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 BS in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

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.

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 (Stellic) 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

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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

Program-Specific General Education

The program-specific courses also satisfy General Education requirements.

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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

Probability and Statistics

Engineering Core

Mechanical Engineering Core

Mechanical Engineering Program Electives 

Complete a total of nine credits, with at least six credits of 400-level courses in MECE and AESE.  Prerequisites for courses must be met.

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Students in ROTC and students pursuing a relevant minor or certificate may request to complete their Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives with three credits of 400-level MECE / AESE Elective and six credits of Mechanical Engineering Program Elective that are courses needed for the minor, certificate, or ROTC.  Consult your academic advisor before submitting a request.

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Students who meet prerequisites and wish to take a higher level course in this subject area as an Mechanical Engineering Program Elective may request a course substitution.  Consult your academic advisor.

Capstone Design 

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.

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.