Assessment

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The Department is among the most basic of all engineering programs, with a curriculum that embraces the major areas of power, design, and fluid or solid mechanics. Seniors may enroll in one of three concentration areas: power/energy conversion, mechanical systems/design, and aerospace engineering. The program is designed to prepare its graduates to achieve the program education objectives (PEOs) listed below. These objectives, consistent with the mission statements of the department, college, and university, are achieved by preparing the students to attain the seven student outcomes listed below.

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Educational Objectives

The program's educational objectives describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to attain within a few years after graduation. The educational objectives of the mechanical engineering program, established with participation of all constituencies, are consistent with the mission of Old Dominion University and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

To establish themselves as successful professionals in the general areas of thermal/fluid systems, mechanical systems and design, and materials and manufacturing in industry and government settings by demonstrating their ability to:

1. Conduct themselves consistently in a responsible, professional and ethical manner.
2. Participate in continuing education, research and development, and in other lifelong creative efforts in science and technology.
3. Lead others in support of activities that promote service to, and the economic development of, the community, region, state and nation.
4. Successfully pursue and complete graduate programs in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a related field if they so desire.
    

Mechanical Engineering Student Outcomes

Student learning outcomes describe the knowledge and skills acquired by students who complete the BSME program. Upon graduation with a BSME degree, the students will have obtained:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.