Mechanical Engineering

The baccalaureate program in mechanical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

FACULTY Professors Mehta (chair), Abou-Hanna, Elbella, Fakheri, Hurt (emeritus), Johnson, Morris, Okamura (emeritus), Ratcliff (emeritus), Safdari (emeritus), Wessler (emeritus), Zietlow; Associate Professors Deller (emeritus), Kim, Peterson (emeritus), Podlasek, Post, Reyer; Assistant Professors Henderson, Nair, Timpe.

Mission

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Department is to produce mechanical engineering graduates who possess the acumen, competence, and skills needed to enter, succeed, and lead in professional practice and/or graduate school. The goal is to provide a learning and nurturing environment that stimulates faculty and students to collaborate in solving practical problems, motivates lifelong learning, and helps them reach their highest potential.

The objectives of the department are that a majority of the graduating students of the mechanical engineering program:

  1. will be prepared to enter professional practice or pursue advanced studies
  2. will be prepared to succeed in local, regional, national, and international practice
  3. will be prepared for lifelong learning
  4. will realize satisfaction in the educational investment
  5. will be prepared to pursue opportunities in mechanical engineering
  6. will be prepared to meet global technological and societal changing needs
  7. will be prepared to interact globally with engineering technology

Mechanical engineering is the broadest and most versatile of the engineering professions. It utilizes a combination of human, material, and economic resources to translate ideas and theories into realistic problem solutions that satisfy the needs of society. Problems are solved in such varied areas as energy, environment, robotics, assistance for the handicapped, and air, land, sea, and space vehicles.

Mechanical engineers are particularly concerned with the application of the sciences of mechanics and energy to the generation, utilization, and conservation of energy, and to the design of mechanical systems which control forces, motions, and the flow of materials. No two mechanical engineers do exactly the same thing. Their specific careers are the result of choices depending on personal interests and the changing needs of society.

Computers are integrated throughout mechanical engineering. Microcomputers, graphics terminals, and workstations are incorporated into the laboratory where the students receive hands-on experience with computer aided design, microprocessor based instrumentation, measurement and control systems, and the interfacing of microprocessors in the design of mechanical systems.

The breadth of mechanical engineering is illustrated by the organization of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), which supports mechanical engineers engaged in many areas. Some of these areas are: applied mechanics, bioengineering, dynamic systems and control including robotics, fluids engineering, heat transfer, materials, management, aerospace, air pollution control, diesel and gas engine power, gas turbines, computer and microprocessor applications, and solar energy.

Mechanical engineers are employed in a variety of service and product industries, in government, and in education. Many are self-employed as consultants. The undergraduate program also offers a particularly broad technical background for persons wishing to enter graduate programs in business, law and medicine.

The faculty believes that engineers must be firmly grounded in the fundamentals of their field and the supporting areas of mathematics, communication, and the sciences, so that graduates will be able to adapt quickly to the rapid changes occurring in our technological society. Therefore the curriculum has been designed to stress the basic tools of knowledge and practice essential to launch one’s professional career and a lifelong process of continued learning.

The spectrum of mechanical engineering includes innovation and creation, research, design and synthesis, analysis, development, evaluation, production, and the marketing of machines, systems, and processes. Central to this activity is the design process which leads to the creation of solutions to real-world problems. Therefore the mechanical engineering curriculum integrates design experiences into all levels of the program and into a majority of the professional courses. This culminates in a required comprehensive design experience which is satisfied by a yearlong senior project and by the selection of a technical elective identified as satisfying this requirement in the program.

General education courses serve not only to meet the objective of a broad education, but also to meet the objectives of the engineering profession. Therefore, general education courses must be planned to reflect a rationale or fulfill an objective appropriate to the engineering profession and the university's educational objectives. Because general education courses do not build on prerequisites in the same manner as engineering courses, at least one course must be at the 300 level or above to guide the student and ensure depth in the general education courses.

Student chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) are sponsored by the department to support and encourage the professional development of the students. A national honorary society for mechanical engineering students, Pi Tau Sigma, is also represented.

