Programs of Study

Mechanical Engineering Program Overview

The Mechanical Engineering degree program is 161 academic credits. One hundred and fifty six (157) credits are normally taken over nine 11-week terms. The 161 credits are distributed as follows:

• General Education - 33 credit
• Mechanical Engineering Required Courses - 64 credits
• Basic Science - 16 credits
• Mathematics - 24 credits
• Free Electives - 8 credits*
• ME Elective - 8 credits*
• ME Senior Design Project - 4 credits
• Thesis - 4 credits

The degree program in Mechanical Engineering prepares students for a broad range of careers associated with the design and implementation of mechanical systems and with the conversion, transmission, and utilization of energy. Mechanical engineering courses that provide breadth in the discipline include design, dynamics, engineering materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, systems analysis and design, and associated laboratories. Large and well-equipped laboratories in experimental stress analysis, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, engines, hydraulics, instrumentation, and automotive emissions support the mechanical engineering program.

*For students who choose a specialty, these electives are restricted to certain courses.

Specialties

Groupings of up to five courses provide an elective specialization in Aerpspace, Alternative Energy, Bioengineering Applications, Automotive, and Machine Design and Advanced Materials. Program flyers with curriculum requirements for each of the specialties and the Fuel Cells & Hybrid Technology minor are available in BlackBoard - Mechanical Engineering Students organization in the documents section. Flyers are also available in the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Mechanical Engineering students can find out more about the specialties at the Week 9, Wednesday Advising session. Course selections for the last three semesters are dictated by the choice of specialty. The following ME specialties/dual degree programs are currently available:

• Aerospace
• Alternative Energy
• Automotive Engineering Design
• Bioengineering Applications Specialty
• Machine Design & Advanced Materials

Minor

A Mechanical Engineering student has the option of pursuing a minor in Fuel Cells & Hybrid Technology . 
For additional information about fuel cells and the Fuel Cells & Hybrid Technology Minor visit our Fuel Cell Information Page.

Dual Degree Options

A Mechanical Engineering student has the option of pursuing either a dual degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Industrial Engineering (other programs require approval of the appropriate Department Head). The Department Heads of these programs have agreed upon a curriculum that satisfies all requirements. Typically, this results in at least one additional term. For a complete description of these curricula, see the ME Department.

Avoiding a Crisis - A Few Students Find They Have Not Finished the Degree Requirements

Although the process seems simple, what problems do the students encounter? They can be summarized as follows:

1. Avoid taking classes out of sequence: 
   • Students will often take classes out of sequence. This affects certain courses, which are offered once per year for each section. 
2. Avoid failing (or dropping) core courses:
   • Students will fail (or drop) a core course needed as a prerequisite, which can also affect electives.
   • Students will fail/drop an elective needed as a prerequisite for their course selection sequence.
3.  Avoid any Management courses:
   • Students incorrectly take a Management course to satisfy concentration elective credits. This is not permitted to count towards the ME concentration. Your graduation may be delayed or require you to drop the concentration in order to graduate as planned. 
4. Avoid extra Humanity or extra Social Science courses:
   • The humanities elective course and social science elective course must be selected from 300 series courses. You must choose one humanities elective course and one social science elective.
5. Know your program:
   • Students fail to understand degree requirements.
6. Transfer students:
   • Not all credits transferred to Kettering University may count toward the ME Degree (e.g. extra Humanities and Management courses).

   Note:  The Management courses taken for a Management minor do not count towards the ME degree if a specialty is selected.

Additional Information:

• What Do Mechanical Engineers Do In Industry?
• Kettering University Undergraduate Catalog
• Course Descriptions