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Department of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is a broad field that contains many areas. Students are offered a wide variety of topics that touch on as many of these areas as possible in a balanced four-year program. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice, and to provide a foundation for lifelong learning as well as professional growth.

The course of study begins with a strong foundation in mathematics, physical sciences, and engineering sciences, and culminates in a series of synthesis and design courses. These require the student to apply material learned in foundation courses to practical design problems in various areas. Traditional classroom instruction is supplemented with laboratory experiences in four areas. The laboratory courses are designed to develop the student’s knowledge base with a hands-on learning experience.

The program educational objectives express expectations of the program graduates' abilities within the first few years after successfully completing this comprehensive curriculum. (1) Graduates are employed as mechanical engineers or in other professional  fields that would benefit from a Mechanical Engineering education. (2) Graduates pursue advanced studies or engage in life-long learning activities.

The diversity encountered in the profession requires the successful Mechanical Engineer to have technical and non-technical skills. Courses in the humanities and social sciences enhance non-technical skills, and explore the engineer’s relationship with, and responsibility to, society. Students learn that as professionals, they identify with other engineers, and that the welfare of the public is of prime concern. These non-technical courses allow the student to interact and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals. 

Graduation: To earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree, the student must satisfy University and College requirements, and obtain a minimum 2.0 grade point average on all work completed, and obtain a minimum grade of "C-" in all engineering, mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses used to satisfy degree requirements. 

Accelerated B.S.M.E./M.S. Program in Mechanical Engineering 

This program allows outstanding undergraduates to begin the coursework for the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering during their senior year. Students are encouraged to begin planning to enter the Accelerated B.S.M.E./M.S. program early in their undergraduate career, in consultation with their advisor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. 

Working with the undergraduate and graduate academic coordinators, undergraduates selected into this program begin a carefully tailored course of study which will allow them to complete their B.S.M.E. degree while they also begin the coursework toward their M.S.

To apply, students must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, and must submit two reference letters and a copy of their transcript to the Mechanical Engineering department. Each applicant will complete an interview with the graduate academic coordinator in mechanical engineering.

Students must also apply to the Graduate School for the accelerated B.S.M.E./M.S. program, which allows them to take graduate courses in mechanical engineering. To continue in the program past the B.S.M.E., students must apply for full admission into the Graduate School and into the Mechanical Engineering department's M.S. program. 

Only in ABM programs, up to 12 hours of graduate course work may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. However, any graduate coursework will not apply to undergraduate GPA. 

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)

A. University General Education Program (36 hours)

See Graduation from the University for University General Education Program requirements. Note the following requirements are specified for this program: Communication: ENGL 3603 instead of COMM 2381; Mathematics: MATH 1910 (students who have not had MATH 1730 or its equivalent must take it before enrolling MATH 1910). Social/Behavioral Sciences: ECON 2010 must be taken in addition to 3 hours from the other specified choices; Natural Science: PHYS 2110/2111, 2120/2121.American Heritage: waived for B.S.M.E. students who have completed one unit of American history in high school.

B. College and Degree Requirements (28 hours)

Mathematics (11 hours): MATH 1920, 2110, and 2120.

Natural Science (8 hours): CHEM 1110/1111; and one of the following: CHEM 1120/1121, BIOL 1110/1111, ESCI 1020, ESCI 1030, ESCI 1050.

Collateral Courses (9 hours): CIVL 2131, ENGR 1010 and EECE 2201/2203.

C. The Major (64 hours)

1. Completion of MECH 1310 1312, 1314, 2318, 2320, 2332, 2311, 3312, 3320, 3321, 3323, 3325, 3331, 3335, 3341, 3351, 4300, 4314, 4319, 4322, 4323, 4335, 4355.

2. Nine (9) hours of electives approved by the student's academic advisor.

Typical 4-Year Mechanical Engineering Sequence

Freshman Year

ENGL 1010 3 ENGL 1020 3
ENGR 1010 3 MATH 1920 4
MATH 1910 4 PHYS 2110 3
MECH 1310 2 PHYS 2111 1
CHEM 1110 3 MECH 1312  2
CHEM 1111 1 MECH 1314 2
Semester Totals 16 hrs   15 hrs

 

Sophomore Year

ENGL 2201 or 2202  3 EECE 2201 3
CIVL 2131 3 MATH 2120 3
MATH 2110 4 MECH 2311 3
PHYS 2120 3 MECH 2320 3
PHYS 2121 1 MECH 2332  3
MECH 2318 3    
Semester Totals 17 hrs   15 hrs

 

Junior Year

Social Science Gen Ed   3 ENGL 3603 3
MECH 3312 3 MECH 3323 3
MECH 3320 3 MECH 3335  1
MECH 3321 3 MECH 3341 3
MECH 3325 1 MECH 3351 3
MECH 3331 3 Science Elective with Lab   4
       
Semester Totals 16 hrs   17 hrs

 

Senior Year

Humanities/Fine Arts*   3 Humanities/Fine Arts*   3
MECH 4314 3 ECON 2010 3
MECH 4319 2 MECH 4323 3
MECH 4300 1 MECH 4335 1
MECH 4322 3 MECH Elective 3
MECH 4355 1 Technical Elective** 3
MECH Elective 3    
Semester Totals 16 hrs   16 hrs

 

Total Hours: 128

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 128

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement
** An upper division course in engineering, mathematics, physics, or chemistry. Advisor's approval required.

HONORS PROGRAM: The Honors in Mechanical Engineering Program provides an exceptional educational opportunity for highly motivated students to develop their talents, interests, and abilities within a curriculum designed to encourage independence and creativity.

Admission to the Honors Program: Incoming freshmen who score a minimum of  26 on the ACT, or its equivalent, are invited to participate. Transfer students or students previously enrolled at the University of Memphis are eligible for the program if they have an overall grade point average of 3.00, and a grade point average of 3.25 for course work within the Herff College of Engineering. The departmental honors committee admits eligible students to the program upon approval of the Application for Admission to the Mechanical Engineering Honors Program. Students with academic records that fall short of these requirements may apply for provisional acceptance.
Retention in the Honors Program: Participants must maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 and a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for course work within the college to continue in the program. The departmental honors committee may grant participants failing to meet this requirement a one semester probationary period before they are dismissed from the program.

Requirements:

1. To qualify for the designation "With Honors in Mechanical Engineering", a student must successfully complete a minimum of 18 semester hours from the following: MECH 4395, 4396, and 12 hours of mechanical engineering honors courses.
2. To qualify for the designations "With Honors in Mechanical Engineering" and "University Honors with Thesis", a student must successfully complete a minimum of 25 semester hours from the following: MECH 4395 and 4396, 9 hours of mechanical engineering honors courses, one hours fo UNHP 1100, and 9 hours of general education honors courses. To enroll in mechanical engineering honors sections, a student must request departmental approval. A minimum grade of "B" (3.0)is required in each honors course for it to count toward fulfilling the honors course requirement. Regular credit for the course will be earned if the grade is lower than a "B". A participant must select a major advisor by the beginning of the second semester junior year and enroll in MECH 4395 Honors Thesis Proposal. Successful completion of this course requires acceptance of a thesis proposal by the departmental honors committee. During the second semester of the senior year, a participant must enroll in MECH 4396 Honors Thesis. Successful completion of this course requires acceptance of a thesis by the departmental honors committee.

Designation of “With Honors in Mechanical Engineering”: Students who successfully complete the prescribed course work will have earned the designation of “With Honors in Mechanical Engineering.” This designation will be recognized at the commencement ceremony and it will appear on the transcript and diploma.