In addition to the specific requirements listed for the College of Engineering and Technology, a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in mechanical engineering courses must be achieved for graduation.

Students wishing to pursue graduate study in mechanical engineering may refer to the graduate catalog where course work leading to the MSME degree is described.

Mechanical Engineering Major

Mechanical Engineering with Biomedical Concentration

Mechanical Engineering with Energy Concentration

Mechanical Engineering Major

*General education courses must be selected from an approved list for each category. They may be taken in any sequence not necessarily in the semester indicated. The courses selected must provide depth and not be limited to a selection of introductory courses. Other University general education requirements are satisfied by specific required courses

**ME 410 and 411—Enrollment in ME 410 and 411 is restricted to mechanical engineering students who are in the fourth year of the program.

†Departmental policy regarding approved technical electives is available in the department office.

Freshman Year

First Semester

  • MTH 121 Unified Calculus I - 4 hrs.
  • COM 103 Oral Communication - 3 hrs.
  • ENG 101 English Composition - 3 hrs.
  • ME 101 Foundations of ME - 2 hrs.
  • CHM 110/111 General Chemistry/Lab - 4 hrs.

16 hours

Second Semester

  • MTH 122 Unified Calculus - 4 hrs.
  • CE 150 Mechanics I (Statics) - 3 hrs.
  • PHY 110 University Physics I - 4 hrs.
  • ME 102 Engineering Design Graphics - 2 hrs.
  • CHM 112 Engineering Chemistry - 3 hrs.

16 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester

  • ME 351 Engineering Materials Science I - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 223 Unified Calculus - 4 hrs.
  • CE 250 Mechanics II (Dynamics) - 3 hrs.
  • PHY 201 University Physics II - 4 hrs.
  • *Western Civ - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Second Semester

  • ME 301 Thermodynamics I - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 224 Differential Equations - 3 hrs.
  • CE 270 Mechanics of Materials - 3 hrs.
  • ME 273 Computational Methods in ME - 3 hrs.
  • *ECO 100 Intro to Econ - 3 hrs.

15 hours

Junior Year

First Semester

  • ME 302 Thermodynamics - 2 hrs.
  • ME 303 Instrumentation and Measurement - 3 hrs.
  • ME 341 Engineering Systems Dynamics - 3 hrs.
  • ME 308 Thermodynamics of Fluid Flow - 4 hrs.
  • EE 327 Fundamentals of EE I - 3 hrs.
  • * ENG 300-Level Writing - 3 hrs.

18 hours

Second Semester

  • ME 403 Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab - 2 hrs.
  • ME 344 Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines - 3 hrs.
  • ME 342 Design of Machine Elements - 3 hrs.
  • ME 441 Mechanical Control Systems - 3 hrs.
  • EE 328 Fundamentals of EE II - 3 hrs.
  • * Non-Western Civilization - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Senior Year

First Semester

  • **ME 410 ME Senior Project I - 2 hrs.
  • ME 415 Heat Transfer - 3 hrs.
  • IME 301 Engineering Economy - 3 hrs.
  • * Human Values - 3 hrs.
  • † Design Technical Elective - 3 hrs.
  • † Approved Technical Elective - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Second Semester

  • **ME 411 ME Senior Project II - 2 hrs.
  • * Social Forces - 3 hrs.
  • * Fine Arts - 3 hrs.
  • † Approved Technical Elective - 3 hrs.
  • † Approved Technical Elective - 3 hrs.
  • † Approved Technical Elective - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Total hours: 133

Mechanical Engineering with Biomedical Concentration

Biomedical Engineering integrates physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences and engineering principles to study biology, medicine, behavior, and health. It advances fundamental concepts, creates knowledge from the molecular to the organ-system level, and develops innovative biologics, materials, processes, implants, devices and informatics approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health. For engineering students who would like to have education in this expanding field, the Mechanical Engineering Department offers a Biomedical concentration that is embedded within the traditional Mechanical Engineering program. This concentration requires an additional two credit hours for graduation.

