Skip to Navigation
    Ohio University
  Dec 18, 2017
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18

Mechanical Engineering Major (B.S.M.E.)

Return to Departments and Schools Return to: Departments and Schools

Major code BS7257

Russ College of Engineering and Technology  
Department of Mechanical Engineering  
251 Stocker Center
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1553
Fax: 740.593.0476

Greg Kremer, contact person

Program Overview

Ohio University’s Mechanical Engineering major program has four educational objectives:

  1. Prepare graduates for engineering careers and advanced education
  2. Graduate mechanical engineers with technical skills
  3. Graduate mechanical engineers with skills to perform in the work environment
  4. Graduate mechanical engineers who are informed and aware of contemporary issues and the impact of engineering on society.

Mechanical engineering is an extremely diverse profession that is concerned with

  1. the economical and ecological conversion of energy from natural sources to provide power, heating, cooling, and propulsion
  2. the design of all types of machines, engines, and vehicles
  3. the processing of materials into useful products
  4. the development of systems for using machines and resources.
    Professional activities include research, development, design, testing, production, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, technical management, and administration.

The mechanical engineering curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in higher mathematics and basic sciences followed by extensive instruction in all of the classical mechanical engineering disciplines. Design and project experiences dealing with real engineering problems are integrated into the curriculum to help students:

  1. apply their own creativity in formulating alternative engineering solutions
  2. develop an ability to work independently and/or in teams, which is an important skill for continued growth as a practicing engineer
  3. bridge the gap between the acquisition of engineering knowledge in required courses and the application of that knowledge to solve engineering problems.

The design experience begins in the freshman year, wherein students are introduced to elements of engineering design. This often involves the design and construction of a device to perform a specified task. Throughout the sophomore, junior, and senior years, mechanical engineering students are required to solve design problems in many of the required engineering courses and across the spectrum of disciplines encompassed by the mechanical engineering profession. Senior mechanical engineering students are challenged in a year-long sequence of formal design courses involving a capstone senior design project, which requires the construction and testing of a working product prototype. The capstone project requires application of fundamental engineering knowledge as well as knowledge of engineering economy and social issues, such as product safety and reliability. Students are required to submit written technical reports, as well as give oral presentations describing project results. This is in accord with the department’s objective of producing engineers who have good communication skills, as well as excellent technical skills. The design experience is enhanced by providing students with technologically modern lab facilities and computational tools.

In addition to engineering courses, the department requires significant studies in the humanities and social sciences to establish a breadth and depth of awareness and education. The humanity and social science requirements are consistent with the department’s objective of graduating individuals with a well-rounded education.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students are expected to take four years of mathematics, and a year of chemistry and physics in high school if possible.

Change of Program Policy


External Transfer Admission


Opportunities Upon Graduation

From automobiles and airplanes to wind turbines and power plants to artificial hearts and search-and-rescue robots, mechanical engineers design solutions to help us transport and power our world and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Mechanical engineers work in design, manufacturing, research, and sales for companies such as Boeing, Toyota and General Electric. Some of our graduates have been hired by professional racing teams and experimental aircraft manufacturers.

Mechanical engineering graduates also can use their degree as a solid background for advanced studies in engineering, law, medicine, or business.



Major Hours Requirement

The mechanical engineering major requires a minimum of 123.5 hours.

Universitywide Graduation Requirements


College-Level Requirements for the Russ College of Engineering and Technology

View the College-Level Requirements for the Russ College of Engineering and Technology .

Core Curriculum

Complete the following course:

Math and Basic Sciences Requirement

Complete the following courses, plus additional courses defined in the science elective to meet the 32 minimum total hours requirement for Math and Basic Sciences.

Science Elective

Choose any of the following courses to meet the overall requirement for 32 credits of Math and Basic Sciences:

Engineering Fundamental Requirements

Complete the following fundamental engineering courses:

Mechanical Engineering Colloquia

Complete the following colloquia:

Other Engineering and Technology Requirements

Complete the following courses:

Technical Electives

1. ME Technical Elective - minimum of 3 hours from this category, but all 6 hours can be selected from this category. A maximum of 3 hours can be counted from any combination of ME 4910 - Mechanical Engineering Project   and ME 4930 - Special Investigation   redits. 

Select from: ME 4XXX, ISE 4XXX, ENE 3400 - Fuels Conversion  

2. Additional Professional or Technical Elective - to meet the overall requirement of 6 hours

Select from:

Return to Departments and Schools Return to: Departments and Schools