Handbook - Mechanical Engineering - Iowa State University

The Mechanical Engineering Curriculum at Iowa State
The mechanical engineering curriculum requires courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, English,
engineering, and general education area. All accredited engineering programs in the country require
approximately the same amount of basic science, mathematics, engineering sciences and humanities
credits. These minimum guidelines are established by our engineering accreditation agency (ABET).
ACCREDITATION BOARD FOR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(ABET)
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is primarily responsible for monitoring,
evaluating, and certifying the quality of engineering, engineering technology, and engineering-related
education in colleges and universities in the United States. ABET develops accreditation policies and
criteria and conducts comprehensive evaluations of degree programs. Programs that meet the prescribed
criteria are granted accredited status.
ABET is responsible for establishing standards, procedures, and an environment that encourage high
quality engineering, engineering technology, and engineering-related education the accreditation process
ensures that each graduate possesses the skills necessary for lifelong learning and productive
contribution to society, the economy, employers, and the profession. The mechanical engineering
program at Iowa State University is an ABET accredited program.
Objectives
To serve the public, industry, and the profession in general by stimulating the development of improved
engineering education; including encouraging curricular improvement in existing programs and helping
develop educational models for the establishing of new programs.
To identify for prospective students, student counselors, parents, potential employers, public bodies and
officials, the engineering, engineering technology, and engineering-related programs that meet the ABET
criteria for accreditation.
A Quality Profession
A degree from an ABET-accredited program is a quality profession. Graduates from ABET-accredited
programs have a high degree of job mobility because the wide recognition of the accreditation system in
the world engineering community.
The faculty and staff of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Iowa State University have worked
diligently with students, alumni, and employers to create an outstanding program for development of
skilled, productive engineers. Graduates are well-qualified to embark on successful industrial careers or
to pursue advanced study in graduate or professional schools. This work began in the fall of 1996 and
represents the most comprehensive evaluation and renewal of the mechanical engineering curriculum in
over twenty-five years.
The Mechanical Engineering Curriculum Committee first developed a goal statement to guide its work:
―In light of the accelerating pace of change in the engineering profession, we plan to review our
entire curriculum and develop the best possible educational experience for our mechanical
engineering students to provide them with a sound foundation for a successful career.‖
2009 Kiewit Undergraduate Student Services Center
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