Academic
Catalog August 2009 - August 2010 Undergraduate
and Graduate
To earn this degree, complete at least 128 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:
at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements. Be aware that you may not use courses with an ME prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.
at least 60 units of engineering core requirements
at least 46 units of mechanical engineering requirements
elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 128 units
Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject.(You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)
Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in U.S. ethnic diversity and one in global diversity awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.
Also be aware that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).
Also note that you can’t have more than two grades of D in your engineering and computer science courses.
Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 128 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.
These 60 units provide you with the foundation for later advanced studies in your major field as well as basic understanding of other fields in engineering.
mathematics and science courses: CHM 151 and 151L; MAT 136, 137, 238, and 239; and PHY 161 and 262 (27 units)
computer science and engineering courses: CENE 225 and 251, CS 122, EE 188, 188L, EGR 186, 286; ME 180, 252, and 291 (27 units)
ME 476C and 486C, which together meet NAU’s senior capstone requirement (6 units)
These 46 units include courses designed to give you an overview of mechanical engineering plus depth in the field and breadth in related fields.
Take the following 28 units, which provide an overview of the two branches of mechanical engineering—solid mechanics and thermal and fluid sciences—and give you background for further specialization:
MAT 362 and CENE 253 and 253L (7 units)
ENG 302W or 305W with your advisor’s approval, either of which meets NAU’s junior writing requirement (3 units)
ME 340, 350, 386, 392, 395, and 495 (18 units) (ME 495 includes a lab component.)
For mechanical engineering depth, you select 9 units from either the courses listed here or from other 300- or 400-level engineering courses with approval from your advisor and department. We encourage you to gain expertise in one of the two primary branches of mechanical engineering, by means of these groupings:
mechanical design: EE 458, ME 381, 454, 455, 467, and 484
fluid and thermal sciences: ME 441, 442, 451, and 454
To gain breadth in fields related to mechanical engineering, you also select 9 units of upper-division courses in engineering, natural sciences, business, or mathematics. You must get your advisor’s approval for these courses.
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 128 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Click here for more information about Mechanical Engineering undergraduate courses and faculty.