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BS in Mechanical Engineering
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By the Numbers
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Program Overview
Close up
A student during a soil testing workshop in the School of Engineering
Companies rely on mechanical engineers to design, develop, maintain, test and improve their most important systems, equipment and machinery. In our program, you’ll develop the analytical and technological skills necessary for careers in diverse fields, from transportation and robotics to alternative energy and nanotechnology.
With years of experience in the field, our engineering faculty members teach you the principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, control theory, engineering design and more. Whether you see yourself rebuilding automotive engines, designing transport systems or manufacturing industrial equipment, you’ll get the foundation and skills necessary to succeed in your area of interest.
More than a dozen state-of-the-art labs and classrooms—including a circuits and controls lab, a hydraulics lab and a fabrications lab—provide you with an experiential and collaborative learning experience. In a multidisciplinary environment, you acquire the expertise to design and conduct experiments, perform materials testing and build prototypes and models of your own design. Powerful software tools and 3D printers allow you to bring those designs to life.
Our mechanical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, meaning it meets the highest standards of engineering education. Its innovative combination of modern theory, interdisciplinary field projects and powerful internships builds the foundation necessary to launch a rewarding career.
Building a Sustainable World
Eco-bricks made simpler
Mechanical engineering alumnus Christopher Monferrato ’17 could honestly say that his senior capstone project will one day help build eco-friendly schools for rural communities in Guatemala.
Called “bottle schools,” the structures eschew the use of cinder blocks for plastic bottles filled with non-organic trash called “eco bricks.” Eco-bricks are cheap to make and help solve Guatemala’s garbage problem, but take a long time to produce. Monferrato’s purpose was clear: build a machine capable of filling multiple bottles at once that is time-efficient, durable and cost-effective.
Monferrato and his peers successfully designed and built a prototype that could load, pack and compress up to five bottles in five minutes. They hope the final device will be simple enough to be operated by both children and adults.
“In order for this to work, the entire community has to get involved,” said Monferrato. “It’s very empowering for them.”
Read the full story
Community service
Christopher Monferrato works on a machine prototype that will assist workers in Guatemala who use bottles filled with shredded trash to make eco-bricks, which are used to build schools and houses. He worked in the machine shop at the Center for Communications and Engineering on March 24, 2017.
Faculty Spotlight
Renowned leader
Grant Crawford, a mechanical engineering professor at Quinnipiac since 2014, served in the U.S. Army and leads teams all over the world.
Leadership through example
When Grant Crawford joined Quinnipiac in 2014 as a professor of mechanical engineering, he brought with him nearly 30 years of practical leadership experience. As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, Crawford had led teams of diverse individuals all over the world, from Germany to Iraq to South Korea, and later mentored in the engineering facility at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan, in Kabul.
Given his achievements as a leader, practicing engineer and educator, his nomination for president-elect of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) came as no surprise to peers and students.
"Engagement with the ASEE perfectly aligns with my two passions; teaching engineering and serving others," he said.
Crawford is no stranger to the ASEE. In his sixth year on the board of directors, he founded the organization's Military and Veteran's Division. He also has led the Innovation Strategic Doing Team and serves on the Diversity, Public Policy and Long Range Planning committees. Crawford remains guided by the same sense of duty that was drilled into him long ago as a student at West Point, which he tries to instill in his students at Quinnipiac.
"As we continue to engage in national and global challenges, it is even more critical as engineering educators to promote our ability to make positive impacts in the lives and communities of those we serve," Crawford said.
Hard Hat Ceremony
Photo Gallery
Students receive their hard hats and awards at our annual Hard Hat Ceremony
Receiving awards
Megan Bazata '18 accepts the Advanced Achievement Award at the Quinnipiac University Engineering Department second annual Hard Hat Ceremony.
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Faculty
Faculty dedicated to student success
Quinnipiac’s School of Engineering professors are committed to the personal and professional success of every student. While passionate scholars and accomplished in their own fields, teaching is their number one priority. Small class sizes, accessible professors and a close-knit community create the kind of supporting, enriching environment that is rare. We are personally invested in seeking ways to help our students develop into strong, certified, leading professionals.
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Facilities
The tools to create, collaborate and succeed
From the lathes and drill presses found in the Machine Shop, to the Laser Cutter Workshop's high-powered Vytek 200W, our program's teaching equipment is immaculate and state-of-the-art. Each piece of technology emphasizes principals in action, such as the air conditioning system trainer in our Thermal Heat and Transfer Lab, which illustrates the inner-workings of a large A/C unit and what it takes to overload it.
