Mechanical Engineering
- OVERVIEW
- ADVANTAGES
- REQUIREMENTS
- CAREERS
- FACULTY
Overview
Mechanical engineering is the essential component of industries that rely on imagination, ingenuity and skill to implement their ideas. This is a very broad and continuously evolving field which focuses on the design of machines and mechanical systems - from miniature machines like Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) to incredible large and complex systems such as the Space Shuttle launch vehicle. The Mechanical Engineering program delivers thorough grounding in engineering fundamentals along with study of robotics, controls, machine design, and numerical modeling with curriculum tracks in robotics or propulsion. One area of focus includes uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs), planetary rovers and autonomous space vehicles; a second area is the design of propulsion systems including jet engines.
In this degree area the program requirements give students at Embry-Riddle Prescott the advantage of numerous hands-on lab and design experiences. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Modeling (CAM) software offer experience with industry-level solid modeling, finite elements, and computational fluid dynamics. Students use their knowledge, test analyses, and work in a team environment using modern equipment and the most relevant current tools and techniques of engineering analysis, design, and production.
Advantages
- Our graduates are better prepared to enter the workforce after training that mirrors the real-life experiences and processes of industry engineers in a team setting.
- The Senior Design Project is an experience that demonstrates to employers the ability to work with realistic constraints and practical considerations.
- State-of-the-art lab facilities for coursework and special projects include a rapid prototyping lab, wind tunnel, manufacturing lab, composite lab, materials lab, machine shop, electronics labs, robotics lab, and propulsion lab.
- Mechanical engineering students have opportunities for co-ops and internships with companies who consistently look to our campus for future employees: Boeing, Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, Cessna, Sikorsky, Rolls Royce and many others.
Requirements
| Degree Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| Lower-Level Humanities -OR- | 3 | |
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| CEC 220 | Digital Circuit Design | 3 |
| CEC 222 | Digital Circuit Laboratory | 1 |
| COM 122 | English Composition and Literature | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| EGR 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| HU 14X | Lower-Level Humanities | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MA 242 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| PS 150 | Physics I for Engineers | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | (1)+ |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| EGR 200 | Computer Aided Conceptual Design of Aerospace Systems | 3 |
| ES 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ES 202 | Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ES 204 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ES 206 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| PS 160 | Physics II for Engineers | 3 |
| PS 220 | Physics III Laboratory | 1 |
| PS 250 | Physics II for Engineers | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| AE 408 | Turbines and Rocket Engines | 3 |
| AE 430 | Control System Analysis and Design | 3 |
| ME 430L | Control System Laboratory | 1 |
| ME 304 | Introduction to Machine Design | 3 |
| ME 305 | Machine Design Laboratory | 1 |
| ES 305 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ES 320 | Engineering Material Science | 2 |
| ES 321 | Engineering Material Science Laboratory | 1 |
| ES 335 | Electrical Engineering I | 2 |
| ES 336 | Electrical Engineering I Lab | 1 |
| HU/SS | Lower-Level Elective | 3 |
| ME 302 | Introduction to Robotics | 3 |
| ME 415 | Modeling and Numerical Simulations of Energy and Environmental Systems | 3 |
| PS 105 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| EE Course | For students taking the EE Capstone | 3 |
| EC 225 | Engineering Economics | 3 |
| ES 403 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| HU 330 | Values and Ethics | 3 |
| MA 412 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| ME 400 | Vibration and Acoustics | 3 |
| ME 403 | Thermal Power Systems | 3 |
| ME 406 | Robotics II -OR- | 3 |
| ME 417 | Advanced Propulsion | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 2 | |
| Preliminary Design | 4/3 | |
| Detail Design | 4/3 | |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
| Total Degree Credits | 129 | |
Careers
Aviation, aerospace, automotive, medical and manufacturing industries are just a few of the options that await graduates of this diverse major. Potential career opportunities include:
- Government Agencies
- Chemicals & Allied Products
- Propulsion
- Food & Beverage Processing
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Faculty
Chair
Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Sensmeier’s areas of expertise are aerospace structures, composite materials and optimization.


