The range and scope of mechanical engineering has undergone radical changes over the past decade, while retaining and expanding traditional areas of endeavor. Some of the changes have been due to the improvements in auxiliary fields, such as materials, or to the introduction of new fields, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), information technology, nanotechnology, and bioengineering.
Traditionally, the design and production of machines have been major concerns of the mechanical engineer, working to the basic criteria of price, efficiency, and delivery date. Safety and environmental considerations have added new dimensions to the mechanical engineer’s problem. This is most apparent in the design of new automobiles, where improved mileage and cleaner engines have been coupled with a reduction in weight and size, and greater emphasis on highway safety.
In all areas, increasing emphasis has been placed on synthesis, looking to the performance of complete systems as opposed to that of single components. Career opportunities are traditionally found in such diverse areas as power generation, design of machinery, manufacturing, research and development, guidance systems, product design and development, robotics, propulsion engineering, system analysis and design, and many others. Our graduates wishing to further their education have been successful in gaining admission to the schools of their choice.
Reflecting the wide diversity of subject matter to be found in the present-day practice of mechanical engineering, the department offers a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Major areas of interest include: energy conversion, design and manufacturing, HVAC, solid mechanics, automatic controls, dynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, heat transfer, turbomachinery, combustion, robotics, and noise control. If you have particular interests or highly-specific objectives, we can generally satisfy your individual goals by elective courses and appropriate project work. Furthermore, it ought to be noted that the available pool of electives allows the student to specialize in one of the following concentration areas: Aerospace Engineering, Automation and Robotics, Automotive Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Power Plant Engineering, and Product Design and Manufacture. To top
The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Department is to produce graduates with a broad-based foundation in fundamental engineering principles and liberal arts, together with the depth of disciplinary knowledge needed to succeed in a career in mechanical engineering or a related field, including a wide variety of advanced technological and management careers.
To achieve its mission, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, with input from its constituents, has established the following Program Educational Objectives:
- Graduates identify and solve problems in mechanical engineering and related fields using their broad-based knowledge of fundamental engineering concepts and state-of-the-art tools and techniques.
- Graduates develop mechanical and thermal devices and systems to meet the needs of society.
- Graduates excel in working within and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
- Graduates conduct themselves in a socially responsible manner and adapt to technological change.
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The following are requirements for graduation of all engineering students and are not included for academic credit. They will appear on the student record as pass/fail.
Physical Education (P.E.) Requirements
All students must complete a minimum of four semester credits of Physical Education (P.E.). A large number of activities are offered in lifetime, team, and wellness areas.
All PE courses must be completed by the end of the sixth semester. Students can enroll in more than the minimum required P.E. for graduation and are encouraged to do so.
Participation in varsity sports can be used to satisfy up to three credits of the P.E. requirement.
Participation in supervised, competitive club sports can be used to satisfy up to two credits of the P.E. requirement, with approval from the P.E. Coordinator.
English Language Proficiency
All students must satisfy an English Language proficiency requirement.
PLEASE NOTE: A comprehensive Communications Program will be implemented for the Class of 2009. This may influence how the English Language Proficiency requirement is met. Details will be added when available.
