Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the largest and broadest fields of technical study. Mechanical engineers are concerned with the engineering systems used to control and transform energy to meet the needs of humanity. In mechanical engineering, students develop an understanding of basic topics and fundamental principles upon which engineered systems are conceived and developed in a modern society. It is an excellent foundation for a rewarding career in engineering, as well as for further study in business, law, medicine, and other professions that require a solid foundation in science and technology, and the ability to solve problems.

The mechanical engineering department is dedicated to graduating mechanical engineers who practice mechanical engineering in the general stems of thermal/fluid systems, mechanical systems and design, and materials and manufacturing in industry and government settings; pursue advanced education, research and development, and other creative efforts in science and technology; conduct themselves in a responsible, professional, and ethical manner; and participate as leaders in activities that support service to and economic development of the region, state, and nation.

The mechanical engineering faculty has defined 10 educational outcomes that students in the program are expected to achieve by the time of graduation. These outcomes are

• Knowledge of and ability to apply engineering and science fundamentals to real problems
• Ability to formulate and solve open-ended problems
• Ability to design mechanical components, systems, and processes
• Ability to set up, conduct, and interpret experiments, and to present the results in a professional manner
• Ability to use modern computer tools in mechanical engineering
• Ability to communicate in written, oral, and graphical forms
• Ability to work in teams and apply interpersonal skills in engineering contexts
• Ability and desire to lay a foundation for continued learning beyond the baccalaureate degree
• Awareness of professional issues in engineering practice, including ethical responsibility, safety, the creative enterprise, and loyalty and commitment to the profession
• Awareness of contemporary issues in engineering practice, including economic, social, political, and environmental issues and global impact

The mechanical engineering curriculum meets these outcomes by providing breadth and depth across a range of topics.

• A combination of college-level mathematics and basic science courses (some with experimental work) that includes mathematics, probability and statistics, physics, and chemistry
• Engineering courses that develop a working knowledge of graphics and computer-aided design, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, kinematics, dynamics and control of mechanical systems, computational methods, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials science and engineering, mechatronics, technical communication, and engineering economics
• Mechanical engineering project and laboratory experiences that develop competence in measurements and instrumentation, interpretation of data, reverse engineering analysis of mechanical systems, use of computational tools for engineering analysis, integration of multidisciplinary topics in design of complex systems, teamwork and project planning, and written and oral communication
• A sequence of engineering design courses, culminating in a major capstone design experience in collaboration with an industrial sponsor, that draws on the knowledge and skills students have acquired in earlier coursework and incorporates modern engineering standards and realistic constraints
• Core curriculum courses, including social and behavioral sciences, humanities, and visual and performing arts electives, that complement the technical content of the curriculum
• A broad range of senior elective options that provide a career gateway to further study and lifelong learning in the practice of engineering and other professions

PROCEED (Project-Centered Education)

The undergraduate curriculum in mechanical engineering is built on the principle of project-centered education, or PROCEED. A number of courses throughout the curriculum are structured to motivate the study of engineering science by challenging students with in-depth analysis of real mechanical components and systems. In PROCEED, students address real-world projects based on current industrial methods and practices. Undergraduate laboratories and computer facilities are integrated into the curriculum to connect theory with practice.

Portable Computing Devices

Students entering Mechanical Engineering are expected to have a laptop computer at their disposal. The use of laptop computers will be necessary in many required courses, and individual instructors may require that a laptop be brought to class or lab sessions. For a list of minimum system requirements see: http://www.me.utexas.edu/laptopreq .

Curriculum

Course requirements include courses within the Cockrell School of Engineering, and other required courses. In addition, each student must complete the University’s core curriculum . In some cases, a course required as part of the major may also be counted toward the core curriculum; these courses are identified below.