The biomedical engineering concentration requires the substitution of several courses in the ME curriculum. Students have the option to take either Engineering Chemistry (CHM 112) or General Chemistry II (CHM 116 and CHM 117). Students are required to take:

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 200 and BIO 203)
  • Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (ME 280)
  • Six hours of approved mechanical engineering biomedical electives

Credit in the following courses must be obtained to meet degree requirements in mechanical engineering, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical concentration.

‡ Second semester chemistry: students have the option to take either CHM 112 Engineering Chemistry (3 hrs.) or CHM 116 and 117 General Chemistry II (5 hrs.).

*General education courses must be selected from an approved list for each category. They may be taken in any sequence not necessarily in the semester indicated. The courses selected must provide depth and not be limited to a selection of introductory courses. Other University general education requirements are satisfied by specific required courses

**ME 410 and 411—Enrollment in ME 410 and 411 is restricted to mechanical engineering students who are in the fourth year of the program.

†Departmental policy regarding approved technical electives is available in the department office.

Freshman Year

First Semester

  • MTH 121 Unified Calculus I - 4 hrs.
  • COM 103 Oral Communication - 3 hrs.
  • ENG 101 English Composition - 3 hrs.
  • ME 101 Foundations of ME - 2 hrs.
  • CHM 110/111 General Chemistry/Lab - 4 hrs.

16 hours

Second Semester

  • MTH 122 Unified Calculus - 4 hrs.
  • CE 150 Mechanics I (Statics) - 3 hrs.
  • PHY 110 University Physics I - 4 hrs.
  • ME 102 Engineering Design Graphics - 2 hrs.
  • ‡ Second Semester Chemistry - 3 or 5 hrs.

16 or 18 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester

  • ME 351 Engineering Materials Science I - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 223 Unified Calculus - 4 hrs.
  • CE 250 Mechanics II (Dynamics) - 3 hrs.
  • PHY 201 University Physics II - 4 hrs.
  • *Western Civ. - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Second Semester

  • ME 301 Thermodynamics I - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 224 Differential Equations - 3 hrs.
  • CE 270 Mechanics of Materials - 3 hrs.
  • ME 280 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering - 3 hrs.
  • ME 273 Computational Methods in ME - 3 hrs.

15 hours

Junior Year

First Semester

  • BIO 200 Human Anatomy - 3 hrs.
  • BIO 203 Human Anatomy Lab - 2 hrs.
  • ME 303 Instrumentation & Measurement. - 3 hrs.
  • ME 308 Thermodynamics of Fluid Flow - 4 hrs.
  • ME 341 Engineering Systems Dynamics. - 3 hrs.
  • EE 327 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering I - 3 hrs.

18 hours

Second Semester

  • ME 302 Thermodynamics II - 2 hrs.
  • ME 344 Kinematics & Dynamics of Machines - 3 hrs.
  • EE 328 Fundamentals of EE II 3
  • ME 441 Mechanical Control Systems - 3 hrs.
  • * ENG 300-Level Writing - 3 hrs.
  • * Non-Western Civilization - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Senior Year

First Semester

  • **ME 410 ME Senior Project I - 2 hrs.
  • ME 342 Design of Machine Elements - 3 hrs.
  • ME 403 Mechanical Systems Lab - 2 hrs.
  • ME 415 Heat Transfer - 3 hrs.
  • * Human Values - 3 hrs.
  • ECO 100 Introduction to Economics - 3 hrs.

16 hours

Second Semester

  • **ME 411 ME Senior Project II - 2 hrs.
  • * Social Forces - 3 hrs.
  • * Fine Arts - 3 hrs.
  • IME 301 Engineering Economy - 3 hrs.
  • † Approved Biomedical Electives - 6 hrs.

17 hours

Total hours: 135

Mechanical Engineering with Energy Concentration

Energy is the lifeblood of industrial economies and is essential for economic growth in developing countries. Today, some of the biggest engineering challenges are related to the production and efficient utilization of limited energy resources. This concentration prepares students to identify and analyze strategies to produce energy and to utilize energy resources in more economically efficient and environmentally friendly ways.

