Apr 17, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2018-2019 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2018-2019 [Archived Catalog]

Mechanical Engineering Curriculum


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Baccalaureate Programs

Freshmen or sophomores who have identified mechanical, aerospace, or nuclear engineering as their major may follow the baccalaureate program below in lieu of the general core engineering program. Dual major programs which lead to a single baccalaureate degree embracing two fields are also available and are described in more detail in the department.

First Year


Fall (17 credits)


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4 (See footnote 3 below)

Spring (17 credits)


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
     
    (See footnote 3 below)

Second Year


Fall (17 credits)


  • STSS 4XXX Professional Development II Credit Hours: 2
    (See footnotes 1 and 4 below)

Spring (15 credits)


  • SOE  Engineering Design Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnotes 1,5, and 6 below)

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester* (15 credits)


*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, The Arch Summer courses would be taken during the fall semester. For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)

Fall OR Spring (16 credits)


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
    (See footnote 6 below)

Fourth Year


Fall (16 credits)


  • MANE 4XXX Computation Elective Credit hours:  3
    (See footnotes 1 and 9)
  • MANE 4XXX Technical Elective Credit hours:  3
     
    (See footnotes 1 and 9)
  • HASS Elective Credit hours:  4
     
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • Free Elective Credit hours: 3

Spring 16 credits)


  • SoE/S 4XXX Technical Elective II Credit hours:  3
    ( See footnotes 1 and 9 below)
  • HASS Elective  Credit Hours: 4
     (See footnote 3 below)
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 3

Computation and Technical (Restricted) Electives


  • The Computation Elective must be either MANE 4240 Introduction to Finite Elements, MANE 4963 Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics, MANE 4280 Design Optimization or MTLE 4500 Computational Methods for Materials Design.
  • The first Technical Elective must be taken from any upper-level (4000 or above) MANE course.
  • The second Technical Elective may be selected from any upper-level (4000 or above) course in the School of Engineering or the School of Science. An independent study course, such as a design project or an undergraduate research project in the School of Engineering or the School of Science may also be used to satisfy this requirement.
  • Computational and Technical Electives may not be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis.

Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Electives


In this area, the electives are based on the Institute and School of Engineering requirements. Students are urged to elect humanities, arts, and social science sequences through which they will obtain adequate breadth and depth in subject areas. Students desiring minors in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences must consult the school or department in which the courses are offered to obtain further information and specific requirements.

Footnotes


  1. These required courses may be taken in any order in the academic year shown (or in a previous year) given the pre-requisites are met.
  2. Choice of ENGR 1200 Engineering Graphics and CAD, ENGR 1400 Engineering Communication, or CIVL 1200 Engineering Graphics for Civil Engineers; EG and CAD is preferred for Mechanical Engineers.
  3. The five HASS Electives may be taken in any semester; it is recommended to schedule one in each of the first two semesters and one in the Summer Arch.
  4. For a list of courses that satisfy the PD II requirement refer to the link “Courses which satisfy PD II requirement” on the SIS home page. It must be completed before the capstone design course.
  5. Choose from ENGR 2050 Introduction to Engineering Design and MANE 2220 Inventor’s Studio I; both have Professional Development I embedded in them.
  6. These courses may be taken in the Arch Summer semester (if the summer schedule permits).
  7. These laboratory courses may be taken any semester in the junior or senior year, provided all prerequisites have been completed.
  8. Mechanical Engineering students may alternatively take MANE 4220 Inventor’s Studio II, MANE 4230 Air Vehicle Design, MANE 4850 Space Vehicle Design, or MANE 4860 Helicopter Design as alternative capstone design experiences, provided all prerequisites have been completed.
  9. Computation and Technical Electives
  • The Computation Elective must be chosen from the following list of courses: MANE 4240 Introduction to Finite Elements, MANE 4963 Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics, MANE 4280 Design Optimization, or MTLE 4500 Computational Methods for Materials Design.
  • The first Technical Elective must be taken from any upper-level (4000 or above) MANE course.
  • The second Technical Elective may be selected from any upper-level (4000 or above) course in the School of Engineering or the School of Science.  An independent study course, such as a design project or an undergraduate research project in the School of Engineering or the School of Science may also be used to satisfy this requirement.
  • Computational and Technical Electives may not be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis.

 

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