Mechanical Engineering
The UTRGV Mechanical Engineering website is located at http://www.utrgv.edu/mece/
The Department of Mechanical Engineering will provide students a quality education to prepare them for the practice of engineering with sufficient depth to continue their education beyond the baccalaureate degree. The curriculum will provide skills that enhance the understanding of the applications of engineering sciences. In order to provide an awareness of current and emerging industrial practice, the department will provide the students the opportunity to participate in professional organizations, industrial internships or co-op experiences, and scholarly activities including supervised research. The faculty will be readily accessible and continuously strive to improve their instructional materials and the methods of dissemination. The faculty will also practice lifelong learning by keeping abreast of and participating in the latest developments in their chosen areas of expertise and interacting across disciplines. The opportunity for student success in the undergraduate programs will be enhanced by liberal access to the computational facilities and laboratories.
Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest, broadest and most versatile of the engineering disciplines. It applies the principles of mechanics and energy to the design of mechanisms, power systems and controls. Almost any mechanical devices from artificial heart valves and computer disk drives to aircraft, satellites and semi-trucks require mechanical engineers in their conception, design and manufacture.
Mechanical engineers develop, design and direct the manufacture and operation of devices, machines and systems used for energy conversion, power generation and environmental control, transportation, materials handling and processing, robotics, and many other purposes. Mechanical engineers work closely with engineers from all the other engineering disciplines.
A graduate with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering can enter graduate school and pursue graduate degrees in mechanical engineering or in an allied field. There is a special need for mechanical engineers in the Rio Grande Valley and in Latin American countries.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical engineering Degree Plan 2017-2018
Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering Degree Plan 2015-2017
Our mechanical engineering graduates work in various industries including:
- Automotive.
- Defense.
- Aerospace.
- Manufacturing.
Companies that have employed our mechanical engineering students/graduates include:
- Raytheon.
- Boeing.
- Lockheed Martin, and
- General Electric.
Program Educational Objectives
The Educational Objectives of the Mechanical Engineering Program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are to produce graduates who, in the workforce, demonstrate that they:
- Utilize knowledge and technical skills required to be and to remain productive in the field of Mechanical Engineering;
- Are professional and ethical practitioners who integrate safety and socioeconomic concerns in their resolution of technical problems; and
- Effectively function in diverse local and global environments in industry, government, and academia.
Educational Student Outcomes
It will be demonstrated that the student:
- is able to apply knowledge of mathematics, basic sciences and engineering to analyze (identify, formulate, and solve) problems in mechanical engineering;
- is able to design and conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret the results;
- is able to design mechanical devices, systems or processes that meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability factors;
- is able to function in multidisciplinary teams;
- is able to communicate ideas effectively in graphical, oral and in written media;
- understands the professional and ethical responsibility of an engineer and how safety, economics, politics, and societal, cultural and contemporary issues impact engineering solutions;
- understands the need for life long learning to keep abreast of current practice; and
- is able to use state of the art computational hardware and software for analysis, design and documentation (techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice).
Fundamentals in Science and Mathematics Outcomes (S1-S3)
It will be demonstrated that the student
- has knowledge of chemistry and calculus-based physics with depth in at least one;
- has the ability to apply advanced mathematics to problems involving thermal and mechanical systems; and
- has the ability to apply statistics and linear algebra to problems involving thermal and mechanical systems.
Fundamentals in Engineering Outcomes (E1-E5)
It will be demonstrated that the student
- has the ability to create and annotate two-dimensional drawings, and generate three-dimensional computer based solid models of mechanical components,
- has the ability to design and analyze components and systems for mechanical and energy performance,
- has the ability to specify and evaluate materials and manufacturing steps for mechanical components,
- has the ability to conceive and conduct experiments to measure the performance of materials, components and systems and to communicate the results, and
- has the ability to acquire new skills and specialized knowledge from published sources.
Robert Freeman, Department Chair
EENGR 3.222A
Phone: 956-665-2381
robert.freeman@utrgv.edu
Annie Salinas, Administrative Assistant II
EENGR 3.222
Phone: 956-665-2394
annie.salinas@utrgv.edu