Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The 128-hour bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Students typically take four years to complete the program. The mechanical engineering curriculum builds on the basic foundation of mathematics and physical sciences learned in the first three semesters, and then focuses on engineering design and analysis in mechanical, thermal, fluids, and energy systems. First-year students are quickly immersed in hands-on design/build team projects as part of the cornerstone mechanical engineering courses. Engineering science, analysis, and design are integrated throughout the curriculum, culminating in a senior capstone design project where students complete a year-long hands-on design and build experience in one of three areas:

  • Formula SAE vehicle design,

  • Industrial sponsored topics, and

  • Research sponsored topics.

The industrial and/or research projects may include alternative energy topics (EcoHawks), biomechanics topics or general mechanical engineering topics.

Students interested in biomedical engineering or applying to medical school after graduation may elect to complete a concentration in biomechanics (or follow a pre-medicine plan)) or complete an Undergraduate Certificate in Bioengineering (see the  Bioengineering program for requirements). Students are encouraged to be active with the different engineering societies, including The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, The Society of Automotive Engineers, Engineers Without Borders, The Biomedical Engineering Society, The Society of Women Engineers, The National Society of Black Engineers, and The Society of Hispanic Engineers. KU also has active chapters of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering society, and Pi Tau Sigma, the national mechanical engineering honor society. Study abroad is strongly encouraged and generally does not delay students' graduation since they will be taking engineering classes abroad.

Professional Licensing

Formal study in an accredited engineering program is the principal means of becoming licensed to practice engineering in Kansas and other states. During the junior or senior year, students are strongly encouraged to take the national Fundamentals of Engineering examination. After 4 or more years of practice satisfactory to the State Board (licensing regulations vary among states), engineering graduates may take the examination to become registered professional engineers.

Job Search Assistance

The Engineering Career Center offers a comprehensive array of services to students seeking permanent employment and career-related summer or co-op employment. These include on-campus interviewing; 2 career fairs each year; individual advising and group workshops on résumés; interviewing, and job search strategies; online interviewing sign-up; online job postings from many employers not interviewing on campus; a library of employer and career literature; and an online résumé book searchable by employers.

The Engineering Career Center offers services to all engineering students. Students are encouraged to visit the Engineering Career Center early in their undergraduate or graduate studies. Many employers actively seek KU engineering and computer science students. Some prefer to hire students as early as the first-year level for internships. The Career Center is in 1410 LEEP2; additional information is available from 785-864-3891.

Undergraduate Regulations

The Mechanical Engineering program follows the undergraduate regulations of the university and school. The program has adopted a more limiting transfer policy regarding upper level mechanical engineering courses. The program also has required minimum grades in select classes for progression in the degree.

Transfer of Credit

In general, course number equivalents greater than KU Mechanical Engineering’s ME 399 cannot be transferred to count towards the 128 credit hour BS in mechanical engineering curriculum. For a non-KU course that might be related to a KU Mechanical Engineering course greater than ME 399 course:

  1. The KU Mechanical Engineering program may consider a one-time petition for transfer.
  2. To be considered for transfer, the petitioned course must have been taken from an ABET-EAC accredited program.
  3. Study Abroad courses will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Grades of C- or Better

While a D may be considered a passing grade in MATH 125, MATH 126, ME 211 (CE 201 and ME 210) and ME 212, it does not meet the mechanical engineering program's requirements for satisfying pre-requisites for subsequent classes.  The mechanical engineering program requires a C- or better in MATH 125 and MATH 126 for progression in the degree. The program requires a C- or better in ME 211 (or CE201 and ME 210) for progression in the degree. Students earning a D-, D or D+ in ME 212 may progress in the degree providing they successfully complete ME 412 (counts as Technical Elective) in the next semester that it is offered.