Areas of Concentration
Mechanical engineering students can select their elective courses among two technical electives and three general electives in various ways. Some of them may wish to cluster those electives in ways that would help them gain expertise in an area of specialization within mechanical engineering. The following groupings are possible specialty (concentration) areas that students can select from within the mechanical engineering program:
Aerospace Engineering
ME 545 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
And two courses from the following:
ME 423 and ME 424 Senior Design Project ME 453 Advanced Fluid Mechanics ME 520 Analysis and Design of Composites ME 546 Introduction to Turbomachinery
Automotive Engineering ME 423 and ME 424 Senior Design Project ME 515 Automotive Engineering ME 529 Modern and Advanced Combustion Engines
Biomedical Engineering ME 525 Biomechanics ME 526 Medical Device Design and Manufacture in a Regulated Environment
And one course from the following:
ME 527 Human Movement and Control BME 306 Bioengineering BME 342 Transport in Biological Systems BME 482 Engineering Physiology
Mechatronics ME 522 Mechatronics I ME 523 Mechatronics II ME 573 Introduction to Micro-Elecromechanical Systems
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
ME 530 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Manufacturing ME 535 Good Manufacturing Practice in Pharmaceutical Facilities Design ME 540 Validation and Regulatory Affairs in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Power Generation ME 510 Power Plant Engineering
And two courses from the following:
ME 529 Modern and Advanced Combustion Engines ME 532 Air Pollution Principles and Control ME 546 Introduction to Turbomachinery ME 595 Heat Exchanger Design
Product Design and Manufacturing ME 554 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design ME 564 Principles of Optimum Design and Manufacture ME 566 Design for Manufacturability
Product Engineering Architecture PAE 610 The Creative form and the Digital Environment PAE 630 Introduction to Interactive digital Media PAE 640 Performative Environments
Robotics and Automation ME 522 Mechatronics I ME 551 Microprocessor Applications in Mechanical Engineeting ME 598 Introduction to Robotics To top
Students from other engineering programs may pursue a minor in Mechatronics by taking the required courses indicated below. Enrollment in a minor program means that you must also meet Stevens’ School of Engineering and Science requirements for minor programs. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" or better are accepted towards the minor.
Requirements for a Minor in Mechatronics: ME 225 Dynamics ME 358 Machine Dynamics Mechanics ME 483 Control Systems ME 509 Mechatronics I ME 551 Microprocessor Applications in ME or ME 523 Mechatronics II or ME 573 Introduction to Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) To top
The Department of Mechanical Engineering provides three programs of graduate study leading to the degree of Master of Engineering: Mechanical, the professional Mechanical Engineer degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree, with a concentration in mechanical engineering. A major objective of the graduate program is to encourage research work at all levels so that individuals can progressively undertake more challenging problems with a wider research scope as they gain confidence and competence.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has active research interests in the following areas: composites and structured materials, computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer, computer-aided design and manufacturing, integrated product and process design, control theory, design of thermal systems, industrial heat transfer, kinematics, knowledge-based engineering systems, machine design, metal forming, noise control and vibration, precision engineering, robotics and automation, system dynamics, nano/micro modeling, and micro/nanofabrication. To top
The Master of Engineering - Mechanical degree program is intended to extend and broaden the undergraduate preparation. It can be considered as a terminal degree or as preparation for the Ph.D. program. A bachelor’s degree with a concentration in mechanical engineering is needed for acceptance to the master’s program. International students who did not earn a bachelor’s degree from a US institution are required to take the TOEFL and GRE tests. Applicants with undergraduate degrees in other engineering disciplines may be required to take appropriate undergraduate courses before being formally admitted into the program.
The Master of Engineering - Mechanical degree requires 30 credits, approved by the student’s academic advisor. Fifteen of the credits (or five courses) form the core and comprise the student’s major field. To top
ME 635 Simulation and Modeling ME 641 Engineering Analysis I ME 636 Project Management and Organizational Design
and two more courses from any one of the following four tracks:
Manufacturing Systems
ME 644 Computer-Integrated Design and Manufacturing ME 645 Design of Production Systems ME 652 Advanced Manufacturing ME 665 Advanced Product Development
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Systems
ME 535 Good Manufacturing Practices in Pharmaceutical Facilities Design ME 540 Validation and Regulatory Affairs in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing ME 628 Pharmaceutical Finishing and Packaging Systems ME 645 Production Systems
Product Design
ME 615 Thermal System Design ME 644 Computer-Integrated Design and Manufacturing ME 659 Advanced Structural Design ME 665 Advanced Product Development
Thermal Engineering
ME 601 Engineering Thermodynamics ME 604 Advanced Heat Transfer ME 615 Thermal Systems Design ME 674 Fluid Dynamics
The remaining five courses (15 credits) constitute the student’s elective field and will consist of:
at least one course of 600-level or higher given in the Mechanical Engineering Department; a maximum of four courses of 500-level given in the Mechanical Engineering Department; and a maximum of two courses given in other departments.
A student may substitute a project (ME 800 Special Problems in Mechanical Engineering, 3 credits) or a thesis (ME 900 Thesis in Mechanical Engineering, 6 credits) for the appropriate number of credits. The available pool of electives allows the student to specialize in one of the following areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Air Pollution Technology, Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer, Design and Production Management, Power Generation, Robotics and Control, Structural Analysis and Design, and Vibration and Noise Control.
