Mechanical Engineering, B.S.M.E.
From renewable energies to space exploration, from autonomous vehicles to assistive technologies, mechanical engineers design, build, and test in service to humanity.
The program begins with mathematics and science topics in the first year, and engineering science courses in the sophomore year. Junior and senior year courses are devoted to analysis, testing, and design topics. ME electives and professional electives are available in various specialties for students to pursue their particular fields of interest. Throughout the four-year curriculum, emphasis is placed on teamwork and cooperation, good oral and written communication skills, and hands-on laboratory and project work to graduate well-rounded engineers from the program.
The mechanical engineering program leads to a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering (B.S.M.E.) degree accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Program Educational Objectives:
The mechanical engineering program prepares graduates who will:
- Be successful as practicing professionals in diverse career paths or in graduate school.
- Distinguish themselves in breadth of perspective and the ability to solve complex problems.
- Be effective communicators and team members, with many assuming leadership roles.
- Be active in their profession and participate in continuing education opportunities to foster personal and organizational growth.
- Be able to advance, engage, and respond to issues of justice, ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusion in professional and civic settings.
Student Outcomes:
The Shiley School of Engineering prepares engineering majors with the following outcomes so that as graduates, they can attain the Program Educational Objectives listed above.
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
- 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.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Curriculum:
The Mechanical Engineering curriculum is 130 credit hours distributed into three categories:
- University Core Curriculum Requirements – 40 credit hours
- General Engineering Requirements – 42 credit hours (includes 6 credit hours shared with the Core Curriculum Requirements)
- Mechanical Engineering Requirements – 54 credit hours
University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours
All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.
See Core Curriculum Requirements
Two of the three core requirements in the Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by the mathematics and science requirements within the major.
EGR 270 and ME 372 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for Mechanical Engineering.
General Engineering Requirements — 42 credit hours
EGR 110: For transfer students into the Shiley School who have declared a major and have not had an Introduction to Engineering course, the dean may approve the substitution of an engineering or computer science elective depending on the student’s educational background.
EGR 361: MTH 3XX or MTH 4XX can substitute for EGR 361.
Professional Electives: The professional electives may be a combination of courses (each 3-credit hours or more unless approved by the program chair) offered by the University at the 200-level or higher (or equivalent transfer credit). Professional electives include the following: courses offered by the Shiley School, courses that comprise a University minor, and courses included in an approved cluster. Professional elective credit may not be awarded for AP and IB examinations, or ROTC credit. Must be taken for a grade A - F.
Mechanical Engineering Requirements — 54 credit hours
Required Courses — 48 credit hours
| EE 261 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| EE 271 | Electrical Circuits Laboratory | 1 |
| EGR 211 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 |
| EGR 212 | Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics | 3 |
| EGR 221 | Materials Science | 3 |
| EGR 270 | Materials Laboratory | 1 |
| EGR 311 | Mechanics of Fluids I | 3 |
| EGR 322 | Strength of Materials | 3 |
| ME 222 | Engineering Graphics | 2 |
| ME 272 | Fabrication & Assembly Processes Lab | 1 |
| ME 303 | Numerical Methods | 3 |
| ME 305 | Stress Visualization | 2 |
| ME 307 | Dynamic Systems and Control | 2 |
| ME 312 | Mechanics of Fluids II | 2 |
| ME 331 | Fundamental Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ME 332 | Applied Thermodynamics | 2 |
| ME 336 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| ME 348 | Machine Design | 3 |
| ME 368 | Mechanical Design Project | 1 |
| ME 372 | Fluids Laboratory | 2 |
| ME 376 | Thermal Systems Laboratory | 1 |
| ME 377 | Dynamic Systems & Control Lab | 1 |
Capstone Project I - 3 credit hours
Select one course from the following:
| ME 483 | Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project I | 3 |
| EGR 483 | Multi-disciplinary Capstone Project I | 3 |
Capstone Project II - 3 credit hours
Select one course from the following:
| ME 484 | Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project II | 3 |
| EGR 484 | Multi-disciplinary Capstone Project II | 3 |
Dual degrees within engineering: Students completing dual degrees within the Shiley School have two options for completing the Capstone requirements: 1) The student takes EGR 483 and EGR 484 and the student’s contributions to the capstone project include both disciplines, or 2) The student takes both discipline-specific 483 and 484 courses.
Credit minima: 30 credit hours of math and science and 45 credit hours of engineering.
Total Credit Hours: 130