Northern Illinois University

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers an upper-division curriculum which leads to the B.S. in mechanical engineering. The curriculum is based on a strong foundation of fundamental courses in the pure sciences and engineering, and professional courses in mechanical engineering. The curriculum also provides a background in the design, analysis, development, and applications of both complete mechanical systems and a wide variety of individual system components in many different fields.

The B.S. program offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering encompasses many areas, such as solid mechanics, dynamics and controls, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, energy conversion, and manufacturing. This background is strengthened and integrated through application in a sequence of broad engineering design and laboratory courses. The department has significant equipment for experimental investigations.

Computers are used extensively throughout the curriculum, with emphasis on interactive computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, and simulation of engineering systems. The Cooperative Education/Internship Program is also available to qualified students.

The department also offers an integrated B.S./M.S. Sequence that leads to a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering after students received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. With approval, up to three technical electives taken in the last semester of the B.S. can be counted toward the M.S. program. Students who are interested in the B.S./M.S. sequence should refer to the Graduate Catalog for details.

Mission (approved by university; to appear in fall 2012 Undergraduate Catalog)

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Department is to provide a high-quality, visionary engineering education that reflects professional engineering standards and prepares students to become engineers and leaders capable of solving technical challenges that industry and society face now and in the future; to conduct quality research by developing and/or applying engineering knowledge and tools to address society’s technical needs and challenges; and to provide quality professional and public services to our communities.

Educational Objectives (approved by university; to appear in fall 2012 Undergraduate Catalog)

The undergraduate mechanical engineering program is designed to prepare students for successful careers in engineering by providing them with the following: a balanced education in mechanical engineering fields; a foundational knowledge in mathematics and physical sciences; a broad general education in the humanities/arts, social sciences and interdisciplinary studies; training for effective communication and team work; and an understanding and commitment of an engineer’s professional and ethical responsibilities. Our educational objectives are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies: employers, alumni, students and faculty. We expect our graduates to attain the following educational objectives within a few years of graduation: 1. to become successful professionals; 2. to successfully apply engineering knowledge and tools to solve technical problems and challenges, and to design and/or manufacture valuable products or processes; 3. to make contributions to their professional fields, exhibit effective communication skills, and become valuable team members; and 4. to continue professional development and assume professional and leadership responsibility.

Program Outcomes (approved by university; to appear in fall 2012 Undergraduate Catalog)

The graduates of undergraduate mechanical engineering program should attain the following outcomes by the time of graduation: an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering; an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data; an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as scheduling, economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability; an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams; an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems; an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; an ability to communicate effectively and professionally; the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context; recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning; knowledge of contemporary issues; and an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Department Requirements

Candidates for the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering must earn a minimum of 18 semester hours in humanities, arts, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. This requirement is described under “Special General Education Requirements for Electrical, Industrial and Systems, and Mechanical Engineering Majors” in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology section of this catalog. Students must consult with their faculty advisers to determine appropriate courses.

All mechanical engineering students must have their schedule reviewed, approved, and signed by their faculty adviser each semester. Any deviation from an approved course schedule may delay graduation.

Writing Across the Curriculum Courses

The Department of Mechanical Engineering recognizes that competence in technical writing is essential for engineers. To build upon the foundation for writing acquired in ENGL 103, Rhetoric and Composition I, and ENGL 104, Rhetoric and Composition II, or ENGL 105, Rhetoric and Composition, the Department of Mechanical Engineering has selected 300- and 400-level courses which are identified as writing intensive courses in the course description. These courses are MEE 390, MEE 425, MEE 481, MEE 482, and MEE 490. Each of these courses requires a significant technical writing component which will be reviewed by both the course instructor and a technical writing tutor.


Major in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)


Requirements in Department (65-66)


  • MEE 210 - Engineering Mechanics I Credits: 3
  • MEE 211 - Engineering Mechanics II Credits: 3
  • MEE 212 - Strength of Materials Credits: 3
  • MEE 220 - Mechanism Design Credits: 3
  • MEE 270 - Engineering Graphics Credits: 3
  • MEE 321 - Mechanical Vibrations I Credits: 3
  • MEE 322 - Dynamic Systems and Control I Credits: 3
  • OR ELE 380 - Control Systems I Credits: 4
  • MEE 330 - Materials Science Credits: 3
  • MEE 331 - Manufacturing Processes Credits: 3
  • MEE 340 - Fluid Mechanics Credits: 3
  • MEE 350 - Engineering Thermodynamics Credits: 3
  • MEE 352 - Heat Transfer Credits: 3
  • MEE 380 - Computational Methods in Engineering Design Credits: 3
  • OR MEE 381 - Computational Methods and Programming in Engineering Design Credits: 3
  • MEE 390 - Experimental Methods in Mechanical Engineering I Credits: 3
  • MEE 430 - Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Credits: 3
  • MEE 452 - Design of Thermal Systems Credits: 3
  • MEE 470 - Design of Machine Elements Credits: 3
  • MEE 481 - Engineering Design Seminar Credits: 1
  • MEE 482 - Senior Mechanical Engineering Design Project Credits: 3
  • MEE 494 - Mechanical Engineering Competency Credits: 1

