MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND
ENERGY PROCESSES (MEEP)

WHY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING?

When you think about Mechanical Engineering most of you probably think about machines like automobiles, airplanes, the aerospace program, earth moving equipment and farm implements, and manufacturing.  You would be only partly correct because there is so much more to Mechanical Engineering.  Mechanical Engineers are found in every major manufacturing industry, scientific organization, medical industry, government agency, consulting firm, business and patent law offices and more. 

At SIUC, students will learn that Mechanical Engineering involves not only machines and their design, but thermal systems (heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration), energy and chemical processes, combustion, materials and their properties, computer simulations, nano-technology and more.  Mechanical Engineers learn how to identify and solve problems that can help make society safer and better. 

BECOME A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

Practicing Mechanical Engineers who graduate from SIUC can get their Professional Engineering license through the state’s licensing board, giving them more responsibility and capabilities to practice engineering.  In the year prior to graduation, the students are eligible and encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which is one of the two required comprehensive licensing examinations.  This will make them eligible to become registered professional engineers with a minimum of four years of professional work experience, after they pass the Professional Engineering (PE) exam.  Our successful graduates go on to own their own businesses, manage businesses, and are found in nearly every walk of life, in countries around the world.

Do you like to solve problems, take things apart to find out how they work, sometimes get into trouble because of your curiosity, or just like to tinker?  Then the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes has a place for you!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE OUR
CURRICULUM

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes offer degree programs leading to a Batchelor of Science (BS), and Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering Science.   The BS degree awarded in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET)

We use the term “Core Curriculum” to describe common courses that all students are required to take within the University, such as English, Math, Speech, Social Sciences, and Humanities.  Students working on a BS degree in ME are required to take about 25% of their course hours in these Core courses.  The remaining courses hours are split between required courses for the ME major and elective courses that the students can chose, based on their own interests. 

Your first year Engineering courses will be  Introduction to Engineering and Engineering Graphics because you will concentrate primarily on your requirements for Math, Chemistry, Physics, and English.  We can not stress enough your need to attend classes and study sessions to increase your chance of success.  During your second year, your Engineering related classes include: Fluid Mechanics and Lab, Statics, Dynamics, Mechanics of Deformable Bodies, and Thermodynamics.  In your third and fourth years your classes will be predominantly Mechanical Engineering and will include more design and computation.

THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FACULTY

The Professors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes all have a PhD degree in Engineering, with many receiving their degrees from major US universities.  All new students are assigned a Faculty member in our department to provide mentoring and guidance, during their undergraduate studies.

The strength of our undergraduate and graduate program comes from the diversity of our Faculty expertise and their research programs.  Many of the Faculty have their PhD in Mechanical Engineering, while others have their PhD in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Material Science, and associated areas.  This allows students to learn from Professors who teach classes related to their area of expertise and related research. 

In the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes, almost all classes (with few exceptions) are taught by Faculty and not graduate students.

In addition to teaching, the Faculty in our department are among the top researcher in the country.  Their research involves a wide range of subjects:  energy from coal and alternative fuels, chemical processes, biomechanical devices, nano-and friction-materials, friction properties, mechanical systems, advanced composites and their properties, thermal systems and heat transfer, computational fluid mechanics, and computational methods and systems, and more.  Recent inventions in the area of biomedical devices and advanced composite materials have potential to revolutionize industry.  Researchers are also looking at hydrogen from coal, synthetic fuels and bio-fuels.  Over the past 5 years, Faculty from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes received ~$ 4.5 million in research grants.  These grants not only provide funding for research, but also finance support for graduate students and undergraduate research assistants.

WELL-EQUIPPED CLASS AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES

Hands-on experience will be gained through our well-equipped laboratories:

• Computer Lab with state-of-the-art software
• Thermal Measurement and Control
• Material Science
• Pollution Control
• Vibration
• Process Design and Control
• Mechanical Systems Control
• Combustion
• Chemical Processes
• Advanced Friction Studies
• Tribology
• High-temperature materials
• Composites
• Nano-materials
• Materials Testing

MORRIS LIBRARY
An extensive collection of Engineering journals and reserved Engineering reference books are available.
With the new electronic library access to additional materials has been made possible for all SIU students.

SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID

All new students in Engineering are encouraged to complete the College of Engineering scholarship application forms.  New students are automatically given consideration for SIUC scholarships upon admission to the University.  All scholarships are competitive and subject to the availability of funds.  Therefore, early admission to the University is recommended.  New students are also encouraged to apply for other forms of financial assistance, such as: grants, student employment, and loans.  For more information on financial aid and other SIUC scholarships, visit SIUC’s Financial Aid Office web site at:   http://www.siu.edu/~fao/

INTERNSHIPS AND COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Professional work experience through the College of Engineering internship program or cooperative education is an excellent way to enhance a degree and finance an engineering education.  Students ideally enter the co-op program after completion of the sophomore year, and may work one or two semesters before returning to full-time study.  At graduation, these students already have a year of professional engineering experience which counts as course credit.  For more information about job opportunities or co-op companies, please contact Mr. Chris Pearson, cpearson@siu.edu or visit http://www.engr.siu.edu/outreach/coop/coop.htm

STUDENT SOCIETIES AND CLUBS

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air –Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• National Society of Minority Engineers
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• National Society of Hispanic Engineers (NSHE)
• Collegiate Design Competitions
• Formula One Race Car
• Moonbuggy
• Hovercraft