In the process of fulfilling engineering degree requirements, students must also complete coursework to satisfy the University's flag requirements: one independent inquiry flag, one course with a quantitative reasoning flag, one ethics and leadership flag, one global cultures flag, one cultural diversity in the United States flag, and three writing flags. The independent inquiry flag, the quantitative reasoning flag, the ethics and leadership flag, and three writing flags are carried by courses specifically required for the degree; these courses are identified below. Courses that may be used to fulfill flag requirements are identified in the Course Schedule .

Requirements		Hours
Mechanical Engineering Courses
M E 130L	Experimental Fluid Mechanics	1
M E 134L	Materials Engineering Laboratory	1
M E 139L	Experimental Heat Transfer	1
M E 140L	Mechatronics Laboratory	1
M E 144L	Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory	1
M E 266K	Mechanical Engineering Design Project (independent inquiry flag and writing flag)	2
M E 266P	Design Project Laboratory	2
M E 302	Introduction to Engineering Design and Graphics	3
M E 314D	Dynamics (Dynamics)	3
M E 316T	Thermodynamics (Thermodynamics)	3
M E 318M	Programming and Engineering Computational Methods	3
M E 330	Fluid Mechanics	3
M E 333T	Engineering Communication (writing flag and ethics and leadership flag)	3
M E 334	Materials Engineering	3
M E 335	Engineering Statistics	3
M E 338	Machine Elements	3
M E 339	Heat Transfer	3
M E 340	Mechatronics	3
M E 344	Dynamic Systems and Controls	3
M E 353	Engineering Finance	3
M E 366J	Mechanical Engineering Design Methodology (writing flag)	3
Chemistry
CH 301	Principles of Chemistry I (part II science and technology)	3
Engineering Mechanics
E M 306	Statics	3
E M 319	Mechanics of Solids	3
Mathematics
M 408C	Differential and Integral Calculus (mathematics; quantitative reasoning flag)	4
M 408D	Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus	4
M 427J	Differential Equations with Linear Algebra	4
or M 427K	Advanced Calculus for Applications I
M 427L	Advanced Calculus for Applications II	4
Physics
PHY 303K	Engineering Physics I (part I science and technology; quantitative reasoning flag)	3
PHY 303L	Engineering Physics II (part I science and technology; quantitative reasoning flag)	3
PHY 103M	Laboratory for Physics 303K	1
PHY 103N	Laboratory for Physics 303L	1
Rhetoric and Writing
RHE 306	Rhetoric and Writing (English composition)	3
Other Required Courses
Approved career gateway electives		12
Approved natural science/mathematics elective		3
Remaining Core Curriculum Requirements
E 316L	British Literature (humanities; in E 316L, 316M, 316N, and 316P some sections carry a global cultures or cultural diversity flag)	3
or E 316M	American Literature
or E 316N	World Literature
or E 316P	Masterworks of Literature
American and Texas government (some sections carry a cultural diversity flag)		6
American history (some sections carry a cultural diversity flag)		6
Social and behavioral sciences (some sections carry a global cultures and/or cultural diversity flag)		3
Visual and performing arts (some sections carry a global cultures and/or cultural diversity flag)		3
UGS 302	First-Year Signature Course (in UGS 302 all sections carry writing flag; in UGS 303 some sections carry a writing flag)	3
or UGS 303	First-Year Signature Course
Total Hours		126

Bridges to the Future Credential Program

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers highly qualified senior-level undergraduate students an opportunity for in-depth study and research in an emerging area of mechanical engineering through the Bridges to the Future Credential Program. Upon completion of a prescribed series of technical electives and an independent research study under the direction of a faculty member and a doctoral student mentor, students receive a signed award and a letter from the department chair that describes the program and the work completed. This credential and its supporting documentation, plus supporting letters from supervising faculty and mentors, can be valuable assets for students applying to graduate school or pursuing competitive job opportunities. This program will not appear on the student’s transcript.

Students must apply for admission to a credential program during the junior year. In some cases, the coursework may include a graduate course, which may be credited toward a University graduate degree.

Details on course offerings and admission procedures are available from the Department of Mechanical Engineering undergraduate office and on the mechanical engineering website .