UB - University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Mechanical Engineering (B.S. Degree Programs)

Program Requirements

The Mechanical Engineering Program consists of required courses and elective courses (the Science Elective, Applied Math Elective, Technical Electives and General Education coursework). The program is intended to provide a broad background in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering science, together with sufficient depth in the required engineering courses to provide the essentials which form the base of the program. Building on the base, the student chooses additional technical and non-technical courses. Technical Elective courses allow students to obtain significant exposure to technical areas of their own choosing.

A good program of non-technical electives will broaden student interests, permitting an appreciation of the various people and cultures within our society and the global community. In fact, current ABET accreditation requirements require that students attain the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context, a knowledge of contemporary issues, and the ability to communicate effectively. Non-technical electives must be selected to satisfy the University-wide requirements for General Education and any related ABET concerns particularly for transfer students.

Of the total credit hours of coursework required for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 30 credit hours must be completed at this institution to satisfy our residency requirement. The standard program followed by a student making normal progress toward the degree may be completed in four academic years. The course load per semester varies from 15 to 18 credit hours. Those students who wish to attend Summer Session classes may reduce the calendar time required to complete the degree requirements.

Standard Course Sequence

These are the required courses and the standard course sequence for the B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Students need not follow this semester-by-semester sequence precisely, but the prerequisite and co-requisite course requirements for each course must always be satisfied. Details about transfer credit, waivers, etc., are available from the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the SEAS Office of Student Services, 410 Bonner Hall.

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
1st year
EAS 140	Engineering Solutions	3
CHE 107	General Chemistry I	4
MTH 141	Calculus I	4
ENG 101	Writing	3
XXX Gen Ed	General Education Course	3
Semester total hours = 17
Spring Semester
MAE 177	Intro to Eng Drwg and CAD	2
EAS 230	Higher Level Language	3
PHY 107	Physics I	4
MTH 142	Calculus II	4
ENG 201	Adv. Writing	3
XXX Lib Skills	Library Skills	-
Semester total hours = 16
2nd year
Fall Semester
MAE 277	Intro to MAE Practice	3
MAE 204	Thermodynamics	3
EAS 207	Statics	3
PHY 108	Physics II	3
PHY 158	Physics II Lab	1
MTH 241	Calculus III	4
Semester total hours = 17
Spring Semester
EAS 200	EE Concepts*	3
EAS 208	Dynamics	3
EAS 209	Mechanics of Solids	3
XXX Elective	Science Elective**	4
MTH 306	Differential Equations	4
Semester total hours = 17
3rd year
Fall Semester
MAE 334	Instruments and Computers	3
MAE 335	Fluid Mechanics	3
MAE 376	Applied Math for MAE	3
MAE 377	Product Design with CAD***	3
MAE 381	Engineering Materials	3
Semester total hours = 15
Spring Semester
MAE 311	Machines and Mechanisms I	3
MAE 336	Heat Transfer	3
MAE 340	Systems Analysis	4
MAE 364	Manufacturing Processes	3
MAE 385	Engineering Materials Lab	1
XXX Gen Ed	General Education Course	3
Semester total hours = 17
4th year
Fall Semester
MAE 338	Fluid/Heat Transfer Lab	1
MAE 451	Design Process & Methods	3
MAE XXX	MAE Technical Elective	3
MAE XXX	MAE Technical Elective	3
XXX Gen Ed	General Education Course	3
XXX Gen Ed	General Education Course	3
Semester total hours = 16
Spring Semester
XXX Elective	Applied Math Elective****	3
MAE 494	Design Project	3
MAE XXX	MAE Technical Elective	3
XXX TE	Technical Elective	3
XXX Gen Ed	General Education Course	3
Semester total hours = 15
B.S. Program total hours = 130

1. * EE 202 Circuit Analysis may be substituted for EAS 200
2. ** Science Elective: CHE 108 (with lab), PHY 207 (with lab) or an approved Biology course (with lab)
3. *** Also offered in Spring and Summer, students unable to register for MAE 377 in the Fall may take a Gen Ed course, MAE 311 or MAE 364 to maintain a full schedule
4. **** Applied Math Elective: MAE 428, EAS 305, EAS 308, EAS 451, MTH 309, MTH 417, MTH 418