In order to graduate with a Master of Engineering - Mechanical degree, a student must obtain a minimum of "B" average in the major field, as well as an overall average of "B" in all the courses needed to meet the 30-credit requirement for the degree. Please see the Office of Graduate Admissions section on Student Status. To top
Admission to the doctoral program will be made through the Department Director in conjunction with the Graduate Committee, and will be based on an assessment of the applicant's academic background, competence, and aptitude for advanced study and research. An appropriate Master of Engineering degree or its equivalent is required. International students who did not earn a Master's degree from a US institution are required to take the TOEFL and GRE tests. If deemed acceptable, the student will be assigned an Advisor. Then, the student in conjunction with the Advisor will select a thesis topic and complete a study plan within three months in the program.
Courses are selected to develop skills in a particular area of interest. While this coursework is necessary to develop the tools and skills of the student's profession, the most important aspect of the doctoral program is the student's original research topic.
The subject of the doctoral dissertation (ME 960) is open to a wide range of particular choices. The selection of a topic by the doctoral aspirant provides for a sub-specialization within the broad range of mechanical engineering disciplines. The courses selected for the study plan should complement the student's dissertation subject.
Upon submission of an approved study plan by the student and no later than after one year in the program, a Doctoral Committee is appointed for each student by the Department Director in conjunction with the Graduate Committee, with the Advisor as the chairperson. All doctoral students are required to take a qualifying examination (consisting of a core competency test and a research competency test) at the first offering after one year in the program. Upon failing the qualifying examination, the student may take the examination for a second time at the next offering. Upon failing the examination for the second time, the student will be asked to leave the program. In addition to the qualifying examination, all doctoral students are required to present a research proposal (including a written report and an oral presentation) to the Doctoral Committee for its approval. The candidate must present the proposal within 24 months of enrollment into the program. The Doctoral Committee, at its discretion, may decide on additional oral/written examinations before accepting the proposed dissertation plan. In the cases where the committee rejects the research proposal, the candidate may submit a request for a second and final chance for presenting a revised research proposal during the following academic semester.
Upon satisfactory completion of theresearch proposal and all coursework, the student will be considered a doctoral candidate and continue the research which will form the basis of the student's dissertation. The dissertation must be based upon original investigation in the field of mechanical engineering, approved by the Department Director and Graduate Committee, and must be a contribution worthy of publication in the current professional literature. Before receiving the doctoral degree, the student must also satisfy the requirements for residence and publication of the dissertation. To top
The Mechanical Engineering doctoral program is an integral part of the institute-wide Nanotechnology Graduate Program. A Ph.D. degree option in Mechanical Engineering with concentration on Nanotechnology is available to students who satisfy the conditions and requirements of the Nanotechnology area which are outlined in a separate section of the catalog. To top
Applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or better in a Master's Program in Mechanical Engineering or a related field as well as with excellent TOEFL and GRE scores are encouraged to apply for the Ph.D. Program in Mechanical Engineering. Exceptionally well qualified applicants who obtained only a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field will also be considered for direct admission into the Ph.D. Program in Mechanical Engineering. The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination consists of a Core Competency Test and a Research Competency Test to be taken after one year in the Ph.D. program.
The Ph.D. Program in Mechanical Engineering requires a total of 90 credits beyond the Bachelor's Degree in an approved program of study. Up to 30 credits previously obtained in a Master's Degree program in Mechanical Engineering or a related field may be applied towards this requirement. In addition, the Ph.D. program in Mechanical Engineering requires 30 credits of graduate course work and 30 credits of research work, culminating in a Ph.D. Dissertation based on the results of original research carried out under the guidance of a faculty member and defended in a public examination. To top
The Master of Engineering in Product-Architecture and Engineering degree program is intended to integrate the study of Product Design, Computational Architecture, and Engineering with production methodologies and emerging materials. All students in the program must complete 10 courses (30 credits), comprised of five core courses and up to five elective courses. Three of the five electives must be taken from the recommended list (see below) of relevant graduate courses offered by the Mechanical Engineering department. The remaining two courses (6 credits) constitute the student’s elective field and will consist of at least one course of 600-level or higher offered within the Product-Architecture and Engineering program. Students may elect to complete a Thesis (PAE 900 Thesis in Product-Architecture and Engineering) in lieu of completing of the two open electives.
