Curriculum Options

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

• be enrolled in the College of Engineering as a full-time undergraduate student;
• be a student in good academic standing;
• have earned a "C" or higher in Math 151 or Math 161;
• have earned credits equal to three full-time quarters of study with a minimum of two, full-time consecutive quarters at Ohio State.

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/studyabroad/default.aspx. 

Honors Programs

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 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. 

Scheduling & Curriculum ("Bingo") Sheets

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. 

TIPS:

• Course descriptions can be found by clicking on "Courses" at the top left of this page.
• Students need to follow the curriculum corresponding to the year that they entered the University.
• The most comprehensive list of available GECs can be found using the online Master Schedule .

Academic Standards

In order to remain in good academic standing in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, major students are required to maintain a minimum 2.00 quarter point-hour ratio (QPHR), cumulative point-hour ratio (CPHR), and major point-hour ratio (MPHR= cumulative point-hour ratio in all ME courses, except for ME 410).  Major students who do not meet these minimum standards are eligible for deparmental probation.  Repeated failure to meet these standards will result in dismissal from the department. 

Our goal is for you to be successful, regardless of your major.  In order to earn your B.S.M.E., you need to have at least a 2.00 MPHR when you are ready to graduate.  In order to graduate from Ohio State, you need a 2.00 CPHR.  Although it may see punitive, probation gives us the means to monitor students who are not meeting these standards, encourage you to resolve any difficulties, or guide you in a more appropriate academic direction. 

If you are experiencing academic difficulties, we encougage you to see an undergraduate advisor before you find yourself in danger of being put on probation. 

* Students who entered the University or were admitted to the ME major before SU03 fall under a different set of academic standards and should see their advisor for information. 

** Additional, detailed information on Academic Standards and reinstatement policies can be found in the ME Undergraduate Handbook. 

Concentrations

Students who study mechanical engineering at Ohio State choose a concentration for their studies in their last year.  Students choose technical courses based on their concentration, but also have the flexibility to include courses in other concentrations in order to maintain their broad education and to allow them to explore a wide variety of interests. 

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at OSU offers 8 concentrations in the following areas, as well as an advanced technical elective track for qualified students:

1. Applied Mechanics
2. Automotive Engineering
3. Biomechanical Systems
4. Design & Manufacturing
5. Dynamics, Vibrations, & Controls
6. Energy Systems
7. Nuclear Engineering

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1.  Are in interested in:

• Understanding the forces in structural components of a truss or crane...
• ...or on a smaller scale, in a prosthetic joint?
• Understanding why and how objects break, and how to prevent failure?

 Applied Mechanics is the theoretical, numerical, and experimental study of the response of solids and fluids to external forces.  Students who concentrate in this area can take courses in finite element analysis, fracture mechanics, advanced strength of materials, and system vibrations. 

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2.  Are you interested in:

• Understanding the operation of an internal combustion engine, and making it efficient?
• Hybrid electric vehicles?
• Fuel cell systems?
• Automobile dynamics?

A concentration in Automotive Engineering will prepare you for work in the automotive industry, one of the traditional branches of mechanical engineering which remains of great importance.  It is concerned with the design and operation of all kinds of engines and vehicle dynamics, and is rapidly expanding to include the research, design, and testing of alternative energy sources for vehicles.  Students who pursue this concentration can take courses in land vehicle dynamics, powertrain dynamics, the study of internal combustion engines, modeling of hybrid-electric vehicles, and fuel cell systems. 

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3.  Are you interested in:

• Understanding the mechanical functions of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bones?
• Physical disabilities, and how to design products to help people with disabilities?
• Understanding how different injury mechanisms (impact, sport, trauma) affect the human body?
• The design of medical devices? 

Biomechanics is the science that examines forces acting upon and within a biological structure and the effects produced by such forces.  A concentration in Biomechanical Systems prepares students for work in the medical industry or in any other area where their is a need to study the effects of forces on the human body. 

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4.  Are you interested in:

• Designing and prototyping new products?
• Learning to program CNC machines?
• Robotics?
• Using computer graphics to model new products and systems?

A concentration in Design & Manufacturing is appropriate for students who are interested in the design, testing, and manufacturing of consumer products.  Students in this concentration can take courses in product design, tool engineering, machine tool control and programming, and rapid prototyping. 

