Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (543P, 543)
Program Coordinator
Morteza Nurcheshmeh, morteza.nurcheshmeh@wku.edu, (270) 745-2473
Mechanical engineers are involved in designing and building almost everything that is needed in our modern world, from nearly invisible electro-mechanical devices to enormous power generating and distribution systems producing millions of horsepower. Mechanical engineers use scientific principles from the physical world to create a tremendous variety of mechanical and thermal systems. Practicing mechanical engineers use these principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain systems that include:
- automobiles and aircraft
- heating and cooling systems
- electric power plants
- specialized materials
- manufacturing plants
- industrial equipment and machinery
Mechanical engineers need a solid understanding of engineering science, which includes mechanics, engineering materials, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. The program at WKU focuses on these sciences as well as design and professional skills necessary for a successful career in mechanical engineering. Our graduates have a strong competitive advantage with their unique background of engineering fundamentals combined with practical knowledge and experience. The mechanical engineering program provides a project-based, learner-driven environment relevant to the needs of modern society. In support of this learning environment, the professional engineering activities of the faculty create opportunities for the students to practice the art and science of contemporary Mechanical Engineering.
The curriculum requires a minimum of 58.5 technical specialty hours, completion of required Colonnade coursework, and 32-33 semester hours of required mathematics and science.
The WKU Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Mechanical Engineering Program Educational Objectives
The mission is achieved by focusing on specific program educational objectives. Within a few years of completing the Mechanical Engineering Program, a graduate will:
Objective 1: Either be contributing to their regions’ economic development through employment in mechanical engineering or related professions, or pursuing advanced credentials.
Objective 2: Occupy leadership roles in their profession, or in their communities, as their career develops
Objective 3: Demonstrate professionalism on diverse teams across a range of varied responsibilities
Objective 4: Be proactive in their professional development and engage in the continuing education needed to maintain and enhance their career.
For detailed information on the mechanical engineering program, please see the “Mechanical Engineering Program Guide” (available at http://wku.edu/seas ) and/or contact your advisor.
Program Requirements (58.5 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
Academic Standards for the Mechanical Engineering Program
Students are admitted as a Pre-Major in Mechanical Engineering. In order to transition from Pre-Major to Major and to graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, student must satisfy the requirements below. All courses below must have a grade of “C” or better.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Composition (F-W1) | 3 | |
| Human Communications (F-OC) | 3 | |
| MATH 136 | Calculus I (or equivalent credit) | 4 |
| MATH 137 | Calculus II (or equivalent credit) | 4 |
| PHYS 255 & PHYS 256 | University Physics I and University Physics I Lab | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Introduction to College Chemistry and Fundamentals of General Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| EM 222 | Statics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 26-27 | |
These pre-major eligibility requirements MUST be completed before enrolling in ME 200: Sophomore Design. Check degree audit for progress towards meeting these requirements.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ME 176 | Mechanical Engineering Freshman Design | 1 |
| ME 180 | Freshman Design II | 3 |
| ME 200 | Sophomore Design | 3 |
| ME 220 | Engineering Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| ME 240 | Materials and Methods of Manufacturing | 3 |
| ME 241 | Materials and Methods of Manufacturing Lab | 1 |
| ME 310 | Engineering Instrumentation and Experimentation | 3 |
| ME 325 | Elements of Heat Transfer | 4 |
| ME 330 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| ME 344 | Mechanical Design | 3 |
| ME 332 | Fluid Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| ME 347 | Mechanical Systems Laboratory | 1 |
| ENGR 490 | Senior Project 1 | 2 |
| ENGR 491 | Senior Project II | 3 |
| EE 210 | Circuits & Networks I | 3.5 |
| EM 222 | Statics | 3 |
| EM 303 | Mechanics of Deformable Solids | 3 |
| EM 313 | Dynamics | 3 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives | 12 | |
| Choose from the following list: | ||
| WKU ME Selected Topics | ||
| WKU ME Selected Projects | ||
| WKU – ME Selected Topics (Fall) | ||
| WKU – ME Selected Topics (Spring) | ||
| UK – ME Selected Topics (Fall) | ||
| UK – ME Selected Topics (Spring) | ||
| System Dynamics and Modeling | ||
| Principles of Systems Engineering | ||
| Continuous Control Systems | ||
| Engineering Thermodynamics II | ||
| Data Acquisition Using Labview | ||
| Total Hours | 58.5 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Required Courses | ||
| MATH 136 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 137 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 237 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 331 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 255 & PHYS 256 | University Physics I and University Physics I Lab | 5 |
| PHYS 265 & PHYS 266 | University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 120 & CHEM 121 | College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | 5 |
| or CHEM 116 | Introduction to College Chemistry | |
| or CHEM 106 | Fundamentals of General Chemistry Laboratory | |
| Math and Science Elective | 3 | |
| Each mechanical engineering student must also take at least one mathematics / science elective, for a total of a minimum of 32 hours of mathematics and science courses beginning with MATH 136. This elective must be chosen from the following list: | ||
| General Astronomy | ||
| Biological Concepts: Cells Metabolism and Genetics and Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics Lab | ||
| Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology and Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology Lab | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| College Chemistry II and College Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Data Acquisition Using Labview | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Modeling | ||
| Introduction to Linear Algebra | ||
| Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Applied Techniques in Mathematics | ||
| Introductory Probability and Applied Statistics | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Students must complete a minimum of 32 hours of mathematics and science courses beginning with MATH 136. Student must also satisfy the WKU Colonnade requirements.
Finish in Four Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ME 176 | 1 | ME 180 | 3 |
| MATH 136 | 4 | MATH 137 | 4 |
| CHEM 116 & CHEM 106 (or CHEM 120/121) | 4 | PHYS 255 | 4 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | PHYS 256 | 1 |
| COMM 145 | 3 | EM 222 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ME 240 | 3 | ME 200 | 3 |
| ME 241 | 1 | MATH 331 | 3 |
| MATH 237 | 4 | EM 303 | 3 |
| PHYS 265 | 4 | EE 210 | 3.5 |
| PHYS 266 | 1 | ENG 200 | 3 |
| HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15.5 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ME 220 | 3 | EM 313 | 3 |
| ME 344 | 3 | ME 330 | 3 |
| ME 310 | 3 | ME 332 | 1 |
| ME 347 | 1 | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | ME 497 | 3 |
| Colonnade - Arts & Humanities | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Behavioral | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ME 325 | 4 | ENGR 491 | 3 |
| ENGR 490 | 2 | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| ME Technical Elective | 3 | ME Technical Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade - Social & Cultural | 3 | Colonnade - Local to Global | 3 |
| ENG 300 | 3 | Colonnade - Systems | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 123.5 | |||