Mechanical Engineering Program Overview

Additional Information:

Mechanical Engineering Program Overview

The Mechanical Engineering degree program is 160 academic credits. One hundred and fifty six (156) credits are normally taken over nine 11-week terms. The 160 credits are distributed as follows:

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.  

Mechanical Engineering Electives

Students will use the following requirements:

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

Concentrations

Groupings of up to five courses provide an elective specialization in Bioengineering Applications, Automotive, Machine Design , or Plastics Product Design.

Every Winter and Spring term, the ME department has a Concentration meeting. This meeting is for all ME students with Sophomore class standing. The purpose is to discuss the optional selection of an approved concentration or dual degree. Course selections for the last three semesters are dictated by the choice of concentration. The following ME concentrations/dual degree programs are currently available:

ME/Industrial Engineering Dual Degree

Fuel Cells & Hybrid Technology Minor

A Mechanical Engineering student has the option of pursuing a minor in Fuel Cells.

Dual Degree Programs

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 an extra 28 or more credits and at least one additional term. For a complete description of both 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:

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 concentration is selected.