Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

Engineering is the application of science, mathematics and common sense to solve practical problems and design useful products.

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

Mechanical Engineering offers a mix of mechanical design, simulations, robotics and manufacturing processes. Our graduates are prepared to be employed in a wide range of companies and research laboratories.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

A minimum of 45 credit hours of Engineering coursework to include:

Core Courses

A minimum of 30 credit hours of Mathematics and Science coursework to include:

Notes:

If students do not meet minimum the Mathematics and Science requirements, additional coursework may need to be taken.

Courses below MATH 151 do not apply to the required credit hours in Mathematics and Science.

*Students who do not place into MATH 151 must successfully complete the course prerequisite, MATH 140.

 

Mechanical Engineering

MECH 210 - Materials Science I

4.00 credit hours - Basic principles of structure-property relationships in the context of chemical, mechanical and physical properties of materials. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 161.

MECH 220 - Mechanical Design I

4.00 credit hours - Engineering drawing, computer aided design and drafting (CAD), engineering drawing control, product design life-cycle, designing for sustainability, system design, product performance metrics, accelerated life testing, mechanism and linkage design. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): MECH 210.

MECH 300 - Electromechanics I

4.00 credit hours - Introduction to electromechanical systems, design criteria, failure analysis and electrical and mechanical interfaces. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): ELEC 150.

MECH 320 - Mechanical Design II

2.00 credit hours - Analysis of stress and strain, torsion, bending, beams, springs, pressure vessels contact stress, stability, stress concentration, fatigue. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 152, PHYS 211 and MECH 220.

MECH 321 - Mechanical Design III

4.00 credit hours - Basic elements of machines, gears, bearings, shafts, fasteners, electric motors, brakes, clutches, linkages, kinematic synthesis. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): MECH 320.

MECH 410 - Control Systems

4.00 credit hours - Analysis of system response to inputs and initial conditions, feedback, design of control systems. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 255.

MECH 420 - Manufacturing Processes

2.00 credit hours - Introduction to machines and methods of rapid prototyping and production, extrusion, injection molding, plating, casting, milling, turning, abrasive jet, stamping, forging and rolling. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): MECH 320.

MECH 430 - Mechanical Simulation

4.00 credit hours - Finite element analysis and design optimization, solid modeling, mesh generation, thermal, linear, non-linear, and event simulation. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): MECH 320.

MECH 440 - Robotics I

4.00 credit hours - Inverse kinematics, end effectors, dynamics, position control. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 305.

Engineering

ENGR 100 - Introduction to Engineering

2.00 credit hours - An overview of specific engineering majors, lab safety, competitions, internships, research, post-graduate opportunities and employment options. Examines the relevancy of a liberal arts foundation and how it relates to the field of engineering.

Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Career Preparation.

ENGR 110 - The Engineering Method

2.00 credit hours - Methods and practices employed to develop, commercialize and distribute products and services dependent on engineering will be presented. Includes descriptions of the four major career paths available to engineers. Lecture/Laboratory.

ENGR 120 - Engineering Calculations

2.00 credit hours - Develops the student’s ability to use MATLAB to solve various engineering problems. Lecture/Laboratory.

ENGR 297 - Internship

0.00-12.00 credit hours - Valuable professional experiences supplement classroom instruction and allow students to apply theories and concepts to broader issues and system. Students explore career options within a specific area of study and critically reflect on the experience in a structured manner. May be repeated with different professional experience.

Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing.

ENGR 299 - Independent Study

1.00-12.00 credit hours - Individual studies undertaken with guidance of a faculty member. May be repeated with different content.

ENGR 350 - Measurements I

4.00 credit hours - Methods for digital data acquisition; measurements of pressure, temperature, flow rate, heat transfer and static forces and moments. Lecture/Laboratory

Prerequisite(s): MECH 210 and PHYS 211.

ENGR 397 - Internship

0.00-12.00 credit hours - Valuable professional experiences supplement classroom instruction and allow students to apply theories and concepts to broader issues and system. Students explore career options within a specific area of study and critically reflect on the experience in a structured manner. May be repeated with different professional experience.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

ENGR 399 - Independent Study

1.00-12.00 credit hours - Individual studies undertaken with guidance of a faculty member. May be repeated with different content.

ENGR 400 - Independent Project I

2.00 credit hours - Independent research or design project.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

ENGR 431 - Industrial Metrology and Statistics

2.00 credit hours - An exploration of the tools and methods used to monitor and control production processes, product characteristics and performance including evaluating process stability, detect rates MTTF and MTBF.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

ENGR 450 - Capstone I

4.00 credit hours - Independent engineering design project.

Prerequisite(s): ENGR 400 and Senior standing; concurrent enrollment in both MECH 420 and MECH 440 OR in both ELEC 460 and PHYS 320.

ENGR 451 - Capstone II

4.00 credit hours - Independent research or design project.

Prerequisite(s): ENGR 450.

ENGR 480 - Failure Analysis

4.00 credit hours - Case studies will be analyzed to determine root cause for failed engineering materials and components.

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 263 or MECH 210.

ENGR 497 - Internship

0.00-12.00 credit hours - Valuable professional experiences supplement classroom instruction and allow students to apply theories and concepts to broader issues and system. Students explore career options within a specific area of study and critically reflect on the experience in a structured manner. May be repeated with different professional experience.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

Take advantage of some of the many opportunities to enrich your education outside the classroom! Below are some examples; follow the links for more information.

  • Gain "real-world" experience through an Internship

Many engineering students work part-time in the Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program at Argonne National Laboratory. Co-op students work 15-19 hours per week during the school year and often work full-time during summer and break periods.  

  • Study Abroad

Recent engineering students have studied at the University of Glasgow and Dundee University in Scotland and at Macquarie University in Australia.

  • Get your hands on Research

Engineering students can do research with North Central faculty during the academic year and summers, or spend fall of your senior year doing research at a national laboratory through the Department of Energy's SULI program.  Students present their research at North Central’s annual Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research, and many present at the annual Argonne Symposium and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.