Mission:

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering program is to educate students in the area of mechanical engineering, to prepare them for professional employment and/or graduate study.

Goals:

• Provide our graduates with a well-rounded education based on a solid understanding of science, mathematics, and engineering principles, together with an understanding of the global and societal impacts of engineering;
• Provide our graduates with knowledge in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering with an emphasis on the application of this knowledge to the techniques of engineering design;
• Encourage and facilitate the development of graphic, written, and oral communication skills of all graduates; and
• Impart the essential professional, ethical, and moral values required in the practice of engineering, including a commitment to life-long learning.

Objectives:

• The Mechanical Engineering program will offer a combination of required and elective courses that provide our students with
• knowledge of the principles of science, mathematics, and engineering that are fundamental to the following areas of mechanical engineering practice: machine design, including solid mechanics and control theory; fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer; materials; and manufacturing;
• opportunities to develop the ability to apply scientific, mathematical and engineering principles in order to identify, formulate, and solve problems in the areas of machine design, thermal sciences, materials, and manufacturing, including the appropriate use of computer technology;
• opportunities to learn how to plan, conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments and apply experimental results, using the principles of science and mathematics and appropriate computer technology;
• opportunities to apply creativity in the design of systems, components, or processes;
• experiences in working together on multi-disciplinary teams;
• knowledge and practice in communicating through speaking, writing, and graphics, including the use of appropriate computer technology;
• information on professional, ethical, and social responsibilities and the importance of life-long learning; and
• information on contemporary professional, societal, and global issues, as well as the nature and background of diverse cultures.

The Mechanical Engineering program will provide

• a curriculum that is effective for both full- and part-time students,
• effective academic advising, and
• opportunities for experiential learning, including participation in the cooperative-education program.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Each graduate of the Mechanical Engineering program will be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of the science, mathematics, and engineering principles that are fundamental to thermal and mechanical systems design and manufacturing;
2. identify, analyze, and solve technical problems in the areas of machine design, including solid mechanics and control systems; fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer; materials properties and selection; and manufacturing, using the principles of multivariate calculus and differential equations, including the appropriate use of computer technology;
3. plan, conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments and apply experimental results, using the principles of science and mathematics and appropriate computer technology;
4. apply creativity in the design of systems, components, or processes to meet desired needs;
5. function effectively as part of a team;
6. communicate effectively through speaking, writing, and graphics, including the appropriate use of computer software;
7. show understanding of professional, ethical, and social responsibilities and the need for a commitment to life-long learning and participation in professional societies; and
8. show understanding of contemporary professional, societal, and global issues, as well as awareness of and respect for diverse cultures.

Assessment

The following chart shows a matrix of the student learning outcomes and potential assessment techniques. The letter P in a cell indicates that the technique in that column is expected to be a primary source of information about the learning outcome in that row. The letter S indicates that the assessment technique is expected to be a secondary source of information. The lack of a letter indicates that the technique is not expected to provide a significant amount of information.

 

Continuous Improvement Plan

Task	Completion Date
1. Adopt Mission, Goals, and Objectives statements	September, 1999
2. Survey employers, alumni and students regarding program mission, goals, and objectives	October, 1999
3. Revise Mission, Goals, and Objectives statements	November, 1999
4. Select learning outcomes to be evaluated the first year	November, 1999
5. Determine learning outcome evaluation methods and design instruments	November, 1999
6. Carry out learning outcome evaluations	December, 1999
7. Analyze evaluation results	January, 2000
8. Design and adopt program modifications	March, 2000
9. Select learning outcomes to be evaluated the second year	April, 2000
10. Determine learning outcome evaluation methods and design instruments	September, 2000
11. Carry out learning outcome evaluations	Fall, 2000
12.Analyze evaluation results	Fall, 2000
13. Design and adopt program modifications	Fall, 2000
14. Select learning outcomes to be evaluated the third year	Spring, 2001
15. Determine learning outcome evaluation methods and design instruments	August, 2001
16. Carry out learning outcome evaluations	Fall, 2001
17. Analyze evaluation results	Fall, 2001
18. Design and adopt program modifications	Fall, 2001

 

Adopted 9/8/99