Mechanical Engineering
Home Department: Mechanical Engineering
Department Head:
Javad Baqersad, Ph.D
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (ME) prepares students for a broad range of careers associated with the design and implementation of mechanical systems involving the conversion, transmission, and utilization of energy. Mechanical engineering courses that provide breadth in the discipline include design, dynamics, engineering materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, vibrations, systems analysis, and associated laboratories. Large and well-equipped laboratories in mechatronics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, engines, vibrations, instrumentation, fuel cells, and automotive driving support the mechanical engineering program.
Mechanical Engineering students may elect to customize their degree by taking a set of elective courses in a specific area; either by pursuing a concentration within the Mechanical Engineering program or by pursuing a Minor with non-Mechanical Engineering programs. For more details see Mechanical Engineering Program Concentrations or Minors.
The Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.
Program Educational Objectives
With their Kettering education as a foundation, within a few years of graduation, graduates will attain:
- A reputation for working effectively and ethically in diverse professional environments.
- Leadership in their profession while actively pursuing lifelong learning and contributing to progress within their field.
- The ability to practice responsible decision making and apply best practices to their professional endeavors.
BS/MASTERS PATHWAY
Undergraduate students also have an opportunity to get their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years with the BS/MASTERS Pathway.
Mechanical Engineering Program Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience | ||
| CILE-101 | First Year Foundations | 1 |
| General Education | ||
| COMM-101 | Rhetoric & Writing | 4 |
| ECON-201 | Economic Principles | 4 |
| 200-level Liberal Arts Electives | 8 | |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Electives 1,2 | 8-12 | |
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 29-33 | |
- 1
Humanities and Social Science advanced electives must be selected from approved 300 and 400 level courses.
- 2
The following programs complete eight credits of Advanced Humanities or Social Science Electives: Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
The following programs complete 12 credits of Advanced Humanities or Social Science Electives: Computer Science and Management
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Basic Science | ||
| CHEM-135 & CHEM-136 | Principles of Chemistry and Principles of Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| MATH-101 | Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH-101X | Calculus I | |
| MATH-102 | Calculus II | 4 |
| or MATH-102X | Calculus II | |
| MATH-158 | Foundations of Probability & Statistics | 4 |
| MATH-203 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| or MATH-203X | Multivariate Calculus | |
| MATH-204 | Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| MATH-305 | Numerical Methods and Matrices | 4 |
| PHYS-114 & PHYS-115 | Newtonian Mechanics and Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS-224 & PHYS-225 | Electricity and Magnetism and Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory | 4 |
| Math/Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 40 | |
| Engineering Topics | ||
| ENGR-101 | Computational Thinking | 4 |
| IME-100 | Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing | 4 |
| MECH-110 | Mechanical Engineering Foundations | 4 |
| MECH-207 | Materials Engineering | 4 |
| MECH-210 | Statics | 4 |
| MECH-211 | Circuits and Mechatronics | 4 |
| MECH-212 | Mechanics of Materials | 4 |
| MECH-300 | Computer Aided Engineering | 4 |
| MECH-310 | Dynamics | 4 |
| MECH-311 | Mechatronics Systems Design | 4 |
| MECH-312 | Mechanical Component Design I | 4 |
| MECH-320 | Thermodynamics | 4 |
| MECH-322 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| MECH-330 & MECH-331 | Dynamic Systems with Vibrations and Dynamic Sys w Vibrations Lab | 4 |
| MECH-420 | Heat Transfer | 4 |
| MECH-430 & MECH-431 | Dynamic Systems with Controls and Dynamic Systems with Controls Lab | 4 |
| MECH-493 | Senior Design 1 | 4 |
| MECH-448 | Vehicle Design Project | 4 |
| or MECH-495 | Senior Design Project | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 72 | |
| Electives | ||
| Free Electives | 8 | |
| ME Electives | 8 | |
| Culminating Undergraduate Experience | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 | Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 3 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 132 | |
(Minimum) Total Credits Required for the Program: 161
- 1
Math/Science elective is described as: Any level BIOL, CHEM, MATH or PHYS that is not used to complete core degree requirements.
- 2
ME electives are described as: Any 300-599 level BIOL, CE, CHEM, CHME, CS, ECE, EE, EP, IME, ISYS, MATH (except pre-calc and college math), MECH, or PHYS that is not used to complete core degree requirements. In addition, BUSN-303, BUSN-304, and MGMT-419 also qualify as ME electives.
- 3
Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status.