Electives

Elective Policy

ME students are required to take a total of 12 hours of Technical Elective (TE) coursework, 3 hours of an Applied Math Elective, and 4 hours of Science Elective. A TE course may be a course offered by the departments of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), or a course in mathematics or the sciences which is not a required course for the ME degree. TE courses may not substantially duplicate the material in a required course. All TEs must be coursework at the 300 level or above. In some instances graduate level courses may be used as TEs. Nine hours of TE credit must be selected from courses offered by the MAE Department. No more than two of the following courses may be used as TE courses: MAE 496, MAE 499, EAS 480, EAS 498, and EAS 396/496 (for TE purposes EAS 396 and 496 together are equivalent to one MAE course).

Choosing Electives in Mechanical Engineering

The courses indicated below include Technical Electives that are regularly offered in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Dynamics and Controls:

• MAE 443 Continuous Control Systems (F)
• MAE 444 Digital Control Systems (Sp)
  
• MAE 467 Vibration and Shock (Sp)
  
• MAE 476 Mechatronics (Sp)

Mechanical Design:

• MAE 412 Machines and Mechanisms II (F)
  
• MAE 449 Design of Complex Engineering Systems (Sp)
  
• MAE 476 Mechatronics (Sp)
  
• MAE 477 Computer-Aided Design Applications (Sp)

Design and Manufacturing:

• MAE 464 Manufacturing Automation (F)
  
• MAE 484 Principles and Materials for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (Sp)
  
• MAE 449 Design of Complex Engineering Systems (Sp)
  
• MAE 458 Tribology (F)
  
• IE 406 Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (F)

CAD/CAE and Engineering Computation:

• MAE 428 Analytical Methods (Sp)
  
• MAE 442 Computer-Aided Analysis in Fluid and Thermal Sciences (Sp)
  
• MAE 473 Graphics in Computer-Aided Design (F)
  
• MAE 477 Computer-Aided Design Applications (Sp)

Energy and Applied Thermodynamics:

• MAE 431 Energy Systems (F)
  
• MAE 423 Introduction to Propulsion (F)
  
• MAE 439 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (Sp)

Fluids and Heat Transfer:

• MAE 422 Gas Dynamics (Sp)
  
• MAE 423 Introduction to Propulsion (F)
  
• MAE 424 Aerodynamics (F)
  

BioEngineering:

• MAE 417 Applied Orthopedic Biomechanics (Sp)
  
• MAE 420 Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System (Sp)
  
• MAE 478 Cardiovascular Biomechanics (Sp)
  
• BMA 520 Evaluation of Biomedical Materials (Sp)

Materials Engineering:

• MAE 438 Smart Materials (Sp)
  
  
• MAE 482 Introduction to Composite Materials (F)
  
• MAE 484 Principles and Materials for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (Sp)
  
• MAE 487 Modern Theory of Materials (Sp)

Applied Mechanics:

• MAE 315 Analysis of Structures (F)
  
• MAE 316 Aerospace Structures (Sp)
  
• MAE 467 Vibration and Shock (Sp)
  
• MAE 482 Introduction to Composite Materials (F)

The General Education Program

General education focuses on a broad array of skills, knowledge, and issues that the University’s faculty considers to be particularly important for all college graduates. The program is intended to help students prepare for success and fulfillment in a continually changing world. General education complements the departmental major. In particular, the General Education Program at the State University of New York at Buffalo, in accordance with SUNY policy is designed to instill knowledge and skills in: Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, American History, Western Civilization, Other World Civilizations, Humanities, The Arts, Foreign Languages, and Basic Communication. In addition, requirements exist in two competencies: Critical Thinking (Reasoning), and Information Management. General education requirements are detailed in the Undergraduate Catalog and advisement regarding these requirements is available through the SEAS Office of Undergraduate Education in 410 Bonner Hall.