Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Location: 2008 Cherry Building
Phone: (409) 880-8769

Chair: Hsing-wei Chu
E-mail: hsingwei.chu@lamar.edu 

The Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Â鶹ÊÓƵ is to provide high-quality educational and meaningful career opportunities for its graduates, so they may assume professional positions of increasing responsibility. Recruiting and educating students in an accredited curriculum of course work and experiences reflects the department’s mission. Demand for graduates of the department will be enhanced by frequent contact with potential employers through initiatives such as co-op programs, consultations, research and development, and student projects. Frequent program assessment ensures that students’ and employers’ needs drive the continual refinement of curricula and departmental objectives.

Vision

The vision of the mechanical engineering department at Â鶹ÊÓƵ is to be a leader in training students for the mechanical engineering profession. The mechanical engineer may be perceived as one who is engaged in a diverse profession encompassing the analysis, design, synthesis and material optimization for a wide variety of mechanical and thermal systems. The mechanical engineer must work closely with other engineering disciplines to provide tools and equipment components to enable them to practice their professions. In order to cover this wide range of requirements, the mechanical engineer needs a solid foundation in basic sciences, mathematical sciences and engineering.

Program Educational Objectives
As defined by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) International, mechanical engineers are men and women who design, develop and manufacture machines that produce, transmit or use power. There is hardly an area in modern life that has not been influenced by a mechanical engineer at some point along the path from invention to installation. Mechanical engineering knowledge is essential to build automobiles, airplanes, ships, satellites and health care equipment, to name a few. Mechanical engineering occupies this unique position as it effectively utilizes basic sciences, mathematical sciences and engineering science and technology.

The major goal of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Â鶹ÊÓƵ is to prepare undergraduate students for challenging and rewarding careers in the mechanical engineering profession. For this purpose, the mechanical engineering program is designed to educate students in the thermal systems and mechanical systems areas. The teaching focus is on basic and mathematical sciences in the freshman and sophomore years, and on engineering sciences in the junior year. In the senior year, the students are educated to develop skills to use the knowledge gained in the sophomore through junior years in mechanical engineering applications.

Keeping in view the above considerations, the faculty, in consultation with the mechanical engineering advisory council, has established the following educational objectives; these are consistent with and supportive of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ College of Engineering educational objectives and prepare mechanical engineering students to solve problems ethically and economically by:

1. pursuing a career in engineering and/or graduate study;
2. demonstrating excellent technical capabilities in their chosen field;
3. continuing to learn while growing in the profession, using modern technology and communication skills;
4. contributing as a team member or leader in solving problems for their employer and for society;
5. participating in professional activities; and
6. understanding the broad safety, environmental, ethical and economic consequences of their work.

Program Outcomes
The purpose of the mechanical engineering program of Â鶹ÊÓƵ is to ensure that the graduates have:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering;
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• an ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs;
• an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems;
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
• an ability to communicate effectively;
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning;
• a knowledge of contemporary issues;
• an ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools for engineering practice;
• a knowledge of chemistry and calculus-based physics with depth in at least one
• an ability to apply advanced mathematics through multivariate calculus and differential equations;
• an ability to use statistics and linear algebra;
• an ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas including the design and realization of such systems;
• an ability to work effectively as team members in mechanical engineering projects;
• a knowledge of manufacturing, maintenance and inspections for engineering systems; and
• an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.

Rubrics for quantitative measurement of attainment of these program outcomes were developed and used for outcome assessments. Based on the results of the outcome assessments, continuous program improvements are being implemented.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering – 134 hours