Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is renowned for its exceptional Mechanical Engineering program, consistently ranked among the nation’s top programs. The curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, while also offering a wide range of specialized elective courses that allow students to tailor their degree to their specific interests.
Program Structure
The Mechanical Engineering curriculum at Auburn University consists of 128 credit hours, including 60 credit hours of core courses and 68 credit hours of elective courses. The core courses provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering, including:
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Solid mechanics
- Machine design
- Control systems
- Materials science
- Engineering analysis
- Computer-aided engineering
The elective courses allow students to specialize in a particular area of mechanical engineering, such as:
- Aerospace engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Energy engineering
- Manufacturing engineering
- Mechatronics engineering
- Robotics engineering
Course Descriptions
The following is a brief overview of some of the core courses in the Mechanical Engineering curriculum at Auburn University:
Thermodynamics
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, including the laws of thermodynamics, energy conservation, and entropy. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications.
Fluid mechanics
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics, including fluid properties, fluid statics, and fluid dynamics. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications, such as the design of fluid systems and the analysis of fluid flow.
Solid mechanics
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of solid mechanics, including stress, strain, and deformation. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications, such as the design of structures and the analysis of mechanical components.
Machine design
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of machine design, including the design of machine elements, the analysis of machine systems, and the selection of materials for machine components. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications, such as the design of machines and the analysis of machine performance.
Control systems
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of control systems, including the analysis and design of feedback control systems. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications, such as the control of industrial processes and the design of robotic systems.
Materials science
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of materials science, including the structure, properties, and processing of materials. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications, such as the selection of materials for engineering components and the design of materials for specific applications.
Engineering analysis
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of engineering analysis, including the use of mathematical and computational tools to solve engineering problems. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications, such as the analysis of structural systems and the design of fluid systems.
Computer-aided engineering
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of computer-aided engineering, including the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software and finite element analysis (FEA) software. Students will learn how to apply these concepts to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications, such as the design of machine components and the analysis of structural systems.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program at Auburn University will be able to:
- Apply the principles of mechanical engineering to solve problems in a variety of engineering applications.
- Design and analyze mechanical systems and components.
- Select appropriate materials for engineering applications.
- Use computer-aided engineering tools to solve engineering problems.
- Communicate effectively with other engineers and with the public.
- Work effectively in teams.
- Continue their professional development throughout their careers.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program at Auburn University are in high demand by a wide range of employers, including:
- Aerospace companies
- Automotive companies
- Biomedical companies
- Energy companies
- Manufacturing companies
- Mechatronics companies
- Robotics companies
- Government agencies
- Consulting firms
Conclusion
The Mechanical Engineering program at Auburn University is a top-ranked program that provides students with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, while also offering a wide range of specialized elective courses that allow students to tailor their degree to their specific interests. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for successful careers in a variety of industries.
4 Useful Tables
| Course | Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | Introduces the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, including the laws of thermodynamics, energy conservation, and entropy. | 3 |
| Fluid mechanics | Introduces the fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics, including fluid properties, fluid statics, and fluid dynamics. | 3 |
| Solid mechanics | Introduces the fundamental concepts of solid mechanics, including stress, strain, and deformation. | 3 |
| Machine design | Introduces the fundamental concepts of machine design, including the design of machine elements, the analysis of machine systems, and the selection of materials for machine components. | 3 |
| Elective Course | Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace engineering | Covers the fundamental principles of aerospace engineering, including aerodynamics, propulsion, and flight mechanics. | 3 |
| Automotive engineering | Covers the fundamental principles of automotive engineering, including vehicle dynamics, powertrains, and emissions control. | 3 |
| Biomedical engineering | Covers the fundamental principles of biomedical engineering, including biomaterials, biomechanics, and medical imaging. | 3 |
| Energy engineering | Covers the fundamental principles of energy engineering, including energy sources, energy conversion, and energy efficiency. | 3 |
| Manufacturing engineering | Covers the fundamental principles of manufacturing engineering, including manufacturing processes, production planning, and quality control. | 3 |
| Mechatronics engineering | Covers the fundamental principles of mechatronics engineering, including control systems, robotics, and sensor technology. | 3 |