Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering and Mines
Department of Mechanical Engineering
907-474-7136
www.uaf.edu/cem/me/
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 131 credits
The mission of the mechanical engineering department at UAF is to offer the highest quality contemporary education at undergraduate and graduate levels, and to perform research appropriate to the technical needs of the state of Alaska, the nation and the world.
Mechanical engineers conceive, plan, design and direct the manufacturing, distribution and operation of a wide variety of devices, machines and systems for energy conversion, environmental control, materials processing, transportation, materials handling and other purposes. Mechanical engineers are engaged in creative design, applied research, development and management. A degree in mechanical engineering also frequently forms the base for entering law, medical or business school, as well as for graduate work in engineering.
The objectives of the mechanical engineering program are to produce graduates who are able to compete successfully on the world stage at the professional level; deal with the significant local, regional, national and global issues facing humankind; continue to develop as engineers through lifelong learning; and serve as resources of technical knowledge for the state as well as the nation, especially with respect to northern issues. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET has accredited the B.S. degree program in mechanical engineering since 1980.
Because engineering is based on mathematics, chemistry and physics, students are introduced to the basic principles in these areas during their first two years of study. The third year encompasses courses in the engineering science — extensions to the basic sciences forming the foundation to engineering synthesis and design. The design project course draws on much of the student's previous learning through a simulated industrial design project. Throughout the four-year program, courses in communication, humanities and social sciences are required because mechanical engineers must be able to communicate effectively in written, oral and graphical form.
Students may choose an emphasis in aerospace or petroleum engineering. Because of UAF's unique location, special emphasis is placed on cold regions engineering problems. This fact is highlighted in the technical elective, arctic engineering. Candidates for the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering are required to take the state of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering examination in their general field.
- Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete MATH F200X, CHEM F105X and CHEM F106X.)
- Complete the B.S. degree requirements. (As part of the B.S. degree requirements, complete MATH F201X, PHYS F211X and PHYS F212X.)
- Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
ES F101—Introduction to Engineering—3 credits
ES F201—Computer Techniques—3 credits
ES F209—Statics—3 credits
ES F210—Dynamics—3 credits
ES F301—Engineering Analysis—3 credits
ES F307—Elements of Electrical Engineering—3 credits
ES F331—Mechanics of Materials—3 credits
ES F341—Fluid Mechanics—4 credits
ES F346—Basic Thermodynamics—3 credits
ESM F450W—Economic Analysis and Operations—3 credits
MATH F202X—Calculus III—4 credits
MATH F302—Differential Equations—3 credits
ME F302—Dynamics of Machinery—4 credits
ME F308—Measurement and Instrumentation—3 credits
ME F313—Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics—3 credits
ME F321—Industrial Processes—3 credits
ME F334—Elements of Material Science/Engineering—3 credits
ME F403—Machine Design—3 credits
ME F408—Mechanical Vibrations—3 credits
ME F415W—Thermal Systems Laboratory—3 credits
ME F441—Heat and Mass Transfer—3 credits
ME F487W,O—Design Project—3 credits
ME electives**—6 credits
Technical electives***—3 credits
Electives—2 credits - Minimum credits required—131 credits
* Student must earn a C grade or better in each of the program (major) requirements, with exception of ES F101.
** Mechanical engineering course at F400-level or above.
*** Engineering course at F400-level or above.
Note: Students electing to complete an emphasis in aerospace engineering must complete the sequence of aerospace courses (ME F450, F451, F452 and F453) as part of their program requirements and complete a senior design project that is related to aerospace engineering.
Note: Students electing to complete an emphasis in petroleum engineering must complete the sequence of petroleum-related course (ME F409 and F416 or equivalent, plus two F400-level PETE courses) as part of their program requirements and complete a senior design project that is related to petroleum engineering.
Note: Students must plan their elective courses in consultation with their mechanical engineering faculty advisor, and obtain the advisor's approval for all elective courses.