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Mechanical Engineering
The
technologically-oriented world of today offers opportunities in communication,
travel, occupations and recreation undreamed of by our ancestors. Today's
world is a world of engineered wonders, and those with the foresight,
ambition and interest to enter the engineering profession will enjoy the
status and rewards befitting the creators of these new technological advances.
The demand for engineers in today's increasingly complex society is growing
rapidly, and projections indicate it will stay that way far into the future.
Mechanical engineers invent solutions to material problems, questioning
how machines work, making machines work better, and creating ideas for
solving problems in new and more efficient ways.
Program Overview
Graduates of this program are able to assume personal responsibility for the development and application of engineering knowledge for the benefit of humankind. They are qualified to take the engineering-in-training examination as a first step to professional registration, to enter industry at the junior engineer level, or to continue formal education at the graduate level. Because the engineer's work is predominantly intellectual and varied and not of a routine mental or physical character, this program places emphasis upon the mastery of a strong core of subject matter in the physical sciences, mathematics, and the engineering sciences. Woven through the pattern is a continuing study of the social sciences and humanities, because the engineering graduates must expect to find their best expression as leaders, conscious of the social and economic implications of their decisions.
All students in mechanical engineering pursue a common program of basic sciences, engineering, and mechanical engineering fundamentals. In addition, students are provided with the opportunity to select a pattern of study to satisfy their areas of interest through elective courses. Professional electives may be selected from available courses in: energy conversion, such as gas dynamics, heat transfer, solar energy, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics; and elective courses in engineering design, such as material science, machine design, vibrations and systems dynamics, robotics and control, and biomechanics. The student's choice of elective courses must be made in consultation with an advisor and documented by the filing of an approved Master Plan during the second semester of his or her freshman year. Transfer students should consult their department advisor and file a master plan during their first semester as an ME student.
Special Features
- Facility for Applied Manufacturing Enterprise (FAME). FAME was planned as an interdisciplinary center of excellence dedicated to science and technology in the area of manufacturing. Its mission is to provide students with a complete and emerging product development environment in which to augment their experiences with next-century tools and strategies. Manufacturing-related equipment includes plastic injection, compression, extrusion, resin transfer molding, vacuum forming and stereolithography equipment, a composite resin repair station, mechanical testing machines, ovens, lathes, and robots.
- Energy Engineering Institute - This institute was established in 1986 with the primary objective of enhancing the interaction and cooperative applied research opportunities with local and regional industries in the energy field. Undergraduate and graduate students and faculty from Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments are involved in obtaining solutions to problems posed by both industrial and governmental sponsors. Industrial projects are usually incorporated into the mechanical engineering curriculum as senior projects and/or master's theses. Institute research projects cover a wide range of areas such as: cogeneration, optimization of energy resources, optimal design methodology, international energy generation studies, energy management and end-use research, geothermics, solar ponds, desalination and performance monitoring and optimization of power generation facilities.
- Completely equipped laboratories are available. The department operates two PC labs containing 30 PCs running Windows 95 and Windows NT. A 30-station X-terminal lab is located next to the PC lab. Access to College and University SUN servers support high-end computer needs. Every student is entitled to an e-mail account.
- The MESA Engineering Program (MEP) provides assistance to ensure student success. The development of academic excellence is fostered through a coordinated program of advising, mentoring, tutoring, group study and many other support services. In addition, the College of Engineering sponsors the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Pre-College Program, which operates in many local high schools to encourage entrance into math-based careers. For additional information, please contact MEP at (619) 594-0232.
- Student organizations in mechanical engineering include student chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE); the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning (ASHRAE); and the major's honorary society, Pi Tau Sigma.
- Many other active student chapters of professional and honorary societies, each with one or more faculty advisors, are housed within the College of Engineering to support and enhance various academic endeavors.
Faculty Highlights
In addition to academic and research accomplishments, many faculty members are registered professional engineers with extensive industrial and consulting experience that has served as the basis for development of new courses and improved educational techniques.
Faculty research with a maximum of student involvement is stressed to enhance academic curricula and continue the technological developments that have historically originated from university campuses. A wide diversity of projects in mechanical engineering at SDSU include cardiac mechanics and computer-aided manufacture, robotics, corrosion of materials, solar ponds, and energy management studies.
Career Opportunities
A
number of factors indicate that employment opportunities for mechanical
engineering graduates will increase. Engineers now comprise nearly 40
percent of the top management of U.S. industrial firms. As in other fields,
engineering job openings for women are increasing dramatically.
Jobs in mechanical engineering include developing products to improve air and water quality, inventing more efficient energy sources, designing farm equipment to improve crop yield throughout the world, and developing systems for biological research as well as lifesaving medical equipment. A newer focus for mechanical engineers is in the area of bioengineering, which is the application of quantitative engineering methods to the understanding and solution of biological/physiological problems. A mechanical engineer, now more than ever, is someone who can translate scientific theories into the real products to improve the quality of life.
The future depends on solving the worldwide problems of energy shortages, environmental pollution, world health, and inadequate food production. Mechanical engineers are heavily involved in finding those solutions.
To further explore career options in this field, visit the Career Services Web site for more information.
General Catalog
You can view more complete information regarding the Mechanical Engineering program in the General Catalog. All students are responsible for reading and knowing the information pertinent to their areas of study available in the General Catalog. It contains requirements for all academic majors, course descriptions, policies, and regulations governing progress at the University. Catalogs are distributed at all Academic Orientation programs. To order a catalog, call (619) 594-7535.
Contact Information
Mailing address:
Mechanical
Engineering Department
College of Engineering
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1323
Email: me@engineering.sdsu.edu
Telephone: (619) 594-6067
Office location: Engineering Building, Room 323L
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm