Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Chair: Ravi Gorthala, Associate Professor, PhD., University of Mississippi

Faculty in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Division (MIE) hold a primary appointment to one of the disciplinary departments of the Tagliatela College of Engineering and are MESD Instructors, Fellows, or Scholars, depending on their level of participation in the activities of the division.

Mission

The Mechanical and Industrial, Engineering Department (MIE) strives to promote inter- and multidisciplinary perspectives, education, and research that relates to engineering and technology. The department strives to achieve a process of continuous improvement of the curricula, provide a faculty that is current in their field, maintain state-of-the-art facilities, and develop innovative interdisciplinary and specialized programs.

Goals of the ISME are as follows:

To attract and retain highly qualified students of diverse backgrounds and prepare them for successful careers and leadership positions
To promote scholarly activities that enrich the educational programs
To develop partnerships with business, industry, government, and the scientific community and be responsive to their needs for education, service, and research
To create design-oriented, active learning environments where students obtain hands-on laboratory and design experience
To support the Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) "spiral" engineering curriculum

To do this, the department offers the following:

MS in Industrial Engineering
MS in Engineering and Operations Management
BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering
B.S.in Mechanical Engineering
BS in Engineering for students seeking a comprehensive education in engineering science
Certificate in Biomedical Engineering for students in other engineering disciplines seeking a basic competency in the discipline and enhanced background in the life sciences
Elective and required courses to support the needs of students outside the major and minor programs
The Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) "spiral" engineering curriculum

Program Educational Objectives

Upon graduation, every student should be able to do the following:

Exhibit an ability to apply knowledge of basic natural sciences, engineering sciences, and mathematics to engineering problems that require synthesis, including the ability to analyze, design, and implement solutions to engineering problems
Exhibit an ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing
Be responsible, well-rounded and aware of broad social issues, and cognizant of the need for personal growth and self-reflection
Be prepared for direct entry into the professional environment and to further their education at the graduate level.

First-Year Engineering Program

The First-Year Engineering Program prepares students for upper-level study in their chosen discipline through a combination of specialized advising, the first-year engineering curriculum, extracurricular activities, and workshops. Students learn about the contributions and attributes of various engineering and applied science disciplines to help them finalize their choice of a major area of study. Workshops and tutoring sessions help students meet the challenges of a rigorous academic program in engineering or applied science. Plant trips and guest speakers provide an exciting bridge to the industrial world beyond the classroom walls.

Teaching Certification

There is a growing need for primary and secondary teachers in math and science. In addition, many high schools have begun offering engineering courses for their students, using curricula such as the Project Lead The Way program. Students completing the Engineering, B.S. program gain a broad understanding of math and science and of the application of these subjects in engineering work. This background, along with generous elective choices, provides an excellent opportunity to prepare for the teaching profession.

Within the state of Connecticut, certification to teach at the primary or secondary level requires substantial undergraduate course work in the content area for which certification is sought. The General Engineering program requires significant study of math and science, as well as the application of math and science in the EAS courses. By selecting electives wisely, in consultation with an Education Department adviser, a student can readily earn the necessary credits to satisfy the content requirements for math and a science area. Possible certification areas include math, chemistry, physics, and general science.

Graduates of the General Engineering program may apply for entry to the UNH Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.D.) program, which will allow them to complete the master's degree in education and earn a teaching certification in one year after graduation. Eligible students may apply for accelerated entry into the M.S.E.D. program and take three education courses as part of their undergraduate program. This accelerated program is designed to facilitate a smooth transition into the graduate program and to introduce the student to the teaching profession during the junior and senior years. Students interested in this option are assigned a co-adviser from the Education Department to assure compliance with the rigorous policies for certification.

Accelerated B.S./M.S. Mechanical Engineering Program

The accelerated combined B.S./M.S. Mechanical Engineering degree program is available to qualified mechanical engineering upper-level students. Two graduate-level courses (MECH 6602 and MECH 6604) taken during the senior year replace two undergraduate courses in the B.S. program in Mechanical Engineering and count toward the M.S. Mechanical Engineering degree program. During the fifth year, students complete the M.S. Mechanical Engineering degree by taking eight more MECH graduate-level courses.

To qualify, students must apply for admission no later than two semesters prior to the anticipated fulfillment of the B.S. degree requirements, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of application to the accelerated program (upon completion of 90 credits toward the B.S. degree), and submit one letter of recommendation by a mechanical engineering faculty member. A minimum grade of B- is required in each of the two overlapping graduate courses for them to apply to both programs.