Mechanical Engineering Major (B.S.M.E.)

Major code BS7257

Russ College of Engineering and Technology 
Department of Mechanical Engineering 
251 Stocker Center
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1553
Fax: 740.593.0476
www.ohio.edu/engineering/mechanical

Greg Kremer, contact person
kremer@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Ohio University’s Mechanical Engineering major program has four educational objectives:

1. Prepare graduates for engineering careers and advanced education
2. Graduate mechanical engineers with technical skills
3. Graduate mechanical engineers with skills to perform in the work environment
4. Graduate mechanical engineers who are informed and aware of contemporary issues and the impact of engineering on society.

Mechanical engineering is an extremely diverse profession that is concerned with

1. the economical and ecological conversion of energy from natural sources to provide power, heating, cooling, and propulsion
2. the design of all types of machines, engines, and vehicles
3. the processing of materials into useful products
4. the development of systems for using machines and resources.
   Professional activities include research, development, design, testing, production, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, technical management, and administration.

The mechanical engineering curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in higher mathematics and basic sciences followed by extensive instruction in all of the classical mechanical engineering disciplines. Design and project experiences dealing with real engineering problems are integrated into the curriculum to help students:

1. apply their own creativity in formulating alternative engineering solutions
2. develop an ability to work independently and/or in teams, which is an important skill for continued growth as a practicing engineer
3. bridge the gap between the acquisition of engineering knowledge in required courses and the application of that knowledge to solve engineering problems.

The design experience begins in the freshman year, wherein students are introduced to elements of engineering design. This often involves the design and construction of a device to perform a specified task. Throughout the sophomore, junior, and senior years, mechanical engineering students are required to solve design problems in many of the required engineering courses and across the spectrum of disciplines encompassed by the mechanical engineering profession. Senior mechanical engineering students are challenged in a year-long sequence of formal design courses involving a capstone senior design project, which requires the construction and testing of a working product prototype. The capstone project requires application of fundamental engineering knowledge as well as knowledge of engineering economy and social issues, such as product safety and reliability. Students are required to submit written technical reports, as well as give oral presentations describing project results. This is in accord with the department’s objective of producing engineers who have good communication skills, as well as excellent technical skills. The design experience is enhanced by providing students with technologically modern lab facilities and computational tools.

In addition to engineering courses, the department requires significant studies in the humanities and social sciences to establish a breadth and depth of awareness and education. The humanity and social science requirements are consistent with the department’s objective of graduating individuals with a well-rounded education.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students are expected to take four years of mathematics, and a year of chemistry and physics in high school if possible.

Change of Program Policy

Students who wish to transfer into an engineering or computer science program must have earned a C or better in a math course and a science course. The math course must be equivalent to MATH 1200 or higher. The science course must be required for the program or preparatory for a required course such as CHEM 1500, 1510, PHYS 2051 or BIOS 1700. Students must have an overall GPA greater than 2.0 at Ohio University, for all courses in Russ College, and for all courses in Chemical Engineering. Students must have succeeded in all required courses taken previously in three or fewer attempts. For some courses, success means a grade of at least a C or C-.

External Transfer Admission

In addition to University guidelines, students should have earned a C (2.0) or better grade in a college math course equivalent to MATH 1200 or higher and a C (2.0) or better grade in a chemistry course equivalent to CHEM 1210 or higher or a physics course equivalent to PHYS 2001 or higher.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

From automobiles and airplanes to wind turbines and power plants to artificial hearts and search-and-rescue robots, mechanical engineers design solutions to help us transport and power our world and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Mechanical engineers work in design, manufacturing, research, and sales for companies such as Boeing, Toyota and General Electric. Some of our graduates have been hired by professional racing teams and experimental aircraft manufacturers.

Mechanical engineering graduates also can use their degree as a solid background for advanced studies in engineering, law, medicine, or business.

Requirements