Mechanical engineering has its foundation in the basic sciences, including mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and requires an understanding of such areas as solid and fluid mechanics, materials, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, manufacturing processes, instrumentation, and control. Mechanical engineers are engaged in a variety of activities including design, manufacturing, research, development, testing, construction, operations, sales, management, consulting, and teaching.

The mechanical engineering curriculum provides a broad base on which to build an engineering career. Traditional subjects in mechanical engineering are complemented by extensive computer experience in such areas as computer-aided design and numerical problem solving. The program’s flexibility allows students to specialize in the areas of their choosing through the choice of electives.

The number of credit hours required for graduation is 130, distributed as follows for each discipline:

1. Mathematics and Physical Sciences
	a. Calculus: MATH 163, 164, 261, and 262	18
	b. Chemistry: CHEM C111 and C112	7
	c. Physics: PHYS 152 and 251	9
2. Communications and Ethics
	a. Speech: COMM R110	3
	b. Writing: ENG W131	3
	c. Communication in Engineering Practice: TCM 360	2
	d. Engineering Ethics and Professionalism: ME 401	1
3. Humanities and Social Sciences
	a. Economics: ECON E201	3
	b. Electives	15
4. Freshman Engineering Courses
	a. Introduction to Computer Applications in Engineering: ME 196	3
	b. Introduction to Computer Programming: ME 197	3
5. Mechanics and Materials
	a. Mechanics: ME 270 and ME 274	6
	b. Materials: ME 272 and MSE 345	7
6. Design
	a. Mechanical Design: ME 262 and 372	7
	b. Engineering Design: ME 462	4
7. Thermal Sciences
	a. Thermodynamics: ME 200 and 301	6
	b. Fluid Mechanics: ME 310	4
	c. Heat and Mass Transfer: ME 314	4
8. Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, and Control
	a. Electrical Engineering: EE 201 and 207	4
	b. Systems, Instrumentation, and Control: ME 330, 340, and 482	9
9. Technical Electives
	a. Mechanical Engineering Electives	9
	b. Elective	3
Total 130

Semester by semester, the 130 total credit hours should be distributed like this:

Freshman Year
First Semester
ME 196 Introduction to Computer Applications in Engineering	3
CHEM C111 Chemical Science I	4
COMM R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
MATH 163 Integrated Calculus and Analytic Geometry I	5
15
Second Semester
CHEM C112 Chemical Science II	3
ENG W131 Elementary Composition I	3
MATH 164 Integrated Calculus and Analytic Geometry II	5
ME 197 Introduction to Computer Programming	3
PHYS 152 Mechanics	4
18
Sophomore Year
Third Semester
ME 200 Thermodynamics I	3
ME 270 Basic Mechanics I	3
ECON E201 Introduction to Microeconomics	3
MATH 261 Multivariate Calculus	4
PHYS 251 Heat, Electricity, and Optics	5
18
Fourth Semester
ME 262 Mechanical Design I	3
ME 274 Basic Mechanics II	3
EE 201 Linear Circuit Analysis I	3
EE 207 Electronic Measurement Techniques	1
MATH 262 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations	4
Humanities or Social Science Elective	3
17
Junior Year
Fifth Semester
ME 272 Mechanics of Materials	4
ME 310 Fluid Mechanics	4
ME 330 Modeling and Analysis of Dynamic Systems	3
ME 301 Thermodynamics II	3
Humanities or Social Science Elective	3
17
Sixth Semester
MSE 345 Introduction to Engineering Materials	3
ME 314 Heat and Mass Transfer	4
ME 340 Dynamic Systems and Measurements	3
ME 372 Mechanical Design II	4
Humanities or Social Science Elective	3
17
Senior Year
Seventh Semester
ME 482 Control Systems Analysis and Design	3
ME Elective	3
TCM 360 Communication in Engineering Practice	2
Technical Elective	3
Humanities or Social Science Elective	3
14
Eighth Semester
ME 401 Engineering Ethics and Professionalism	1
ME 462 Engineering Design	4
ME Electives	6
Humanities or Social Science Elective	3
14

Approved Technical Electives

ME 402 Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System	3
ME 403 Thermal Science Applications	3
ME 418 Heating and Air-Conditioning Analysis and Design	3
ME 430 Power Engineering	3
ME 433 Principles of Turbomachinery	3
ME 450 Introduction to Computer- Aided Engineering	3
ME 451 Computational Methods in Thermal Sciences	3
ME 472 Advanced Mechanics of Materials	3
ME 474 Vibration Analysis	3
ME 491 Engineering Design Project	1-2
ME 497 Selected Topics in Mechanical Engineering	3
ME 500 Thermodynamics	3
ME 505 Heat and Mass Transfer	3
ME 509 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics	3
ME 510 Gas Dynamics	2
ME 525 Combustion	3
ME 550 Advanced Stress Analysis	3
ME 551 Finite Element Analysis	3
ME 552 Advanced Applications of Finite Element Methods	3
ME 563 Mechanical Vibrations	3
ME 569 Mechanical Behavior of Materials	3
ME 581 Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering	3
ME 597 Selected Topics in Mechanical Engineering	3

Approved Technical Electives

The School of Engineering and Technology and the Indiana University School of Business offer a joint program in engineering management. This program prepares students to begin careers that may lead to administrative or management positions in technological, engineering, or manufacturing operations. The program also prepares students for careers in large nontechnological organizations such as financial institutions, which may require skills generally associated with both engineering and business. The engineering management program provides a solid background in both engineering and management. To complete the graduation requirements, students take courses in electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering, as well as accounting, business law, economics, finance, marketing, and management.

Students who finish this four-year degree have several options for continuing their education. With approximately three additional semesters of study, they can also complete an undergraduate program in industrial, electrical, or mechanical engineering. With approximately six additional undergraduate courses they can enroll in a master’s degree program in industrial, electrical, or mechanical engineering. They may also apply for direct admission to law school. Students interested in any of these options for continued education should consult their advisors when determining their plans of study.