Mechanical Engineering
College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Department of Mechanical Engineering
(907) 474-7136
Requirements for Degrees: B.S.: 130 credits; M.S.: 30 additional credits
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.
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 in mechanical engineering may elect to complete an emphasis in petroleum or aerospace engineering each consisting of 12 credit hours. Six of these credit hours can be used to fulfill the elective credit requirement in the mechanical engineering curriculum.
Because of the unique location of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, special emphasis is placed on cold regions engineering problems. This fact is highlighted in the mechanical engineering program by the technical elective, arctic engineering.
Candidates for the bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering will be required to take the State of Alaska Engineer-in-Training Examination in their general field.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Mechanical Engineering -- B.S. Degree
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the following degree and program (major) requirements. Students must plan their elective courses in consultation with their mechanical engineering faculty advisor, and all elective courses must be approved by their mechanical engineering faculty advisor.
First Year
Fall Semester 16 credits
ENGL 111X -- Methods of Written Comm (3 credits)
MATH 200X -- Calculus (4 credits)
ES 101 -- Introduction to Engineering (2 credits)
CHEM 105X -- General Chemistry (4 credits)
Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
Spring Semester 17 credits
COMM 131X or 141X (3 credits)
MATH 201X -- Calculus (4 credits)
ES 201 -- Computer Techniques (3 credits)
CHEM 106X -- General Chemistry (4 credits)
Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
Second Year
Fall Semester 17 credits
PHYS 211X -- General Physics (4 credits)
MATH 202X -- Calculus (4 credits)
ES 209 -- Statics (3 credits)
ME 321 -- Industrial Processes (3 credits)
ENGL 211X -- Intermediate Exposition, With Modes of Literature
or ENGL 213X -- Intermediate Exposition (3 credits)
Spring Semester 16 credits
PHYS 212X -- General Physics (4 credits)
MATH 302 -- Differen. Equations (3 credits)
ES 210 -- Dynamics (3 credits)
ES 346 -- Thermodynamics (3 credits)
Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
Third Year
Fall Semester 16 credits
ES 301 -- Engineering Analysis (3 credits)
ES 307 -- Elements of Electrical Engr. (3 credits)
ES 331 -- Mechanics of Materials (3 credits)
ES 341 -- Fluid Mechanics (4 credits)
Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
Spring Semester 16 credits
ME 302 -- Mechanical Design I (4 credits)
ME 313 -- Mech. Engr. Thermodyn. (3 credits)
ME 441 -- Heat and Mass Transfer (3 credits)
ES 308 -- Instrumentation and Measurement (3 credits)
Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
Fourth Year
Fall Semester 17 credits
ME 408 -- Dynamics of Systems (3 credits)
ME 415 -- Thermal Systems Lab (2 credits)
ME Elective** (3 credits)
ME 334 -- Elements Material Science Engr (3 credits)
Technical Elective* (3 credits)
Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
Spring Semester 15 credits
ME 403 -- Mechanical Design II (4 credits)
ME 487 -- Design Project (3 credits)
ME Elective** (3 credits)
ESM 450 -- Econ. Analysis and Operations (3 credits)
Elective (2 credits)
* Engineering Course at 400 level or above
** Mechanical Engineering Course at 400 level or above
Selection of the elective courses must be made in consultation with ME advisor.
Graduate Degree Requirements
Mechanical Engineering -- M.S. Degree
Degree Requirements
- Complete UAF degree requirements.
- Pass a comprehensive examination.
- Write a research thesis or project and pass an oral defense.
- Complete the following program (major) requirements: Credits
Mathematics Core -- at least two of the following (6-8 credits)
MATH 421 -- Vector Analysis
MATH 422 -- Partial Differential Equations
MATH 423 -- Applied Mathematics
MATH 310 -- Numerical Analysis
Any 600 level mathematics course 6-8
Mechanical Engineering Core -- at least four of the following (12 credits)
ME 601 -- Finite Element Analysis in Engineering
ME 604 -- Experimental Mechanics
ME 617 -- Power Analysis
ME 631 -- Advanced Mechanics of Materials
ME 634 -- Advanced Materials Engineering
ME 641 -- Advanced Fluid Mechanics
ME 642 -- Advanced Heat Transfer
ME 685 -- Arctic Heat and Mass Transfer (12 credits)
Electives (6 credits) (6 credits)
Any ME or other engineering, science, or mathematics graduate courses approved by the student's advisory committee.
Thesis (6 credits)
ME 699 -- Thesis (6 credits)
Non-Thesis Option:
Required courses (above) (18 credits)
Electives (9 credits) (9 credits)
Special Project (3 credits)
ME 698 -- Project (3 credits) - Total credits required (30 credits)
NOTE: All students must take at least one course in the mechanical systems sequence (ME 604, 631, 634) and one from the fluids/thermal science sequence (ME 641, 642).