Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Degree Map  

The plan in Mechanical Engineering leads to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. This engineering program is designed to conform to the standards of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. (The Mechanical Engineering program will seek accreditation at the earliest allowable time.) The program emphasizes the study of enabling application areas, such as materials, sustainability, Internet of Things (IoT) and design engineering, while focusing on the traditional core technologies of clean energy, pressure technology, robotics and manufacturing.

Built upon a foundation of chemistry, physics and advanced mathematics, mechanical engineering is the broadest of the engineering disciplines. Studies in computer-aided design, fluid, thermal and energy conversion systems, machine component and mechatronic systems, along with manufacturing processes and controls, prepare program graduates to enter a wide variety of current and emerging employment fields vital to the local, state and national economies.

Conventional industrial sectors that will directly employ program graduates include petrochemical, transportation, building design and construction, energy and manufacturing. Program graduates are equally prepared to pursue advanced studies at graduate schools, leveraging their skills in problem solving, critical thinking and lifelong learning.

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering program is to develop graduates with a solid foundation of engineering and professional knowledge, critical thinking, communication skills and the pursuit of life-long learning. The program emphasizes preparing graduates that are highly recruitable throughout the region to enhance the lives of a diverse population through service and leadership.

Program Educational Objectives

The Program Educational Objectives (PEO) of the Mechanical Engineering program are defined as what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation and are as follows:

1. Mechanical Engineering graduates will be professionally employed, serving the rapidly changing technological needs of industry or governmental organizations regionally in the greater Houston Metropolitan area, the state and the nation.
2. Mechanical Engineering graduates will work effectively as a member or a leader of diverse and multidisciplinary teams.
3. Mechanical Engineering graduates will continue to grow professionally through activities that may include pursuing formal graduate study, research or continuing education; achieving professional licensure; and participating in technical societies.
4. Mechanical Engineering graduates maintain a high regard for quality, ethical, environmental, societal, economic, safety and global considerations in their professional pursuits.
5. Mechanical Engineering graduates value all aspects of their service to community, employer and profession.
6. Mechanical Engineering graduates will develop the engineering and professional knowledge, skills and communication capabilities required to be highly valued in their chosen field.

Student Outcomes

At the time of graduation, Mechanical Engineering program graduates are expected to demonstrate:

1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
2. An ability to 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.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to 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.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Scholastic Performance Requirements for Mechanical Engineering Undergraduates

The UHCL graduation requirements stipulate that a student must achieve an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. The Mechanical Engineering program imposes additional requirements for students to be accepted into, and progress through, the upper-level Mechanical Engineering curriculum; a grade of “C” or better is required in all prerequisite coursework and all coursework offered to meet Major or designated Elective requirements.

Mechanical Engineering Requirements

This degree requires 127-128 hours and includes 42 hours of University Core. However, some of the Major Requirements courses listed below also satisfy University Core. If other courses are taken to satisfy University Core, the Major Requirements below are still required for graduation and substitutions are not accepted.