Mechanical Engineering Concentrations
Students majoring in Mechanical Engineering may select a concentration consisting of 12 credit hours of courses focused in a particular area. Concentrations may include both required and elective courses. The first six terms are common to all Mechanical Engineering students. Senior I through Senior III representative programs are given for each concentration.
A Mechanical Engineering concentration provides students a depth of study in preparation for a career within an industrial sector and/or as a foundation for graduate study. However, the student’s degree is Mechanical Engineering and the selected concentration does not prevent students from working within any industry. The primary advantage is to provide a “jump start” over mechanical engineering graduates from other schools with traditional degree programs. Courses are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment.
Alternative Energy Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select Three | 12 | |
| Vehicle Electrification Overview | ||
| Sustainable Energy: Analysis and Modeling | ||
| Fuel Cell Science and Engineering | ||
| Energy and the Environment | ||
| Bio and Renewable Energy | ||
| Hybrid Electric Vehicle Propulsion | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
Automotive Engineering Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select Three | 12 | |
| Finite Element Analysis with Structural Applications | ||
| Vehicle Electrification Overview | ||
| Fuel Cell Science and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Internal Combustion Engines | ||
| Alternative Fuels and Emissions | ||
| Chassis Systems | ||
| Powertrain Selection for Performance and Fuel Economy | ||
| Hybrid Electric Vehicle Propulsion | ||
| Vehicle Systems Dynamics | ||
| Automotive Bioengineering: Occupant Protection and Safety | ||
| Vehicular Crash Dynamics and Accident Reconstruction | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
Biomechanics Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| MECH-449 | Biomechanical Applications | 4 |
| Select Two | 8 | |
| Finite Element Analysis with Structural Applications | ||
| Automotive Bioengineering: Occupant Protection and Safety | ||
| Vehicular Crash Dynamics and Accident Reconstruction | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
Modern Machine Design Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select Three | 12 | |
| Application of Artificial Intelligence in Mechanical Engineering | ||
| Engineering Optimization | ||
| Finite Element Analysis with Structural Applications | ||
| Digital Twins and Model-Based Engineering | ||
| Noise and Vibration | ||
| Mechanics and Design Simulation of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Freshman I | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CILE-101 | First Year Foundations | 1 |
| CHEM-135 | Principles of Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM-136 | Principles of Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| COMM-101 | Rhetoric & Writing | 4 |
| IME-100 | Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing | 4 |
| MATH-101 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Freshman II | ||
| ENGR-101 | Computational Thinking | 4 |
| MATH-102 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MECH-110 | Mechanical Engineering Foundations | 4 |
| PHYS-114 | Newtonian Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS-115 | Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| 200-level Liberal Arts Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Sophomore I | ||
| ECON-201 | Economic Principles | 4 |
| MATH-203 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| MECH-211 | Circuits and Mechatronics | 4 |
| PHYS-224 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS-225 | Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore II | ||
| MATH-204 | Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| MECH-207 | Materials Engineering | 4 |
| MECH-210 | Statics | 4 |
| 200-level Liberal Arts Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior I | ||
| MATH-305 | Numerical Methods and Matrices | 4 |
| MECH-212 | Mechanics of Materials | 4 |
| MECH-310 | Dynamics | 4 |
| Math/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior II | ||
| MATH-158 | Foundations of Probability & Statistics | 4 |
| MECH-300 | Computer Aided Engineering 2 | 4 |
| MECH-312 | Mechanical Component Design I | 4 |
| MECH-320 | Thermodynamics | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior I | ||
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| MECH-311 | Mechatronics Systems Design | 4 |
| MECH-322 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| MECH-330 & MECH-331 |
Dynamic Systems with Vibrations and Dynamic Sys w Vibrations Lab |
4 |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior II | ||
| MECH-420 | Heat Transfer | 4 |
| MECH-430 & MECH-431 |
Dynamic Systems with Controls and Dynamic Systems with Controls Lab |
4 |
| MECH-493 | Senior Design 1 | 4 |
| ME Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior III | ||
| MECH-495 or MECH-448 |
Senior Design Project or Vehicle Design Project |
4 |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| ME Elective | 4 | |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Any Term | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 |
Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 5 |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 161 | |
- 1
Approximately one-half of the students take ENGR-101 Freshman I and IME-100 Freshman II, the other one-half take IME-100 Freshman I and ENGR-101 Freshman II.
- 2
Approximately one-half of students take MECH-300 Junior II and MECH-311 Junior I, the other one-half take MECH-311 Junior II and MECH-300 Senior I.
