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Mechanical Engineering

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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For the undergraduate curriculum in mechanical engineering leading to the degree bachelor of science. The Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org/.

Mechanical engineers apply the principles of motion, energy, and force to create mechanical solutions to technological problems, thereby realizing devices and systems that make life better. About one-fifth of all engineers practicing today are mechanical engineers. Their skills are used in research, development, design, testing, production, technical sales, technical management, as well as medicine, law, and business. Mechanical engineers are characterized by personal creativity, breadth of knowledge, and versatility. For these reasons they are found to function and thrive as valuable members and leaders of multidisciplinary teams. Mechanical engineers are employed in a wide range of industries; examples include agricultural/heavy equipment, biomedical, consulting, energy and power, manufacturing, product design and transportation.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum should have, at the time of graduation:

  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.

Program Educational Objectives:

The mechanical engineering curriculum is organized to provide students with a broad foundation in mathematics, science, engineering, social science and humanities. Areas emphasized in the curriculum are design and optimization, dynamic systems and control, materials processing and mechanics, and thermo-fluid sciences. Elective courses provide additional emphasis in terms of the student’s unique educational goals, whether they include immediate entry into industry or further professional or graduate study.

The mechanical engineering curriculum at Iowa State University is dedicated to preparing students for productive careers in the state, nation, and the world and has the following objectives:

  1. Graduates will have utilized a foundation in engineering and science to improve lives and livelihoods through a successful career in mechanical engineering or other fields.
  2. Graduates will have become effective collaborators and innovators, leading or participating in efforts to address social, technical and business challenges.
  3. Graduates will have engaged in life-long learning and professional development through self-study, continuing education or graduate and professional studies in engineering, business, law or medicine.

A major focus throughout the mechanical engineering curriculum is a series of experiences that emphasize engineering design, culminating in a capstone design experience in the senior year. Students will develop engineering judgment through open-ended problems that require establishment of reasonable engineering assumptions and realistic constraints. Development of skills needed to be independent, creative thinkers, effective communicators, and contributing team members is integrated throughout the curriculum. Students also develop an understanding of the societal context in which they will practice engineering, including environmental, legal, aesthetic, and human aspects.

Students are encouraged to participate in the cooperative education program or to obtain engineering internships, both domestically and abroad. Study abroad is encouraged, and the department has exchange programs with several universities around the world. These experiences help students to round out their education and to better prepare for careers in the increasingly global practice of engineering.

Curriculum in Mechanical Engineering

Administered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Leading to the degree bachelor of science.

Total credits required: 129 cr.

Any transfer credit courses applied to the degree program require a grade of C or better (but will not be calculated into the ISU cumulative GPA, Basic Program GPA or Core GPA). See also Basic Program and Special Programs.

International Perspectives: 3 cr.1

U.S. Diversity: 3 cr.1

Communication Proficiency/Library requirement:

ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course)3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (Must have a C or better in this course)3
LIB 160Introduction to College Level Research1
Choose one of the following communication courses (minimum grade of C)3
Business Communication
Proposal and Report Writing
Technical Communication
Fundamentals of Public Speaking

General Education Electives: 15 cr.

No more than three 100-level courses for this set of courses can be applied to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Choose one course from the following:3
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Social Science 23
Humanities6
Humanities or Social Science 23
Total Credits15

Basic Program: 24 cr.

A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for this set of courses (please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into the Basic Program GPA). See Requirement for Entry into Professional Program in College of Engineering Overview section.

CHEM 167General Chemistry for Engineering Students4
or CHEM 177 General Chemistry I
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course)3
ENGR 101Engineering OrientationR
M E 160Mechanical Engineering Problem Solving with Computer Applications 33
LIB 160Introduction to College Level Research1
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
PHYS 231Introduction to Classical Physics I4
PHYS 231LIntroduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory1
Total Credits24

Mechanical Engineering Foundations: 25 cr.

A minimum GPA of 2.00 for the complete group of Foundations courses is required before students are permitted to enroll in the following Mechanical Engineering Core courses (please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into the ME Foundations GPA): ME 324, ME 325, ME 332, ME 335, ME 370 and ME 421.

MATH 265Calculus III4
4 credits from the following:4
Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms
Elementary Differential Equations
and Laplace Transforms
PHYS 232Introduction to Classical Physics II4
PHYS 232LIntroduction to Classical Physics II Laboratory1
E M 324Mechanics of Materials3
MAT E 273Principles of Materials Science and Engineering3
M E 231Engineering Thermodynamics I3
C E 274Engineering Statics3
Total Credits25

Mechanical Engineering Core: 38 cr.

