Mechanical Engineering PE Policy

03/17/2023

ME Students must complete 12 semester credits hours of professional elective coursework to successfully complete all requirements for a BS in Mechanical Engineering. They must also choose between EMEC 405 or EMEC 436 for an additional 3 credits of professional elective coursework (as seen on the ME Flowsheet) totaling 15 credits of PEs.

Note: In order to obtain PE credit for courses noted in this policy, students must have successfully completed all the 100 and 200 level courses.

Per student interest, a maximum of 3 credits of professional electives may be applied from the following, with necessary approval forms:

• • EMEC 490 – Undergraduate Research¹
  • EMEC 492 – Independent Study¹
  • EMEC 498 – Internship²

When pursuing these options, the following should be considered:

• The faculty advisor(s) must be qualified and agree to administer and evaluate the engineering content.
• The project must include formal meetings and/or formal lecture instruction. The grade will be assigned by the ME advisor/co-advisor.
• The project must result in a quantifiable end result (typically a formal engineering report.)

¹An EMEC 490 or EMEC 492 approval form and documentation must also be completed. Factors involved in approval of EMEC 490 or EMEC 492 as PEs include:

• • The faculty advisor(s) must be qualified and agree to administer and evaluate the engineering content.
  • The project must include formal meetings and/or formal lecture instruction. The grade will be assigned by the ME advisor/co-advisor.
  • The project must result in a quantifiable end result (typically a formal engineering report.)
  • An EMEC 490 or EMEC 492 approval form and documentation must also be completed.

Courses not listed in the approved course list, but that can be shown to satisfy the ME PE Policy may be substituted with approval. EMEC 491 Special Topics courses may be substituted with approval. Watch for announcements.

² Other conditions apply. See M&IE Internship Criteria.

Any exceptions to the ME PE Policy must be approved by the student’s advisor and Department Head.

Definition of Professional Elective Course

A professional elective (PE) course is intended to enhance the depth and breadth of the educational experience in the Mechanical Engineering curriculum. PE courses should offer additional engineering content (see below) beyond the required courses in the ME curriculum. PE courses should relate to the field of engineering and prepare the student for a successful career.

Courses listed in the approved course list of this Professional Electives Policy sheet are considered typical PE courses which satisfy these criteria and, therefore, are preapproved. Courses outside those listed may be considered if they can be shown to meet the above definition of a ME PE but must follow the processes above to be counted towards your degree.

 Approved ME Professional elective (PE) Courses

* These courses have prerequisite requirements outside of the normal ME prerequisite structure that have been waived by the offering department for ME 

** These courses have prerequisites outside of the normal ME prerequisite structure that may not be waived and therefore must be satisfied. See the current MSU Catalog for a listing of current prerequisites and consult with course instructor.

Professional Elective offerings subject to change based on availability and demand.

Link to PE List pdf, ME and MET: pdf of Approved PEs

Not quite sure what to take?

The Mechanical Engineering department has organized several 'Elective Tracks' that follow an engineering-related focus. These tracks are not required of the ME major, but can be used as suggested choice pathways for students interested. While tracks are not specifically audited or a part of a graduates diploma, they can be great to reference on a resume or to describe a special focus. 

Biomedical

The field of Biomedical Engineering applies engineering principles to solve problems in medicine and health. Mechanical engineers contribute to both product development and basic research in the field of Biomedical Engineering. Students taking courses in this track will be positioned to contribute to the orthopedic, prosthetic, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as traditional ME companies. The mechanical behavior of biological systems is often nonlinear, and students will be exposed to nonlinear material models, viscoelasticity, and other relevant topics.

Required PE course (take at least 1 from the following):

• EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis
• EMEC 436 - Computational Fluid Dynamics Elective PE courses

Elective PE courses:

1. Take at least 2 courses from the following:
   • EMEC 440: Biomechanics of Human Movement
   • EMEC 444: Mechanical behavior of Materials
   • EMEC 424: Cellular Mechanotransduction
   • EMEC 465: Bio-Inspired Engineering
   • EMAT 464: Biomedical Materials Engineering
   • BCH 441: Biochemistry of Macromolecules
   • BIOB 425: Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
   • ECHM 424: Transport Analysis
   • EELE 321: Introduction to Feedback Controls
   • EBIO 438: Bioprocess Engineering
   • EBIO 461: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
   • M 430: Mathematical Biology
   • BIOH 445: Molecular Medicine
2. Any remaining PE courses can be from the approved PE list

Computational Mechanics

This track has courses that use or build computer programs to help engineers perform computer-aided engineering. The PEs include applying numerical methods to structural, fluid, and control systems, and learning about how numerical methods work. Students that enjoyed EMEC 203 and 303 are encouraged to consider these PEs.

