MAE Undergraduate Degree Programs
The department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) offers traditional ABET accredited engineering programs leading to the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. MAE also offers traditional non-accredited engineering programs leading to the B.S. degree in engineering science and environmental engineering. The B.S. programs require a minimum of 196 units. The Chemical Engineering Program (CENG) is an interdepartmental program within NanoEngineering.
All MAE programs of study have strong components in laboratory experimentation, numerical computation and engineering design. Design is emphasized throughout the curricula by open-ended homework problems, by laboratory and computer courses which include student-initiated projects, and finally by senior design project courses which often involve teams of students working to solve engineering design problems brought in from industry. The MAE programs are designed to prepare students receiving bachelor's degrees for professional careers or for graduate education in their area of specialization. In addition, the programs can also be taken by students who intend to use their undergraduate engineering education as preparation for postgraduate professional training in nontechnical fields such as business administration, law or medicine.
B.S. Aerospace Engineering (Impacted status, effective Fall 2009)B.S. Engineering Science
B.S. Environmental Engineering
B.S. Mechanical Engineering (Impacted status, effective Fall 2009)
Degree Check
It is a good idea to request a departmental degree check during your junior year to be sure that you are on track for graduation. Please come in and speak to Gerri Johnson. Allow up to 3 weeks for the degree check to be complete.
B.S. Aerospace Engineering
MISSION STATEMENT: To prepare our students to be outstanding scientists and engineering leaders by emphasizing engineering fundamentals, principles of professional practices, and their integration into the design/development of advanced aeronautical and astronautical systems.
EDUCATIONAL GOALS
1. To provide our students with a strong technical education that will enable them to have successful careers as professional aerospace engineers, as educators in academia, and as members of other professions.
2. To prepare our students for rapid technological change with the core knowledge central to assuring that they are able to continuously improve their skills across a range of disciplines throughout their professional careers.
3. To prepare our students to communicate effectively and to deal knowledgeably and ethically with the impact of technology in our society and on global issues.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
1. Fundamentals/Knowledge
- To provide students with a strong foundation in engineering fundamentals; in-depth knowledge of key topics in aerospace engineering including aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, aerospace structures and materials, and design and control of aerospace systems; and an awareness of the value of life-long learning.
- To provide thorough training in methods of analysis and problem-solving including mathematical and computational skills and use of contemporary software and information technology tools.
- To teach students the experimental and data analysis techniques required for aerospace engineering applications.
- To teach the fundamentals of the open-ended design process, including project management, synthesis and integration of information from fundamental and interdisciplinary areas, manufacturing and incorporation of non-technical issues, and innovation and creative problem-solving in an engineering environment.
- To prepare students with the skills required for successful participation on teams and for leadership positions, including effective written and oral communication skills and professionalism.
- To instill in our students an understanding of the role and importance of professional responsibility and engineering ethics.
- To provide students with the opportunity to gain a range of experiences through classroom and extramural activities on campus and through participation and internships with industry and other organizations.
Graduates of AE are expected to have:
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to aerospace engineering problems.
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 with written, oral, and visual means.
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 modern engineering techniques, skills, and computing tools necessary for engineering practice.
l. Knowledge of key topics in aeronautical engineering including aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, and stability and control.
m. Knowledge of topics in astronautical engineering including attitude determination and control, space structures, orbital mechanics, and rocket propulsion.
n. An ability to integrate knowledge of the fundamental topics in the design of an aerospace system.
Aerospace Four-year Curriculum Plan
back to top ^
B.S. Engineering Science Engineering
The engineering science program resembles the mechanical engineering program, except the amount of mechanical design is reduced and control theory is not required. In addition to core courses in dynamics, vibrations, structures, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, h eat transfer and laboratory experimentation, a large number of technical electives (TE's) are schedules. This aspect of the curriculum allows flexibility by permitting specialization and in-depth study in one area of the engineering sciences or through a sequence of courses on various emerging technologies. Students must consult their advisors to fulfill the technical elective (TE) of this program. Although a sequence in non-sciences is permitted, the faculty advisors may insist on a substantial number of MAE or other science courses as technical electives (TE's).
Engineering Sciences Four-year Curriculum Plan
back to top ^
B.S. Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering is a four-year curriculum that resembles the chemical engineering curriculum in its first two years, with fundamental engineering courses in mechanics, thermodynamics, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. In the third and fourth year, the programs diverge: an environmental engineering sequence is offered, as well as further specialization in fluid mechanics, and a wide choice of technical electives, both from within MAE and other departments.
MISSION STATEMENT: The environmental engineering major focuses on conveying an understanding and awareness of the fundamental processes associated with human industrial activity that have environmental implications, and on equipping the next generation of engineers with the tools to develop technologies that enable sustainable economic growth. The following educational objectives have been established for the environmental engineering program:
1. to provide a sound introduction to the basic sciences that underlie the disciplines of environmental engineering
2. to provide a thorough training in methods of analysis, including problem formulation and the mathematical and computational skills required by environmental engineers
3. to teach students the experimental and data analysis techniques required for engineering applications
4. to teach the fundamentals of the design process, including project management, the synthesis of information from different disciplinary areas, and innovation and creative problem solving in an engineering setting
5. to prepare students in the skills required for successful participation on teams and in leadership positions, including effective written and oral communication
6. to instill in our students an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities
7. to provide students with the opportunity to gain a range of experiences through classroom and extramural activities on campus and through partnerships and internships with industry, with primary and secondary schools, and with other organizations
Environmental Engineering Four-year Curriculum Plan
back to top ^
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide an excellent education to the next generation of mechanical engineers as one of the nation's leading and most innovative mechanical engineering departments. Specific Educational Goals To provide our students with a strong technical education that will enable them to have successful careers as professional mechanical engineers, as educators in academia, and as members of other professions. To prepare our students for rapid technological change with the core knowledge central to assuring that they are able to continuously improve their skills across a range of disciplines throughout their professional careers. To prepare our students to communicate effectively and to deal knowledgeably and ethically with the impact of technology in our society and on global issues. Educational Objectives o to provide a sound introduction in the basic sciences that underlie the disciplines of mechanical engineering o to provide a thorough training in methods of analysis, including problem formulation and the mathematical and computational skills required by mechanical engineers o to teach students the experimental and data analysis techniques required for engineering applications o to teach the fundamentals of the design process, including project management, the synthesis of information from different disciplinary areas, and innovation and creative problem solving in an engineering setting o to prepare students in the skills required for successful participation on teams and in leadership positions, including effective written and oral communication o to instill in our students an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities o to provide students with the opportunity to gain a range of experiences through campus classroom and extramural activities and through partnerships and internships with industry, with primary and secondary schools, and with other organizations.
Mechanical Engineering Four-year Curriculum Plan
back to top ^
