Mechanical Engineering

Curriculum Requirements (PDF) Download

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Peter L. and Clara M. Scott Laboratory
Room N250
201 W. 19th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210

Degrees offered

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Minor in Nuclear Engineering

Undergraduate program

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4012; telephone: 410-347-7700.

Program objectives

The program educational objectives of the Department of Mechanical Engineering are to educate graduates who will be ethical, productive and contributing members of society. As they progress professionally after graduation, our alumni will:

Use their engineering foundation for success in:
- Technical careers in industry, academia, government or other organizations
- Graduate school in engineering
- Nontechnical careers in areas such as law, medicine, business, public policy, secondary education, service industries, etc.
- Careers involving engineering practice, research and development or engineering education, management or service
- Careers involving management or entrepreneurship
Use lifelong learning skills to:
- Take advantage of professional development opportunities in their disciplines
- Develop new knowledge and skills and pursue new areas of expertise or careers
- Adapt to changing global markets and workforce trends
Engage in professional service by:
- Using their engineering background to advance society and to help solve technical and societal problems
- Developing new knowledge and products that will promote sustainable economic development to improve the quality of life
- Promoting the practice of engineering as a source of societal good

Professional practice

The mechanical engineer is a professional concerned with machines that perform an infinite variety of tasks involving mechanical work and the conversion of energy into mechanical work. This includes the conversion of solar, chemical, or nuclear energy into mechanical work through various engines and power plants; the transporting of energy via heat exchangers, pipelines, linkages, and air conditioners; and the harnessing of energy to perform tasks useful to society through land, sea, air, and space vehicles, machine tools, home appliances, and agricultural machinery. The mechanical engineer is employed in virtually every kind of industry to seek knowledge through research; to do creative design and development; and to construct, control, and manage the devices and systems needed by humanity.

The undergraduate curriculum provides for the study of mathematics and engineering sciences; of principles governing the use of energy; of principles of design, instruments, and control devices; and for the application of these studies to the creative solution of practical problems of our modern age. Provision is made for studies in the humanities and the social sciences. The graduate curriculum emphasizes research and advanced design.

The undergraduate program incorporates the versatility of a number of technical electives. A student may identify a general mechanical engineering program or select a more individualized plan to provide in-depth study in a specific area of concentration including courses aimed at preparing the student for professions other than engineering. Additional flexibility is provided through the senior year design courses, which may emphasize special student interests. Areas of concentration include automotive; biomechanics; computational solid mechanics; electromechanical; environmental control; mechanical systems; robotics, computer-aided design, and manufacturing; power systems; stress, failure, and materials analysis; structural mechanics, systems dynamics, control, and measurement; thermo-fluids; acoustics, vibration, and shock; and nuclear engineering.

Mechanical engineering is a base for other professions in the physical sciences. It consists of sub-areas such as statics, dynamics, elasticity, fluid-mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear and chemical phenomena. Applied mechanical engineering is directly based upon these sub-areas.

Mechanical engineers also study other areas in considerable depth. Furthermore, since all manufactured products must be constructed of solid materials which induce thermal or stress forces, mechanical engineering is involved in the design of almost every product on the market. Therefore, a study of mechanical engineering provides a broad, general technical education.

Honors program

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers an honors program for academically high achieving and creative students. Special honors courses are available to these students, as well as the opportunity to pursue an independent research project under the guidance of a mechanical engineering faculty mentor. Students report the results of their research in the form of an honors thesis, and the words Graduation with Distinction are printed on their diplomas and in the official graduation program. Honors students are eligible for research scholarships granted by the department and by the College of Engineering.

Combined BS/MS graduate degree program

The combined BS/MS degree program in Mechanical Engineering provides outstanding students the opportunity to initiate a graduate program during their senior year, with the possibility of completing work for the Master of Science degree within three quarters following completion of the bachelor's degree requirements.

For more information on the BS/MS program, applicants can visit: https://www.mecheng.osu.edu/prospective-graduate-students/combined-bsms-program

The Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program Office is located in Scott Laboratory, Room N250, 201 W. 19th Ave., and may be reached by e-mail at megrad_recruit@osu.edu, phone (614) 292-7163 or fax (614) 292-5740.

Advanced professional program

The advanced professional program leading to the degree Mechanical Engineer is designed to provide study beyond the undergraduate level primarily in the areas of design, application, and management. The program is intended mainly to serve mechanical engineering graduates who desire advanced studies to prepare for engineering practice rather than for careers in teaching/research. The program will also serve practicing engineers who wish to take courses on a continuing education basis. The requirements for the degree can be met in approximately one academic year by a mechanical engineering graduate. A baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering with a minimum cumulative point-hour ratio of 2.50 from an ABET-accredited department satisfies the admission requirements. Applicants with other baccalaureate degrees in engineering or allied fields may also be admitted.

Degree requirements

A candidate must complete a minimum of 45 credit hours of courses approved by the student's adviser and by the department Professional Program Committee, and must have been registered at The Ohio State University for at least three quarters. More than half of these credit hours should be in mechanical engineering and must include an individual project. A minimum cumulative point-hour ratio of 2.50 is required for the degree.