Northern Illinois University

College of Engineering & Engineering Technology

College of Lake County Transfer Guidelines for
B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is a creative discipline that draws upon a number of basic sciences to design devices and products that benefit society. Mechanical Engineering studies the formulation, design, development, and control of systems and components involving solid mechanics, dynamics and controls, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, manufacturing and the conversion of energy into useful work.


B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering at NIU

The curriculum is based on a strong foundation of fundamental courses in the pure sciences, engineering and professional courses. The curriculum also provides a background in the design, development, and application of both complete systems and individual system components in many different fields. This background is strengthened and integrated through application in a sequence of broad engineering design and laboratory courses. Additionally, professional technical report writing is emphasized in several courses.

Computers are used extensively throughout the curriculum, with emphasis on interactive computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. The department also has a significant amount of equipment for experimental investigations and has access to the university computer systems, both digital and analog.

Ample opportunities are provided for professional development of students through participation in engineering society chapter activities, regional and national design contests, and visits to design exhibitions. The Cooperative/Internship program is also available to qualified students.


The 2+2+ Plan for Community College Students

The Department of Mechanical Engineering welcomes transfer students from Illinois community colleges. Students find it easy to continue their studies at NIU if they plan well. Therefore, following the guidelines in this brochure while completing an Associate's Degree is highly recommended [1]. The classes listed below should assist you in obtaining an Associate in Engineering Science from the College of Lake County. However, students should always work closely with their community college advisor. Please contact the Division of Engineering, Math and Physical Sciences at the College of Lake County for more help in planning your academic career.


2 years at College of Lake County

Courses at CLC

Equivalent courses at NIU
ENG 121 English Composition I ENGL 103
ENG 122 English Composition II ENGL 104
MTH 145 Calculus & Analytic Geometry I MATH 229
MTH 146 Calculus & Analytic Geometry II MATH 230
MTH 246 Calculus & Analytic Geometry III MATH 232
MTH 227 Ordinary Differential Equations MATH 336
CHM 121 General Chemistry I CHEM 210T+212
PHY 123 Physics for Science and Engineering I PHYS 253
PHY 124 Physics for Science and Engineering II PHYS 273
CIT 141 + 241 C++ Language Programming CSCI 240
EGR 121 Engineering Graphics MEE 270
EGR 221 Statics and Dynamics MEE 210 + 211
EGR 260 Introduction to Circuit Analysis ELE 210
Humanities and Fine Arts/Social and Behavioral Sciences as required
[1]. Northern Illinois University permits students to transfer up to a maximum of 66 semester hours of community college credit. Only A.A. and A.S. degrees satisfy NIU's general education requirements.

Social Science/Humanities Electives

It is recommended that two or three courses in Humanities/Social Sciences be taken at CLC and the rest at NIU. NIU's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology no longer requires sequences in Social Sciences and Humanities. Therefore, students only need to satisfy NIU's general education requirements.

When choosing general education/core competency courses please consult with your CLC advisor, verify general education requirements in the NIU Undergraduate Catalog, and check the Community College Articulation Tables for transferability.


2+ years at NIU

Remaining classes to be taken at NIU's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology to earn a major in Mechanical Engineering.

 ELE 210U  Engineering Circuit Lab Project
 COMS 100  Fundamentals of Oral Communication
 ISYE 220  Engineering Economy
 ISYE 335
 OR    
 STAT 350
 Statistics for Engineering
 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
 MEE 212  Strength of Materials
 MEE 220  Mechanism Design
 MEE 321  Mechanical Vibrations I
 MEE 330  Materials Science
 MEE 331  Manufacturing Processes
 MEE 340  Fluid Mechanics
 MEE 350  Engineering Thermodynamics
 MEE 352  Heat Transfer
 MEE 380
 OR  
 MEE 381
 Computational Methods in Engineering Design
 Computational Methods and Programming in Engineering Design
 MEE 390  Experimental Methods in Mechanical Engineering I
 MEE 430  Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing
 MEE 452  Design of Thermal Systems
 MEE 470  Design of Machine Elements
 MEE 481  Engineering Design Seminar
 MEE 482  Senior Mechanical Engineering Design Project
 MEE 494  Mechanical Engineering Competency
 UEET 101  Introduction to Engineering

A total of three technical electives from Group-A and Group-B below with at least two from Group-A.
Group-A, design oriented electives: MEE 410, MEE 421, MEE 422, MEE 423, MEE 424, MEE 425, MEE 426,  MEE 431, MEE 451, MEE 453, MEE 484, MEE 490.
Group-B, other electives: ISYE 430, ISYE 431, ISYE 439, ISYE 450, ISYE 451, TECH 344, TECH 345.


For More Information

For more information on the Department of Mechanical Engineering write or call:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
CEET EB 226
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2854
(815)753-9979

Visit our Home Page. This site provides information on course descriptions, course syllabi, lab tours, faculty profiles, student organizations, suggested 4-year degree plan, other useful links, etc.

For undergraduate application materials contact:

Office of Admissions
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2857
(800)892-3050 (toll-fee in Illinois)
or (815)753-0446

For more information about the Engineering Transfer Program at College of DuPage contact:

Division Office
Grayslake, T102 Technology Bldg
Phone: (847) 543-2044
Fax: (847) 223-2982
cmcilnay@clcillinois.edu

Disclaimer: Although NIU attempts to accommodate the course requests of all students, some course offerings may be limited by financial, space, and staffing considerations, or may otherwise be unavailable. Nothing in this brochure may be construed to promise or guarantee registration in any course or course of study (whether required or elective), nor may anything be construed to promise or guarantee the completion of an academic program within a specific length of time. All degree requirements are subject to the provisions and notices in the NIU Undergraduate Catalog. Information in this brochure is valid through August 2008.