MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR AT A GLANCE: If you want to design and
build things, then you should consider majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering is, more than anything else, the engineering of systems. Systems are interactions of components, power, and information. There are incredible mechanical engineering systems in aerospace and automotive hardware, power generation facilities, and manufacturing. Because systems bring together the engineering of mechanics and motion, thermodynamics and fluids, materials and structures, and control, Mechanical Engineering is a broad discipline of design and analysis. If you aren’t sure what engineering discipline to pursue right now and you want to keep your options open, this broad-based foundational major may be perfect for you. Mechanical Engineering is also flexible to allow you to focus in many important disciplines, such as fatigue/fracture mechanics and failure analysis. If understanding, building, and using state-of-the-art materials such as composites and ceramics intrigues you or designing and analyzing structures is your desire focus, this challenging major may be right for you. The USAFA Mechanical Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
The Goal of the Department of Engineering Mechanics, which administers the Mechanical Engineering Program, is to Educate Engineers for the Military Profession. To ensure the success of our graduates, we prepare them to attain Program Educational Objectives two to five years after graduation. These are:
1) Recognition as successful Air Force officers through demonstration of their ability to: a. Rapidly acquire required knowledge.
b. Lead others effectively.
c. Effectively apply ethical and moral standards.
d. Improve unit performance by application of organizational skills. e. Make sound decisions based on critical thinking.
f. Communicate effectively.
2) Selection for career training on, or ahead of, schedule, and for a progression of assignments of increasing responsibility.
3) A demonstrated ability to solve Air Force technical problems. 4) Success in continuing education.
The foundation that prepares graduates for attaining the Program Educational Objectives is provided by Student Outcomes. Student Outcomes describe what students must attain prior to graduation. These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. These Student Outcomes are:
1) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data 3) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic
constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
4) an ability to lead and function on multidisciplinary teams
5) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems 6) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility 7) an ability to communicate effectively both written and orally
8) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a military, global, economic, environmental, and societal context
9) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning 10) a knowledge of contemporary issues
11) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
Incorporated within these outcomes, mechanical engineering majors must apply principles of engineering, basic science, and mathematics (including multivariate calculus and differential equations) to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems, components or processes; and work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas. In addition, graduates must demonstrate design competence that includes integration of mechanical engineering topics. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering you can get an Air Force assignment as a mechanical engineer, aeronautical engineer, civil engineer, astronautical engineer, or project engineer. The Mechanical Engineering degree also satisfies the educational requirements for Air Force Test Pilot, Flight Test Navigator, and Flight Test Engineer duties. Additional specialties are Scientific Analyst and Acquisition Project Officer. Successful completion of this degree may qualify you for assignment in the 62H (Developmental Mechanical Engineer) career field.
If you are a top performer in the Mechanical Engineering major, graduate school can be an option as a first Air Force assignment, either through direct departmental sponsorship or by winning a prestigious national scholarship (Draper, Hertz, Rhodes, etc.). The Mechanical Engineering major gives you the flexibility to pursue either a more specialized degree in graduate school or to continue your broad-based study in engineering. Whether you ultimately choose a graduate program in mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, astronautical engineering, or materials engineering, your decision will be an informed one.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 147 Semester Hours
A. 96 Semester hours of Dean's academic core courses to include the following core substitutes:
Required Core Substitute Substitutes for
ECE 231 Differential Equations with Circuit Applications I ECE 315 Math 356 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists Math 300 Mech Engr 312 Thermodynamics Systems Option
Core Replacement Replaces
Mech Engr 491 Capstone Design Project I Mgt 400
B. 5 Semester hours of Director of Athletics core courses.
D. 42 Semester hours of major's courses:
1. Math 243 (or Math 253) Calculus III (or Advanced Placed Calculus III) 2. Math 245 Differential Equations
3. Math 346 Engineering Math
4. Engr Mech 320 Dynamics
5. Engr Mech 330 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
6. Engr Mech 460 Experimental Mechanics (See Supplemental Information 1) 7. Mech Engr 325 Engineering System Dynamics
8. Mech Engr 341 Fluid Mechanics
9. Mech Engr 370 Introduction to Machine Design
10. Mech Engr 492 Capstone Design Project II (See Supplemental Information 1) 11. Mech Engr Option II (See Supplemental Information 3)
12. - 14. Mech Engr Emphasis I – III (See Supplemental Information 4) 15. Engr Mech 305 Engineering Tools Seminar
Supplemental Information:
1. If planning a focus in certain areas, cadets may petition DFEM and other applicable departments for a waiver to substitute the capstone design sequence of another major, or an appropriate substitute for the Experimental Mechanics course.
2. The Mech Engr Option I is any 3-credit hour course in the Mechanical Engineering
curriculum that has not been used to satisfy another curriculum requirement. This course fulfills the Academy Option.
