Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Parviz Merati, Chair
Main Office: F-234 CEAS (Parkview Campus)
Telephone: (269) 276-3420

Fax: (269) 276-3421

Judah Ari-Gur
Prina Ari-Gur
Christopher S.K. Cho
Claudia Fajardo
Muralidhar Ghantasala
Peter A. Gustafson
Jennifer Hudson
James W. Kamman
Daniel Kujawski
Ho Sung Lee
Kristina Lemmer
William W. Liou
Tianshu Liu
Koorosh Naghshineh
Roman Rabiej
Kapseong Ro
Rameshwar P. Sharma
Bade S.O. Shrestha
Edmund Tsang
Dennis J. VandenBrink

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers programs leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical or Aerospace). The two programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. The programs are designed to provide diverse expertise appropriate to the selected engineering discipline. The subject matter includes mathematics, general education, the basic sciences, the engineering sciences, product design, and computational tools for engineering. Electives may be used to deepen or broaden the program.

The department offers the opportunity that allows an Accelerated Master’s (ABM) degree. Details of ABM can be found in the department’s website www.wmich.edu/mae/g_masters.php.

Mechanical engineers are found in almost every industry. Mechanical engineers find career opportunities in areas such as: manufacturing, machine tool design, and product development; land, sea, air, and space vehicles and systems; energy conversion and energy distribution; computer hardware and computer software; environmental systems; and construction and urban development. Opportunities for mechanical engineers continue to develop with the rapid expansion of our knowledge base and population growth.

Offerings for those interested in automotive engineering include internal combustion engines, engine design, vehicle design, vehicle dynamics, and vehicle structural design. Aerospace Engineers have similar industrial career opportunities to those of mechanical engineers. The Aerospace Engineering program emphasizes disciplines that provide career opportunities in the aerospace industries such as air and space vehicle design, flight testing, fluid and structural analysis, and system engineering.

Academic Advising

Students should contact a Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering academic advisor as early as possible. Advisors are available to assist in individual program planning, to recommend electives appropriate to a student’s educational objectives, to discuss employment opportunities, and to help solve academic problems. Substitutions and transfer credit must be approved by a departmental advisor, the curriculum committee, and the department chair. The academic advisors are located in Room E-102, CEAS, (269) 276-3260.

Scholarships and Awards

Several scholarships are available through the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. These include, but are not limited to, scholarships through the Giffels Associates, Lakehead-Pipeline, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, H. H. Harris Foundation, Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club, Knight scholarship, and the college itself. Program announcements are distributed during the application period.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering also annually presents several awards, which include:

MAE Merit Scholarship Award - to retain and encourage the students with excellent academic performance and to attract meritorious students into mechanical and aerospace engineering programs.
Dean E. Bluman Memorial Award - presented to an outstanding student of mechanical engineering who has demonstrated interest and ability in liberal studies. This is in honor and recognition of the late Dr. Bluman who, during his tenure as Professor and Chairman of Mechanical Engineering, was an active supporter of liberal education for engineering students.
Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Scholar Award - presented to a mechanical engineering student who is outstanding scholastically, involved in extra-curricular activities, and demonstrates leadership ability and the professionalism associated with mechanical engineering.
Outstanding Aerospace Engineering Scholar Award - presented to an aerospace engineering student who is outstanding scholastically, involved in extra-curricular activities, and demonstrates leadership ability and the professionalism associated with aerospace engineering.
Mechanical Engineering Presidential Scholar Award - presented to an outstanding mechanical engineering student who is selected using University-wide criteria which includes senior standing, superior scholastic ability, extra-curricular involvement, and professional promise.

Cooperative Education

Students electing the cooperative education plan may choose to have up to 3 credits of co-op experience apply to their program as a Mechanical Engineering group 3 elective. Students enrolled in this course will be classified as having full-time student status for the purpose of loan deferments and insurance eligibility. A detailed description of this process is available on the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering homepage.

Internships

A number of students choose to do internships while continuing their studies. Taking a reduced course load enables the student to gain valuable engineering experience while being continuously enrolled.