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5.  Are you interested in:

• Learning how mechanical, electrical, thermal, and fluid systems work together?
• Controlling these systems and preventing unwanted ysstem vibrations and noise?

A concentration in Dynamics, Vibrations, and Controls prepares students to understand various system components and how they interact as parts of a mechanical system.  Students in this concentration can take courses in control systems design, mechatronics, fracture mechanics, and engineering acoustics. 

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6.  Are you interested in:

• Learning to efficiently harness energy from raw materials?
• Learning how to efficiently heat, ventilate, and cool structures?
• The uses of turbomachinery?

The study of Energy Systems concentrates on the production of useful energy from raw materials (i.e. electricity from coal) as well as the process of transforming energy into useful work (i.e. electricity driving a motor), and the optimization of these processes.  Students who concentrate thier studies in Energy Systems can take courses in turbomachinery, HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning), combustion and jet propulsion. 

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7.  Are you interested in:

• Helping to develop nuclear energy as a safe and affordable alternative to fossil fuels?
• Studying how nuclear power plants affect their surrounding environments?
• The possible uses of radiation in medicine?
• Using radiation to make measurements?

The field of Nuclear Engineering is experiencing a resurgence as we investigate the option of nuclear power as an alternative to our society's dependence on fossil fuels.  Students who concentrate in this area take an introductory course in nuclear science and engineering, and can take courses in reactor theory, nuclear power plants, and radiological safety, as well as reliability engineering. 

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 Are you interested in:

• Completing research as an undergraduate?
• Preparing for graduate school?
• Graduating "With Distinction in Mechanical Engineering?"

There is an advanced technical elective track for qualified students.  Students in this area of study are either mechanical engineering honors students or students who are pursuing the BS/MS option.  These students work with a faculty advisor to choose their areas of research and study to reflect their interests and the scope of their future graduate work. 

Faculty Advising Program

Once you are admitted to the major you will be assigned a faculty advisor (in addition to your undergraduate academic advisor). You faculty advisor will play a different, but complementary role, to your undergraduate advisor. Faculty advisors assist students in many areas, including serving as a mentor, helping advisees find undergraduate research opportunities, career guidance, preparation for graduate study, and the selection of technical electives based on a student's area of interest.

Students are required to meet with their faculty advisor for at least three mandatory meetings. Although these three meetings fulfill the Department's requirements, students who benefit the most from having a faculty advisor seek out interactions with their advisor above and beyond their required meetings. Your faculty advisor can be of great assistance to you, but it does take some effort on your part to get to know them, and to give them a chance to get to know you!

Information on Faculty Advising Meetings

The undergraduate advising office will be responsible for providing reminders and instructions for your required meetings; however, it is up to you to contact your faculty advisor to schedule your appointments. All paperwork required for these meetings is below. Completed paperwork should be submitted to the Undergraduate Advising Office in N250 Scott Laboratory.

How to Make the Most of Your Appointments with Your Faculty Advisor

1. Do not wait until the day before your paperwork is due to contact your faculty advisor for an appointment! Faculty advisors, in addition to their advisees (most have between 15 and 30), teach courses, serve on department or University committees, and have research projects. They are happy to meet with you, but it is unfair to expect them to be available on such short notice to help you meet a deadline. You will get much more out of your appointment if you contact them well in advance, giving them a chance to set aside time to meet with you.
2. Fill out your paperwork in advance. The paperwork is designed to help you prepare for your meeting.
3. Write down additional questions that you may have for your advisor! You don't have to stick only to the paperwork - further questions and discussions are encouraged!

Further details about the faculty advising program can be found in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student Handbook!

Graduation

All students need to submit an application in order to be eligible to graduate from The Ohio State University!  The Department of Mechanical Engineering has its own application that it would prefer students to submit (below).  Applications should be submitted according to the following timeline.

If you wish to graduate:                       Then your application should be turned in by the end of the previous:

Autumn Quarter                                      Autumn Quarter

Winter Quarter                                        Winter Quarter

Spring Quarter                                       Spring Quarter

Summer Quarter                                    Summer Quarter

These deadlines allow us to check your plan for your last year of major coursework and make any necessary changes to your plan well before they become issues affecting your graduation.  Late applications are accepted, but on-time graduation will not be guarenteed in such cases.

