Mechanical engineering is one of the core disciplines of engineering and it encompasses a large number of subdisciplines that are at the heart of both traditional and leading edge technologies. It is a broad profession concerned with activities such as energy conversion, power generation, design, and manufacturing. The theoretical and technical bases of knowledge include the pure sciences, mathematics, and the engineering sciences, especially the mechanics of solids and fluids, thermodynamics, and kinematics. Mechanical engineering requires aptitude and interest in the physical sciences and the language of mathematics, and the ability to apply these to societal needs. The Mechanical Engineering BE Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
The educational objectives of the undergraduate mechanical engineering program at Stony Brook University recognize that students have a variety of career objectives and a choice of industrial environments in which to pursue them. While the majority of our graduates are immediately employed in industry, a significant percentage pursues graduate study. Most of the students entering graduate schools continue with mechanical engineering studies. However, some go to law, business, and medical schools. The mechanical engineering curriculum provides students with a core education in mathematics and the physical sciences along with a broad sequence of courses covering thermal processes and fluid mechanics, mechanical design, solid mechanics, and the dynamic behavior and control of mechanical systems. Students also take courses that introduce them to the use of advanced computational methods for engineering design and analysis as well as data processing and analysis. A series of laboratory courses introduces them to sensors and electronics, modern instrumentation and experimental techniques used in engineering for tasks ranging from product design, evaluation, and testing to research. In addition, students can select electives to provide either higher level academic training in preparation for graduate school or a broader exposure to subjects related to engineering practice to enhance their preparation for a job after graduation.
Program Educational Objectives
1. Graduates will meet the expectations of employers of mechanical engineers.
2. Qualified graduates will pursue advanced studies if they so desire.
3. Graduates will pursue leadership positions in their profession and/or communities.
Student Outcomes
The students will demonstrate the following:
1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inlcusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct approrpriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Requirements for Acceptance to the Major in Mechanical Engineering
Qualified freshman and transfer students who have indicated their interest in the major on their applications may be admitted directly as a degree major or as a pre-major. Pre-majors are placed into the Area of Interest (AOI) program and to be eligible for the degree, they must be admitted to and declare the major. The requirements and application process for matriculation are detailed below. Students admitted to other programs within the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) follow the same admissions process as students in the AOI program. Students in programs outside of CEAS (non-CEAS students) and double major applicants may apply for admission to the degree program following a separate process, outlined below.
Intellectual honesty and academic integrity are cornerstones of academic and scholarly work. The department may table any applications for major/minor admission until academic judiciary matters are resolved. An academic judiciary matter will be identified by a grade of “Q” in the instance of a first offense.
Area of Interest and Other CEAS Students (excluding double major applicants)
Applications for major admission from AOI and other CEAS students are reviewed twice per year and must be received by January 5 for Spring admission and June 5 for Fall admission. Students who submit their application on time will be admitted if they meet the following requirements:
• PHY 131 or PHY 126 or PHY 127 or their equivalents,
• One MEC course required for the major and taken at Stony Brook,
• Earn 10 or more credits of mathematics, physics, and engineering courses that are taken at Stony Brook and satisfy the Major’s requirements,
• Obtain a grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 3.2 in major courses with no more than one grade below B-, and
• No courses required for the major have been repeated.
Students must complete these requirements no later than one year after they enroll in the first course that applies towards major entry. Students must apply for admission by the application deadline immediately following completion of the above requirements, but no later than the one year limit. Admission of AOI students and other CEAS students who apply late will follow the process of Non-CEAS Students and Double Major Applicants below.
Non-CEAS Students and Double Major Applicants
Applications for major admission from non-CEAS students and double major applicants are reviewed twice per year and must be received by January 5 for Spring admission and June 5 for Fall admission. Students who do not meet the requirements for AOI admission above will not be considered. Fulfilling the requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Admission is competitive and contingent upon program capacity.
Requirements for the Major in Mechanical Engineering (MEC)
The major in Mechanical Engineering leads to the Bachelor of Engineering degree.
Completion of the major requires approximately 107 credits.
