Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering and Mines
Department of Mechanical Engineering
907-474-7136
http://cem.uaf.edu/me/
Minimum Requirements for Degree: BS: 130 credits; BS/MS: 151 credits
The mission of the mechanical engineering department at UAF is to offer the highest quality contemporary education at undergraduate and graduate levels, and to perform research appropriate to the technical needs of the state of Alaska, the nation and the world.
Mechanical engineers conceive, plan, design and direct the manufacturing, distribution and operation of a wide variety of devices, machines and systems for energy conversion, environmental control, materials processing, transportation, materials handling and other purposes. Mechanical engineers are engaged in creative design, applied research, development and management. A degree in mechanical engineering also frequently forms the base for entering law, medical or business school, as well as for graduate work in engineering.
The objectives of the mechanical engineering program are to produce graduates who are able to compete successfully on the world stage at the professional level; deal with the significant local, regional, national and global issues facing humankind; continue to develop as engineers through lifelong learning; and serve as resources of technical knowledge for the state as well as the nation, especially with respect to northern issues. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET has accredited the BS degree program in mechanical engineering since 1980.
Because engineering is based on mathematics, chemistry and physics, students are introduced to the basic principles in these areas during their first two years of study. The third year encompasses courses in the engineering science -- extensions to the basic sciences forming the foundation to engineering synthesis and design. The design project course draws on much of the student's previous learning through a simulated industrial design project. Throughout the four-year program, courses in communication, humanities and social sciences are required because mechanical engineers must be able to communicate effectively in written, oral and graphical form.
Students may choose an emphasis in aerospace or petroleum engineering. Because of UAF's unique location, special emphasis is placed on cold regions engineering problems. This fact is highlighted in the technical elective, arctic engineering. Candidates for the BS degree in mechanical engineering are required to take the State of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering examination in their general field.
Undergraduate students who plan to pursue graduate studies in engineering may also choose an accelerated degree for a master's in mechanical engineering. This program speeds the process and allows qualified mechanical engineering students to complete both a bachelor of science and a master of science degree in five years.
- Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete MATH F200X, CHEM F105X and CHEM F106X.)
- Complete the BS degree requirements. (As part of the BS degree requirements, complete MATH F201X, PHYS F211X and PHYS F212X.)
- Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
ES F101--Introduction to Engineering--3 credits
ES F201--Computer Techniques--3 credits
ES F209--Statics--3 credits
ES F210--Dynamics--3 credits
ES F301--Engineering Analysis--3 credits
ES F307--Elements of Electrical Engineering--3 credits
ES F331--Mechanics of Materials--3 credits
ES F341--Fluid Mechanics--4 credits
ES F346--Basic Thermodynamics--3 credits
ESM F450W--Economic Analysis and Operations--3 credits
MATH F202X--Calculus III--4 credits
MATH F302--Differential Equations--3 credits
ME F302--Dynamics of Machinery--4 credits
ME F308--Measurement and Instrumentation--3 credits
ME F313--Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics--3 credits
ME F321--Industrial Processes--3 credits
ME F334--Elements of Material Science/Engineering--3 credits
ME F403--Machine Design--3 credits
ME F408--Mechanical Vibrations--3 credits
ME F415W--Thermal Systems Laboratory--3 credits
ME F441--Heat and Mass Transfer--3 credits
ME F486--Senior Design--1 credit
ME F487W,O--Design Project--3 credits
ME electives**--6 credits
Technical electives***--3 credits - Minimum credits required--130 credits
* Students must earn a C- grade or better in each of the program (major) requirements, with exception of ES F101.
** Mechanical engineering course at the F400 level or above.
*** Engineering course at the F400 level or above.
Note: Students electing to complete an emphasis in aerospace engineering must complete the sequence of aerospace courses (ME F450, F451, F452 and F453) as part of their program requirements and complete a senior design project that is related to aerospace engineering.
Note: Students electing to complete an emphasis in petroleum engineering must complete the sequence of petroleum-related courses (ME F409; ME F416; PETE F407; PETE F426) as part of their program requirements and complete a senior design project that is related to petroleum engineering.
Note: Students must plan their elective courses in consultation with their mechanical engineering faculty advisor, and obtain the advisor's approval for all elective courses.
- Complete the following admission requirements:
- ME major (junior preferred) or senior standing.
- GPA 3.25 or above (based on minimum of 24 credits in ME major requirements). Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program.
- Submit three letters of reference.
- Submit GRE (general) scores.
- Submit a study goal statement.
- Submit a UAF graduate application for admission.
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the BS degree requirements. (As part of the BS degree requirements, complete: MATH F201X, PHYS F211X and PHYS F212X.)
- Complete the master's degree requirements.
- Complete the following BS program (major) requirements:
ES F101--Introduction to Engineering--3 credits
ES F201--Computer Techniques--3 credits
ES F209--Statics--3 credits
ES F210--Dynamics--3 credits
ES F301--Engineering Analysis--3 credits
ES F307--Elements of Electrical Engineering--3 credits
ES F331--Mechanics of Materials--3 credits
ES F341--Fluid Mechanics--4 credits
ES F346--Basic Thermodynamics--3 credits
ESM F450W--Economic Analysis and Operations--3 credits
MATH F202X--Calculus--4 credits
MATH F302--Differential Equations--3 credits
ME F302--Dynamics of Machinery--4 credits
ME F308--Measurement and Instrumentation--3 credits
ME F313--Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics--3 credits
ME F321--Industrial Processes--3 credits
ME F334--Elements of Materials Science/Engineering--3 credits
ME F403--Machine Design--3 credits
ME F408--Mechanical Vibrations--3 credits
ME F415W--Thermal Systems Laboratory--3 credits
ME F441--Heat and Mass Transfer--3 credits
ME F486--Senior Design--1 credit
ME F487W/O-- Design Project--3 credits - Complete the following MS program (major) requirements:
ME F608--Advanced Dynamics --3 credits
ME F631--Advanced Mechanics of Materials--3 credits
ME F634--Advanced Materials Engineering--3 credits
ME F641--Advanced Fluid Mechanics--3 credits
ME F642--Advanced Heat Transfer--3 credits - Complete the thesis or non-thesis requirements:
Thesis
ME F699--Thesis --6 credits
Electives--9 credits
(Electives approved by student's advisory committee with at least 3 credits at the graduate level)
Non-Thesis
ME F698--Project--3 credits
Electives--12 credits
(Electives approved by student's advisory committee with at least 6 credits at the graduate level) - Minimum credits required for both degrees--151 credits
Note: This degree program must be completed in seven years or the student will be disqualified from the program. If a student is disqualified for exceeding the seven year limit, a mechanical engineering BS degree will be awarded if: 1) course work is completed in 10 years, and 2) the student meets all ME BS requirements.