Mechanical Engineering, BS
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (460000BS)
The undergraduate mechanical engineering program is designed to provide a student with comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental principles of Mechanical Engineering. This includes fluid-thermal systems and mechanical sciences, and the application of these principles to engineering problems.
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering can be combined with the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate, for a nominal five-year plan of study that includes four total years of coursework and one full year of relevant work experience. Alternatively, the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering can be earned without the certificate, with a nominal four-year plan of study.
The undergraduate curriculum can be divided into four main areas: general education (or Honors) requirements, mathematics and science requirements, engineering requirements, and ME program electives.
Whether it’s rockets, race cars, bicycles, airplanes, or robots, our students compete with engineering schools from across the nation. The design competitions are sanctioned by professional engineering societies like SAE, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Students from incoming freshmen to seniors are encouraged to participate.
The Mechanical Engineering undergraduate program offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Akron is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.
Requirements for Admission
All students who meet the minimum requirements for admittance into The University of Akron and intend to major in engineering or engineering technology are accepted into the College of Engineering and Polymer Science and welcome to begin study towards their intended major. Students must show success in key classes early in the program curriculum before gaining approval to take classes in the third year of the curriculum and beyond.
Cooperative Education
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering can be combined with the Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science certificate, for a nominal five-year plan of study that includes four total years of coursework and one full year of relevant work experience. Alternatively, the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering can be earned without the certificate, with a nominal four-year plan of study.
Accelerated BS/MS program
The department offers B.S. Mechanical Engineering students at The University of Akron a BS/MS program that allows them to earn the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with one additional year of study. Applications are accepted in the Spring before the senior year.
The following information has official approval of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The College of Engineering and Polymer Science, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Requirements
Summary
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements * | 21 | |
Program-Specific General Education | 15 | |
Math and Natural Science | 18 | |
Probability and Statistics | 2-4 | |
Engineering Core | 10 | |
Mechanical Engineering Core | 54 | |
Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives | 9 | |
Capstone Design | 4 | |
Total Hours | 133-135 |
- *
Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 36 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to multiple requirements.
General Education Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
Program-Specific General Education
The program-specific courses also satisfy General Education requirements.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MATH:221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | 4 |
CHEM:151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM:152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
PHYS:291 | Elementary Classical Physics I | 4 |
ECON:244 | Introduction to Economic Analysis 1 | 3 |
Total Hours | 15 |
- 1
While ECON:244 is preferred, students who have both taken both ECON:200 Principles of Microeconomics and ECON:201 Principles of Macroeconomics also meet the program-specific Economics requirement for the degree.
Math and Natural Science
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CHEM:153 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
MATH:222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | 4 |
MATH:223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III | 4 |
MATH:335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
PHYS:292 | Elementary Classical Physics II | 4 |
Total Hours | 18 |
Probability and Statistics
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
STAT:401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2-4 |
or STAT:461 | Applied Statistics | |
Total Hours | 2-4 |
Engineering Core
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CIVE:201 | Statics | 3 |
CIVE:202 | Introduction to Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
ELEN:307 | Basic Electrical Engineering | 4 |
Total Hours | 10 |
Mechanical Engineering Core
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MECE:165 | Tools for Mechanical Engineering | 2 |
MECE:166 | ME Freshman Design Project | 2 |
MECE:203 | Dynamics | 3 |
MECE:260 | Engineering Analysis I | 2 |
MECE:300 | Thermodynamics I | 3 |
MECE:301 | Thermodynamics II | 2 |
MECE:310 | Fluid Mechanics I | 2 |
MECE:311 | Fluid Mechanics II | 3 |
MECE:315 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
MECE:321 | Kinematics of Machines | 2 |
MECE:336 | Analysis of Mechanical Components | 3 |
MECE:337 | Design of Mechanical Components | 3 |
MECE:340 | Systems Dynamics & Response | 3 |
MECE:360 | Engineering Analysis II | 2 |
MECE:380 | Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering | 2 |
MECE:400 | Thermal System Components | 3 |
MECE:402 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
MECE:431 | Fundamentals of Mechanical Vibrations | 3 |
MECE:441 | Control Systems Design | 3 |
MECE:460 | Concepts of Design | 3 |
MECE:483 | Measurements Laboratory | 2 |
MECE:484 | Mechanical Engineering Laboratory | 2 |
Total Hours | 54 |
Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Mechanical Engineering Electives | 9 | |
Total Hours | 9 |
Capstone Design
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MECE:461 | ME Senior Design Project I | 2 |
MECE:471 | ME Senior Design Project II | 2 |
or MECE:497 | Honors Project in Mechanical Engineering | |
Total Hours | 4 |
Recommended Sequence
Recommended Sequence with Co-operative Education Certificate
This plan of study shows the recommended schedule for students who are also earning the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate. Together, the Bachelor of Science and certificate require a five-year plan of study. The program recommends that students earn this certificate.
