Mechanical Engineering
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Program Requirements
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, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical Engineering Program Criteria. 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:
Program Educational Objectives
The objectives of the Mechanical Engineering program are to produce graduates, who three to five years after graduation, will:
Perform successfully in engineering or related professional roles within a variety of global industries including automotive
Demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills in professional practice
Contribute effectively and ethically to a modern, multidisciplinary workplace
Engage in lifelong learning and pursue graduate study or other post-graduate education in mechanical engineering or other
fields
Requirements for the major in Mechanical Engineering, B.S.E.
General Education Requirements
In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their General Education courses.
Each candidate for an Oakland University baccalaureate will need to satisfactorily complete approved courses in each of the following areas: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. For details, refer to the General Education Requirements section of the catalog. In order to satisfy both General Education and other program requirements, in some of the General Education areas students should select from the courses listed below:
Foundations:
Explorations: 1 course from each of the 7 Explorations areas:
Arts
Language and Culture
Global Perspective
Literature
Natural Science and Technology (satisfied by course or course; see Engineering Core)
Social Science (satisfied by course, course or course; see Additional Major Requirements)
Western Civilization (satisfied by course; see Additional Major Requirements)
Integration:
Knowledge Applications (satisfied by course; see Mathematics and Sciences)
Capstone (satisfied by course; see Required Professional Subjects)
U.S. Diversity:
May be met by an approved course in the Explorations area
Writing Intensive:
Writing Intensive in the Major (satisfied by course; see Required Professional Subjects)
Writing Intensive in General Education (may be met by an approved course in the Explorations area)
Additional Major Requirements:
All mechanical engineering students must meet the following requirements. Courses from these selections can meet general education exploration areas above.
Professional Ethics: course Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering
Mathematics and Sciences
Students must complete at least 30 credits in the required math/science area. Students with fewer than 30 credit hours of math/science, for example due to transfers from another institution, must take additional courses to satisfy this requirement. Additional courses in math/science must be from the approved departmental list or by petition of exception.
course Introduction to Differential Equations with Matrix Algebra (4)
course General Chemistry I (4)
course Calculus I (4)
course Calculus II (4)
course Multivariable Calculus (4)
course Introductory Physics I (4)
course Introductory Physics II (4)
Approved Math/Science Elective Options
Students majoring in mechanical engineering are advised to take course 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 an elective from the following approved course list:
course Linear Algebra (4)
course Engineering Mathematics (4)
Any BIO course 1200 or above
Any APM course 3000 or above
Any MTH course 3000 or above
Any PHY course 3000 or above
course General Chemistry II (4)
Any CHM course 2000 or above
Other courses approved by petition to the SECS Committee on Academic Standing.
Engineering Core
course Engineering Graphics and CAD (1)
course Computer Problem Solving in Engineering (4)
course Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (4)
course Introduction to Thermal Engineering (4)
course Introduction to Industrial and Systems Engineering (4)
course Design and Analysis of Electromechanical Systems (4)
Required Professional Subjects
course Engineering Mechanics (4)
course Mechanics of Materials (4)
course Computer-Aided Design (3)
course Introduction to Fluid and Thermal Energy Transport (4)
course Properties of Materials (4)
course Vibrations and Controls (4)
course Mechanical Systems Design (4)
course Energy Systems Analysis and Design (4)
course Senior Mechanical Engineering Design Project (4)
or course Senior Project (4)*
Note
*course requires approval of project proposal by the Mechanical Engineering Department. If taken in place of course, it must be team-based and Capstone and Writing Intensive in the Major requirements must be approved via a General Education petition.
Professional Electives
Mechanical Engineering students must complete at least 12 additional credits of 4000-, 5000- or 6000-level ME, BE, ISE, or ECE designated courses (must have instructor’s permission to take 5000- or 6000-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.
Recommended Fundamental Subjects
Other Relevant Courses
course Fuel Cell Science and Technology (4)
course Renewable Energy (4)
course Introduction to Electric Drive Vehicle Engineering (4)
course Internal Combustion Engines I (4)
course Fundamentals of Battery Systems for Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (4)
course Sustainable Design for the Built Environment (4)
course Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering (4)
course Energy and Sustainability Engineering Seminar and Practice (4)
2. Computer-Aided Design Depth Area. Includes courses in the computer-aided design (CAD) and analysis area.
Recommended Fundamental Subjects
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering (4)
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Manufacturing (4)
course Metamodeling and Optimization Methods in Design (4)
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.
