Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

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Department Head: Byard D. Wood
Location: Engineering 419
Phone: (435) 797-2867
FAX: (435) 797-2417
WWW: http://www.mae.usu.edu/

Associate Department Head: Thomas H. Fronk
Location: Engineering Laboratory 292
Phone: (435) 797-2867
FAX: (435) 797-2417
E-mail: thomas.fronk@usu.edu

Undergraduate Advising:

Engineering Advising Center, Engineering 314A, (435) 797-2705, joan.smith@usu.edu

Graduate Advising:

Engineering 417A, (435) 797-0330, chris.spall@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Engineering (ME), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering; Master of Science (MS), in Aerospace Engineering

Undergraduate emphasis: Aerospace Engineering

Graduate specializations: Mechanical Engineering MS—Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering; MS in Aerospace Engineering has no specializations

Graduate Areas of Interest: Solid mechanics, Dynamics and Controls, Thermo/Fluids, Aerospace

Undergraduate Programs

Mission

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering provides graduates with a foundation of knowledge and experience upon which to build successful careers in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other fields where a strong engineering background is required or desirable. Undergraduate programs emphasize mechanical engineering fundamentals and computer-based problem solving, while teaching students to learn, synthesize, and communicate engineering information. Graduate programs emphasize fundamental and applied research, providing students with enhanced preparation for engineering practice, research, and education. Students, faculty, and staff are committed to excellence in learning, discovery, and engagement in an environment that fosters diversity and mutual respect.

Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives (Mechanical Engineering)

1. Graduates will succeed in entry-level engineering positions with mechanical or aerospace firms in regional, national, or international industries, as well as with government agencies.
2. Graduates will succeed in the pursuit of advanced degrees in engineering or other fields where a solid foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals is required.
3. Graduates will be able to synthesize mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, and laboratory and work-based experiences to formulate and solve engineering problems in both thermal and mechanical systems areas.
4. Graduates will have proficiency in computer-based engineering, including modern numerical methods, software design and development, and the use of computational tools.
5. Graduates will be prepared to communicate and work effectively on team-based engineering projects.
6. Graduates will recognize the importance of, and have the skills for, continued independent learning.

Undergraduate Program Outcomes (Mechanical Engineering)

Program outcomes are statements describing the units of knowledge or skill students are expected to acquire from the program to prepare them to achieve the program educational objectives. These are typically  demonstrated by the student and measured by the program at the time of graduation. The Mechanical Engineering degree is accredited by the EAC Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

The ABET 2008-2009 Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs states that each student graduating with a BS degree within the MAE program is expected to have:

1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints, such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
7. an ability to communicate effectively.
8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, lifelong learning.
10. a knowledge of contemporary issues.
11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
12. an ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical system areas, including the design and realization of such systems.

Assessment and Quality Improvement

The MAE faculty and staff are committed to excellence and to continuous quality improvement. A responsive assessment and feedback process involving major constituencies, including faculty, students, alumni, and industrial employers of students and graduates, is in place and ongoing.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

Freshman and transfer students must satisfy the admission policies and entrance requirements of both the University (General Education Requirements) and the College of Engineering. Each new student will be assigned an advisor, who will help plan an educational program fulfilling the student’s professional goals. Placement of incoming students will depend on high school and/or prior college coursework. Those who complete a portion of the University Studies requirements by examination (CLEP) and/or by advanced placement (AP) credit may complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in less than four years.

New Freshman Admission

New Freshman applicants are expected to have 1) graduated from a regionally accredited high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA, 2) a minimum ACT score of 23, or SAT score of at least 1050, and 3) a minimum 110 Admissions Index score. In order to be admitted in good standing, all three requirements must be met.

Curriculum

At the beginning of each school year, each student should obtain a detailed, four-year requirement sheet. This sheet, which lists semester requirements may be obtained from the Engineering Advising Center, ENGR 314A. All students in the department follow the preprofessional engineering curriculum for the freshman and sophomore years. Prior to the junior year, the student must apply for admission to the professional program. If a student desires the aerospace emphasis, please meet with your advisor for correct curriculum. Students who are unable to take courses during the semester indicated on the curriculum requirement sheet may develop alternative schedules, consistent with prerequisites and the timing of course offerings.

GPA Requirement

A 2.8 GPA in all technical courses is the minimum standard which preprofessional students must attain in order to be considered for admission to the MAE professional program.

Financial Support

Scholarships, assistantships, grants-in-aid, and work-study programs are available to undergraduate students through the University. In addition, the MAE department employs undergraduates to assist in engineering research and development.  Cooperative education and industrial employment opportunities for students are coordinated by the University Career Services Office.

Concurrent BS/Master’s Program

The concurrent BS/Master’s program allows engineering students to begin taking graduate-level classes during their senior year. This permits them to complete requirements for both the BS degree and the master’s degree concurrently. Students in this program have a greater selection of graduate courses, since many graduate courses are taught during alternate years. Both the BS and the master’s degree can generally be earned with 150 total credits, although students should note that a Plan C MS requires 3 extra credits. In order to qualify for the concurrent program, students must have a 3.5 GPA for the 60 credits completed at the end of their junior year. Finally, students with a master’s degree can expect a much higher starting salary following graduation. (For more information, see College of Engineering .)