1st Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Hours | |
CHEM:151 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
CHEM:152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
ENGL:111 | English Composition I 1,2,3 | 3 |
MATH:221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 | 4 |
MECE:165 | Tools for Mechanical Engineering | 2 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CHEM:153 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
MATH:222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 | 4 |
MECE:166 | ME Freshman Design Project | 2 |
Writing Second Course 1,3 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
2nd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CIVE:201 | Statics 1 | 3 |
ECON:244 | Introduction to Economic Analysis | 3 |
MATH:223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 1 | 4 |
PHYS:291 | Elementary Classical Physics I 1 | 4 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 17 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CIVE:202 | Introduction to Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
MATH:335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
MECE:203 | Dynamics 1 | 3 |
MECE:260 | Engineering Analysis I | 2 |
PHYS:292 | Elementary Classical Physics II 1 | 4 |
Hours | 15 | |
Summer Semester | ||
GNEN:300 | Cooperative Education Work Period (possible) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
3rd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
STAT:401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2 |
MECE:300 | Thermodynamics I | 3 |
MECE:310 | Fluid Mechanics I | 2 |
MECE:321 | Kinematics of Machines | 2 |
MECE:336 | Analysis of Mechanical Components | 3 |
MECE:360 | Engineering Analysis II | 2 |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
GNEN:301 | Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
Summer Semester | ||
MECE:311 | Fluid Mechanics II | 3 |
MECE:380 | Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering | 2 |
MECE:431 | Fundamentals of Mechanical Vibrations | 3 |
Hours | 8 | |
4th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
GNEN:302 | Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
Spring Semester | ||
MECE:301 | Thermodynamics II | 2 |
MECE:315 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
MECE:337 | Design of Mechanical Components | 3 |
MECE:340 | Systems Dynamics & Response | 3 |
MECE:483 | Measurements Laboratory | 2 |
ELEN:307 | Basic Electrical Engineering | 4 |
Hours | 17 | |
Summer Semester | ||
GNEN:403 | Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
5th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
MECE:400 | Thermal System Components | 3 |
MECE:402 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
MECE:441 | Control Systems Design | 3 |
MECE:460 | Concepts of Design | 3 |
MECE:461 | ME Senior Design Project I | 2 |
MECE:484 | Mechanical Engineering Laboratory | 2 |
Mechanical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
Hours | 17 | |
Spring Semester | ||
MECE:471 | ME Senior Design Project II 6 | 2 |
Mechanical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
Mechanical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 14 | |
Total Hours | 133 |
Recommended Sequence without Co-operative Education
If a student chooses not to earn the Cooperative Education certificate, the following four-year plan of study is used.
1st Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Hours | |
CHEM:151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM:152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
ENGL:111 | English Composition I 1,2,3 | 3 |
MATH:221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | 4 |
MECE:165 | Tools for Mechanical Engineering | 2 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CHEM:153 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
MATH:222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | 4 |
MECE:166 | ME Freshman Design Project | 2 |
Writing Second Course 1,3 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
2nd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ECON:244 | Introduction to Economic Analysis | 3 |
MATH:223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III | 4 |
PHYS:291 | Elementary Classical Physics I | 4 |
CIVE:201 | Statics | 3 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 17 | |
Spring Semester | ||
MATH:335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
PHYS:292 | Elementary Classical Physics II | 4 |
CIVE:202 | Introduction to Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
MECE:203 | Dynamics | 3 |
MECE:260 | Engineering Analysis I | 2 |
Hours | 15 | |
3rd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
STAT:401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2 |
MECE:300 | Thermodynamics I | 3 |
MECE:310 | Fluid Mechanics I | 2 |
MECE:321 | Kinematics of Machines | 2 |
MECE:336 | Analysis of Mechanical Components | 3 |
MECE:360 | Engineering Analysis II | 2 |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ELEN:307 | Basic Electrical Engineering | 4 |
MECE:301 | Thermodynamics II | 2 |
MECE:315 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
MECE:337 | Design of Mechanical Components | 3 |
MECE:340 | Systems Dynamics & Response | 3 |
MECE:483 | Measurements Laboratory | 2 |
Hours | 17 | |
Summer Semester | ||
MECE:311 | Fluid Mechanics II | 3 |
MECE:380 | Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering | 2 |
MECE:431 | Fundamentals of Mechanical Vibrations | 3 |
Hours | 8 | |
4th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
MECE:400 | Thermal System Components | 3 |
MECE:402 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
MECE:441 | Control Systems Design | 3 |
MECE:460 | Concepts of Design | 3 |
MECE:461 | ME Senior Design Project I 6 | 2 |
MECE:484 | Mechanical Engineering Laboratory | 2 |
Mechanical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
Hours | 17 | |
Spring Semester | ||
MECE:471 | ME Senior Design Project II 7 | 2 |
Mechanical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
Mechanical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 4 | 3 | |
Hours | 14 | |
Total Hours | 133 |
- 1
Honors sections may be available; check the schedule of classes.
- 2
The Mechanical Engineering Department recommends that ENGL:111 English Composition I be used to satisfy writing course requirement but other choices are available. See the General Education Program for details.
- 3
Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the Writing Second Course requirement.
- 4
Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.
- 5
Mechanical Engineering program electives include six credits Mechanical Engineering electives, and a three credit technical elective.
- 6
Students following the Honors Track will complete MECE:497 Honors Project in Mechanical Engineering instead of MECE:471.