Beyond metals, machinery and energy transfer, a large part of our curriculum focuses on design, fabrication and precision. Our 3D Printing Room is equipped with MakerBots and other 3D printers necessary to bring your ideas to fruition. In our Circuts Lab, you'll cover more of the finer skills required of mechanical engineers. Here, you will work with the same detailed circuitry that powers a range of everyday consumer items, from motors and computers to guitar amplifiers and electric toothbrushes.
Classrooms and labs will also expose you to one thing you'll undoubtedly experience during internships and as you begin your career – interdisciplinary collaboration. You'll have the chance to participate in interdepartmental projects, not just with your peers in other engineering programs, but with students from a wide range of backgrounds, including health sciences to game design.
Curriculum and Requirements
BS in Mechanical Engineering Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program requires 128 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum | ||
| Foundations of Inquiry: | ||
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| Quantitative Literacy: | ||
| MA 285 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Disciplinary Inquiry: | ||
| CHE 110 & 110L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| EC 111 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Personal Inquiry: | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
BIO 101 & 101L | General Biology I and General Biology I Lab | |
CHE 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | |
| MA 151 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 152 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Humanities, Social Science, Fine Arts (2 classes; must be from two different areas) | 6 | |
| Integrative Capstone: | ||
| University Capstone | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
In addition to the University Curriculum, students majoring in Mechanical Engineering must complete the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Courses for Mechanical Engineering | ||
| MA 251 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MA 265 | Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 4 |
| PHY 121 | University Physics | 4 |
| PHY 122 | University Physics II | 4 |
| CSC 110 & 110L | Programming and Problem Solving and Programming and Problem Solving Lab | 4 |
| Common Engineering Curriculum | ||
| ENR 110 | The World of an Engineer | 3 |
| ENR 210 | Engineering Economics and Project Management | 3 |
| ENR 395 | Professional Development Seminar | 1 |
| Mechanical Engineering Courses | ||
| MER 210 & 210L | Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanics and Design and Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanics and Design Lab | 4 |
| MER 220 & 220L | Mechanics of Materials and Mechanics of Materials Lab | 4 |
| MER 221 | Dynamics | 3 |
| MER 230 & 230L | Engineering Materials and Engineering Materials Lab | 4 |
| MER 250 | Computer Aided Design | 3 |
| MER 310 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MER 320 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MER 330 & 330L | Introduction to Circuits and Introduction to Circuits Lab | 4 |
| MER 340 & 340L | Manufacturing/Machine Component Design and Manufacturing/Machine Component Design Lab | 4 |
| MER 350 | Mechanical Engineering Design | 3 |
| MER 360 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| MER 470 & 470L | Dynamic Modeling and Control and Dynamic Modeling and Controls Lab | 4 |
| MER 490 | Engineering Professional Experience | 1 |
| MER 498 | ME Major Design Experience | 3 |
| Mechanical Engineering Electives | ||
| Select two of the following MER technical electives: | 6 | |
MER 387 | Introduction to Applied Aerodynamics | |
MER 388 | Helicopter Aeronautics | |
MER 450 | Environmentally Conscious Design and Manufacturing | |
MER 460 | Mechanical Measurement and Data Acquisition | |
MER 472 | Energy Conversion Systems | |
MER 475 | Mechatronics | |
MER 481 | Aircraft Performance/Static Stability | |
MER 486 | Vibration Engineering | |
MER 489 | Advanced Study in Mechanical Engineering | |
MER 491 | Biomedical Engineering | |
| Technical elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
One additional MER technical elective from above | ||
CER 310 | Structural Analysis | |
IER 320 | Production Systems | |
IER 420 | Industrial Control Systems | |
IER 430 | Statistical Process Control | |
Other 200-level or higher CER, IER or SER course with program director approval | ||
| Total Credits | 82 | |
Additional course details
Explore descriptions, schedule and instructor information using the Course Finder tool.
Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes
Educational Objectives
Within four to seven years after graduation, mechanical engineering majors are expected to attain:
- Position(s) of responsibility in which they:
- work effectively in teams
- manage resources
- solve complex problems
- communicate information
- influence decisions
- act ethically
- balance constraints
- Self-development through formal and informal learning opportunities.
- Sustained employment and/or further education in a technical/professional field.
- Capacity to engage independently in meaningful creative endeavors.
Student Outcomes
Students graduating with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering will have:
- An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- 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
- An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- An ability to communicate effectively
- The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
- A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- A knowledge of contemporary issues
- An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
Enrollment and Graduation Data
Student Enrollment
- 2017-18: 104
- 2016-17: 101
- 2015-16: 82
- 2014-15: 59
- 2013-14: 34
- 2012-13: 8
Number of Mechanical Engineering Program Graduates
- 2016-17: 9
- 2015-16: 12, Inaugural Class