Recommended Fundamental Subjects: Automotive Structures Specialty
Recommended Fundamental Subjects: Internal Combustion Engines Specialty
course Internal Combustion Engines I (4)
Other Relevant Courses
course Powertrain Control & Diagnostics (4)
course Intelligent Vehicle Control Systems (4)
course Automotive Driveline Dynamics (4)
course Acoustics and Noise Control (4)
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering (4)
course Metamodeling and Optimization Methods in Design (4)
course Intermediate Fluid Mechanics (4)
course Intermediate Heat Transfer (4)
course Fuel Cell Science and Technology (4)
course Introduction to Electric Drive Vehicle Engineering (4)
course Fundamentals of Battery Systems for Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (4)
course Fasteners and Bolted Joints (4)
course Optical Measurement and Quality Inspection (4)
course Sheet Metal Forming Processes (4)
course Automotive Electronics (4)
course Automatic Control Systems (4)
course Automotive Mechatronics I (4)
4. Manufacturing Engineering Depth Area. This depth area includes courses in the manufacturing area.
Recommended Fundamental Subjects
Other Relevant Courses
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Manufacturing (4)
course Optical Measurement and Quality Inspection (4)
course Robotic Systems (4)
course Sheet Metal Forming Processes (4)
course Automatic Control Systems (4)
course Statistical Quality Analysis (4)
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
course Polymeric Materials (4)
course Materials Properties and Processes (4)
course Plastics Processing Engineering (4)
Optional Concentrations:
The Mechanical Engineering Department offers optional concentrations in Automotive Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy, and Electrified Propulsion to students interested in broadening their knowledge in a specific area of mechanical engineering and wishing an area of concentration in their degree. These concentrations are only applicable for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. The sequences of courses listed below for each concentration are taken to satisfy the professional electives requirement. Note that completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration may require more than 128 credits. Students may earn only one concentration and must be completed as part of their degree. The concentration will be noted on the students’ transcript.
Automotive Engineering
The Automotive Engineering Concentration includes courses related to powertrain, vehicle dynamics, as well as systems integration as they relate to vehicle design.
Fundamental Subjects - 8 credits, choose 2 courses
course Vehicle Dynamics (4)
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering (4)
course Introduction to Electric Drive Vehicle Engineering (4)
course Internal Combustion Engines I (4)
Select at least 8 credits, from the following
course Powertrain Control & Diagnostics (4)
course Intelligent Vehicle Control Systems (4)
course Vehicle Dynamics (4)
if not taken as a fundamental subject
course Automotive Driveline Dynamics (4)
course Acoustics and Noise Control (4)
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering (4)
if not taken as a fundamental subject
course Intermediate Fluid Mechanics (4)
course Fuel Cell Science and Technology (4)
course Introduction to Electric Drive Vehicle Engineering (4)
if not taken as a fundamental subject
course Internal Combustion Engines I (4)
if not taken as a fundamental subject
course Fundamentals of Battery Systems for Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (4)
course Lubrication, Friction, and Wear (4)
course Sheet Metal Forming Processes (4)
course Special Topics (2 TO 4)
with prior approval
course Directed Research (1 to 4)
with prior approval
course Independent Study (1 TO 4)
with prior approval
course Combustion Processes (4)
with prior approval
course Special Topics (2 to 4)
with prior approval
course Automotive Electronics (4)
course Automotive Mechatronics I (4)
Electrified Propulsion
The Electrified Propulsion Concentration includes courses related to electric and hybrid-electric powertrain, driveline dynamics, controls, and systems integration as they relate to vehicle powertrain design.
Required Fundamental Subjects - 8 credits
course Introduction to Electric Drive Vehicle Engineering (4)
course Fundamentals of Battery Systems for Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (4)
Select at least 8 credits from the following
course Powertrain Control & Diagnostics (4)
course Automotive Driveline Dynamics (4)
course Fuel Cell Science and Technology (4)
course Internal Combustion Engines I (4)
course Special Topics (2 TO 4)
with prior approval
course Directed Research (1 to 4)
with prior approval
course Independent Study (1 TO 4)
with prior approval
course Machine Learning in Engineering Design (4)
course Automotive Electronics (4)
course Automatic Control Systems (4)
course Automotive Mechatronics I (4)
course Introduction to Power Electronics (4)
course Electric and Hybrid Drive Systems (4)
Energy
The Energy Concentration includes fundamental courses in energy systems as well as fundamental courses in the fluid and thermal sciences.
