Dec 10, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering


Alan Levin Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

William L. Dunn, Head

University Distinguished Professor: McGregor 
Professors:
Beck, Dunn, Eckels, Fenton, Hosni, Jones, Pacey, Shultis, and Wang
Associate Professors: Cai, Derby, Lease, Leseman, Roberts, Schinstock, Singh, Wei, White, and Xin
Assistant Professors: Betz, Bahadori, Bindra, Chen, Hobeck, McNeil, and Spaulding
Instructors: Babin, Brockoff, Clement, and Wanklyn
Emeritus Professors: Appl, Azer, Ball, Eckhoff, Faw, Gorton, Gowdy, Hightower, Huang, Lindholm, Merklin, Simons, and Thompson

3002 Rathbone Hall
785-532-5610
Fax: 785-532-7057
E-mail: info@mne.k-state.edu
www.mne.ksu.edu

Mechanical engineering is a broad profession that traditionally comprises three primary subfields: energy, mechanisms and machinery, and controls. The work done by mechanical engineers includes the design, construction, and use of systems for the conversion of energy available from natural sources (water, fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, solar radiation) to other forms of useful energy (for transportation, heat, light, power); design and production of machines to lighten the burden of servile human work and to do work otherwise beyond human capability; processing of materials into useful products; and creative planning, development, and operation of systems using energy, machines, and resources; and manufacturing.

The curriculum includes engineering science courses in the sophomore and junior years and engineering application courses in the junior and senior years. Laboratory courses and humanities and social science electives are found throughout the curriculum. The laboratory and application courses provide opportunity for development of student creativity, use of design methodology, and other aspects of engineering design.

The entire curriculum serves as preparation for the industrial design project where teams of students are assigned to work on realistic engineering problems supplied by industrial sponsors. This brief internship gives new mechanical engineering graduates the experience and confidence to move quickly into productive and satisfying careers.

Because of the broad and fundamental nature of the curriculum, mechanical engineering provides an excellent background for careers in such fields as law, medicine, social services, urban design, and business management in addition to traditional engineering professions.

Mission statement

The mission of the department of mechanical and nuclear engineering is to (1) provide rigorous and challenging educational experiences at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to enable students to attain their full potential, (2) conduct scholarship that is of national and international repute to generate new knowledge and technology for the benefit of society, and (3) provide service through outreach programs to our profession, Kansas, the nation, and the world.

Adopted Oct. 8, 2015

Mechanical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation. Program educational objectives are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies.

1.  Graduates will apply technical knowledge and skills in their chosen profession or advanced study to the greater benefit of Kansas, the nation, and the world.

2.  Graduates will utilize effective communication and team skills to work productively within their professions and communities.

3.  Graduates will demonstrate integrity, responsibility, and accountability in their professional activities.

4.  Graduates will participate in life-long learning and professional development.

Approved Oct. 8, 2015

Mechanical Engineering Student Outcomes

Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. The mechanical engineering program will enable students to attain the following, by the time of graduation:

a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering

b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

c. An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability

d. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

e. An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems

f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

g. An ability to communicate effectively

h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context

i. A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning

j. A knowledge of contemporary issues

k. An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Individual Programs

The electives in the curriculum provide the opportunity for students to develop skills of individual interest. Students with clear career objectives may be permitted to substitute appropriate courses for some of the required courses. For example, students interested in the aerospace industry can choose elective courses in propulsion, aerodynamics, aircraft stability and control, and composite materials. A special interest in automobiles may prompt students to choose elective courses in internal combustion engines, machine vibrations, composite materials, and thermodynamic analysis. The combinations are extensive. Students may elect a program leading to specialized engineering practice or to postgraduate study in engineering, science, medicine, business, or law.

The nuclear engineering option prepares students for professional positions in industry, government, private practice, and postgraduate studies in the application of nuclear technology. Engineering fundamentals are emphasized throughout the curriculum with the nuclear engineering courses in the junior and senior years. Students may organize a program suited to their particular needs and interests.


 

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Concurrent

Non-Degree

Courses

Mechanical Engineering

Nuclear Engineering