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 351 - Applied Thermodynamics Credits: 3
  • MEE 410 - Intermediate Mechanics of Materials Credits: 3
  • MEE 421 - Dynamic Systems and Control II Credits: 3
  • MEE 422 - Design of Robot Manipulators Credits: 3
  • MEE 423 - Mechanical Reliability Credits: 3
  • MEE 424 - Machinery Vibration Credits: 3
  • MEE 425 - Design of Mobile Robots Credits: 3
  • MEE 426 - Mechatronics System Design Credits: 3
  • MEE 431 - Composite Materials Credits: 3
  • MEE 451 - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Credits: 3
  • MEE 453 - Propulsion Credits: 3
  • MEE 480 - Finite Element Methods Credits: 3
  • MEE 484 - Advanced Computing in Mechanical Engineering Credits: 3
  • MEE 490 - Experimental Methods in Mechanical Engineering II Credits: 3

Group-B: Other electives


  • ISYE 430 - Quality Control Credits: 3
  • ISYE 431 - Reliability Engineering Credits: 3
  • ISYE 439 - Six Sigma Performance Excellence and Modern Problem Solving Credits: 3
  • ISYE 450 - Lean Manufacturing Systems Credits: 3
  • ISYE 451 - Expert Systems in Engineering Credits: 3
  • TECH 344 - Materials and Processes in the Plastics Industry Credits: 3
  • TECH 345 - Plastic Molding Processes Credits: 4

Requirements outside Department (42)


  • CHEM 210 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
  • (Available for general education credit.)

  • CHEM 212 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 1
  • (Available for general education credit.)

  • CSCI 240 - Computer Programming in C++ Credits: 4
  • ELE 210 - Engineering Circuit Analysis Credits: 3
  • ELE 210U - Engineering Circuit Laboratory Project Credits: 1
  • ISYE 220 - Engineering Economy Credits: 3
  • MATH 229 - Calculus I Credits: 4
  • (Available for general education credit.)

  • MATH 230 - Calculus II Credits: 4
  • MATH 232 - Calculus III Credits: 4
  • MATH 336 - Ordinary Differential Equations Credits: 3
  • PHYS 253 - Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics Credits: 4
  • (Available for general education credit.)

  • PHYS 273 - Fundamentals of Physics II: Electromagnetism Credits: 4
  • (Available for general education credit.)

  • STAT 350 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credits: 3
  • OR ISYE 335 - Statistics for Engineering Credits: 3
  • UEET 101 - Introduction to Engineering Credits: 1

Total Hours for a Major in Mechanical Engineering: 107-108


Requirements in Department (65-66)


Same as required for major, in addition:

  • MEE 482 - Senior Mechanical Engineering Design Project Credits: 3
  • C. Emphasis in Advanced Computing and Simulation

And at least two of the following three courses:


  • MEE 381 - Computational Methods and Programming in Engineering Design Credits: 3
  • MEE 480 - Finite Element Methods Credits: 3
  • MEE 484 - Advanced Computing in Mechanical Engineering Credits: 3

Requirements outside Department (42)


Same as required for major.

Total Hours for an Emphasis in Advanced Computing and Simulation: 107-108


Requirements in Department (65-66)


Same as required for major, in addition:

  • MEE 482 - Senior Mechanical Engineering Design Project Credits: 3
  • M. Emphasis in Mechatronics

And at least two of the following four courses:


  • MEE 421 - Dynamic Systems and Control II Credits: 3
  • MEE 422 - Design of Robot Manipulators Credits: 3
  • MEE 425 - Design of Mobile Robots Credits: 3
  • MEE 426 - Mechatronics System Design Credits: 3

Requirements outside Department (42)


Same as required for major.

Total Hours for an Emphasis in Mechatronics: 107-108





Minor in Mechanical Engineering (21)


Requirements


  • MEE 210 - Engineering Mechanics I Credits: 3
  • MEE 211 - Engineering Mechanics II Credits: 3
  • MEE 212 - Strength of Materials Credits: 3
  • MEE 220 - Mechanism Design Credits: 3
  • MEE 270 - Engineering Graphics Credits: 3
  • MEE 350 - Engineering Thermodynamics Credits: 3
  • MEE 430 - Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Credits: 3