In emerging industrial economies, the demand for new energy sources is growing at over 50 percent per decade, while in more mature growing industrial economies the growth is in the neighborhood of 10 percent per decade despite massive efforts to conserve. This has stimulated the demand for engineers and creative engineering solutions. Energy production resources are often not located in areas of the world with high energy demand, thus energy production and utilization have huge geopolitical implications. Accordingly, engineers must be cognizant of the robust set of governmental rules and regulations associated with the development of engineering solutions to our energy needs.

Students selecting the Energy Concentration within Mechanical Engineering can elect courses related to solar energy, energy management, renewable energy, nuclear energy, electrical generation power plant design, energy conservation, and energy production. Credit in the following courses must be obtained to meet degree requirements in mechanical engineering, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Energy Concentration. A list of approved energy electives is available in the department office.

*General education courses must be selected from an approved list for each category. They may be taken in any sequence not necessarily in the semester indicated. The courses selected must provide depth and not be limited to a selection of introductory courses. Other University general education requirements are satisfied by specific required courses

**ME 410 and 411—Enrollment in ME 410 and 411 is restricted to mechanical engineering students who are in the fourth year of the program.

†Departmental policy regarding approved technical electives is available in the department office.

Freshman Year

First Semester

  • MTH 121 Unified Calculus I - 4 hrs.
  • COM 103 Oral Communication - 3 hrs.
  • ENG 101 English Composition - 3 hrs.
  • ME 101 Foundations of ME - 2 hrs.
  • CHM 110/111 Gen. Chem/Lab - 4 hrs.

16 hours

Second Semester

  • MTH 122 Unified Calculus - 4 hrs.
  • CE 150 Mechanics I (Statics) - 3 hrs.
  • PHY 110 University Physics I - 4 hrs.
  • ME 102 Engineering Design Graphics - 2 hrs.
  • CHM 112 Engineering Chemistry - 3 hrs.

16 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester

  • ME 351 Engineering Material Science I - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 223 Unified Calculus - 4 hrs.
  • CE 250 Mechanics II (Dynamics) - 3 hrs.
  • PHY 201 University Physics II - 4 hrs.
  • *Western Civilization - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Second Semester

  • ME 301 Thermodynamics I - 3 hrs.
  • MTH 224 Differential Equations - 3 hrs.
  • CE 270 Mechanics of Materials - 3 hrs.
  • ME 273 Computer Technology in ME - 3 hrs.
  • *ECO 100 Introduction to Economics - 3 hrs.

15 hours

Junior Year

First Semester

  • ME 302 Thermodynamics - 2 hrs.
  • ME 303 Instrumentation & Measurements - 3 hrs.
  • ME 341 Engineering Systems Dynamics - 3 hrs.
  • ME 308 Thermodynamics of Fluid Flow - 4 hrs.
  • EE 327 Fund of EE I - 3 hrs.
  • * ENG 300 Level writing - 3 hrs.

18 hours

Second Semester

  • ME 403 Mechanical Systems Lab - 2 hrs.
  • ME 344 Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines - 3 hrs.
  • ME 342 Design of Machine Elements - 3 hrs.
  • ME 441 Mechanical Control Systems - 3 hrs.
  • EE 328 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering II - 3 hrs.
  • * Non Western Civilization - 3 hrs.

17 hours

Senior Year

First Semester

  • ** ME 410 ME Senior Project I - 2 hrs.
  • ME 415 Heat Transfer - 3 hrs.
  • IME 301 Engineering Economy - 3 hrs.
  • † Design Technical Elective - 3 hrs.
  • † Approved Energy Technical Electives - 6 hrs.

17 hours

Second Semester

  • ** ME 411 ME Senior Project - 2 hrs.
  • * Gen Ed – Social Forces - 3 hrs.
  • * Gen Ed – Fine Arts - 3 hrs.
  • * Gen Ed – Human Values - 3 hrs.
  • † Approved Energy Technical Electives - 6 hrs.

17 hours

Total hours: 133

This is the official catalog for the 2012-2013 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.