A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for this set of courses, including any transfer courses (please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into the Core GPA):

M E 345Engineering Dynamics3
E E 442Introduction to Circuits and Instruments2
E E 448Introduction to AC Circuits and Motors2
M E 270Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design3
M E 324Manufacturing Engineering3
M E 324LManufacturing Engineering Laboratory1
M E 325Mechanical Component Design3
M E 332Engineering Thermodynamics II3
M E 335Fluid Flow4
M E 370Engineering Measurements3
M E 421System Dynamics and Control4
M E 436Heat Transfer4
One Senior Capstone Design course from the following3
Mechanical Systems Design
Heating and Air Conditioning Design
Total Credits38

Other Remaining Courses: 27 cr.

Complete 15 cr. Technical Electives 215
M E 170Engineering Graphics and Introductory Design3
M E 202Mechanical Engineering - Professional PlanningR
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (Must have a C or better in this course)3
STAT 305Engineering Statistics3
Complete one of the following communication courses with a minimum grade of C.3
Business Communication
Proposal and Report Writing
Technical Communication
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Total Credits27

Co-op/Internships (Optional)

  1. These university requirements will add to the minimum credits of the program unless the university-approved courses are also approved by the department to meet other course requirements within the degree program.
    U.S. diversity and international perspectives courses may not be taken Pass/Not Pass.
  2. Choose from department approved list of technical electives and general education electives. Note: electives used to meet graduation requirements may not be taken Pass-Not Pass (P-NP).
  3. See Basic Program for Professional Engineering Curricula for accepted substitutions for curriculum designated courses in the Basic Program.

Transfer Credit Requirements

The Mechanical Engineering Department requires a grade of a C or better for any transfer credit course that is applied to the degree program. The degree program must include a minimum of 15 credits taken from courses offered through the Mechanical Engineering Department at Iowa State University. Of these 15 credits, 3 must be from one of the senior capstone design courses. The remaining 12 credits may be from the core curriculum program (if a student is deficient in these courses) or from 400-level M E technical electives. No more than 3 credits of independent study shall be applied to meet the 12 credit requirement.

See also: A 4-year plan of study grid showing course template by semester.

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 1674ENGL 1503
M E 1603M E 1703
MATH 1654MATH 1664
ENGR 101RLIB 1601
General Education Elective3PHYS 2314
 PHYS 231L1
 14 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
C E 2743E M 3243
MAT E 2733MATH 2674
MATH 2654M E 2313
PHYS 2324M E 2703
PHYS 232L1General Education Elective3
ENGL 2503M E 202R
 18 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
E E 4422M E 3253
E E 4482M E 3354
M E 3453M E 3703
M E 3323M E 3243
STAT 3053Communication Requirement3
M E 324L1 
General Education Elective3 
 17 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Gen Ed Elective (Intl Perspective)3Gen Ed Elective (US Diversity)3
M E 4214Technical Elective3
M E 4364Technical Elective3
Technical Elective3Technical Elective3
Technical Elective3Capstone Design3
 17 15

Energy Systems Minor

The Energy Systems minor is administered by the mechanical engineering department and is open to all undergraduates in the College of Engineering. The minor may be earned by completing 15 credits from the following courses. The complete list of approved elective courses can be found below. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.