A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, a B.I.D. (B.F.A., B.A., or B.S.) in Industrial Design, or a B.Arch. (Bachelor in Architecture) is needed for acceptance to the program. Applicants with undergraduate degrees in other engineering or design disciplines may be required to take appropriate undergraduate courses before being formally admitted into the program.
Core Courses
PAE 610 The Creative Form and the Digital Environment PAE 620 The Creative Form and the Production Environment PAE 630 Introduction to Interactive Digital Media PAE 640 Performative Environments PAE 800 Product Architecture and Engineering Design Project
To complete the degree, requirements students can choose from the following list of courses:
ME 502 Introduction to Engineering Analysis ME 520 Analysis and Design of Composites ME 564 Principles of Optimum Design and Manufacture ME 566 Design for Manufacturability ME 635 Simulation and Modeling
In order to graduate with a Master of Engineering in Product-Architecture and Engineering, a student must obtain a minimum of "B" average in the major field, as well as an overall average of "B" in all the courses needed to meet the 30-credit requirement for the degree. Please see the Office of Graduate Admissions section on Student Status. To top
The Integrated Product Development degree is an integrated Master’s of Engineering degree program. The core courses emphasize the design, manufacture, implementation, and life-cycle issues of engineering systems. The remaining courses provide a disciplinary focus. The program embraces and balances qualitative, as well as quantitative, aspects and utilizes state-of-the-art tools and methodologies. It aims to educate students in problem-solving methodologies, modeling, analysis, simulation, and technical management. The program trains engineers in relevant software applications and in productive deployment and integration in the workplace.
All students in this program must complete ten courses (30 credits), comprised of four core courses and up to six elective courses selected from one of the four engineering tracks listed below. The student, with the approval of the program director, may design customized tracks. Up to six elective credits may be taken in lieu of the course credits toward a project relevant to the selected track.
Core Courses - Integrated Product Development
IPD 601 Integrated Product Development I IPD 602 Integrated Product Development II IPD 611 Simulation and Modeling IPD 612 Project Management and Organizational Design (Full course descriptions can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section.)
Students then choose from one of the following four engineering tracks:
- Armament Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Manufacturing Technologies
- Systems Reliability and Design
The complete description of the IPD program can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section.
Armament Engineering Track
This technology track provides an interdisciplinary graduate education in Armament Engineering. The program emphasizes system engineering of military weapons from concept through development and field use. Technical disciplines in the design and manufacture of explosives, modeling and simulation of the interior and exterior ballistics, rocket and missile design, guidance and control, modern research instrumentation, and testing procedures are emphasized.
ME 504 Interior Ballistics and Design for Projection ME 505 Theory and Performance of Propellants and Explosives I ME 506 Theory and Performance of Propellants and Explosives II ME 507 Exterior Ballistics ME 508 Terminal Ballistics Plus one free elective.
Manufacturing Technologies Track
This track integrates product design, materials processing, and manufacturing expertise with modern computer software technology. The program is specifically concerned with product design for manufacturing, manufacturing systems analysis and development, robotics and control, and the integration of the various phases and activities associated with turning a concept into a deliverable product. Different manufacturing processes are introduced, and the design and control of these processes are discussed. Of particular interest are the development and implementation of models to predict the effects of design and manufacturing choices on system performance, producibility, and economics.
ME 560 Total Quality Control ME 564 Principles of Optimal Design and Manufacture ME 598 Introduction to Robotics ME 621 Introduction to Modern Control Engineering ME 644 Computer-Integrated Design and Manufacturing or ME 520 Analysis and Design of Composites ME 645 Design of Production Systems To top
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (PME) master’s degree program is intended to integrate the study of pharmaceutical manufacturing concepts with more advanced engineering design and scientific methodologies to satisfy specialty needs within the industry. One of two degrees can be earned in this program, either a Master of Engineering degree or a Master of Science degree. The choice of degree is generally defined by the student’s background and the electives taken in the program:
a) A Master of Engineering degree can be earned if the student has a bachelor’s degree in engineering and takes engineering electives,
b) A Master of Science Degree can be earned if the student has a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, technology, or another field and takes a mix of technical and/or management-type elective courses.
