Mechanical Engineering (ME)

Kurt Bassett, Head
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Crothers Engineering Hall 216
605-688-5426
e-mail: kurt.bassett@sdstate.edu
http://www3.sdstate.edu/Academics/CollegeOfEngineering/MechanicalEngineering

Faculty

Professor Bassett, Head; Professors Delfanian, Moutsoglou,; Associate Professors Hu, Duan; Assistant Professors Du, Gent, Michna; Instructors Peters, Twedt.

Programs

Mechanical Engineering is a profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to efficiently use, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of all people.

The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in support of the mission of the College of Engineering, is to provide a highly respected, rigorous, and practical professional education for Mechanical Engineering students oriented toward applied problem solving; to conduct meaningful research which broadens the base of engineering and scientific knowledge with a regional emphasis, and to provide technical assistance to existing and emerging businesses, industry and government. The program’s educational objectives are as follows.

The Mechanical Engineering program provides a learning environment that prepares graduates to achieve the following career and professional accomplishments:

Achieve positions of increasing responsibility or leadership with employers, professional organizations, or civic organizations in recognition of professional competence and the ability to function in team environments.
Complete licensure, certification, short courses, workshops or advanced degrees in technical or professional subject areas as they adapt to contemporary engineering practice and the global business environment.

The Mechanical Engineering program at SDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET).

Mechanical Engineers have a remarkable range of career directions from which to choose. Work is found in research, development, design, testing, manufacturing, operations and maintenance, marketing and sales, or in management and administration. Mechanical Engineers can work in industry, business, government or in educational institutions. They can also work with other professions such as law and medicine. Mechanical Engineers are employed in almost all industries including automotive, chemical, building HVAC systems, aircraft/aerospace, power, petroleum, computer, machinery (industrial, agricultural, recreational, office, etc), plastics, electronics, textiles, pharmaceutical, paper products, energy utilities, and many others. Their work takes them to many parts of the world; they can probe the depths of the oceans or explore outer space as astronauts. Mechanical Engineering is an exciting profession which offers breadth, flexibility and individuality to those who want challenge and satisfaction rather than just a job.

The curriculum of 136 credits is made up of courses in: Basic Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Design, Communications, Humanities and Social Sciences. The Basic Sciences of mathematics, physics and chemistry provide the foundation for all engineering and technical courses. The Engineering Sciences are: solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, dynamic systems, controls, materials, electrical fields and others. In the Design category, which is integrated throughout the curriculum, the student deals with the systems approach to solving problems where ideas, imagination, modeling and analysis are joined together to create a new device, product or system. Communications courses include English, speech, graphics and computer applications. The Mechanical Engineering Department recognizes the importance of the humanities and social sciences in the general education component of undergraduate education, and the need for this component to complement the technical content of an education in engineering. This connection is important for producing well-rounded graduates who will continue to meet the present and future needs of society. SDSU’s General Education Core proficiencies, outlined in the General Education Course section of this catalog, are of great professional importance to all graduates. By choosing courses to meet the requirements of the goals of the System General Education Core (Gen Ed), and the goals of the Institutional Graduation Requirements (SDSU Core), students connect their general education component to their technical curriculum and thus strengthen their professional competence.

A two-semester sequence taken in the senior year, Mechanical Systems Design I-II, places every student on a design team that designs, builds, tests, and demonstrates a significant design project. The design projects are often solicited from industry and provide students with valuable real world team design experience. Also, opportunity is given to take technical electives including courses in various applications of thermal and fluid engineering, machine design, and industrial engineering.

Outcomes of the program are that Mechanical Engineering graduates have:

an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering including multi-variable calculus, differential equations, statistics, and linear algebra
an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
an ability to communicate effectively
the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and social context
a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning
a knowledge of contemporary issues
an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

The Department helps students arrange insternship or cooperative experiences with industry. Credits may be obtained for these work experiences, by prior arrangement with the appropriate faculty member and department head, and by registering for ME 494, or 497. These credits, upon approval, will fulfill part of the technical-elective requirements.

In addition to the Graduation Requirements and Academic Performance Requirements specified in this catalog, the following grade requirements must be met to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering: a combined average of “C” or better in the Mechanical Engineering courses; a combined average of “C” or better in the mathematics courses; a minimum grade of “C” in each of the following courses: MATH 123, MATH 125, PHYS 211, ME 311, ME 312 and all EM designated courses. Students that fail to earn a C or better in any of these courses, will be required to take them in each subsequent semester until the requirement is met. Students must follow course prerequisite requirements. Graduating seniors must take the Fundamentals of Engineering or similar test as an exit exam.

Each Mechanical Engineering student is assigned an academic adviser who provides valuable assistance with professional career advice and course planning. Students should meet with their adviser at least twice per semester for assistance with their progress and course planning. A student’s graduation checklist must be filled in and forwarded to the department head during the second to last semester of a student’s program. Students of the Mechanical Engineering program should read and follow the additional University and College of Engineering policies, procedures and requirements along with objectives and expectations as listed in the front sections of the catalog.

To make the transition easier for high school students interested in a career in Mechanical Engineering, the following guidelines are suggested: study as much mathematics as available, including calculus (if possible), one year of physics, one year of chemistry and four years of English.