POLICIES
This section details departmental policies and procedures concerning completion of the curriculum. Each student is responsible for seeking out and complying with policies of the Mechanical Engineering Dpartment, School of Engineering, and the University. These are contained in the current Undergraduate Catalog of the University, or in sources referred to therein.
Student Workload
A minimum of 128 credit hours is needed to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Most students average about 16 credits, or four to five courses a semester. Each student takes 101 hours of required courses, and 27 hours of restricted electives. During the first two years of your studies, prerequisite courses in English, math, social sciences, and science are taken as preparation for later engineering studies.
Your degree requires careful planning in order to graduate within four years. Some upper-division courses are offered only once per year, and some are prerequisites for courses that you must take later. You should work closely with your mechanical engineering advisor to ensure that you take the courses you need in the necessary order.
Transfer Credits
The University accepts and will place on the student’s permanent KU record credits for all academic courses taken at an accredited college or university. Vocational and technical institute courses are excluded. Not all courses accepted by the University will apply toward a degree in engineering. A student will not receive engineering degree transfer credit for:
Academic Requirements
Bachelor of Science Degree
The mechanical engineering curriculum builds on the basic foundation of mathematics and physical sciences with the study of engineering applications in three primary areas:
Engineering science and design are integrated into the curriculum, with heavier emphasis on engineering fundamentals and analysis in the earlier semesters and increased emphasis on creative design in subsequent semesters, culminating in a capstone design courses.
Combined Mechanical Engineering and Business Degree
A student who wants to combine business with engineering may enroll in a program leading to B.S. degrees in both fields. Full-time enrollment enables the student to earn the two degrees in five years. During the first two years, the student enrolls in the School of Engineering. After that, the student enrolls simultaneously in the Schools of Business and of Engineering. A list of required courses may be obtained from the mechanical engineering department.
Biomechanics Concentration
A Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate student at the University of Kansas can elect to take the required classes to complete a Biomechanics Concentration. While the Biomechanics Concentration will not appear on the transcript or diploma, potential employers will identify certain classes with students who have chosen electives that have a focus in the fast growing field of Biomechanics.
The Biomechanics Concentration does not require additional credit hours in the Mechanical Engineering Curriculum. The requirements include two specialized List 1 Electives, one specialized List 2 elective, and a senior design project in the area of biomechanics. (see Mechanical Engineering Curriculum)
Professional Opportunities
Job opportunities and salaries are excellent for mechanical engineers. The Departments' graduates have job opportunities after graduation at salaries averaging $50,000 (see U.S. Department of Labor). Your B.S. degree is all you need for entry-level jobs in your field. Your experience and abilities will enable you to advance later into engineering management, consulting and a variety of other areas if you wish.
Mechanical engineering is among the broadest of the engineering fields. Graduates find work in areas such as mechanical design, robotics and computer-integrated manufacturing, management, and energy systems design. Because mechanical engineers focus on machinery and systems of all types, they often work in other engineering fields such as aerospace, electrical, environmental, and petroleum engineering. (See "What do ME's do?")
Job Search Assistance
The School of Engineering Career Service Center offers a comprehensive array of services to graduating students seeking permanent employment and to undergraduates seeking career-related summer or co-op employment. These services include the on-campus interviewing program, a career fair each September, individual counseling and group workshops for resumes, interviews and job search strategies, resume-writing software, job postings from many employers not interviewing on campus, a library of employer and career literature, and mailing of student resumes. Internships are provided.
Co-op Educational Program
The University of Kansas School of Engineering Cooperative Education Program is a three-way partnership among students, employers and the University. Cooperative education is classroom theory mixed with practical experience. Students in the co-op program spend one or more separate time periods of approximately 6 months working for their employer partners during the study of mechanical engineering.
During these periods, the student is away from the KU campus, typically for a semester plus summer. The student is on professional assignment with the company but remains a student at KU. During the assignment, the company provides industrial experience and professional pay consistent with the student’s academic background. Assuming continued success, the student may continue with the company on subsequent co-op assignments. Enrollment in one hour of ENGR 300 under the supervision of the co-op advisor during each co-op period is required.
The Co-op program is very flexible and can be tailored to meet a student’s needs, the industrial assignments and the student’s goals. The student should note that the co-op program requires, typically at least one additional semester for graduation. The primary function of the program is education, so it is principally an educational program controlled by the School.
For more information on the Co-op Educational Program, contact the Career Services Center at 110 Burge Union.
Expanded Professional Opportunities
Additional employment opportunities are possible by becoming registered professional engineer. Many industries require this certification in order to practice as an engineer.
Professional Registration
Registration is a process that ultimately identifies
an individual as an engineer who has achieved professional excellence and is
recognized among his/her peers. It is the legal certification of the ability
to practice engineering in the public arena. Professional registration is a
prerequisite for such activities as expert testimony, federal and state reporting,
and engineering design certification. Since you never know for sure what direction
your career will take, the Department strongly recomments that students take
the Fundamentals of Engineering exam while at KU.
Professional registration requires passing the “Fundamentals of Engineering
Examination,” a period of four years experience as a practicing engineer,
followed by passing the “Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination.”
The Fundamentals of Engineering Examination is offered two times each year,
in the fall and the spring. Students are encouraged to take the examination
during their senior year at KU while the materials covered are still fresh.
Juniors are eligible to take the examination in the spring semester. For more
information about the FE exam, see National
Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
Request Undergraduate Program Information
COMING SOON - Fill out this online form to receive more information via mail on becoming a student in the University of Kansas Department of Mechanical Engineering.
CURRENT - Please email kume@ku.edu with your name and mailing address along with your request for information. Stop by the Department's office, 3138 Learned Hall, to pick up brochures and hard copies of enrollment requirements and information as needed.