Curriculum Overview
A Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) from The Ohio State University is comprised of courses required by the University, the College of Engineering, and by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The General Education Curriculum is considered to the the foundation of any degree at the University. GEC courses are required of all majors, and are designated by college or school. Central core courses are the foundation of your engineering degree and are required of all engineering students, regardless of area of interest. Select core courses are additional math, science, general engineering, and statistics courses required for a particular engineering major. Required major courses are the additional courses required for a particular engineering major, and can be taken by students only once they've been accepted into the major. Finally, technical electives are mechanical engineering courses that students choose according to program requirements in order to gain additional expertise in areas of their choice.
Detailed information on the GEC curriculum and central core, select core, required major courses, and technical electives can be found in the ME Undergraduate Student Handbook. Course descriptions can be found by clicking on "Courses" on the top left of this page.
The following links will give you information on our recommended approach to your curriculum, discuss options such as study abroad and co-op experiences and how to coordinate these opportunities with your ME coursework, and information on specific courses.
Undergraduate students have a variety of options that can greatly enhance their educational experience! The mechanical engineering curriculum is easily coordinated with various curriculuar options. When considering any of these options (or others!) students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to develop a personal academic plan.
Co-op / Internship Opportunties
Many students find that a co-op or internship experience greatly enhances their engineering education. A co-op or internship can show you how theoretical concepts are applied in practice, help enhance your resume with engineering work experience, and even help fund your education!
The College of Engineering has a very good co-op and internship program. In order to register with the Engineering Co-op and Internship Program (ECIP), you must
If a student does not meet all of these requirements, he or she may petition the program for permission to enroll.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering strongly encourages students to participate in a co-op or internship at some point during their undergraduate education. The mechanical engineering curriculum is easily coordinated with a co-op or internship. If you have questions about how to incorporate a co-op or internship into your schedule, please see your advisor!
Minors
Mechanical engineering students can and do pursue a wide variety of minors to complement their B.S.M.E. degree, based on either professional or personal interests. Minor coursework is typically taken in conjunction with major courses and can provide an enjoyable balance to a student's studies.
Information on minors offered at the University can be found at http://artsandsciences.osu.edu/currofc/gec/minors.cfm. (Information on the business minor is located under "General Business.")
Minor information can also be found through department and college websites. If there is a particular area in which you would like to earn a minor and are having trouble finding information, ask your advisor for help or contact the department of interest!
Study Abroad
A study abroad experience is a great way to enhance your undergraduate education by being exposed to different cultures and ideas, meeting new people, and earning course credit. (Engineering students typically earn credit for GECs when studying abroad, as the availability of engineering coursework that will transfer from other institutions is limited.)
The College of Engineering does not sponsor its own study abroad programs. However, the College and the Department of Mechanical Engineering are committed to supporting students who wish to pursue these opportunities. More information on the University's study abroad programs can be found at http://oia.ohio-state.edu/content/view/113/179/
Students who have at least a 3.4 cumulative point-hour ratio (CPHR) after earning at least 24 credit hours of graded OSU coursework are eligible to participate in a variety of honors programs through both the College of Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Undergraduate ResearchUndergraduate research is a great way for students to apply the coursework and the critical thinking skills that they learn in their engineering coursework. Undergraduate students can become involved in research either through the Department of Mechanical Engineering Honors Program, or through their own initiative.
The ME Undergraduate Curriculum ("Bingo") Sheet is a helpful tool for both advisors and students. The curriculum sheet maps the central core, select core, and required major courses onto a 12-quarter (4 year) schedule. Although an illustration of one way that a student can complete these courses, it is by no means the only way to navigate the curriculum. Students need to be aware that the average engineering student typically takes more than four years to complete their undergraduate degree, and that the Department of Mechanical Engineering offers all required major courses as well as ME 410, 420, and 430 every autumn, winter, and spring quarter in order to accomodate the scheduling needs of its students.
The curriculum sheet should be viewed as a tool that can show you the recommended order of courses, taking into account class times, prerequisites and course loads. You should always consult your undergraduate advisor when planning courses to that your schedule can be best suited to your individual needs, especially if you plan to deviate from the recommended curriculum path.
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