Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) - Degree Program
SOPHOMORE YEAR - The sophomore program emphasizes concepts and techniques which define the core of engineering analysis. The second year curriculum continues to expand students' mathematics and science background, to explore interests in the humanities and social sciences and to attain an introduction to basic fabrication and instrumentation concepts. Topics include:
- ME 10 Materials & Manufacturing I (4 credits)
- ME 20 Mechanics I (3 credits)
- ME 21 Mechanics II (3 credits)
- ME 40 Engineering Design I (4 credits)
- ME 50 Thermal Fluid Systems I (3 credits)
JUNIOR YEAR - The third-year program completes the foundation essential to modern Mechanical Engineering and also provides the first opportunities for specialization and depth. These include required concentration courses such as:
- ME 11 Materials & Manufacturing II (3 credits)
- ME 30 Electronics & Controls I (4 credits)
- ME 31 Electronics & Controls II (3 credits)
- ME 41 Engineering Design II (4 credits)
- ME 51 Thermal Fluid Systems II (4 credits)
Laboratory experiences are also an important part of the junior year program with coursework in ME 70-Instrumentation and Experiments. Also, students who have already fulfilled junior year requirements due to an accelerated program or advanced placement might consider taking advanced-level courses.
SENIOR YEAR - The senior year curriculum is structured to encourage students to acquire some degree of specialization and introductory professional design experience. Required coursework includes ME 74: Senior Design Project (3 credits). Elective courses fall within several groups: ME Electives, Technical Electives, Humanities, Arts and Social Science (HASS) Electives, and Unrestricted Electives. Students are encouraged to consider independent project work as part of a coordinated program of study. Students who want to pursue a project for more than a single semester are expected to do so by writing an undergraduate thesis.
A typical BSME Program of Study can be found on Page 3 of the degree sheet.
Design Sequence
A central feature of professional engineering education is the ability to synthesize analytical, technical, and non-technical concepts for the solution of practical design problems. Engineering design education and experiences are included in the BSME curriculum in three ways. First, core courses include applications, open-ended problem solving, and small group projects. Second, all BSME candidates are required to take ME 40: Engineering Design I, and ME 41: Engineering Design II which covers design methodology as applied to mechanical engineering systems as well as manual and computer-aided design and manufacturing concepts. The course contains project work in which students must define problems, develop alternative solutions, and consider design issues such as safety, manufacturability, and economics as the projects are developed. Third, all seniors are required to participate in a capstone design experience in ME 74: Senior Design Project.
ME 74 is a project course focused on the design of a component, device, or system that will solve a problem. The design project is executed in teams and is client-based, often in partnership with industry, local community organizations, ME Department faculty, or faculty researchers from other Tufts schools and campuses. The goal of ME 74 is to apply engineering science principles and to utilize design theory and practice including open-ended projects, manufacturing and fabrication, specification and selection, testing, and evaluation and imposition of constraints. The primary focus of these experiences is the execution of a project. Group projects include clearly identifiable individual contributions.
Students will take ME 74 in the Fall term of their senior year. This offering is structured around client-based projects that tend to have a focused goal related to active product lines or related to active research that a faculty member is conducting.
The following deliverables are expected of all ME 74 projects: proposal (Gantt chart, budget, etc.), progress report, design review (presentation), final report, final presentation, and a functional prototype (specific functionality requirements depend on the type and scope of the project). All final reports are archived by the Department as a permanent record of student's participation.