Mar 29, 2024  
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Mechanical Engineering (MEE)


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The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers an upper-division curriculum which leads to the B.S. in mechanical engineering. The curriculum is based on a strong foundation of fundamental courses in the pure sciences and engineering, and professional courses in mechanical engineering. The curriculum also provides a background in the design, analysis, development, and applications of both complete mechanical systems and a wide variety of individual system components in many different fields.

The B.S. program offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering encompasses many areas, such as solid mechanics, dynamics and controls, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, energy conversion, and manufacturing. This background is strengthened and integrated through application in a sequence of broad engineering design and laboratory courses. The department has significant equipment for experimental investigations.

Computers are used extensively throughout the curriculum, with emphasis on interactive computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, and simulation of engineering systems. The Cooperative Education/Internship Program is also available to qualified students.

The department also offers an integrated B.S./M.S. Sequence that leads to a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering after students received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. With approval, up to three technical electives taken in the last semester of the B.S. can be counted toward the M.S. program. Students who are interested in the B.S./M.S. sequence should refer to the Graduate Catalog for details.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is to provide an up-to-date, high-quality engineering education that meets current professional engineering standards and prepares competent engineers for local and global industry, to develop and/ or apply engineering knowledge to address societal needs, and to provide quality professional and public services.

Educational Objectives

The program leading to the B.S. in mechanical engineering is designed to prepare students for successful careers in engineering and related fields by providing a balanced education in mechanical engineering that prepares students to apply analytical, computational, experimental, and methodological tools to solve engineering problems; a strong foundation in mathematics and physical sciences; a broad and balanced general education in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies; sufficient training and development of skills for effective communication and teamwork; a proper understanding of an engineer’s professional and ethical responsibilities in relation to engineering fields and society; and recognition of the need for lifelong learning.

Department Requirements

Candidates for the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering must earn a minimum of 18 semester hours in humanities, arts, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. This requirement is described under “Special General Education Requirements for Electrical, Industrial and Systems, and Mechanical Engineering Majors” in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology section of this catalog. Students must consult with their faculty advisers to determine appropriate courses.

All mechanical engineering students must have their schedule reviewed, approved, and signed by their faculty adviser each semester. Any deviation from an approved course schedule may delay graduation.

Writing Across the Curriculum Courses

The Department of Mechanical Engineering recognizes that competence in technical writing is essential for engineers. To build upon the foundation for writing acquired in ENGL 103, Rhetoric and Composition I, and ENGL 104, Rhetoric and Composition II, or ENGL 105, Rhetoric and Composition, the Department of Mechanical Engineering has selected 300- and 400-level courses which are identified as writing intensive courses in the course description. These courses are MEE 390, MEE 425, MEE 481, MEE 482, and MEE 490. Each of these courses requires a significant technical writing component which will be reviewed by both the course instructor and a technical writing tutor.

Mechanical Engineering Faculty

Shin-Min Song, Ph.D., Ohio State University, professor, chair
Brianno Coller, Ph.D., Cornell University, associate professor
Behrooz Fallahi, Ph.D., P.E., Purdue University, professor
Sengoda G. Ganesan, Ph.D., P.E., Oklahoma State University,associate professor
Jenn-Terng Gau, Ph.D., Ohio State University, associate professor
Abhijit Gupta, Ph.D., P.E., Pennsylvania State University, professor
Meung Jung Kim, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, professor
Milivoje Kostic, Ph.D., P.E., University of Illinois, Chicago, professor
Pradip Majumdar, Ph.D., Illinois Institute of Technology, professor
Parviz Payvar, Ph.D., P.E., University of California, Berkeley, Distinguished Teaching Professor, emeritus
Nicholas A. Pohlman, Ph.D., Northwestern University, assistant professor
Federico Sciammarella, Ph.D., Illinois Institute of Technology, assistant professor
Scott R. Short, Ph.D., P.E., University of Dayton, assistant professor

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