3. The Mech Engr Option II is recommended as a 3-credit hour Independent Study (Mech Engr 499), but cadets may choose Mech Engr 495 (if offered), an Independent Study of 2-credit hours, Sys Engr 310, any 3-credit hour course in the Mechanical Engineering curriculum that has not been used to satisfy another curriculum requirement, or with Department Head approval any 300- or 400-level 3-credit hour course in the Engineering Division that has not been used to satisfy another curriculum requirement.
4. Cadets will choose from four Mechanical Engineering Emphasis Areas, and take a three course sequence from that area emphasizing traditional Mechanical Engineering specialties. Cadets are encouraged to schedule their Mech Engr Option I early in their program in order to explore their interests before committing to an Emphasis Area.
Emphasis Area Course Information
Structures
Engr Mech 332 (S) Aerospace Structures
Prereq: Engr Mech 330 Coreq: Aero Engr 315, Engr Mech 320
Engr Mech 350 (B) Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Prereq: Engr Mech 330
Engr Mech 421 (S) Vibrations
Prereq: Engr Mech 320 or Physics 355 Coreq: Math 346
Engr Mech 431 (F) Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
Prereq: Engr Mech 330, Math 346
Engr Mech 450 (F) Aerospace Composite Materials
Prereq: Engr Mech 330, Math 245
Aero Engr 436 (S) Aeroelasticity
Prereq: Aero Engr 315, Engr Mech 330 Coreq: Engr Mech 320
Materials
Engr Mech 340 (S) Materials Science for Engineers
Prereq: Engr Mech 220
Engr Mech 350 (B) Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Prereq: Engr Mech 330
Engr Mech 440 (F) Physical Metallurgy
Prereq: Engr Mech 340
Engr Mech 445 (S) Failure Analysis and Prevention
Prereq: Engr Mech 350 Recommended: Engr Mech 340
Engr Mech 450 (F) Aerospace Composite Materials
Prereq: Engr Mech 330, Math 245
Dynamic Systems
Engr 341 (F) Linear Systems Analysis and Design
Prereq: ECE 231, Math 245
Mech Engr 396 (F) Mechatronics
Prereq: ECE 231 (≥ B-)
Engr Mech 421 (S) Vibrations
Prereq: Engr Mech 320 or Physics 355 Coreq: Math 346
Aero Engr 436 (S) Aeroelasticity
Coreq: Aero Engr 315, Engr Mech 330 Coreq: Engr Mech 320
Thermal Fluid Science
Mech Engr 441 (F) Heat Transfer
Prereq: Math 346, Mech Engr 312, Mech Engr 341
Mech Engr 467 (S) Energy Conversion
Prereq: Mech Engr 312, Mech Engr 341, or department approval
Mech Engr 468 (S) Renewable Energy
Prereq: Mech Engr 312, Mech Engr 341, or department approval
Aero Engr 361 (S) Propulsion I
Prereq: Aero Engr 241 or department approval
(F) – fall only, (S) – spring only, (B) – fall or spring
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE
4o hrs per 3o hrs per 2o hrs per 1o hrs per
For Lang 1 3 2 Math 243 3 1 Engr Mech 305 1 1 Engr Mech 460 3 2 Beh Sci 110 3 1 English 211 3 1 Engr Mech 320 3 1 Mech Engr Emphasis I 3 1 Fall Engr 101 3 1 Engr Mech 220 3 1 Mech Engr 312 (En/Sys Opt)3 1 Mech Engr Option II 3 1 Math 141 3 1 Econ 201 3 1 Math 346 3 1 English 411 3 1 Comp Sci 110 3 1 Physics 215 3 2 History 300 3 1 Soc Sci 412 3 2
Phy Ed 0.5 2 MSS 200 3 1 Beh Sci 310 3 1 Mech Engr 491 3 2
15.5 8 Phy Ed 1 2 Biology 315 3 1 Phy Ed 0.5 2
19 9 Phy Ed 1 2 18.5 11
20 9
For Lang 2 3 2 Math 245 3 1 Mech Engr 325 3 1 Mech Engr 492 3 2 Chem 100 3 2 Engr Mech 330 3 1 Mech Engr 341 3 1 Mech Enger 370 3 1 Spring History 100 3 1 Pol Sci 211 3 1 Mech Engr Option I 3 1 Mech Engr Emphasis II 3 1 English 111 3 1 Law 220 3 1 Aero Engr 315 3 1 Mech Engr Emphasis III 3 1 Math 142 3 1 Chem 200 3 2 Philos 310 3 1 MSS 415/416 3 1 Physics 110 3 2 ECE 231 3 1 Math 356 3 1 Astro Engr 410 3 1
Phy Ed 0.5 2 Phy Ed 0.5 2 Phy Ed 0.5 2 Phy Ed 0.5 2
18.5 11 18.5 9 18.5 8 18.5 9
Course Unit Summary Semester Hour Summary
Core (32) Core = 96.0 Sem Hours
Major (14) Major = 43.0 "
Academy Option (1) Academy Option = 3.0 "
Phy Ed (10) Phy Ed = 5.0 "
Total = 147.0 "