- 3
Elective courses may vary in lecture and/or laboratory credits and terms from those shown. Math/Science electives are any level MATH, BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS course that is not used to complete core degree requirements.
- 4
ME Senior Design Projects may vary in lecture and/or laboratory credits and terms from those shown.
- 5
Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Curriculum by Concentration
Alternative Energy Concentration
Freshman I through Junior II Representative Program Credit Total: 105
| Senior I | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MECH-322 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| MECH-330 & MECH-331 |
Dynamic Systems with Vibrations and Dynamic Sys w Vibrations Lab |
4 |
| MECH-427 | Energy and the Environment | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior II | ||
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| MECH-420 | Heat Transfer | 4 |
| MECH-430 & MECH-431 |
Dynamic Systems with Controls and Dynamic Systems with Controls Lab |
4 |
| MECH-428 | Bio and Renewable Energy | 4 |
| MECH-493 | Senior Design 1 | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior III | ||
| MECH-426 | Fuel Cell Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MECH-445 | Hybrid Electric Vehicle Propulsion | 4 |
| MECH-495 | Senior Design Project | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Any Term | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 |
Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 1 |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 56 | |
(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161
- 1
Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status.
Automotive Engineering Concentration
Freshman I through Junior II Rep. Program Credit Total: 105
| Senior I | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MECH-322 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| MECH-330 & MECH-331 |
Dynamic Systems with Vibrations and Dynamic Sys w Vibrations Lab |
4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Automotive Concentration Electives 1,2 | 8 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior II | ||
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| MECH-420 | Heat Transfer | 4 |
| MECH-430 & MECH-431 |
Dynamic Systems with Controls and Dynamic Systems with Controls Lab |
4 |
| MECH-493 | Senior Design 1 | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior III | ||
| MECH-448 | Vehicle Design Project | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Automotive Concentration Elective | 4 | |
| Automotive Concentration Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Any Term | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 |
Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 3 |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 56 | |
(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161
- 1
Elective courses may vary in lecture and/or laboratory credits and terms from those shown.
- 2
Students select a Concentration related elective or Concentration related ME elective with approval of their ME Concentration Advisor.
- 3
Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status.
Biomechanics Concentration
Freshman I through Junior I Representative Program Credit Total: 85
| Junior II | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MECH-300 | Computer Aided Engineering | 4 |
| MECH-310 | Dynamics | 4 |
| MECH-320 | Thermodynamics | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| MECH-449 | Biomechanical Applications | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior I | ||
| MATH-158 | Foundations of Probability & Statistics | 4 |
| MECH-322 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| MECH-330 & MECH-331 |
Dynamic Systems with Vibrations and Dynamic Sys w Vibrations Lab |
4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Bioengineering Concentration Related Elective 1,2 | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior II | ||
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| MECH-420 | Heat Transfer | 4 |
| MECH-430 & MECH-431 |
Dynamic Systems with Controls and Dynamic Systems with Controls Lab |
4 |
| MECH-493 | Senior Design 1 | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior III | ||
| MECH-495 | Senior Design Project | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Bioengineering Concentration Related Elective 1,2 | 4 | |
| Bioengineering Concentration Related Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Any Term | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 |
Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 3 |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 76 | |
(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161
- 1
Elective courses may vary in lecture and/or laboratory credits and terms from those shown.
- 2
Students select a Concentration related elective or Concentration related ME elective with approval of their ME Concentration Advisor.
- 3
Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status.
Modern Machine Design Concentration
Freshman I through Junior II Representative Program Credit Total: 105
| Senior I | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MECH-322 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| MECH-330 & MECH-331 |
Dynamic Systems with Vibrations and Dynamic Sys w Vibrations Lab |
4 |
| MECH-416 | Finite Element Analysis with Structural Applications | 4 |
| MECH-482 | Mechanics and Design Simulation of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior II | ||
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| MECH-420 | Heat Transfer | 4 |
| MECH-430 & MECH-431 |
Dynamic Systems with Controls and Dynamic Systems with Controls Lab |
4 |
| MECH-493 | Senior Design 1 | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior III | ||
| MECH-495 | Senior Design Project | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Machine Design Concentration Electives 1,2 | 8 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Any Term | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 |
Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 3 |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 56 | |
(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161
- 1
Elective courses may vary in lecture and/or laboratory credits and terms from those shown.
- 2
Students select a Concentration related elective or Concentration related ME elective with approval of their ME Concentration Advisor.
- 3
Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status.