http://www.me.iastate.edu/energy-systems-minor/

Required courses
ECON 380Energy, Environmental and Resource Economics3
E E 351Analysis of Energy Systems3
or M E 433 Alternative Energy
Electives: Choose from a list of approved courses9
Total Credits15
Approved Elective Courses
A B E 325Biorenewable Systems3
A B E 342Agricultural Tractor Power3
A B E 363Agri-Industrial Applications of Electric Power and Electronics4
A B E 380Principles of Biological Systems Engineering3
A B E 413Fluid Power Engineering3
A B E 472Controlled Environments for Animals and Plants3
A B E 480Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems3
A B E 572Controlled Environments for Animals and Plants3
A B E 580Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems3
AER E 381Introduction to Wind Energy3
AER E 570Wind Engineering3
CH E 356Transport Phenomena I3
CH E 357Transport Phenomena II3
CH E 358Separations3
CH E 381Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics3
CH E 382Chemical Reaction Engineering3
CH E 415Biochemical Engineering3
CH E 515Biochemical Engineering3
CH E 554Integrated Transport Phenomena4
CH E 583Advanced Thermodynamics3
CH E 587Advanced Chemical Reactor Design3
CON E 352Mechanical Systems in Buildings3
CON E 353Electrical Systems in Buildings3
CON E 354Building Energy Performance3
E E 303Energy Systems and Power Electronics3
E E 448Introduction to AC Circuits and Motors2
E E 452Electrical Machines and Power Electronic Drives3
E E 455Introduction to Energy Distribution Systems3
E E 456Power System Analysis I3
E E 457Power System Analysis II3
E E 458Economic Systems for Electric Power Planning3
E E 459Electromechanical Wind Energy Conversion and Grid Integration3
E E 552Energy System Planning3
E E 553Steady State Analysis3
E E 554Power System Dynamics3
E E 555Advanced Energy Distribution Systems3
E E 556Power Electronic Systems3
E E 559Electromechanical Wind Energy Conversion and Grid Integration3
E M 570Wind Engineering3
ENSCI 480Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems3
M E 332Engineering Thermodynamics II3
M E 335Fluid Flow4
M E 413Fluid Power Engineering3
M E 436Heat Transfer4
M E 437Introduction to Combustion Engineering3
M E 441Fundamentals of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning3
M E 442Heating and Air Conditioning Design3
M E 444Elements and Performance of Power Plants3
M E 448Fluid Dynamics of Turbomachinery3
M E 449Internal Combustion Engines3
M E 501Fundamentals of Biorenewable Resources3
M E 530Advanced Thermodynamics3
M E 532Compressible Fluid Flow3
M E 535Thermochemical Processing of Biomass3
M E 536Advanced Heat Transfer3
M E 538Advanced Fluid Flow3
M E 542Advanced Combustion3
M E 545Thermal Systems Design3
M S E 520Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Multicomponent Materials3
MAT E 311Thermodynamics in Materials Engineering3
WESEP 501Wind Energy Resources3
WESEP 502Wind Energy Systems3

Concurrent Mechanical Engineering BS/MS Degree

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) provides BS/MS concurrent degrees that allow well-qualified students to be admitted to the graduate program while still working on their undergraduate degrees during their senior year. Concurrent degrees allow well-qualified students to begin their graduate studies before completing their undergraduate degree to complete their graduate degree on an accelerated timeline. Students in concurrent status must be making good progress toward a bachelor’s degree. The minimum requirements for admission to concurrent-student status are the same as those required for admission to the Graduate College. Other aspects of concurrent status include:

  • Official enrollment and fee payment will be as a graduate student.
  • The graduate credential will be awarded at the same time or after the undergraduate degree is conferred.
  • Students may be appointed to graduate research assistantships.
  • With the approval of a student’s Program of Study (POS) Committee, up to 6 ISU credits taken while in concurrent status may be applied to a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree.

Details on the Masters degree requirements and graduate admission in mechanical engineering may be found at: https://www.me.iastate.edu/graduate-admissions/

Details on the graduate college policies on concurrent degrees may be found at: https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/handbook/chapter.php?id=4#4.3

Graduate Study

The department offers programs for the degrees Master of Engineering (M. Eng.), Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a major in mechanical engineering. The M.Eng. degree is a coursework-only degree designed to improve professional expertise in mechanical engineering. The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are designed to improve the student’s capability to conduct research as well as their professional expertise. Although co-major and formal minor programs are not offered in mechanical engineering, courses may be used for minor work by students taking major work in other departments.

Well-qualified juniors and seniors in mechanical engineering who are interested in graduate study may apply for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate College to simultaneously pursue both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, the Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration. Under concurrent enrollment, students are eligible for assistantships and simultaneously take undergraduate and graduate courses. Details are available in the Graduate Programs Office and on the department’s website (http://www.me.iastate.edu/).

The graduate program offers advanced study in a variety of thrust areas, including biological and nanoscale sciences, clean energy technologies, complex fluid systems, design and manufacturing innovation, and simulation and visualization.

The department offers students the opportunity to broaden their education by participating in minor programs in established departments, interdepartmental programs, or other experiences as approved by their program of study committees.

The requirements for advanced degrees are established by the student’s program of study committee within established guidelines of the Graduate College. Graduate students who have not completed an undergraduate program of study substantially equivalent to that required of undergraduate students in the department can expect that additional supporting coursework will be required.

Program requirements can be found on the department webpage (http://www.me.iastate.edu/) and in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook.