Mechanical Engineering

Program Scope

Mechanical Engineering emerged as a separate discipline during the Industrial Revolutions (1760-1830) with the development of machines powered by water, wind, and especially steam. Today, Mechanical Engineering is concerned with the design of a great variety of machines from computer disc drives to jet aircraft.

The Mechanical Engineering program at SF State offers a strong foundation in the fundamentals of this discipline. The student may also select optional courses to specialize in one of three areas. The Thermal/Fluids Area covers the production and transmission of energy. The Mechanics and Materials Area encompasses force and motion analysis and the design of mechanical devices. Finally, the Robotics and Controls Area deals with automated manufacturing techniques and the Control of motion or processes. All of these areas contain the problem-solving skills needed for mechanical engineering design and the transformation of ideas into mechanical devices and systems.

The Mechanical Engineering program at SF State has an emphasis on the design process, and the integration of design activities that lead to a successful result. Most of the faculty engage in professional activities besides instruction and emphasize real-world applications in the courses they teach. In the junior and senior years, most courses include special design projects in which design methodologies are applied to realistic engineering problems. During the senior year, each student completes a design project of significant scope, with topics frequently suggested by local engineering companies.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering is a 129-unit degree. Major requirements including Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics prerequisites are 93 units, and the remaining 36 units are in general education. The B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical Engineering Program Criteria.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering a student will be able to demonstrate:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.