Mechanical Engineering, BS

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Program Educational Objectives
Student Outcomes
Curriculum Sequence
Dual Degrees With Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is a highly progressive and dynamic field contributing to all areas of modern technology. Machines; mechanisms; vehicles for land, sea, and space; electromechanical devices; new materials; medical equipment; and electronic chip manufacturing are some examples of the multifaceted work of mechanical engineers. Mechanical engineers provide their services to industry, government, research, and academic institutions in various capacities, including design, manufacturing, research and development, process engineering, project management, marketing, sales, quality control, testing, and customer service.

Widener’s mechanical engineering program is designed to stimulate creative and analytical thinking and to provide exposure to real-world, practical aspects of the profession; it prepares graduates for employment and advanced graduate study.

Program Educational Objectives

Mechanical engineering graduates will demonstrate the following career and professional characteristics and accomplishments a few years after graduation:

Successfully practice in the field of mechanical engineering or related fields, assume increasing levels of responsibility, and adhere to high ethical standards
Communicate effectively with others and exhibit teamwork
Grow both personally and professionally by embracing lifelong learning in their careers
Engage in service to the profession and community as contributing citizens

Student Outcomes

Over the course of their studies, graduates of the program shall have demonstrated:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2. 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

3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

8. an ability to apply multivariable calculus and differential equations

9. an ability to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems, components or processes, and have the ability to work professionally in either thermal or mechanical systems areas

Curriculum Sequence

Freshman

Fall (16.5 Credits)

ENGR 111 - Engineering Techniques 2 Credit(s)
CHEM 145 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 147 - General Chemistry Lab I 1 Credit(s) (W)
MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Spring (15.5 Credits)

ENGR 114 - Engineering Graphics and Computer-Aided Design 2 Credit(s) *
ENGR 115 - Introduction to Computer Programming Using MATLAB 2 Credit(s)
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 161 - Physics I 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 163 - Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Sophomore

Fall (18 Credits)

ENGR 213 - Statics 3 Credit(s)
ENGR 219 - Electric Circuits 3 Credit(s)
ENGR 223 - Electric Circuits Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
MATH 241 - Multivariable Calculus 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 162 - Physics II 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 164 - Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)

Spring (16 Credits)

ENGR 214 - Dynamics 3 Credit(s)
ENGR 323 - Mechanics of Deformable Bodies 3 Credit(s)
MATH 242 - Elementary Differential Equations 3 Credit(s)
ME 217 - Fundamentals of Engineering Materials and Design (W) 4 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective - 3 credits

Junior

Fall (17 Credits)

ME 303 - Mechanical Measurements I (W) 2 Credit(s) (W)
ME 351 - Kinematics 3 Credit(s)
ENGR 320 - Fluid Mechanics 3 Credit(s)
ENGR 328 - Computational Methods in Engineering 3 Credit(s)
ENGR 325 - Thermodynamics 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)

Spring (16 Credits)

ME 304 - Mechanical Measurements II (W) 2 Credit(s) (W)
ME 346 - Thermodynamics II 3 Credit(s)
ME 352 - Mechanics of Engineering Materials 3 Credit(s)
ME 353 - Engineering Vibrations 3 Credit(s)
ENGR 312 - Engineering Economics 2 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)

Senior

Fall (16 Credits)

ENGR 401 - Senior Project I 2 Credit(s)
EE 471 - Controls I 3 Credit(s)
ME 407 - Mechanical Engineering Seminar I 1 Credit(s)
ME 455 - Heat Transfer 3 Credit(s)
ME 461 - Design 4 Credit(s)
ASC 400 - Values Seminar 3 Credit(s) (W) ^††

Spring (15 Credits)

ENGR 402 - Senior Project II 2 Credit(s)
ME 408 - Mechanical Engineering Seminar II 1 Credit(s)
Mechanical Engineering Design Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives 6 Credit(s) ^†
Humanities/Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 130

*Students may take ENGR 113 - Computer-Aided Engineering Design in lieu of ENGR 114 .

**Mech. engineering design electives: ME 462 - Design of Mechanical Systems , ME 464 - Design of Fluid-Thermal Systems .

^†Mech. engineering technical electives: ME 470 - Future Energy Systems ; ENGR 474 - Introduction to Finite Element Analysis ; ME 477 - Introduction to Composite Materials ; ENGR 499 - Independent Study and RE 302 - Mechanics of Robotic Systems . Other courses are possible with approval of the academic advisor and consent of the instructor.

^{†A student who wishes to take a graduate course must have a cumulative GPA and a cumulative Tech GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must get the approval of their academic advisor.}

^††Students may substitute PHIL 352 - Business Ethics (W).

Dual Degrees with Mechanical Engineering

Students interested in a dual degree with Biomedical Engineering, BS , Electrical Engineering, BS , or Physics, BS should contact the chair of the mechanical engineering department or the dean’s office for details about the curriculum. Students wishing to pursue a dual degree must get written permission from both departments.