Major in Mechanical Engineering

Is making a difference important to you? Would you enjoy the challenge of inventing sustainable energy devices, leading computer-aided product design, or biomedical research? Does creating new designs for the hybrid electric vehicle industry, or new airplanes in the fields of aeronautics and aerospace sound interesting? Would designing or doing research and development in a wide range of industrial and governmental enterprises appeal to you? Does studying thermal sciences and the integration of electronic and mechanical devices interest you? Do you like putting ideas and designs to work? Are you interested in collaborating and working in teams with others? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then a major in Mechanical Engineering may be for you.

Mechanical engineers are creative problem solvers who design, develop, and manufacture the machines and instrumentation that run energy, building, environmental, and transportation systems. Examples include biomedical devices, ground/air/space vehicles, robots, environmental control equipment, and power plants.

In Mechanical Engineering, students take basic science and mathematics courses while beginning their engineering studies in design and computing. A broad spectrum of classes is designed to sharpen problem-solving skills. The senior year focuses on a year-long capstone design course to help students in the transition from college to an engineering career. Students also choose technical electives from the energy, automotive, material science, manufacturing, dynamic systems, robotics and controls, simulation and modeling, and biomedical engineering areas. Participation in labs provides an active learning environment and further develops design, modeling, and analytical skills.

Mechanical Engineering at CSU is dedicated to graduating ethical mechanical engineers who:

• Make an impact on society’s global, grand engineering challenges
• Act as innovative and creative engineering designers who identify, analyze, and solve complex problems
• Function as accomplished thinkers with hands-on practical skills
• Serve as local, regional, and global collaborators and communicators
• Commit to life-long learning
• Uphold the CSU Principles of Community which encompass inclusion, integrity, respect, service, and social justice

Program Educational Objectives

Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science graduates will be able to accomplish the following within the first few years after graduation:

• Identify, analyze, formulate, and solve engineering problems associated with their professional position, both independently and in a team environment
• Manage multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary projects with significant legal, ethical, regulatory, social, environmental, and economic considerations using a broad systems perspective
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, professional clients, and the public
• Demonstrate commitment and progress in lifelong learning, professional development, and leadership

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering program will be prepared to:

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors 
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences 
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts 
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives  
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions 
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies 

Potential Occupations

Graduates from the Department of Mechanical Engineering are expected to have the fundamental knowledge required for the successful practice of mechanical engineering. CSU engineering graduates are well prepared for a professional career. The Department boasts a 100% pass rate on the Fundamentals of Engineering professional examination. Participating in internships, co-curricular and volunteer activities, and cooperative education opportunities is highly recommended to enhance practical training and development. Students who continue on to pursue a graduate education can attain more responsible positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels.

Concentration

• Aerospace Engineering Concentration

Effective Fall 2020

Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives

Select 12 credits from the following, or select 9 credits and an additional 3 credits from the Alternate Technical Electives list.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
MECH 303	Energy Engineering	3
MECH 407	Laser Applications in Mechanical Engineering	3
MECH 408	Applied Engineering Economy	3
MECH 411	Manufacturing Engineering	3
MECH 417	Control Systems	3
MECH 424	Advanced Dynamics	3
MECH 425	Mechanical Engineering Vibrations	4
MECH 431	Metals and Alloys	3
MECH 432	Engineering of Nanomaterials	3
MECH 437	Internal Combustion Engines	3
MECH 460	Aeronautics	3
MECH 463	Building Energy Systems	3
MECH 468	Space Propulsion and Power Engineering	3
MECH 470/BIOM 470	Biomedical Engineering	3
MECH 502	Advanced/Additive Manufacturing Engineering	3
MECH 505	Steam Power Plants	3
MECH 507	Laser Diagnostics for Thermosciences	3
MECH 509	Design and Analysis in Engineering Research	3
MECH 513	Simulation Modeling and Experimentation	3
MECH 515	Advanced Topics in Mechanical Vibrations	3
MECH 520	Finite Element Analysis in Mechanical Engr	3
MECH 524	Principles of Dynamics	3
MECH 525/BIOM 525	Cell and Tissue Engineering	3
MECH 527	Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrains	3
MECH 529	Advanced Mechanical Systems	3
MECH 530	Advanced Composite Materials	3
MECH 531/BIOM 531	Materials Engineering	3
MECH 532/BIOM 532	Materials Issues in Mechanical Design	3
MECH 533	Composites Product Development	3
MECH 538	Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics	3
MECH 539	Advanced Fluid Mechanics	3
MECH 543	Biofluid Mechanics	3
MECH 544	Advanced Heat Transfer	3
MECH 551	Physical Gas Dynamics I	3
MECH 552	Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics	3
MECH 557	Turbomachinery	3
MECH 558	Combustion	3
MECH 564	Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls	3
MECH 567	Broad-Beam Ion Sources	3
MECH 568	Computational Methods for Mechanical Eng.	3
MECH 569/ECE 569	Micro-Electro-Mechanical Devices	3
MECH 570/BIOM 570	Bioengineering	3
MECH 573/BIOM 573	Structure and Function of Biomaterials	3
MECH 574/BIOM 574	Bio-Inspired Surfaces	3
MECH 575	Solar and Alternative Energies	3
MECH 576/BIOM 576	Quantitative Systems Physiology	4
MECH 577	Aerosol Physics and Technology	3
MECH 578/BIOM 578	Musculoskeletal Biosolid Mechanics	3
MECH 579/BIOM 579	Cardiovascular Biomechanics	3

Alternate Technical Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BMS 300	Principles of Human Physiology	4
CIVE 367	Structural Analysis	3
CIVE 438	Fundamentals of Environmental Engr	3
CIVE 504	Wind Engineering	3
CIVE 560	Advanced Mechanics of Materials	3
CIVE 562	Fundamentals of Vibrations	3
CS 150	Culture and Coding (GT-AH3)	3
CS 155	Introduction to Unix	1
CS 156	Introduction to C Programming I	1
CS 157	Introduction to C Programming II	1
CS 163	CS1---No Prior Programming Experience	4
CS 164	CS1--Prior Programming Experience	4
ECE 411	Control Systems	4
ECE 465	Electrical Energy Generation Technologies	3
ENGR 422	Technology Entrepreneurship	3
HES 207	Anatomical Kinesiology	3
MATH 331	Introduction to Mathematical Modeling	3
MATH 332	Partial Differential Equations	3
MATH 369	Linear Algebra I	3
MGT 305	Fundamentals of Management	3
MGT 340	Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship	3
MKT 305	Fundamentals of Marketing	3
PH 314	Introduction to Modern Physics	4
PH 341	Mechanics	4
PH 353	Optics and Waves	4
PH 451	Introductory Quantum Mechanics I	3
STAT 315	Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics	3
SYSE 501	Foundations of Systems Engineering	3

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
TO DECLARE MAJOR: Competitive entry controls required and capped enrollment in place. Incoming students please see the Office of Admissions to declare. Current CSU students please see your assigned advisor for information about the waitlist.

TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:  The curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus.