About the Program
About the Program
The BS program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Program Educational Objectives and Outcomes
The School of Mechanical Engineering offers coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.ME).
The program educational objectives of the School of Mechanical Engineering are to matriculate graduates who conduct themselves in a responsible, professional and ethical manner, and who upon the years following graduation, are committed to:
1. Professional Practice
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- Actively embracing leadership roles in the practice of engineering in industry and government organizations (including both traditional and emerging technical areas).
- Conducting research and development across disciplines (via graduate study or industry) to advance technology and foster innovation in order to compete successfully in the global economy.
- Applying their engineering problem-solving skills to less-traditional career paths (e.g., law, medicine, business, education, start-up ventures, public policy, etc.).
2. Professional Development
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- Actively participating in ongoing professional development opportunities (conferences, workshops, short courses, graduate education, etc.).
- Updating and adapting their core knowledge and abilities to compete in the ever-changing global enterprise.
- Developing new knowledge and skills to pursue new career opportunities.
3. Professional Outreach
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- Serving as ambassadors for the engineering profession, inspiring others to develop a passion for engineering.
- Exchanging and applying knowledge to create new opportunities that advance society and solve a variety of technical and social problems.
- Advancing entrepreneurial ventures and fostering activities that support sustainable economic development to enhance the quality of life of people in the state, across the country and around the world.
In order for students to achieve these objectives, the program of study should satisfy the comprehensive set of student outcomes as outlined below.
School of Mechanical Engineering Student Outcomes
The program should provide students with a solid technical foundation for their careers. The graduates of the School of Mechanical Engineering will have demonstrated the following:
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- Engineering fundamentals: an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Engineering design: 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.
- Communications skills: an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Ethical and Professional responsibilities: an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Teamwork skills: an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Experimental skills: an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
- Knowledge acquisition: an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Mechanical Engineering Program Description
The School of Mechanical Engineering has developed a comprehensive, integrated curriculum to provide students with a broad base on which to build an engineering career. It is founded on basic sciences, including physics, chemistry and mathematics; computer science and computer graphics; and oral and written communications skills.
To this foundation, a core of engineering science and design courses are added in three main curriculum stems: mechanics (statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, structures and properties of materials, machine design), controls (electric circuits and electronics, instrumentation, system modeling and controls), and energy (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat and mass transfer). In addition, a design-manufacturing thread extends through the curriculum and culminates in a capstone design class. The design-manufacturing thread emphasizes innovation, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and practical hands-on experience.
Each student has the opportunity to create a specialized curriculum by selecting 6 credit hours of ME electives, 9 credit hours of technical electives in engineering, mathematics, natural sciences, and 18 credit hours of general education electivies. This allows for a program with considerable breadth while also permitting the depth and specialization in an area of the student’s professional interests.
Visit the School of Mechanical Engineering website for more information about the undergraduate program.
Student Organizations
Student organizations provide valuable opportunities for students to enhance organizational, communication, teamwork and leadership skills. Student organizations specific to mechanical engineering include, but are not limited to, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Purdue Mechanical Engineering Ambassadors (PMEA), Pi Tau Sigma (the Mechanical Engineering Honor Society), Women in Mechanical Engineering (WiME), Women in Motorsports Council (WiMC), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
Visit the School of Mechanical Engineering website for more information about student organizations.
Industry Connections
Students are encouraged to gain industry experience by participating in internships or in the co-operative education (co-op) program. Internships are typically one semester in duration and often occur over the summer. The co-op program involves students completing 3-5 work sessions with the same employer, where students alternate semesters working fulltime and attending classes. Students can also participate in the Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE) program, Purdue’s premier international work experience program. The GEARE program provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to integrate language study, study abroad, cultural training, domestic and international work/research experiences, and global design team projects into the Mechanical Engineering curriculum.
Visit the Office of Professional Practice website for more information about the co-op program and the GEARE program.
Study Abroad
Global competency skills are a key focus in the School of Mechanical Engineering. By graduation, approximately 40 percent of ME graduates have gained international experience, compared to about 3 percent nationally in engineering. The School of ME has developed a comprehensive and versatile study abroad program, offering options ranging from an extensive eight-month experience to an intensive two to three weeks. This flexible program allows students to select the option that best fits their needs and schedules.
Long-Term Programs:
Long-Term options include full-semester study abroad locations such as Spain, Germany, Singapore, Ecuador, France, Colombia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Australia.
Short-Term Programs:
Short-Term options include study abroad locations such as Italy, South Korea, Germany, Ireland, Argentina, France, Singapore.
For more information, visit the ME Study Abroad website and the Purdue Global Engineering Programs & Partnerships website.
Undergraduate Research
In addition to the traditional classroom experience, students in the School of Mechanical Engineering have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in several areas, including:
- Acoustics & Noise Control
- Advanced Materials
- Biomedical
- Combustion
- Computational Engineering
- Convergent Manufacturing
- High-Performance Buildings
- Human-Machine Interaction
- Micro & Nanotechnology
- Propulsion
- Robotics
- Semiconductors
- Sustainable Energy
- Transportation
Students discover first-hand how research contributes to the advancement of human knowledge. They experience a change of pace from formal classroom activities and gain valuable hands-on skills applicable to both research and non-research careers. In addition, students develop their knowledge of the research process and tools used by professional researchers and increase their proficiencies in technical communication. Such experiences help students connect their summer experience with their future goals, with particular focus on post-graduate education. Learn more about ME Faculty directed research opportunities by visiting the ME Undergraduate Research Opportunities webpage. https://engineering.purdue.edu/ME/Undergraduate/ResearchOpportunities
Interested students are strongly encouraged to consider participation in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program or the Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship (DUIRI) Program.
Preparation for Graduate Study
The undergraduate curriculum (and the honors undergraduate program) provides a strong foundation for graduate study, and students who complete either of the programs with appropriate academic records are encouraged to pursue graduate work. Many graduates have continued their education by pursuing advanced studies in engineering, business, law, medicine, dentistry and public policy.
Visit the School of Mechanical Engineering website for more information.
Combined B.S.ME/M.S.ME Program
A combined B.S.ME/M.S.ME program is available for outstanding mechanical engineering undergraduate students. This program is anticipated to take approximately five years to complete (with professional master and thesis master options) and result in receiving both the B.S.ME and M.S.ME degrees.
The B.S.ME/M.S.ME program is a mechanism for:
- Providing a seamless transition from the B.S.ME to the M.S.ME program.
- Participating in a directed project in their area of interest.
- Stimulating interest in graduate study and research/academic careers or industrial careers.
- Allowing for special recognition of high levels of academic achievement.
The B.S.ME/M.S.ME program requires students to take 12 hours of graduate coursework toward their B.S.ME professional elective requirement. This same 12 hours likewise count toward the M.S.ME degree if the student receives a grade of B or better.
Interested students typically apply to the graduate school in the second half of their junior year after completion of 81 hours of coursework in the undergraduate program with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher. Students in the combined program are expected to maintain an undergraduate CGPA of at least 3.2 to begin semester 9 (start of official master only status).
Complete details of the combined program can be found on the Web. Questions about this information should be emailed to MEGradOffice@purdue.edu.
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