Academic Catalog - Virginia Military Institute Admissions

mechanical engineering CURRICULUM
Mechanical engineering is the second oldest of the
engineering professions and has the largest enrollment of students
in the United States. Mechanical engineering is a very broad
field which includes many areas of study such as refrigeration,
air conditioning, energy conversion, nuclear engineering,
biomedical engineering, transportation equipment engineering
and industrial engineering. Mechanical engineers are employed
in design, operations, sales, energy conservation, research, and
management. A mechanical engineering education is an excellent
background for a career in the military, government, business, or
other professions such as law and medicine.
The mechanical engineering curriculum at VMI has two main
branches: one branch consists of courses related to energy; the
other branch has courses which are related to structures and
motion in mechanical systems. The curriculum provides a broad
background with courses in science, mathematics, liberal arts,
and all of the engineering sciences. Extensive use is made of the
computer facilities at VMI.
The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Department
is to prepare graduates for graduate studies, for a professional
engineering career, or for a career in the military through a
continually improving curriculum of courses in engineering,
related sciences, mathematics, and humanities which will allow
the student to possess:
Educational Objective 1
Enable the student to develop the ability to identify,
formulate, and solve engineering problems in both the
thermal/fluids, mechanical design and related areas.
Supporting Program Outcomes:
1.1 Graduates will have the ability to apply the knowledge of
mathematics (through multivariate calculus and differential
equations), science (through chemistry and calculus-based
physics), and engineering to engineering problems in the
thermal and mechanical design areas.
1.2 Graduates will have the ability to analyze, and design mechanical
and thermal systems, components and processes
incorporating applicable engineering standards and realistic
constraints.
1.3 Graduates will have the ability to design and conduct experiments,
and to analyze and interpret experimental results.
1.4 Graduates will have the ability to use modern computational
and analytical techniques, skills and tools.
Educational Objective 2
Enable the student to develop the professional skills and
awareness necessary to responsibly practice engineering in
a global and societal context.
Supporting Program Outcomes:
2.1 Graduates will have effective oral and written communication
skills.
2.2 Graduates will have the ability to effectively function on
teams.
2.3 Graduates will have an understanding of their professional
and ethical responsibilities.
2.4 Graduates will recognize their need of life-long learning and
will possess the ability to engage in life-long learning.
Laboratory facilities consist of: Computer-aided Design and
Engineering Lab; Energy Lab; Computation Lab; Instrumentation
Lab; Manufacturing and Robotics Lab; Materials Lab.
Laboratories are designed as an extension of classroom work
and provide technological experiments considered important
to the engineering student. Cadets are provided practical
hands-on experience on modern equipment. The department
strongly emphasizes the use of computers for problem solving.
A programming language is taught using microcomputers, and
computer-aided drafting (CAD) is taught as a companion element
in the drawing course. Both programming and CAD, as well as
other computer applications, become an integral part of most
courses taught in the department.
The Mechanical Engineering Department has been in
existence since 1941 as a service department to the other
engineering departments. The new curriculum, started in 1982,
produced its first graduates in May 1985 and is accredited by
ABET, Inc.
The department sponsors a student section of the ASME
(American Society of Mechanical Engineers). Participation in
professional activities is emphasized. Cadets are required to take
the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination as a graduation
requirement during their first class year so that in the future they
can become registered Professional Engineers.
Honors in mechanical engineering
1. Eligibility
Each candidate must:
A. Have an overall 3.00 quality point average in all classes
(through the end of his/her 2nd class year).
B. Have an overall 3.25 quality point average in all Mechanical
Engineering classes (through the end of his/her 2nd class
year).
C. Have a 3.00 quality point average in all classes at
graduation.
D. Have a 3.25 quality point average in all Mechanical
Engineering classes at graduation.
2. Application and Administrative Procedures
Each candidate must:
A. Inform, in writing, the Department Head of their intention
to participate in the Honors Program before the end of the
cadet's second class year.
B. Register for 2 semesters of the Independent Study sequence
(ME 461-ME 462).
C. Find a faculty adviser who is willing to supervise their
Independent Study.
D. Have the subject of their independent study approved by
the Departmental Honors Committee prior to the beginning
62