Program Educational Mission, Objectives, and Outcomes

Program educational objectives describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first few years after graduation.  The program educational objectives for the Department of Mechanical Engineering are described below.  The mission and objectives statements were developed initially by a small committee of four faculty experienced in ABET evaluation. They were reviewed, and extensively modified, by the full department faculty, the Department External Advisory Board, and our ASME student section. They will be reviewed every three years by the same groups.

Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is the education of professionals in mechanical and nuclear engineering, the dissemination of knowledge and technology, and the development of innovative solutions to problems in these fields.

Program Objectives

The program educational objectives of the Department of Mechanical engineering are to educate graduates who will be ethical, productive, and contributing members of society.  As they progress professionally after graduation, our alumni will:

1. Use their engineering foundation for success in

• Technical careers in industry, academia, government, or other organizations
• Graduate school in engineering
• Nontechnical careers in areas such as law, medicine, business, public policy, secondary education, service industries, etc.
• Careers involving engineering practice, research and development, or engineering education, management, or service
• Careers involving management or entrepreneurship

2.  Use lifelong learning skills to

• Take advantage of professional development opportunities in their disciplines
• Develop new knowledge and skills and pursue new areas of expertise or careers
• Adapt to changing global markets and workforce trends

3.  Engage in professional service by

• Using their engineering background to advance society and to help solve technical and societal problems
• Developing new knowledge and products that will promote sustainable economic development to improve the quality of life
• Promoting the practice of engineering as a source of societal good

Program Outcomes

Our program will give our graduating seniors the skills and knowledge base to allow them to achieve our program objectives after graduation.   By the time of graduation, our students will have:

a)   an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

b)   an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

c)   an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability

d)   an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

e)   an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

f)   an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

g)   an ability to communicate effectively

h)   the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context

i)    a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

j)    a knowledge of contemporary issues

k)   an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

l)    the ability to apply principles of engineering, basic science, and mathematics to model and analyze components or processes

m)  the ability to apply principles of engineering, basic science, and mathematics to design and realize physical systems, components, or processes

n)   an ability to work professionally in thermal systems areas

o)   an ability to work professionally in mechanical systems areas