Information About

The curriculum in Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University provides a broad, fundamental education preparing a student for direct entry into industry as well as for further professional study. The first part of the curriculum is devoted to mathematics, physics and chemistry. With this background, fundamental mechanical engineering subjects are studied. These include dynamics, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics followed by specialized subjects such as manufacturing, heat transfer and automatic control. Throughout the curriculum, design courses, laboratory courses and project courses allow students to acquire a taste for the complex task of designing, analyzing and building a device. In particular, students become aware of the coupling between conceptual design, subsequent analysis (mathematical modeling), manufacturing, systematic experimentation and final testing. Supporting courses in allied fields of science and engineering broaden the student's technical proficiency, while elective courses in social sciences, fine arts, history and philosophy enlarge the student's background in the humanities.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

The Educational Objectives of the Northwestern University Mechanical Engineering undergraduate curriculum are to provide a student with:

• A cornerstone knowledge and understanding of fundamental mathematics and physical science
• A set of core experiences providing fundamental background and understanding of engineering science necessary for mechanical engineering
• Experience in engineering design
• Skill and expertise in practical tools used by practicing mechanical engineers
• Practical, hands-on experiences in design, manufacturing, and engineering science
• The opportunity to specialize within the field of mechanical engineering
• Experience and training in interpersonal skills, communication, and team skills
• Stimulation to foster an ongoing intellectual curiosity and professional development
• A liberal education to provide a well-rounded and multi-dimensional educational experience, particularly with regard to an understanding of the societal, ethical, and professional implications of engineering decisions
• The ability to think critically, formulate problems, and reason solutions with regard to mechanical engineering situations
• Experience in identifying engineering problems and then applying engineering science to the formulation, analysis, interpretation, and solution of those problems

To support these Educational Objectives, the Mechanical Engineering Department has adopted the following Program Outcomes, taken from ABET and ASME requirements. Our students must attain:

• an ability to apply knowledge of math, engineering, and science
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• 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
• an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• an ability to communicate effectively
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
• recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning
• knowledge of contemporary issues
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
• knowledge of chemistry and calculus-based physics
• an ability to apply advanced mathematics through multivariate calculus and differential equations
• a familiarity with statistics and linear algebra
• an ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems including design and realization.