Mechanical Engineering Degree Plan
Concentration Advisor:
Prof. K.-S. Kim B&H 743, x3-1456, Kim@engin.brown.edu
Educational Objectives:
The objectives of Brown’s Mechanical Engineering Program are to serve prospective students by
• Offering them opportunities to explore a broad range of engineering fields before choosing an area of specialization;
• Enabling students to develop the specialized knowledge and experience required to practice as professional mechanical engineers or to pursue a course of advanced study;
• Offering opportunities for students to work with faculty in the creation and application of engineering science;
• Offering students some flexibility to tailor their curricula to meet their personal educational goals, and providing them with opportunities to enrich their education through studies of the arts, humanities and social sciences.
To serve its graduates by
• Preparing them either to enroll in programs of graduate study, to practice as professional mechanical engineers, or to pursue careers that involve application of the engineering method in other professional capacities;
• Preparing its graduates to adapt readily to emerging technologies and career opportunities;
• Providing its graduates with the foundation required for continued professional development.
To serve industry, other universities and the professional engineering community by graduating engineers who:
• Are capable of practicing as entry-level mechanical engineers or graduate students with specialization in either aerospace, biomechanics, energy conversion, fluid and thermal systems, engineering mechanics, or mechanical systems, design and materials;
• Are capable of developing and exploiting responsibly the principles of engineering science, as well as emerging and established technologies, to meet the needs of their employers, their profession and society at large;
The curriculum in Mechanical Engineering is intended to provide students with a strong foundation in a broad range of engineering sciences and mathematics, followed by an in-depth study of engineering concepts specific to the practice of Mechanical Engineering. The curriculum is based on the core program, which is intended to develop students skills in analysis, computation and experiment, provide a broad overview of all engineering disciplines, and develop general problem solving and decision making skills. The core program is followed by three semesters during which students elect to focus on one of five possible interrelated options within Mechanical Engineering. These programs provide specialized training required to practice as entry-level Mechanical Engineers in several areas, and also provide capstone design experiences for all graduates.
Concentration Requirements:
The common engineering core program for the Sc.B. in Engineering, including: a chemistry course (CHEM 0330), an approved computer science course, an approved advanced science course, and a minimum of four courses in the humanities and social sciences, as well as both ENGN 0310 and ENGN 0810. Students with a strong interest in Mechanical Engineering may elect to take ENGN 0310 in their sophomore year, by postponing ENGN 0510 to their junior year. The recommended advanced science course is Physics 0790 for all options except Biomechanics, for which it is BIOL 0800. Humanities courses should develop an awareness of contemporary issues and provide a general education necessary to practice engineering in a societal context.
Six upper level courses should be selected from the following options:
Aerospace Applications:
Engineering 1000,* 1370, 1700, 1720 and 1860, plus one course selected from among 1710, 1740, or 1750. Attention is called to the graduate level courses ENGN 2810 and 2820.
Biomechanics:
Engineering 1000,* 1210, 1230 and 1370, plus at least one course from among ENGN1700 ,1710, and 1860, plus one additional course from this group or from among ENGN 1220, 1490, 1740, 1750, and 1930R.
Energy Conversion and Fluid and Thermal Systems:
Engineering 1000,* 1700, 1710, 1720, and 1860, plus either Engineering 1370 or 1750. Attention is also called to Engineering 1310, 1340 and 1740.
Engineering Mechanics:
Engineering 1370, 1750 and 1860, plus two design courses from among Engineering 1000,* 1380, 1720, 1740, 1760, or 1930M, plus one course from among ENGN1300, 1360, 1420, 1700, 1710. Attention is also called to Applied Mathematics 1060, 1330, and 1340, and to graduate level courses ENGN 2010, 2020, 2210, 2220 and 2810.
Mechanical Systems: Dynamics, Materials and Design:
Engineering 1000,* 1370, 1750 and 1760, plus at least one course from among ENGN 1700, 1710 (recommended), 1720, and 1860, plus one additional course from this group or from among ENGN1230, 1300, 1380, 1420, 1620, and 1740. Attention is also called to the graduate level courses 2210 and 2220.
* ENGN 1930G (Entrepreneurship) or ENGN 1930M (Industrial Design) may be substituted for ENGN1000. Independent study courses with a significant design component may also be substituted, with approval from the Engineering Concentration Committee.
See the Undergraduate Guide for more information.
