Ohio University's Mechanical Engineering major program has the following educational objectives:
- Graduates will attain employment and advancement in mechanical engineering or another technical or professional field, initiate an entrepreneurial venture or business startup, and/or complete a graduate degree program in engineering, business, medicine, law, or another technical or professional field. _x000D_
- Graduates will fulfill the standards and values of the engineering profession and of their own company, and further those values through involvement in communities of practice, professional societies, policy making, and government. _x000D_
- Graduates will act in ways consistent with the values of Ohio University by performing community service and volunteering, voting and being an engaged citizen, engaging in civil public discourse about technical issues, making decisions consistent with the triple bottom line (environmental, financial, social), and/or using their skills and influence in any way that contributes to the greater good. _x000D_
Mechanical engineering is an extremely diverse profession that is concerned with
- the economical and ecological conversion of energy from natural sources to provide power, heating, cooling, and propulsion _x000D_
- the design of all types of machines, engines, and vehicles _x000D_
- the processing of materials into useful products _x000D_
- the development of systems for using machines and resources.
_x000D_ Professional activities include research, development, design, testing, production, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, technical management, and administration. _x000D_
The mechanical engineering curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in higher mathematics and basic sciences followed by extensive instruction in all of the classical mechanical engineering disciplines. Design and project experiences dealing with real engineering problems are integrated into the curriculum to help students:
- apply their own creativity in formulating alternative engineering solutions _x000D_
- develop an ability to work independently and/or in teams, which is an important skill for continued growth as a practicing engineer _x000D_
- bridge the gap between the acquisition of engineering knowledge in required courses and the application of that knowledge to solve engineering problems. _x000D_
The design experience begins in the freshman year, wherein students are introduced to elements of engineering design. This often involves the design and construction of a device to perform a specified task. Throughout the sophomore, junior, and senior years, mechanical engineering students are required to solve design problems in many of the required engineering courses and across the spectrum of disciplines encompassed by the mechanical engineering profession. Senior mechanical engineering students are challenged in a year-long sequence of formal design courses involving a capstone senior design project, which requires the construction and testing of a working product prototype. The capstone project requires application of fundamental engineering knowledge as well as knowledge of engineering economy and social issues, such as product safety and reliability. Students are required to submit written technical reports, as well as give oral presentations describing project results. This is in accord with the department's objective of producing engineers who have good communication skills, as well as excellent technical skills. The design experience is enhanced by providing students with technologically modern lab facilities and computational tools.
In addition to engineering courses, the department requires significant studies in the humanities and social sciences to establish a breadth and depth of awareness and education. The humanity and social science requirements are consistent with the department's objective of graduating individuals with a well-rounded education.