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

  • CSCE 160 - Introduction to Computer Programming

    CSCE 160 - Introduction to Computer Programming

    4.00 credit hours

    An introduction to computer science and programming, emphasizing the development of algorithms and problem solving skills using both procedural and object-oriented approaches. Topics include data types; I/O; arithmetic, relational and logical operators; control structures; functions; simple data structures; different computing environments such as the Linux operating system are also explored. Integrated laboratory.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ELEC 150 - Introduction to Electrical Engineering

    ELEC 150 - Introduction to Electrical Engineering

    4.00 credit hours

    Fundamental concepts of electrical circuits, components and measurement techniques. Lecture/Laboratory.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ELEC 280 - Microcontrollers

    ELEC 280 - Microcontrollers

    2.00 credit hours

    Fundamentals of microcontroller design and operation. Lecture/Laboratory.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ELEC 300 - Electromechanics I

    ELEC 300 - Electromechanics I

    4.00 credit hours

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

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ENGR 100 - Introduction to Engineering

    ENGR 100 - Introduction to Engineering

    2.00 credit hours

    An overview of specific engineering majors, laboratory 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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ENGR 110 - The Engineering Method

    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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ENGR 120 - Engineering Calculations

    ENGR 120 - Engineering Calculations

    2.00 credit hours

    Develops the student's ability to use MATLAB to solve various engineering problems. Lecture/Laboratory.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ENGR 400 - Independent Project I

    ENGR 400 - Independent Project I

    2.00 credit hours

    Independent research or design project.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • ENGR 450 - Capstone I

    ENGR 450 - Capstone I

    4.00 credit hours

    Independent research or design project.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MECH 210 - Materials Science I

    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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MECH 220 - Mechanical Design I

    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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MECH 320 - Mechanical Design II

    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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MECH 410 - Control Systems

    MECH 410 - Control Systems

    4.00 credit hours

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

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MECH 420 - Manufacturing Processes

    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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MECH 440 - Robotics I

    MECH 440 - Robotics I

    4.00 credit hours

    Inverse kinematics, end effectors, dynamics, position control. Lecture/Laboratory.

    Schedule Of Classes

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

  • MATH 151 - Calculus I

    MATH 151 - Calculus I

    4.00 credit hours

    An exploration of the fundamental concepts of single-variable calculus including limits, continuity, differentiation and integration with applications.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MATH 152 - Calculus II

    MATH 152 - Calculus II

    4.00 credit hours

    A continuation of single-variable calculus with emphasis on advanced integration techniques and applications, parametric equations, polar coordinates, and infinite series.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MATH 253 - Calculus III

    MATH 253 - Calculus III

    4.00 credit hours

    A continuation of calculus with an emphasis on vectors, vector-valued and multiple-variable functions, partial derivatives, line and multiple integrals, vector analysis, Green's, divergence and Stokes' theorems.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MATH 255 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equation

    MATH 255 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equation

    4.00 credit hours

    First and second order differential equations, systems of differential equations, matrix and vector algebra, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Students may not receive credit for both MATH 255 and either MATH 300 or MATH 315.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat

    PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat

    4.00 credit hours

    Newton's Laws of motion, energy conservation, rotational motion, thermodynamics. Laboratory required, includes experimental physics and an introduction to computational modeling. Credit may be earned for only one of PHYS 131 and PHYS 161.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves and Optics

    PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves and Optics

    4.00 credit hours

    Oscillations, waves, electricity, magnetism, optics. Laboratory required, includes experimental physics and computational modeling. Credit may be earned for only one of PHYS 132 and PHYS 162.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 211 - Engineering Statics

    PHYS 211 - Engineering Statics

    4.00 credit hours

    Classical mechanics with application to engineering problems. Topics include equivalent systems of forces, centroids, analysis of trusses and frames, machines and forces due to friction, virtual work, hydrostatic pressure.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 300 - Computational Mechanics

    PHYS 300 - Computational Mechanics

    4.00 credit hours

    Newton's Laws, projectile and charged particle kinematics, conservation laws and oscillations. Advanced methods in mechanics. Mathematical methods introduced as needed. Laboratory required, focuses on computation and modeling.

    Schedule Of Classes

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 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 152PHYS 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 300.

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.

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 450 - Capstone I

4.00 credit hours - Independent research or design project.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing.

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.

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