Mechanical Engineering (BSE)

Mechanical engineering is a diverse and flexible engineering discipline. Mechanical engineers work in number of fields including design of machinery, controls, vibrations and acoustics, power generation, renewable energy, energy conservation, fluid flow and heat transfer applications, and air-conditioning. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Mechanical Engineering synthesizes math, science, engineering science, and engineering design. The program provides electives in several general areas, including thermal-sciences, mechanical design and manufacturing, robotics and automation, mechanical and environmental systems, nuclear engineering, aerospace engineering, and bioengineering. Students begin the practice of design in their freshman year and integrate it throughout their programs which culminate in a team-oriented capstone design project in the senior year. The program is geared to prepare students for the lifelong practice of mechanical engineering and for immediate entry to positions in industry or further studies in graduate schools. The department also offers the Integrated B.S.-M.S. program for qualified undergraduate students.

Please see the UNLV Mechanical Engineering department web page www.unlv.edu/me for more information about department programs, faculty, and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plans for the major are available at www.unlv.edu/degree/bse-mechanical-engineering.

Program Educational Objectives

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Program has the following program educational objectives:

• Graduates will meet or exceed the expectations of employers of Mechanical Engineers
• Qualified graduates will pursue advanced study if desired
• Graduates will pursue leadership positions in their profession and/or communities

Student Outcomes

The Mechanical Engineering Faculty has adopted the engineering criteria (1) through (7) student outcomes, namely:

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.

Admission to the Major

Minimum: GPA 2.50

Admission and transfer policies are described in the College of Engineering Section.

Department Policies

1. Grades of C (2.00) or higher are required in all immediate prerequisites of all engineering, science, construction management, and computer science courses and in ENG 101   and ENG 102  .
2. An overall 2.0 GPA and 2.0 GPA in engineering courses is required for probation, transfer, advanced standing and graduation.
3. Students must satisfy prerequisite and corequisite course requirements as specified in the current Undergraduate Catalog.
4. Students must be admitted to ‘advanced standing’ prior to registering for ME 330  , ME 380   and ME 497  .
5. Students must meet with a faculty mentor as part of the application for ‘advanced standing’.
6. Students must meet with a faculty mentor for a second time prior to resgistering for ME 497  .
7. All mechanical engineering students must take the Fundamentals of Engineering Discipline Specific Mechanical Engineering Examination as a graduation requirement.

Career Possibilities

Mechanical engineering graduates from UNLV have gone on to rewarding careers with industry, utility companies, consulting engineers and local, state and federal agencies. Many students decide to continue their education in graduate school at UNLV or at other fine universities. The long-term outlook for employment of mechanical engineers appears to be excellent both regionally and throughout the country. Salaries and advancement prospects compare favorably with many other professions. The median expected salary for a beginning mechanical engineer in U.S. can be found from the website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.