1. Mathematics
a. MAT 131, MAT 132 Calculus I, II
b. AMS 261 Applied Calculus III or MAT 203 Calculus III with Applications
c. AMS 361 Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations or MAT 303 Calculus IV with Applications
d. AMS 210 Applied Linear Algebra or MAT 211 Introduction to Linear Algebra
Note: The following alternate calculus course sequences may be substituted for MAT 131, MAT 132 in major requirements or prerequisites: MAT 125, MAT 126, MAT 127 or AMS 151, AMS 161 or MAT 141, MAT 142
2. Natural Sciences
a. PHY 131/PHY 133, PHY 132/PHY 134 Classical Physics I, II and Laboratories
b. A basic science elective to be selected from the following list of courses: PHY 251/252, Modern Physics/Modern Physics Laboratory; ESG 281, Engineering Introduction to the Solid State; PHY 300, Waves and Optics; CHE 132 General Chemistry II; BIO 202, Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology; BIO 203, Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology; GEO 310, Introduction to Geophysics; GEO 312, Structure and Properties of Materials; AST 203, Astronomy; AST 205, Introduction to Planetary Sciences; ATM 205, Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
c. ESG 198 Fundamentals of Engineering Chemistry or CHE 131 General Chemistry or CHE 152 Molecular Science I
Notes:
The following alternate physics course sequences may be substituted for PHY 131/PHY 133, PHY 132/PHY 134: PHY 125, PHY 126, PHY 127, PHY 133, PHY 134 Classical Physics A, B, C and Laboratories or PHY 141, PHY 142, PHY 133, PHY 134 Classical Physics I, II: Honors
The following chemistry course may be substituted for ESG 198: CHE 131 General Chemistry I or CHE 152 Molecular Science I
3. Laboratories
4. Mechanical Engineering
5. Materials Science
6. Engineering Design
7. Engineering Economics
8. Technical Electives
Three technical elective courses are required, two mechanical engineering (MEC) courses and one selected from courses offered by any department of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, including MEC. A list of approved technical elective courses may be found in the Department's Undergraduate Guide.
9. Upper-Division Writing and Engineering Ethics
Grading
The grade point average of all required MEC courses and all technical electives must be at least 2.00. When a course is repeated, the higher grade will be used in calculating this average. A minimum grade of "C" in MEC 441 is required for the B.E. degree.
The Minor in Mechanical Engineering
The minor in Mechanical Engineering is offered for students who want the record of their University studies to show a significant amount of upper-division work in the discipline. Entry into this minor presupposes a background in mathematics and physics, represented by the prerequisite requirements for the courses listed below.
Requirements for the Minor in Mechanical Engineering (MEC)
Completion of the minor requires 18-20 credits, of which 12-13 are from required courses and 6-7 from electives.
A student who wishes to pursue this minor should consult with the undergraduate program director in the Department of Mechanical Engineering before registering for the elective courses. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and a g.p.a. of 2.00 or higher is required for the six courses that constitute the minor.
1. Four required courses:
2. Two elective courses chosen from the following:
Note: Other electives require the approval of the undergraduate program director.
The Accelerated B.E./M.S. Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering
The accelerated B.E./M.S. program in mechanical engineering allows students to use up to nine graduate credits taken as an undergraduate toward both B.E. and M.S. degree requirements, thus reducing the normal time required to complete both degrees. The program is designed for upper-division mechanical engineering students with superior academic records. For detailed program requirements, including admission requirements, please refer to the Graduate Bulletin.
| FRESHMAN |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| First Year Seminar 101 | 1 |
| WRT 102 (WRT) | 3 |
| MEC 101 | 3 |
| MAT 131 (QPS) | 4 |
| PHY 131/133 (SNW) | 4 |
|
SBC |
3 |
| Total | 18 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| First Year Seminar 102 | 1 |
| MAT 211 or AMS 210
|
3 |
| MEC 102 | 2 |
|
MAT 132 |
4 |
|
PHY 132 & 134 (SNW)
|
4 |
| SBC | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| SOPHOMORE |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAT 203 | 4 |
| ESG 198 or CHE 131 or CHE 152 | 3-4 |
| MEC 203 | 3 |
|
MEC 220
|
3 |
| MEC 260 | 3 |
| Total | 16-17 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAT 303 | 4 |
| Basic Science Elective** | 3 |
| MEC 262 | 3 |
| MEC 363 | 3 |
|
EST 392 (SBS) |
3 |
| Total | 16 |
| JUNIOR |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| ESG 332 | 3 |
| MEC 225 | 1 |
| MEC 301 | 3 |
| MEC 310 | 3 |
| MEC 316 (TECH) | 2 |
| MEC 364 | 3 |
| MEC 300 | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| SBC | 3 |
| MEC 305 | 3 |
|
MEC 317 (TECH) |
2 |
| MEC 320 | 3 |
| MEC 325 | 3 |
| MEC 410 | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| SENIOR |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| MEC 411 | 4 |
| MEC 422 | 3 |
| MEC 440* | 3 |
| Technical elective #1 | 3 |
| SBC | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| MEC 441* | 3 |
| Technical elective #2 | 3 |
| Technical elective #3 | 3 |
| SBC | 3 |
| SBC | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
*This course partially satisfies the following: ESI, CER, SPK, WRTD, SBS+, STEM+, EXP+. For more information contact the CEAS Undergraduate Student Office.
**Basic science elective options: PHY 251/252, Modern Physics/Modern Physics Laboratory; ESG 281, Engineering Introduction to the Solid State; PHY 300, Waves and Optics; CHE 132 General Chemistry II; BIO 202, Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology; BIO 203, Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology; GEO 310, Introduction to Geophysics; GEO 312, Structure and Properties of Materials; AST 203, Astronomy; AST 205, Introduction to Planetary Sciences; ATM 205, Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
Major and Minor in Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Chair: Qiaode (Jeffrey) Ge
Undergraduate Program Director: David Hwang
Minors of particular interest to students majoring in Mechanical Engineering: Science and Engineering (LSE)