Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

Requirements for the Major:

Course requirements with a typical schedule are given for the Class of 2028 below. Students should consult their academic advisor about the scheduling and sequencing of courses. A total of 40 courses is required for the major.

Note(s):

1. * Students must declare their ME major prior to or during the sixth week of their first year spring term (prior to registering for courses for the following Fall). Students not declared as ME majors will likely not be admitted to 200-level ME courses.
2. ** An alternate mathematics sequence in the first year is possible depending on the math preparation of the student. Consult with your academic advisor.
3. *** ME students fulfill the computer science requirement by satisfactorily completing a CSC 100-level course.
4. **** The electives must be satisfied as follows:
   • General Education Program
   • 1 Math/Science Elective
     (This course is intended to count toward the ABET math/science requirements. This course must be a 100-level or above math/science course and count toward an Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geosciences or Mathematics major. AP credit can be used to satisfy this requirement.)

   • 1 MER Technical Depth Elective (defined as any MER elective course that has at least one 200 level MER course prerequisite).

   • 1 Engineering Technical Depth Elective (defined as any BME, CEE, ECE, ESC or MER course that has at least one 200 level engineering course prerequisite.

   • Free Electives
5. **** The fall term of junior year is the recommended term for participation in a term abroad. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to develop the appropriate plan of study that will allow them to pursue this option.
6. ****** STA 104, STA 164, OR STA 264 may be substituted for MER 301.
7. ****** The Senior Experience is satisfied by completing (a)  additional mechanical and engineering elective or (b) through participation on an engineering competition team or (c) through the senior project sequence.  Students should work closely with their academic advisor or senior experience advisor to ensure that all course are met for each option.

Requirements for Honors:

In addition to the college wide Departmental Honors requirements enumerated in the Academic Catalog, candidates must (1) conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Union College Academic Honor Code and the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code of Ethics; (2) maintain a minimum of 3.5 GPA in these ME courses:  MER 101 , MER 201 , MER 212 , MER 213 , MER 214 , MER 231 , MER 232 , MER 262  ,MER 301 , MER 311 , MER 312 , MER 322 , MER 331 , MER 333 , MER 419  and MER 439 ; (3) complete a senior project earning a grade of at least B+ in MER 497 and A- in MER 498 or participate on a competition team earning a grade of at least A- in MER 486H; (4) present the results of the senior project or competition team at the Steinmetz Symposium in poster or presentation form or other suitable venue approved by the Department; (5) participate in the ASME student chapter’s oral presentation competition and represent the college at the National ASME meeting if selected and (6) complete and submit to the department administrative assistant the honors application form by the first week of the spring term and receive a vote of approval by the Department Faculty.

Course Selection Guidelines

Current Mechanical Engineering Major worksheets can be found in department web repositories. It is strongly suggested that students and their advisers consult with these worksheets prior to selecting courses (even during the first year). Please consult with a Mechanical Engineering faculty member if additional information or clarification is required.

Minimum grades in Prerequisite Courses: In order to qualify to take any mechanical engineering course, a minimum grade of C- must be earned in all mechanical engineering (MER) and mathematics (MTH) courses that are listed as prerequisites for the course. Mathematics courses with the IMP designation are excluded from this requirement.

Major Courses

(Prerequisites and co-requisites are listed for each of the major courses. Under extraordinary circumstances, a student may petition the instructor and Department Chair to take a prerequisite as a co-requisite for a major course.)

Elective Courses

These may be taken to satisfy the engineering technical depth or free elective requirements. Consult the Mechanical Engineering Department Chair and course listings for additional MER, BME, CEE, ESC, CSC, and ECE courses that satisfy the engineering technical depth elective requirement. An engineering technical depth elective requires a 200-level or higher engineering course as a prerequisite.  MER 485  , MER 486  , MER 490  , MER 491  , MER 492  , MER 493  , MER 497  , MER 498  , and MER 499  may not be counted as engineering technical depth electives.  Non-MER courses require Mechanical Engineering Department Chair approval.