Jun 21, 2024

2023-24 Undergraduate Bulletin

Mechanical Engineering, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The mechanical engineering program is designed for students who desire to enter industry or pursue advanced studies. The curriculum provides a broad range of courses in the areas of solid mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, design and manufacturing, and dynamics. The program prepares students for careers as practicing engineers in areas such as the design and manufacturing of mechanical and, increasingly, electromechanical components and systems. The curriculum places an emphasis on design for manufacturability, materials, modeling, simulation, process control and rapid prototyping. One important aspect of this program will be a balance between theory and hands-on practice that will prepare students to be effective and practical engineers when they graduate.

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENGL 1303 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

BUSI 2304 - Business Communication Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3
FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1301 - Beginning American Sign Language Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1302 - Intermediate American Sign Language Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3

Foundation of Knowledge

Core Labs

CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2125 - Technical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Foundation of Knowledge

Core Labs

CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2125 - Technical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

Mechanical Engineering Major Courses

Required Courses

ENGR 1301 - Foundations in Engineering I Credit(s): 3
ENGR 1001 - Foundations in Engineering I Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 1302 - Foundations in Engineering II Credit(s): 3
ENGR 1002 - Found in Engineering II Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 1310 - Geometric Modeling for Mechanical Design Credit(s): 3
ENGR 1010 - Geometric Modeling for Mechanical Design Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 2305 - Linear Circuit Analysis I Credit(s): 3
ENGR 2105 - Linear Circuit Analysis I Lab Credit(s): 1
ENGR 2401 - Engineering Statics Credit(s): 4
ENGR 2001 - Engineering Statics Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 3301 - Principles of Thermodynamics Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3305 - Mechanics of Materials Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3316 - Heat Transfer Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3345 - Fluid Mechanics Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3421 - Engineering Dynamics Credit(s): 4
ENGR 3021 - Engineering Dynamics Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 4145 - Mechanical Engineering Lab I Credit(s): 1
ENGR 4146 - Mechanical Engineering Lab II Credit(s): 1
ENGR 4260 - Engineering Capstone Design I Credit(s): 2
ENGR 4060 - Engineering Capstone Design I Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 4270 - Engineering Capstone Design II Credit(s): 2
ENGR 4070 - Engineering Capstone Design II Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 4341 - Machine Design Credit(s): 3
ENGR 4342 - Materials Science Credit(s): 3
ENGR 4343 - Mechanical Vibrations Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3
MATH 2113 - Calculus I Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 2314 - Calculus II Credit(s): 3
MATH 2114 - Calculus II Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 3315 - Calculus III Credit(s): 3
MATH 3115 - Calculus III Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 3330 - Differential Equations Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2125 - Technical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2126 - Technical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1
CSCI 1302 - Computer Science Principles Credit(s): 3

Elective Option

Four hours from:

CSCI 2302 - Computer Programming Principles Credit(s): 3
ENGR 4175 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4
or
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1112 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1

Mechanical Engineering Major Courses

Required Courses

ENGR 1301 - Foundations in Engineering I Credit(s): 3
ENGR 1001 - Foundations in Engineering I Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 1302 - Foundations in Engineering II Credit(s): 3
ENGR 1002 - Found in Engineering II Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 1310 - Geometric Modeling for Mechanical Design Credit(s): 3
ENGR 1010 - Geometric Modeling for Mechanical Design Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 2305 - Linear Circuit Analysis I Credit(s): 3
ENGR 2105 - Linear Circuit Analysis I Lab Credit(s): 1
ENGR 2401 - Engineering Statics Credit(s): 4
ENGR 2001 - Engineering Statics Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 3301 - Principles of Thermodynamics Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3305 - Mechanics of Materials Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3316 - Heat Transfer Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3345 - Fluid Mechanics Credit(s): 3
ENGR 3421 - Engineering Dynamics Credit(s): 4
ENGR 3021 - Engineering Dynamics Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 4145 - Mechanical Engineering Lab I Credit(s): 1
ENGR 4146 - Mechanical Engineering Lab II Credit(s): 1
ENGR 4260 - Engineering Capstone Design I Credit(s): 2
ENGR 4060 - Engineering Capstone Design I Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 4270 - Engineering Capstone Design II Credit(s): 2
ENGR 4070 - Engineering Capstone Design II Lab Credit(s): 0
ENGR 4341 - Machine Design Credit(s): 3
ENGR 4342 - Materials Science Credit(s): 3
ENGR 4343 - Mechanical Vibrations Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3
MATH 2113 - Calculus I Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 2314 - Calculus II Credit(s): 3
MATH 2114 - Calculus II Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 3315 - Calculus III Credit(s): 3
MATH 3115 - Calculus III Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 3330 - Differential Equations Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2125 - Technical Physics I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2126 - Technical Physics II Laboratory Credit(s): 1
CSCI 1302 - Computer Science Principles Credit(s): 3

Elective Option

Four hours from:

CSCI 2302 - Computer Programming Principles Credit(s): 3
ENGR 4175 - Special Problems Credit(s): 1 to 4
or
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1112 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Preparatory Courses

Students able to enter into Calculus I (MATH 2313/2113) upon admission will replace the courses listed below with seven credits from other MATH/CSCI/ENGR/STAT/PHYS designated courses.

PHYS 1308 - Introduction to Engineering/Physics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1008 - Introduction to Engineering/Physics Lab Credit(s): 0
Calculus Track 1:
MATH 2211 - Precalculus A Credit(s): 2
MATH 2011 - Precalculus A Lab Credit(s): 0
MATH 2212 - Precalculus B Credit(s): 2
MATH 2012 - Precalculus B Lab Credit(s): 0
Calculus Track 2:
MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1316 - Plane Trigonometry Credit(s): 3
MATH 1318 - Plane Analytic Geometry Credit(s): 3

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Preparatory Courses

Students able to enter into Calculus I (MATH 2313/2113) upon admission will replace the courses listed below with seven credits from other MATH/CSCI/ENGR/STAT/PHYS designated courses.

PHYS 1308 - Introduction to Engineering/Physics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1008 - Introduction to Engineering/Physics Lab Credit(s): 0
Calculus Track 1:
MATH 2211 - Precalculus A Credit(s): 2
MATH 2011 - Precalculus A Lab Credit(s): 0
MATH 2212 - Precalculus B Credit(s): 2
MATH 2012 - Precalculus B Lab Credit(s): 0
Calculus Track 2:
MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1316 - Plane Trigonometry Credit(s): 3
MATH 1318 - Plane Analytic Geometry Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

Total hours: 122

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.