specialization includes fundamental courses in energy systems as well as fundamental courses in the fluid and thermal sciences. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Energy, students must complete the following sequence of courses to satisfy their professional electives requirement. Please note that completing this specialization may require more than 128 credits.

Required fundamental subjects

Select at least 8 credits from the following:

Major Standing


To enroll in 3000- or higher level courses and to become candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in Mechanical Engineering, students must gain major standing. An application for major standing should be submitted prior to intended enrollment in 3000- or higher level courses.  Forms may be obtained from the SECS Undergraduate advising office or from the SECS website.

To gain major standing in Mechanical Engineering, students must:

A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: MTH 1554 , MTH 1555 , APM 2555 , CHM 1430  (or CHM 1440  and CHM 1470 ), PHY 1610  (or PHY 1510  and PHY 1100 ), PHY 1620  (or PHY 1520  and PHY 1110 ).

B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following engineering core courses: EGR 1200 EGR 1400 , EGR 2400 , EGR 2500 , EGR 2600 , EGR 2800 .

C) have no more than two grades below C in the required courses in A and B above;

D) have not attempted any course listed in A and B above more than three times. Students may petition to repeat a course a fourth time; and

E) have not repeated more than three different courses listed in A and B. Courses in which a W (withdrawal) grade is recorded will not be counted.

Conditional major standing may be granted in the semester in which the student will complete the courses listed in A and B above.

Performance requirements


Satisfactory completion of the program requires an average GPA of 2.0 within each course group: namely, mathematics and sciences, engineering core, and professional subjects (required and elective). Within professional subjects, at most two grades below C are permitted; at most two different courses may be repeated, and a total of three repeat 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

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs