DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (ME)

Professor Robert P. Taylor
Department Head
Office: 290 Hardaway Hall

Professor Beth A. Todd
Coordinator for Undergraduate Programs
Office: 290 Hardaway Hall

Mechanical engineering is the most versatile of all engineering programs. Mechanical engineers pursue careers in a wide variety of industries, research laboratories, educational activities, and government agencies. Mechanical engineering graduates can become involved in research, design, and management in industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy conservation, precision engineering, railroad, heavy machinery, manufacturing, food/forest products, textiles, paper, consumer appliances, robotics, nuclear and fossil power plants, electronics, computer automation, agriculture, heating and air-conditioning, construction, transportation, and mining. A significant number of mechanical engineering graduates use mechanical engineering as the foundation for careers in business administration, law, medicine, and other professions. Many graduates are also accepted for advanced study in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, medicine, law, business administration, and dentistry.

Program Objectives

Members of the next generation of mechanical engineers are being equipped to meet the technological challenges of the profession. Out of a commitment to continuously improve the undergraduate curriculum for the mechanical engineering program, the faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering has adopted several educational objectives. The following objectives define the early-career accomplishments that the mechanical engineering program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue:

1. Our graduates will contribute to the profession in ways that benefit society
2. Our graduates will be expected to follow one of two career paths: technical or management. We expect them to have sufficient career and professional accomplishments within 5-10 years of graduation to be considered as either an engineering expert or a leader/manager
3. Our graduates will continue to grow in expertise and knowledge by participating in activities that enhance professional development in their career path

Program Outcomes

At the time of graduation mechanical engineering graduates are expected to have demonstrated the following outcomes:

• a1) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and general engineering
• a2) an ability to apply knowledge of mechanical engineering
• b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
• d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
• e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• g) an ability to communicate effectively
• h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
• i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
• j) a knowledge of contemporary issues
• k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
• l) knowledge of chemistry and calculus-based physics with depth in at least one
• m) ability to apply advanced mathematics through multivariate calculus and differential equations
• n) familiarity with statistics and linear algebra
• o) the ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas including design and realization of such systems
• p) knowledge of conventional and modern manufacturing methods and materials

Mechanical Engineering Honors Program. The Mechanical Engineering Honors Program is part of the College of Engineering Honors Programs and is designed to provide an enhanced academic experience for highly-motivated, high-achieving students. The program develops problem-solving, critical-thinking, and communication skills through a mentored experience-based activity. Research is particularly encouraged. Students completing the ME Honors Program will be awarded a certificate and recognized at the Honors Day ceremony in the student’s senior year. Details can be found on the departmental Web site http://me.eng.ua.edu/ under the undergraduate program link.

Five-year BSME/MSME. The department participates in the University Scholars Program (discussed elsewhere in this catalog) where a student who meets the qualifications as an honors student can apply to graduate school after the junior year and pursue the BS and MS simultaneously.

Undergraduate Research Program. The purpose of the Supplemental Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering is to provide our students with an enhanced educational experience. This is achieved by teaming the student with a faculty mentor who will work with and guide the student as he/she completes a structured research project. Participation in the SURE Program will:

• sharpen the student’s critical thinking skills,
• enhance the student’s ability to apply engineering analysis techniques,
• improve the student’s ability to communicate technical information,
• increase the student’s confidence in his/her engineering skills, and
• provide exposure to the graduate-level research environment.

Details can be found on the departmental Web site, http://me.eng.ua.edu/ under the undergraduate program link.

Cooperative Education. Many mechanical engineering students participate in the cooperative education program. This is an academic program where students alternate work terms in an engineering environment in industry with full-time terms of course work. Co-op can greatly enhance your academic experience and employment opportunities. Co-op is discussed in detail elsewhere in the catalog.

Mechanical Engineering Curriculum

'Interim term courses. Humanities and social science courses taken during the Interim term may be counted toward the requirements for a BS degree in mechanical engineering. However, Interim courses can be used to fulfill mechanical engineering or technical elective requirements only if the specific courses have been approved in advance of registration by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester	Hours
CH 101 General Chemistry I (N)	4
DR 100 Engineering Sketching	1
EN 101 English Composition I (FC)	3
GES 131 Foundations Engineering I	2
MATH 125 Calculus I (MA)	4
Humanities (HU), literature (L), or fine arts (FA) elective or history (HI) and/or social and behavioral sciences (SB) elective1	3
	___
	17
Second Semester
DR 133 2D AutoCAD for Engineers	2
EN 102 English Composition II (FC)	3
GES 132 Foundations of Engineering II	2
MATH 126 Calculus II (MA)	4
PH 105 Physics with Calculus I (N)	4
	___
	15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester
AEM 201 Statics	3
MATH 227 Calculus III (MA)	4
ME 215 Thermodynamics I	3
PH 106 Physics with Calculus II (N)	4
Approved Science Elective2	4
	___
	18
Second Semester
AEM 264 Dynamics	3
AEM 311 Fluid Mechanics	3
MATH 238 Applied Differential Equations I (MA)	3
ME 305 Thermodynamics I	3
MTE 271 Engineering Materials: Structure and Properties	3
	___
	15
JUNIOR YEAR
First Semester
AEM 250 Mechanics of Materials	3
AEM 251 Mechanics of Materials Laboratory	1
ECE 320 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering	3
ME 309 Heat Transfer	3
ME 349 Engineering Analysis (C)	3
Humanities (HU), literature (L), or fine arts (FA) elective or history (HI) and/or social and behavioral sciences (SB) elective1	3
	___
	16
Second Semester
ME 350 Static Machine Components	3
ME 360 Control and Instrumentation Components (W)	3
ME 372 Dynamic Systems (C)	3
ME 383 Modern Manufacturing Practices	3
Approved mechanical engineering elective3	3
	___
	15
SENIOR YEAR
First Semester
ME 415 Energy Systems Design4	2
ME 450 Dynamic Machine Components	3
ME 460 Thermal Systems Instrumentation (W)	3
ME 489 Mechanical Engineering Design I	3
Humanities (HU), literature (L), or fine arts (FA) elective or history (HI) and/or social and behavioral sciences (SB) elective1	6
	___
	17
Second Semester
ME 490 Mechanical Engineering Design II	3
Approved mechanical engineering or technical elective5	3
Approved mechanical engineering elective3	3
Humanities (HU), literature (L), or fine arts (FA) elective or history (HI) and/or social and behavioral sciences (SB) elective1	6
	___
	15
Total: 128 hours
1 All engineering students are required to take 9 hours of humanities and 9 hours of social and behavioral sciences. At least 6 hours must be from a single program. 2 Approved science electives are taken from an approved list available from the department. 3 Mechanical engineering electives are offered on a regular schedule, but not necessarily every year. The student may select any two mechanical engineering electives to complete the requirements for the BS degree. A list of mechanical engineering electives is available from the department. 4 ME 407 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning may be substituted for ME 415. 5 The technical elective requirement may be fulfilled with a mechanical engineering elective course or an engineering, math, or science course from the approved list or with advance petition to the mechanical engineering department. The approved list is available from the department.