Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.


  1. The Mechanical Engineering major is the broadest of all of the engineering disciplines and spans nearly every sector of our economy including energy systems, advanced materials, biomedical devices, environmental products and enhancements, manufacturing and automation machines and processes, and the solutions to an endless array of technical problems.  The mechanical engineering program places strong emphasis on hands-on experience and the art of engineering design. The curriculum provides for both breadth and depth through required major courses and elective engineering courses. The Mechanical Engineering major is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

A wide array of career options are available for graduates from the Mechanical Engineering major including applied engineers in industry, design engineers, research, consulting, and graduate study leading to advanced degrees.

Program Educational Objectives

The mechanical engineering program at York College is designed to prepare its graduates for productive careers and/or graduate study.  Within a few years following graduation, our alumni will have:

  1. Made significant contributions to their employer and/or graduate program through (for example) pursuit of advanced degrees and/or professional licensure, successful completion of engineering assignments, or publications
  2. Consistently demonstrated ethical and professional behavior in the workplace
  3. Continued their education by acquiring new, specialized skills through life-long learning opportunities, such as additional training, graduate studies, and/or self-study
  4. Displayed effective communication and teamwork skills while executing their assigned responsibilities

Student Outcomes

The Mechanical Engineering program is structured to give students the knowledge, skills and experience needed to be successful as an entry level engineer upon graduation. To accomplish this, students will have achieved the following key student outcomes by the time they graduate:

  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 and inclusive 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

Engineering Cooperative Work Experience (Co-op)

Students are required to complete three semesters of co-op (six credits) prior to graduation.  One co-op (two credits) will be waived for students who successfully complete a semester-long study abroad experience and with prior permission of the department chair.  Through this program, students gain practical hands-on experience in industry and other engineering-related enterprises. After their first two years of study, students alternate academic semesters with semesters of full-time paid professional engineering experience in industry. One or more co-ops may be waived for students with a history of qualified engineering work.

To be eligible for a mechanical engineering co-op, a student must have:

  • A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
  • Completed (with a grade of 2 or better) ME 250 (Statics) and MAT 272 (Differential Equations)
  • Completed (with a grade of 2 or better) or be currently enrolled in ME 264 (Strength of Materials) and ME 320 (Thermodynamics)

Student Policy Manual

The requirements, policies, procedures and other important details concerning the Mechanical Engineering major can be located in the Student Policy Manual.

Requirements for Graduation:


To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Mechanical Engineering must complete a minimum of 134 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.  A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for all major courses and engineering electives.

The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete a First Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar course and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundations Requirement


Disciplinary Perspectives Requirement


Constellation Requirement


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirements.  Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation except for Education majors.

Required Major Courses:


Suggested Course Sequence:


Freshman Year


Fall (16 credits)


Sophomore Year


Fall (18 credits)


Junior Year


Fall (18 credits)


Summer (14 credits)


Senior Year


Spring (18 credits)


Summer (15-16 credits)


Note(s):


Students must take both Finite Element Analysis and Automatic Control