Students who submit their application to graduate on time benefit in two ways:

1.  Senior priority scheduling for the final two quarters before graduation.
2. Verification that with courses they plan to take their final three quarters do indeed meet all requirements to graduate. 

Once a graduation application is approved, it is assumed that the student will follow the plan that they indicated on the application.  If you deviate from your original plan, it is recommended that you see an advisor regarding the changes you've made to make sure that you are still fulfilling all graduation requirements.  If you change courses but do not let an advisor know, then there is no guarentee that your new courses will be checked by an advisor until the quarter that you are set to graduate, at which time it may be too late to correct any mistakes.

Once your application has been approved, further instructions for the graduation class can be found at www.commencement.osu.edu and through the College of Engineering.  Graduating seniors will also receive an email from the College of Engineering during the 5th week of their quarter of graduation with further instructions.  If you are planning to graduate but do not receive this email, contact your advisor of the College of Engineering at 292-2651.

Mechanical Engineering BS/MS Option

The combined BS/MS program is designed to give outstanding students (minimum 3.5 CPHR) an opportunity to reduce the amount of time required to meet the master's degree requirements.  Students who are interested in this program must apply no less than 60 days before the start of their BS/MS coursework.   If approved, students then begin taking graduate-level courses as seniors in the undergraduate program, and these courses are counted towards both the student's BS and MS degrees.  This enables most students in the program to complete the MS requirements in four quarters after completion of their BS degree. 

For more information on the BS/MS Program, please see the information posted under Graduate Stduents Mechanical Engineering BS/MS Program.   Students interested in pursuing this option can also contact Nick Breckenridge, Graduate Studies Support, at megrad_recruit@osu.edu or at (614) 292-7163. 

Mechanical Engineering Honors Program

Are you interested in...

• completing engineering research as an undergradute?
• incorporating research into your technical elective program?
• preparing for graduate school?
• graduating "With Distinction in Mechanical Engineering"?
• earning points towards the "Investigational Studies" component of your Graduation with Honors in Engineering plan?

Through the Mechanical Engineering Honors Program, students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member to develop an individual research project reflecting their area of interest. Students in the program earn 9 credit hours of technical elective credit and successful completion and oral defense of their theses earns them the designation of "With Distinction in Mechanical Engineering" on their diplomas. Past students have found this program to be one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of their educational experience.

Scholarship money is available through the College of Engineering for students who wish to participate in the research proposal competition.  Past students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering have fared very well in this competition! 

If you would like to learn more about the ME Honors Program, we invite you to explore the links below, which provide an introduction to all aspects of the program, including finding a research advisor and topic, and applying for scholarship funds through the College of Engineering! 

 If you have further questions about the ME Honors Program, you are encouraged to contact your undergraduate advisor (meadvisor@osu.edu), your faculty advisor, or the ME Department Honors Advisor, Prof. Yann Guezennec (guezennec.1@osu.edu). 

Preparing for Graduate or Professional School

Why might you want to go to graduate or professional school?

• If you further your engineering studies through a graduate program, you will get the opportunity to specialize in an area and you have the freedom to choose that area.
• It will more than likely lead to an increased number of job opportunities (and a larger starting salary).
• You want to further improve your problem solving skills.
• You're looking for new challenges.
• You can develop your public speaking and writing skills.
• You want to teach at a university.
• There is another job you want and you need a graduate or professional degree to get it. 

There are a lot of resources available to students who wish to move on to graduate or professional school.  Planning early is often key, especially to prepare for professional (law, education, medical) school.  Unlike graduate studies in engineering, where your undergraduate work has automatically prepared you to move on, preparation for a professional school often requires typical coursework outside of the engineering curriuclum.  Your advisor can help you determine how to incorporate these extra courses into your schedule. 

There are some common requirements to move on past your undergraduate degree.  A strong undergraduate GPA is generally required, along with letters of recommendation from past instructors.  Research is an important aspect of graduate school as well as some professional programs, and so having research as an undergraduate will often help to make you a more competitive applicant.  Finally, graduate school applications generally require a statement of purpose, which should identify to the program why you want to continue your studies and where your interests lie.  A strong statement of purpose is very important to match your interests with appropriate research opportunities. 

The best way you can start to prepare for these options is to look into the requirements for various program early in your academic career, as well as to consult with an advisor in that area.  Following are some links that will be of assistance to you in learning more about common graduate and professional paths for engineering students. 

