Mechanical Engineering Major (saylor.org)

Mechanical Engineering Major (saylor.org)
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest technical fields you can enter. As a result, this program is designed to provide you with a solid background in both mechanical and energy systems (and their respective components).

To acquire competence in these areas, you will need a solid foundation in math and science, and will accordingly be required to complete a suite of pre-requisite courses in each of these ancillary disciplines.

The Mechanical Engineering curriculum is divided into four sections: 100-level courses, 200-level courses, 300-level courses, and 400-level courses. Since the Saylor curriculum is self-directed, the numbering system used for course descriptors is designed to guide the student in the appropriate sequence of study. These numbers do not necessarily correspond to freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior level courses, but are in sequential order. Prerequisites for courses are clearly stated in each course description.

Each “level” (i.e. 100-level, 200-level, etc) of courses builds upon the knowledge you will have gained in the previous one. For example, the first section contains introductory courses in mechanics, programming and design, and energy systems. By the time you reach the final set of courses, you will have completed each of these sequences and will need to use your knowledge to complete a final project.

Overall, you will be required to complete 24 courses designed around the following broad topics: mechanics, energy systems, engineering materials, systems and controls, Computer Aided Design (CAD), and programming. In the final course of this program, you will be asked to complete an individual design project of your choice. In this capstone assignment, you will be expected to integrate the design tactics and technical skills you have learned over the course of this program.

In order to fulfill the requirements for this major, you must complete all 24 of the courses below.


Core Program:
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Mechanics I
Thermodynamics
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Fluid Mechanics
Mechanics II - Dynamics
Materials and Materials Processing
Heat Transfer
Numerical Methods for Engineers
Measurement & Experimentation Laboratory
Mechatronics
Thermal-Fluid Systems
Engineering Communication
Dynamic Systems & Controls
Design Decisions in Engineering
Student Design Project


Required Mathematics:
Single-Variable Calculus I
Single-Variable Calculus II
Differential Equations
Multivariable Calculus


Required Science:
General Chemistry I
Introduction to Mechanics
Introduction to Electromagnetism