This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Major

The Mechanical Engineering program at NDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org ). The curriculum is designed to produce baccalaureate-level graduates who are well prepared to accept engineering positions in industry and government or to pursue advanced degree studies.

Mission

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at NDSU will contribute to the aspirations of a land-grant university in the three primary components of education, research, and service. In support of these endeavors the mission of the department is to:

  • Educate undergraduate and graduate students in the fundamentals of the discipline, prepare graduates to effectively function in society in the field of their choice, and provide the learning skills to adapt to evolving personal and professional goals.
  • Develop and maintain high quality research programs in traditional and emerging areas that build on the diverse strengths of the faculty, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and address national and global needs.
  • Serve the needs of the profession, the state of North Dakota, and regional industries to promote and enhance economic development opportunities.

Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, alumni of the mechanical engineering program at NDSU are expected to have:

  1. Maintained an ability and willingness to adapt to emerging technologies through continued professional development
  2. Provided contributions to the engineering profession in the field of their choice
  3. Demonstrated a commitment to uphold high ethical and professional standards in the practice of engineering
  4. Exhibited their ability to function in a team environment and interact with people of diverse backgrounds
  5. Shown a commitment to be engaged and conscientious practitioners who understand the context in which their designs are implemented and the corresponding impact of their activities on society

A complete listing of the student outcomes associated with these objectives can be viewed on the department’s web site .

Strong program emphasis is placed on engineering science, laboratory, and design. The use of modern computer tools and techniques in engineering practice also is incorporated throughout the curriculum. In addition, liberal arts education is included to prepare graduates for becoming concerned and productive members of society.

Students transferring into mechanical engineering from other departments or institutions are encouraged to do so no later than the beginning of the junior year if they wish to complete the degree requirements within two academic years.

Graduate programs leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Mechanical Engineering are offered by the department. For more complete details, see the Graduate Bulletin online.

Selective Admission

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has a selective admission policy. To be admitted to the basic program (freshman and sophomore level), freshman applicants must either rank in the top one-third of their high school graduating class or have received a score of 26 or higher in the math portion of the ACT. Transfer students, whether from another university or from another department at NDSU, must have an institutional grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.80.

To enter the professional program (junior and senior level), students must complete the basic program with an Engineering GPA of 2.80 and no grade below 'C' in any one of the core courses.

A minimum institutional GPA of 2.50 is required for graduation from Mechanical Engineering. No course grades less than 'C' are acceptable to fulfill a program requirement.

Curriculum

All Mechanical Engineering majors choose a minimum of five technical elective courses. These courses cover a wide range of topics and students may tailor their choices to reflect their special interests in solid mechanics and design, thermal sciences, materials and nanotechnology, injection molding, biomechanical engineering, or other areas as added in the future. For a complete list of technical electives available in each area, students should consult with their adviser, the department, or the curriculum guide.

Major Requirements

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Degree Type: B.S.M.E.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 130

General Education Requirements

First Year Experience (F):
UNIV/ME 189Skills For Academic Success1
Communication (C):
ENGL 110College Composition I3
ENGL 120College Composition II3
ENGL 321Writing in the Technical Professions3
COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Quantitative Reasoning (R):
MATH 165Calculus I4
Science & Technology (S):
CHEM 121General Chemistry I3
CHEM 122General Chemistry II3
PHYS 252University Physics II4
PHYS 252LUniversity Physics II Laboratory1
Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from the current general education list6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): Select from current general education list6
Wellness (W): Select from the current general education list2
Cultural Diversity (D): Select from the current general education list
Global Perspectives (G): Select from the current general education list
Total Credits42
General Education Requirements40
Mechanical Engineering Requirements:
ME 212Fundamentals of Visual Communication for Engineers3
ME 213Modeling of Engineering Systems3
ME 221Engineering Mechanics I3
ME 222Engineering Mechanics II3
ME 223Mechanics of Materials3
ME 331Materials Science and Engineering4
ME 351Thermodynamics I3
ME 352Fluid Dynamics3
ME 361Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Profession1
ME 412Engineering Measurements3
ME 421Theory of Vibrations3
ME 442Machine Design I3
ME 443Machine Design II3
ME 454Heat and Mass Transfer3
ME 457Thermal Systems Laboratory3
ME 461Design Project I3
ME 462Design Project II3
MATH Courses Required:
MATH 129Basic Linear Algebra2
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 259Multivariate Calculus3
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations3
Other Required Courses:
ECE 301Electrical Engineering I3
ECE 303Electrical Engineering II3
ECE 306Electrical Engineering Lab I1
ENGR 402Engineering Ethics and Social Responsibility1
IME 330Manufacturing Processes3
Technical Electives: Select 15 credits from the following:15
Engineering Materials II
Mechanics of Machinery
Thermodynamics II
Emerging Technologies in Mechanical Engineering
Intermediate Mechanics of Materials
Composite Materials Science and Engineering
Plastics and Injection Molding Manufacturing
Engineering Ceramics
Introduction to Biomechanics
Renewable Energy Technology
Experimental Stress Analysis
Fatigue and Fracture of Metals
Engineering with Polymeric Materials
Mechanics of Composite Materials
Automatic Controls
Mechatronics
ME Finite Element Analysis
Biofluid Mechanics
Fundmentals of Energy Conversion
Fuel Cell Science and Engineering
Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
Gas Turbines
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
Internal Combustion Engines
Introduction to Aerodynamics
Vehicle Dynamics
Approved technical electives from other departments - no more than two courses from the following:
Biobased Energy
Polymer Synthesis
Coatings I
Coatings II
Corrosion and Materials
Cardiovascular Engineering
Process Engineering
Production Engineering
Composite Materials Manufacturing
Engineering Economy
Evaluation of Engineering Data
Modern Physics
Electromagnetic Theory
Quantum Mechanics I
Courses cross-listed with other departments:
Plastics and Injection Molding Manufacturing
Fluid Power Systems Design
Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
Total Credits130

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • A student must complete at least 60 semester credits of professional level course work in his/her program while in residence and enrolled in the college. Students transferring into the college from programs with professional accreditation are exempt from this residency requirement but are subject to the residency requirement of NDSU.
  • No grades less than 'C' will be accepted to fulfill a course requirement.
  • No more than six credits of approved technical electives may be taken outside the ME department.
  • Admission to the Mechanical Engineering Professional program requires a 2.80 Engineering GPA.
  • A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required for graduation requirements.
Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 1654MATH 1664
ENGL 1103ENGL 1203
CHEM 1213CHEM 1223
ME 1891ME 2123
Humanities Elective (Select from approved gen ed list)3ME 2213
Social Sci. Elective (Select from approved gen ed list)3Wellness (Select from approved gen ed list)2
 17 18
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 1292MATH 2663
MATH 2593COMM 1103
IME 3303PHYS 2524
ME 2223PHYS 252L1
ME 2233ME 2133
Humanities Elective (Select from approved gen ed list)3ME 3513
 17 17
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECE 3013ECE 3033
ENGL 3213ECE 3061
ME 3314ENGR 4021
ME 3523ME 3611
Technical Elective (Select from approved list)3ME 4423
 ME 4543
 Technical Elective (Select from approved list)3
 16 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ME 4213ME 4123
ME 4433ME 4623
ME 4573Technical Elective (Select from approved list)3
ME 4613Technical Elective (Select from approved list)3
Technical Elective (Select from approved list)3Social Sci. Elective (Select from approved gen ed list)3
 15 15
Total Credits: 130