Required Fundamental Subjects - 8 credits
course Intermediate Fluid Mechanics (4)
or course Intermediate Heat Transfer (4)
course Renewable Energy (4)
Select at least 8 credits from the following (if not taken as a required fundamental subject)
course Intermediate Fluid Mechanics (4)
course Intermediate Heat Transfer (4)
course Fuel Cell Science and Technology (4)
course Introduction to Electric Drive Vehicle Engineering (4)
course Internal Combustion Engines I (4)
course Fundamentals of Battery Systems for Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (4)
course Sustainable Design for the Built Environment (4)
course Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering (4)
course Nuclear Reactors and Power Plants (3)
course Energy and Sustainability Engineering Seminar and Practice (4)
course Special Topics (2 TO 4)
with prior approval
course Directed Research (1 to 4)
with prior approval
course Independent Study (1 TO 4)
with prior approval
course Combustion Processes (4)
with prior approval
course Special Topics (2 to 4)
with prior approval
course Nuclear Physics Laboratory (2)
requires course (4) as a pre-or co-requisite
Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Concentration includes courses related to manufacturing processes for metals and plastics as well as manufacturing systems.
Fundamental Subjects - 8 credits, choose two courses
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Manufacturing (4)
course Materials Properties and Processes (4)
course Manufacturing Processes (4)
Select at least additional 8 credits from the following (if not taken as a required fundamental subject):
course Mechanical Computer-Aided Manufacturing (4)
course Materials Properties and Processes (4)
course Manufacturing Processes (4)
course Flexible and Lean Manufacturing Systems (4)
course Robotic Systems (4)
course Optical Measurement and Quality Inspection (4)
course Sheet Metal Forming Processes (4)
course Special Topics (2 TO 4)
course Directed Research (1 to 4)
course Independent Study (1 TO 4)
course Polymer Processing (4)
course Special Topics (2 to 4)
with prior approval
course Automatic Control Systems (4)
course Statistical Quality Analysis (4)
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. Students can obtain the major standing form from the SECS Undergraduate Advising Website. At the time that major standing is approved, students with majors of Pre-Mechanical Engineering will have their major changed to Mechanical Engineering. Approval of both a major standing application and change of major to Mechanical Engineering is required prior to enrolling in any 3000- or higher-level courses.
To gain major standing in Mechanical Engineering, students must:
A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: course, course, course, course, course, course;
B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following engineering core courses: course, course, course, course, course, course. Note that some mechanical engineering courses require a minimum grade of C in course or course;
C) have no more than 2 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 3 times; and
E) have not repeated more than 3 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 a GPA of at least 2.0 within each course group: mathematics and sciences, engineering core, and professional courses (including required professional subjects and professional electives) and a grade of C or better in the senior design capstone course (course or course). Within professional courses, at most 2 grades below C are permitted, at most 2 different courses may be repeated, and a total of 3 repeat attempts per course 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
Fall semester – 17 total credits
course General Chemistry I (4)
course Engineering Graphics and CAD (1)
course Computer Problem Solving in Engineering (4)
course Calculus I (4)
General Education (4)
Winter semester – 16 total credits
course Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (4)
course Calculus II (4)
course Introductory Physics I (4)
General Education (4)
Sophomore year
Fall semester – 16 total credits
course Introduction to Differential Equations with Matrix Algebra (4)
course Introduction to Thermal Engineering (4)
course Introductory Physics II (4)
General Education (4)
Winter semester – 16 total credits
course Introduction to Industrial and Systems Engineering (4)
course Design and Analysis of Electromechanical Systems (4)
course Multivariable Calculus (4)
General Education (4)
Junior year
Fall semester – 16 total credits
course Engineering Mechanics (4)
course Introduction to Fluid and Thermal Energy Transport (4)
course Properties of Materials (4)
General Education (4)
Winter semester – 15 total credits
course Mechanics of Materials (4)
course Computer-Aided Design (3)
course Energy Systems Analysis and Design (4)
Approved Math/Science elective (4)
Senior year
Fall semester – 16 total credits
course Mechanical Systems Design (4)
course Vibrations and Controls (4)
Professional Elective (4)
General Education (4)
Winter semester – 16 total credits
course Senior Mechanical Engineering Design Project (4)
Professional Elective (4)
Professional Elective (4)
General Education (4)
Applicable Minors
All Minors are applicable to this major with the exception of the following Minor(s): Child Welfare and Mechanical Engineering.