Departmental Honors

Students who would like to experience greater academic depth within their major are encouraged to enroll in departmental honors. Through original, independent work, Honors students enjoy the benefits of close supervision and mentoring, as they work one-on-one with faculty in select upper-division departmental courses. Honors students can also work with faculty on research-type projects, adding to their educational experience. These projects provide another opportunity to collaborate with faculty on a problem that is significant, both personally and in the student’s discipline. Participating in departmental honors enhances students’ chances for obtaining fellowships and admission to graduate school. Students may enter the Honors Program at almost any stage in their academic career, including at the junior (and sometimes senior) level. The campus-wide Honors Program, which is open to all qualified students regardless of major, offers a rich array of cultural and social activities, special classes, and the benefit of Honors early registration. Interested students should contact the Honors Program, Main 15, (435) 797-2715, honors@usu.edu. Additional information can be found online at: http://www.usu.edu/honors/

Students may also earn an Undergraduate Research Scholar designation on their transcripts. See VP Research undergraduate link:research.usu.edu/undergrad/htm/awards-recognition/transcript-designation

Additional Information

For more information about Bachelor of Science requirements and the sequence in which courses should be taken, see major requirement sheet, available from the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.

Graduate Programs

Admission Requirements

All students intending to pursue graduate studies at Utah State University must complete and return an Application for Admission to the School of Graduate Studies. In addition to the general graduate admission requirements , the department requires all graduate applicants to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. A minimum GPA of 3.3 for MS and PhD applicants is required for the last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits earned. All MAE graduate students are expected to be well acquainted with either the FORTRAN or C programming language. Those students who do not have a BS degree in an appropriate engineering discipline may be admitted with nonmatriculated status and required to complete some remedial requirements. Applicants are also required to submit evidence of potential graduate-level success through GRE scores in the verbal and quantitative categories.

GPA Requirement

All students who complete a graduate degree at USU must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Consult with your department for additional requirements. 

Research

Departmental research projects are funded by both government agencies and private industry. Current research topics include analytical and experimental structural dynamics, computational and experimental fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, plastics and composite materials, numerical modeling and design of composite structures, buried structures, thermodynamics, heat transfer, cryogenics, intelligent control systems, manufacturing automation, spacecraft control, design and analysis of space systems, orbital mechanics, remote sensing, robotics, design theory and methodology, and production modeling and simulation.

Financial Assistance

A number of teaching and research assistantships are available to graduate students through the department and are awarded on a competitive basis each year. The School of Graduate Studies offers tuition awards that cover nonresident tuition. For further information, see the tuition award policy at: http://www.usu.edu/graduateschool/finances/tuition_awards.cfm

Acceptance to pursue graduate studies in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering does not imply a commitment to any type of financial aid. All awards for financial aid are made on a competitive basis after applicants are admitted to graduate school. 

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty

Professors
Christine E. Hailey, engineering education, thermal/fluid sciences
Warren F. Phillips, aerodynamics, flight mechanics
Robert E. Spall, thermal/fluids, CFD, computational
Byard D. Wood, solar energy for heating and cooling, heat and mass transfer

Adjunct Professors
Charles M. Swenson, space science and engineering

Trustee Professor Emeritus
J. Clair Batty, thermal science, cryogenics, space systems

Professors Emeritus
P. Thomas Blotter, structural dynamics
Ralph H. Haycock, mechanics, manufacturing
Russell M. Holdredge, heat transfer, fluid mechanics
Alma P. Moser, engineering mechanics, piping systems
Carl D. Spear, material science
Edward W. Vendell, Jr., cryogenics, heat transfer, thermal systems design

Associate Professors
Heng Ban, thermofluids, thermophysical properties, microfluidics, energy and environment
Steven L. Folkman, applied mechanics, structural dynamics, space structures, buried pipe systems
Thomas H. Fronk, mechanics of composite materials
R. Rees Fullmer, manufacturing, controls, robotics, dynamics, spacecraft
David K. Geller, spacecraft guidance and navigation
Leijun Li, manufacturing, materials joining
Barton L. Smith, thermal/fluids, experimental fluid mechanics
Stephen A. Whitmore, high-speed aerodynamics, astrodynamics
Wenbin Yu, advanced structures, solid mechanics, computational solid mechanics (FEM)

Adjunct Associate Professors
Ning Fang, manufacturing
Robert T. Pack, remote sensing, optoelectronics, lidar sensor systems

Assistant Professors
Aaron J. Katz, thermal fluid dynamics, CFD
Ling Liu, multi-scale modeling of materials, solid mechanics

Adjunct Assistant Professors
Angela Minichiello, heat transfer, thermodynamics
Steven R. Wassom, spacecraft instrumentation design

Lecturer
John Devitry, solid modeling, computer graphics
J. Steven Hansen, systems and design

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