The Ohio State University Graduate Admissions 

You can find admission requirements and contact information for every graduate program offered at OSU, as well as information about the admissions process, financial aid, and answers to frequently asked questions.

College of Engineering Information for New Graduate Students 

Contact information for all the graduate programs offered through the College of Engineering. 

Department of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program

Would you like to stay at OSU for a few more years?  Why not earn your graduate degree in mechanical engineering? 

Pre-Professional Advising 

Pre-health, pre-law- and pre-education aren't majors at OSU, but are official areas of academic interest.  This website has a wealth of information about preparing for these programs, as well as contact information for advisors who specialize in these areas of academic interest. 

Professional Licensure

Students who are within six months of graduation should consider taking the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam.  The FE Exam is the first step towards professional licensure.  Why might it be important to be a licensed engineer? 

According to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), by becoming a professional engineer you:

• Demonstrate that you've accomplished a recognized standard;
• Set yourself apart from others in your profession;
• Open the door for career options and opportunities that might not have otherwise been available to you. 
• In addition, professional licensure is a must for anyone wishing to work on projects that affect public safety.  

The Licensure Process

Step #1: Graduation (from an ABET-accredited engineering program)

Step #2: The FE Exam

Step #3: Work Experience

Step #4: The Professional Engineering Exam

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The FE Exam (http://www.ncees.org/exams/fundamentals/)

The best time to take the FE exam is before or immediately after graduation while the technical information is still fresh in your mind.  You are eligible to take the exam as soon as you are within 6 months of graduation. 

The exam is offered bi-annually in April and October.  To download the application for eligibility to take the exam, go to http://ohiopeps.org/exams/student.html.  You will need to start the application process approximately four months ahead of when you wish to take the exam, so plan ahead! 

**The 2008 exams will be on April 12th and Oct. 25th.**

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ENGINEERING 510 - FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING (FE) EXAM REVIEW

The College of Engineering offers a review course, ENG 510, to assist students in preparation for this exam.  ENG 510 is offered every winter quarter, and is worth 1 credit hour.  This course is very useful for preparation of the content and style of the exam. 

* Students who entered the University before WI04 may use ENG 510 as List A TE credit. 

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Final Note:  Statistics show that 95% of the Department of Mechanical Engineering students who take this exam within 6 months of graduation pass the test.  The pass rate decreases as time after graduation increases, so plan to take the test as soon as possible after you graduate, before you graduate if possible! 

* Additional, detailed information about the benefits of being a licensed engineering and the licensure process can be found in the ME Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Technical Elective Program Requirements

Students are required to choose one of seven concentrations as the focus to their technical elective coursework.  Students typically choose their concentration and develop a plan for their technical electives with the assistance of their faculty advisor before the start of their final three quarters of coursework.  Detailed information, includining program requirements and available technical elective courses, can be found below. 

The Department of Mechanical Engineering also offers qualified students the opportunity to participate in advanced technical elective programs to compliment their participation in the Mechanical Engineering Honors Program and/or the BS/MS Program, as well as the opportunity for all students to take additional courses in math, science, and engineering as part of their technical elective program. 

* Students who entered the University AU03 and before may follow the previous technical elective program requirements, also below. 

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research is one of the opportunties that students can pursue to complement their coursework. Why pursue undergraduate research?

• It is an opportuntity to apply coursework to an engineering problem.
• It is an opportunity to explore a specialization within mechanical engineering.
• You distinguish yourself from your peers.
• Being involved with research as an undergraduate is an excellent way to help prepare you for graduate school - and make you a more competitive applicant.
• It can be a rewarding and fun experience!

Although many students are involved with undergraduate research through the ME Honors Program, you do not need to be an honors student to be involved in research as an undergraduate!

How to Find Undergraduate Research Opportunities

1.  Speak with your faculty advisor about your interest in undergraduate research!
2. What instructors did you enjoy learning from?  What classes did you find interesting?  These instructors may already have research projects defined that would be appropriate for undergraduate work. 
3. Check the "2008 - 2009 Potential Honors Project List."  Even if you are not an honors student, this pre-developed list of potential research projects and advisors is a way to identify some topics that are of interest to you and some faculty who are interested in working with undergraduates. 
4. Is there a topic in which you've developed an interest?  If so, you could propose a research idea to a faculty member associated with your area of interest. 

