Mechanical Engineering Department
The Bachelor of Science program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone 410.347.7700. The next accreditation evaluation for this program will take place during the 2010- 2011 academic year.
The Mechanical Engineering department's mission is to prepare our graduates for leadership roles in engineering, by :
- offering a quality education to foster a distinctive curriculum accentuating design and project-based learning
- committing to individual development, while emphasizing the values of teamwork in a culturally diverse, multidisciplinary environment
- encouraging undergraduate and graduate research, to nurture creative solutions to complex engineering problems
Our vision is to become the undergraduate mechanical engineering program of choice within South Dakota and among our peer groups of specialized science and engineering schools across the nation, by offering a premier engineering design curriculum and by providing our graduates with a superior educational experience through teaching and learning, research and development, and service and responsibility.
Mechanical engineering (ME) is a very broad field that provides opportunities for interesting and challenging work in every phase of modern technology. The curriculum in the Mechanical Engineering department is designed to give students a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of engineering and science within the major areas of mechanical engineering:
- Manufacturing
- Mechanical systems
- Thermal science and energy
Beyond this basic foundation, the curriculum also develops:
- the various aspects of engineering design, including design theory and teamwork
- an effective integration of computer technology
- communication skills and effective presentations
- improved understanding of engineering theory, through practical laboratory experience
In their senior year, students select from course objectives that best reflect their interests and career objectives. Students may select courses from one or more of the following general areas:
- Manufacturing, e.g., control, design, development, and manufacture of diverse equipment and processes
- Thermal Science/ Energy, e.g., design of machines, structures, and systems
- Mechanical Systems/ Design, e.g., design of machines, structures, and systems
ME Degree Programs
The ME department offers three different degree programs: a Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree, all in mechanical engineering. For more information on each individual degree program, click the Undergraduates, Master's Degree Program, and Ph.D. Program subtabs.
ME Labs and Resources for Undergrads and Grad Students
There are several undergraduate labs in the department, including mechanical systems and instrumentation, thermal and fluid systems, manufacturing, robotic systems, and vibrations. Labs are updated with personal computers, peripherals, and data acquisition equipment.
Graduate research labs and resources include advanced workstation computer facilities, equipment for modern digital controls, machine vision systems, image analysis equipment, structural testing and analysis equipment, compliant structures and computational solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer codes on the workstation facilities.
To learn more about each individual laboratory and research center the ME department has for undergraduate and graduates, look at the Laboratories section on the Research page.
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