All students should take five foundation PME courses. Among the first courses taken should be PME 530, which is an introductory course and a pre-requisite for many PME electives. After that, other introductory courses including PME 540 and PME 609 (for the pharmaceutical industry) should be taken. Core required courses also include PME 535, and either PME 600 (for Master of Science) or PME 639 (for Master of Engineering). Thus, the five foundation courses for all master’s degree students are PME 530, 535, 540, 609, and 600 or 639.
Following the foundation courses, many electives are available to the students for the remaining five courses. As a general rule, a certain number of electives should be 600-level PME technical courses (e.g. PME 621, 628, 643, 646, 647, 649, 653). For Master of Engineering students, these should be at least three of the five electives; for Master of Science students, these should be at least two of the five. Other electives can be 500-level courses (e.g. PME 538, 539, 541, 542, 551, 560).
In addition to the Master’s degree-level offerings, the program currently offers five Graduate Certificates (GCs). One GC is more general and the others each address specialty areas within the process and equipment engineering aspects of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Each of the GCs currently available is described below, and has three required courses and a technical elective course:
Project Engineering in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (PEPM) Project engineers and project managers, and those aspiring to these positions in the pharmaceutical industry, will find that this GC provides more depth and understanding of these coordination efforts. In addition to the overall discipline view of facilities design, included are a formal introduction to project management concepts, specific implementation concepts for sterile facilities, and the newer PAT concepts. Required courses: PME 535, PME 609, PME 643; Elective: PME 551. To top
The Mechanical Engineering department offers several graduate certificate programs to students meeting the regular admission requirements for the master’s program. Each graduate certificate program is self-contained and highly focused, carrying 12 or more graduate credits. All of the courses may be used toward the Master of Engineering degree, as well as for the graduate certificate. Current programs include:
Advanced Manufacturing
ME 566 Design for Manufacturability ME 621 Introduction to Modern Control Engineering ME 645 Design of Production Systems ME 652 Advanced Manufacturing
Air Pollution Technology
ME 532 Air Pollution Principles and Control ME 590 Environmental Law for Practicing Engineers ME 612 Selected Topics in Air Pollution Technology
Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
ME 594 Computer Methods in Mechanical Engineering ME 604 Advanced Heat Transfer or ME 609 Convective Heat Transfer ME 674 Fluid Dynamics ME 675 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
Design and Production Management
ME 566 Design for Manufacturability ME 636 Project Management and Organizational Design ME 644 Computer-Integrated Design and Manufacturing ME 645 Design of Production Systems
Ordnance Engineering
ME 505 Theory and Performance of Propellants and Explosives I ME 507 Exterior Ballistics
and any two of the following three courses:
ME 504 Interior Ballistics and Design for Projection ME 506 Theory of Performance of Propellants and Explosives II ME 508 Terminal Ballistics
Power Generation
ME 510 Power Plant Engineering ME 595 Heat Exchanger Design
and two of the following:
ME 529 Modern and Advanced Combustion Engines ME 546 Introduction to Turbomachinery ME 625 Gas Turbines
Product Architecture and Engineering
PAE 610 The Creative Form and the Digital Environment PAE 620 The Creative Form and the Production Environment PAE 630 Introduction to Interactive Digital Media PAE 640 Performative Environments
Robotics and Control
ME 598 Introduction to Robotics ME 621 Introduction to Modern Control Engineering ME 622 Optimal Control and Estimation of Dynamical Systems or ME 623 Design of Control Systems ME 654 Advanced Robotics
Structural Analysis and Design
ME 658 Advanced Mechanics of Solids ME 659 Advanced Structural Design ME 663 Finite-Element Methods ME 664 Special Topics in Applied Finite-Element Methods or ME 668 Engineering Fracture Mechanics
Vibration and Noise Control
ME 584 Vibration and Acoustics in Product Design ME 611 Engineering Acoustics ME 631 Mechanical Vibrations I ME 651 Analytic Dynamics To top
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