Academic Standards for Pre-Major Students

In order to remain in good academic standing in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, pre-major students are required to maintain a minimum 2.00 quarter point-hour ratio (QPHR), cumulative point-hour ratio (CPHR), and secondary point-hour ratio (SPHR).  Pre-major students who do not meet these minimum standards are eligible for deparmental probation.  Repeated failure to meet these standards will result in dismissal from the department. 

Our goal is for you to be successful, regardless of your major.  In order to be eligible to apply for the mechanical engineering major,  you need to maintain at least a 2.00 SPHR and CPHR (admission to the major, however, remains competitive and requires performance beyond these minimum numbers).  In order to graduate from Ohio State, you need a 2.00 CPHR.  Although it may see punitive, probation gives us the means to monitor students who are not meeting these standards, encourage you to resolve any difficulties, or guide you in a more appropriate academic direction. 

If you are experiencing academic difficulties, we encougage you to see an undergraduate advisor before you find yourself in danger of being put on probation. 

Application to the Major

Admission to major in Mechanical Engineering is by application only and is in accordance with the College of Engineering enrollment management plan approved by the University Council on Academic Affairs.  The Department of Mechanical Engineering limits major enrollment to 200 new students per academic year. 

Deadline for Submitting Application

Pre-mechanical engineering students need to apply to the major no later than the quarter before they wish to start their required major courses (typically, a student's first required major course is ME 250).  

           To BEGIN Required Major Courses:                            Submit Application By:

                        Autumn Quarter                                                 2nd Friday of Spring Quarter

                        Winter Quarter                                                    2nd Friday of Autumn Quarter

                        Spring Quarter                                                    2nd Friday of Winter Quarter

Students are eligible to apply during the quarter in which they are enrolled in the final courses which make up the secondary point-hour ratio (SPHR).  A student's SPHR is his/her cumulative grade-point average in the following courses:

Chem 121 & 125, Physics 131 & 132, Engineering 181 & 183, Math 151 - 153 & 254, ME 410 (or eqivalents)

In addition, English 110 is also a pre-requisite for admission to the major.  Students must pass English 110 with a C- or better to be eligible for admission to the major. 

Criteria for Admission

All applicants must have a cumulative point-hour ratio (CPHR) of 2.00 or greater and an SPHR of 2.00 or greater in order to be considered for admission to the ME major.  If demand for admission exceeds 200 students per year, admission to the major will be competitive and based on a student's SPHR.  Admission to the major can be conditional based on successful completion of any "in progress (IP)" SPHR courses.  The department deems successful completion to be a 2.0 point-hour ratio in IP SPHR courses. 

Admission to the major is currently competitive.  The SPHR cutoff varies every quarter based on the academic strength of the students who apply during that quarter. 

During the 2007 - 2008 academic year, the SPHR cutoff ranged from 2.4 (AU07) to 2.68 (SP08).  Our recommendation to students is to aim for an SPHR of 3.0, or a "B" average in the SPHR courses, in order to be competitive when they apply to the major.  Students should monitor their SPHR closely by checking their degree audit after every quarter and see an advisor if they have concerns.  Note that we cannot predict where the SPHR cutoff will be in future quarters, but give you this information so that you can be aware of past trends. 

Notification

Students will be notified of their acceptance/denial to the major no later than the third Friday of the quarter via email.  This is the official notification of acceptance/denial to the major. 

Students denied admission may reapply subsequent quarters .  There is currently no limit to the number of times that a student may apply to the major.  Applications will not be retained, so a new application form will be required each time a student applies to the major.  Students re-applying ot the major should first meet with one of the undergraduate advisors to discuss their situation. 

What is mechanical engineering?

Some students are very sure of their decision to major in mechanical engineering, and others wonder what mechanical engineering is really all about and if it's right for them.  If you are part of this second group, you're in the right place! 

We have a lot of information prepared for you to help show you what mechnical engineering is all about.  One of the best resources is our Prospective Undergraduate Students page, where you can find information about mechanical engineering, the subjects you will study, and the specializations within the major. 

There are also some very good online resources that provide extensive overviews of engineering and what you can expect life to be like as an engineer.  Check out TryEngineering.org and The Sloan Cornerstone Career Center - these are two excellent resources that give you overviews of the various disciplines, profiles of current engineers, and lots more!