Required PE course (take at least 1 from the following):

• EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis
• EMEC 436 - Computational Fluid Dynamics

Elective PE courses:

1. Take at least 2 courses from the following:
   • EMEC 403 - CAE IV - Design Integration
   • EGEN 506 - Num. Sol. to Eng. Problems
   • M 441 - Num. Linear Algebra &
   • M 442 - Num. Sol. of Differential Equations
   • EELE 321 - Intro to Feedback Control
   • EMEC 462 – System Dynamics and Control
2.  Any remaining PE courses can be from the approved PE list

Suggested additional courses

• CSCI 111. Programming with Java I
• CSCI 112. Programming with C I

Fluid and Thermal Systems

This track has courses that will equip students with broader knowledge in the areas of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. The required courses will provide basic knowledge in numerical methods applicable to a wide variety of engineering applications. The students will be exposed to propulsion, combustion, and transport analysis.

Required PE course (take at least 1 from the following):

• EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis
• EMEC 436 - Computational Fluid Dynamics

Elective PE courses

1. Take at least 2 courses from the following:
   • EGEN 435 Fluid Dynamics
   • ECHM 424 Transport Analysis
   • EMEC 426 Thermodynamics of Propulsion Systems
   • EMEC 430 Introduction to Combustion
2. Any remaining PE courses can be from the approved PE list

Manufacturing

 The Manufacturing Professional Elective Track is a selection of courses that are chosen to prepare the student for an initial career which is directly involved with the production of engineered components. The track includes two required courses involving computer aided engineering, and a selection of direct manufacturing technology courses.

Required PE courses:

• EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis, 4
• EMEC 403 - CAE IV--Design Integration

Elective PE courses

1. Take at least 2 courses from the following:
   • EMAT 462 – Manufacturing of Composites
   • ETME 415 - Design for Manufacturing and Tooling
   • EMAT 350 Engineering Materials
   • ETME 410 CNC and CAM Technology
   • EIND 434 Project and Engineering Management
2. Any remaining PE courses can be from the approved PE list

Materials Engineering

The goal of the Materials Track is to provide students with focused education and training that will enable them to understand and participate in the engineering and thus manipulation of advanced materials. The inter-disciplinary field of materials science and engineering is a vital component to many emerging areas of advanced technology. The courses in this track promote an understanding of material properties, material processing, and manufacturing. These essential parameters are the limiting factors in the design and performance of almost all mechanical systems including: aeronautics/aerospace structures, automobiles, prosthetics/biomedical devices, and MEMS.

Required PE courses:

• EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis
• EMAT 350 – Engineering Materials Elective PE courses

1. Take at least 2 courses from the following:
   • EMAT 460 – Polymeric Materials
   • EMAT 461 – Principles of Tribology
   • EMAT 462 – Manufacturing of Composites
   • EMAT 463 – Composite Materials
   • EMAT 464 – Biomedical Materials Engineering
   • PHSX 441 – Solid State Physics
   • PHSX 442 – Novel Materials for Physicists and Engineers
2. Any remaining PE course can be from the approved PE list

Structural Systems

The Structures PE track is intended to equip students with basic courses in a broad variety of structural analyses, ranging from basic component design and analysis, through high tech structures such as those for aerospace and biomechanical devices. The required courses provide basic skills in modern structural analysis techniques, and the selected elective courses are for specific applications.

Required PE course:

• EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis

Elective PE courses

1. Take at least 2 courses from the following:
   • EMEC 403 - CAE IV--Design Integration
   • EMEC 447 - Aircraft Structures
   • EMEC 465 - Bio-inspired Engineering
   • EMEC 467 - Micro-Electromechanical Systems
   • EGEN 415 - Advanced Mechanics of Solids
   • EMEC 545 - Advanced Mechanical Vibrations
   • EM 518 – Plates and Shells (*only 2 cr)
2. Any remaining PE courses can be from the approved PE list

General

This PE track is suggested for students who do not want to concentrate in one particular area of mechanical engineering rather want to expand their basic knowledge in multiple areas.

Required PE course (take at least 1 from the following):

• EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis
• EMEC 436 - Computational Fluid Dynamics

Elective PE courses: Remaining PE courses can be from the approved PE list