Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Administration
Chair: Dale Reif Tree
Department Information:
360/350 EB
801-422-2625
medept-sec@byu.edu
Advisement Center:
246 EB
801-422-4325
engineering_advisement@byu.edu
Admission to Degree Program
The degree program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering carries special enrollment limitations. Please see Professional Program Acceptance below.
The Discipline
Mechanical engineers work with concepts, ideas, and products that are primarily mechanical or energy related. Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline that prepares a person to contribute in a wide range of fields such as aerospace, computer graphics, power generation, machine tools, petroleum, agricultural and construction equipment, medicine, robotics, government, and all types of transportation. A mechanical engineer may work in research, design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, operations, sales, or management. Engineers use critical problem-solving methods and basic principles of mathematics and science to creatively solve problems.
Educational Objectives
The objectives of the undergraduate Bachelors of Science program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University are to:
1. Teach the fundamental concepts of math, science, and mechanical engineering in order to produce graduates who demonstrate technical excellence and provide service to their profession, community, family, and church.
2. Instill a desire and ability to learn continuously, both through study and faith, to enable graduates to meet the changing demands of their profession and personal life.
3. Provide practical and open-ended engineering experiences in order to develop graduates who think independently and demonstrate leadership and creativity.
4. Engage students in activities to produce graduates who communicate and work effectively and ethically with people of diverse backgrounds.
Program Outcomes
To assure that these objectives are reached, the department has articulated twelve outcomes of the BS program. Each student graduating from this program is expected to have:
1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
All courses in the curriculum are designed to help achieve these outcomes.
The curriculum in mechanical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET).
Career Opportunities
A bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering provides widely recognized professional training for careers in industry, government, and other areas. Most industrial companies hire mechanical engineers.
Companies that make mechanical or energy-related products may hire mostly mechanical engineers. As a result, many mechanical engineering positions are available worldwide. Mechanical engineers have job opportunities in companies involved in such areas as aircraft and spacecraft design; manufacturing processes; product safety and reliability; solar energy; electronic equipment packaging and cooling; power plant design; jet, train, truck, and automobile engines; environmental protection; artificial intelligence; robotics; medical and hospital equipment; new material development and applications; and technical writing. Increasing numbers of positions utilize foreign language experience.
A graduate in mechanical engineering is prepared for advanced studies in the field as well as in a variety of other disciplines, including law, medicine, and business administration. Perhaps most important to graduates are the problem-solving strategies and thinking processes acquired in the study of mechanical engineering that help one to succeed in any area of endeavor.
General Information
Any student may choose to major in mechanical engineering and to enroll in all classes in the preprofessional program.
Professional Program Acceptance
Students must be accepted into the professional program before they may take the professional Me En core courses. To apply, students must receive a grade in the courses outlined below. They must also be in good academic standing. Admissions decisions are made by equally weighting the GPA from these courses. (See policies below regarding AP courses and transfer courses.)
The first physics course taken at BYU from the sequence: PHSCS 121, PHSCS 123, Ec En 101
The first math course taken at BYU from the sequence: MATH 112, 113, 213, 302, 303, 314, 334
The first mechanics course taken at BYU from the sequence: ME EN 101, CE EN 203, CE EN 204
ME EN 191 at BYU (PASS Grade required)
AP Courses: Equivalent credit for AP exams can fulfill graduation requirements; however, since there is no grade assigned to AP courses, they cannot be used to calculate the Application GPA. For purposes of calculating the Application GPA, students must either (a) take the BYU equivalent course or (b) take the next course in the physics, math, or mechanics sequence.
Transfer Courses. Equivalent credit for non-ABET-accredited courses can fulfill graduation requirements, but cannot be used to calculate the Applicatoin GPA. For purposes of calculating the Application GPA, students must either (a) take the BYU equivalent course or (b) take the next course in the physics, math, or mechanics sequence.
Acceptance Criteria. 240 students are granted acceptance to the professional program each year based on the Application GPA. Students may apply for admission more than once, however, each course may be retaken only ONE time (includes withdraws). When a course is retaken, the higher grade will be used to calculate the Application GPA. Please see our website: http://me.byu.edu/apply for further information and recent admission data.
Academic Standards and Continuance
On gaining acceptance into the ME professional program, students must maintain a minimum university cumulative GPA of 2.0. No more than 6 credit hours or two courses of passing grades below C– in required program courses (including preprofessional and professional courses) may be applied toward graduation. A professional program course may not be retaken more than once. At least 30 of the 48.5 credit hours of Mechanical Engineering courses (ME EN) must be earned at BYU.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following university requirements:
The University Core, consisting of requirements in general and religious education.
At least 30 credit hours must be earned in residence on the BYU campus in Provo as an admitted day student
A minimum of 120 credit hours
A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office
Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs Available
This department also offers graduate degree programs. For more information, see Graduate Studies.
