Apr 18, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog & Student Handbook 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog & Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Mechanical Engineering & Environmental Engineering


Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering

 Department Chair: Dr. Mary B. Vollaro, Professor

 
Degree Programs
Mechanical Engineering​
Environmental Engineering​

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree program at Florida Polytechnic University is designed to provide a synergetic foundation in the discipline of Mechanical Engineering through broad educational experiences. The program offers concentrations in Aerospace, Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Operations Research, Simulation, and Advanced Topics. Each Mechanical Engineering concentration is offered on a two-year cycle for junior and seniors (i.e. ME students completing all the courses in the freshman and sophomore levels of the ME plan of study). The program seeks to inculcate an understanding of the fundamental principles of science and engineering by providing students with project-based learning experiences and applied research opportunities.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering degree program at Florida Polytechnic University provides a foundation in the holistic design of complex environmental systems with curriculum that applies science, analysis, and engineering design to environmental concerns to protect human health and the environment.  The program applies traditional concepts and principals of engineering to create innovative solutions with hands-on, project-based learning in both laboratory and field implementation to topics related to pollution control, conservation practices, and real-life policy and ecosystems. The program offers elective courses in sustainability practices in engineering, water and wastewater treatment, environmental monitoring and testing, municipal solid and hazardous waste management, and geospatial assessment, as well as, applied research opportunities with real world implications.

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

See Program Description  for full curriculum and additional details. 

Concentrations

Advanced Topics

Students select any four ME elective courses to create their own concentration in Advanced Topics.

Aerospace

Aerospace focuses on industries in which engineers design or build aircraft, missiles, and systems for national defense, or spacecraft.  Complementing the general mechanical engineering principles, this concentration covers subjects such as propulsion, stability and control, structures, mechanics, and aerodynamics, which is the study of how air interacts with moving objects. Looking forward, the Aerospace concentration provides students with additional courses to pursue career options at aerospace companies and may spark an interest in undergraduate research and advanced study in graduate school.

Materials and Advanced Manufacturing

Materials and advanced manufacturing focuses on expanding knowledge gained in the core mechanical engineering courses to create and improve products and/or process with ‘cutting edge’ technology. Understanding the unique properties of metals, ceramics, polymers or plastics, and novel materials like foams or biomaterials, allows engineers transform them and create value in useful products. The manufacturing processes must be innovative to meet today’s demands in global market place with cost and sustainability specifications, yet develop practical practices that also improve safety, efficiency, and versatility. This concentration provides a foundation in the fabrication, characterization, modeling and rapid prototyping of such materials and product.

Energy

Central Florida (as well as the broader state) is home to several companies and firms that support agriculture processing, mining, power-production, and green/eco-construction industries. Common themes within these industries are the need for large machinery to transmit large mechanical forces, operate under high pressures within a thermodynamic cycle, convert energy, and or heat or cool areas in extreme/semi-extreme environments. Students will build on their mechanical engineering core courses with a focus on more specific topics in the traditional areas of mechanical engineering including Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Computer Manufacturing and Control, Energy Conversion and Sustainability, and Principles of Turbomachinery.

Operations Research

Operations research focuses on modeling and solving operation efficiency challenges, and predicting and demonstrating value-added gains like cost savings. Professionals with expertise in this field are often found in environments with complex operations like ports and shipyards, where they are responsible for managing and improving traffic flow. Study in this concentration combines information technology, applied engineering, and social sciences to provide diverse technical skills, entrepreneurial abilities, and a global viewpoint required to manage the governing forces that move within the marketplace.

Simulation

Focuses on modeling and simulation covering a variety of applications in mechanical engineering including solid mechanics, thermo and fluid sciences, life cycle analysis (LCA) with product design and sustainability and supported with a choice of advanced mathematics courses. This concentration adds depth and breadth to student’s core mechanical with engineering computer-aided engineering analysis tools and their use in engineering analysis, which is widely used in industry and research.

Florida Common Prerequisites for Mechanical Engineering

Students who started as freshmen at Florida Poly (native students) must complete general education requirements and the following courses to enter the degree program as a junior:

 

Transfer students must meet general education requirements and satisfy the following Florida State Common Prerequisites to enter the degree program as a junior:

CHM2045/2045L

  • or CHM X045C

  • or CHS X440/X440L

  • or CHS X440/CHMX045L

& MAC 2311

  • or MAC X281

& MAC 2312

  • or MAC X282

& MAC 2313

  • or MAC X283

& MAP 2302

  • or MAP X305

& PHY 2048/2048L

  • or PHY X048C

  • or PHY X043/X048L

& PHY 2049/2049L

  • or PHY X049C

  • or PHY X044/X049L

 

Academic Learning Compact for Mechanical Engineering

Florida Polytechnic University’s Academic Learning Compact describes what students, who follow the major’s study plan, will know and be able to do. These are listed as core student learning outcomes.

Program:

Mechanical Engineering

Purpose of the Program:

The Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree program at Florida Polytechnic University is designed to provide a synergetic foundation in the discipline of Mechanical Engineering through broad educational experiences. The program offers concentrations in Aerospace, Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Operations Research,Simulation, and Advanced Topics. The program seeks to inculcate an understanding of the fundamental principles of science and engineering by providing students with hands on learning experiences and applied research opportunities.

Graduates of the program will demonstrate the following:

Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program will demonstrate the following:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Core Learning Outcomes:

Student Learning Outcomes

The Outcomes Involve These Skills:

Upon completion of the Mechanical Engineering Degree, students will possess:

Content

Critical Thinking

Communication

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

 

X

 

2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

X

 

 

3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

 

 

X

4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

 

X

 

5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

X

 

X

6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

 

X

 

7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

X

X

 

 


 

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Engineering

See Program Description   for full curriculum and additional details. 

Florida Common Prerequisites for Environmental Engineering

Students who started as freshmen at Florida Poly (native students) must complete general education requirements and the following courses to enter the degree program as a junior:

 

Transfer students must meet general education requirements and satisfy the following Florida State Common Prerequisites to enter the degree program as a junior:

& MAC 2311

  • or MAC X281

& MAC 2312

  • or MAC X282

& MAC 2313

  • or MAC X283

& MAP 2302

  • or MAP X305

& CHM2045/2045L

  • or CHM X045C
  • or CHS X440/X440L

& CHM X046/CHMX046L

  • or CHM X046C

& PHY 2048/2048L

  • or PHY X048C
  • or PHY X043 & X048L

& PHY 2049/2049L

  • or PHY X049C
  • or PHY X044 & X049L

Academic Learning Compact for Environmental Engineering

Florida Polytechnic University’s Academic Learning Compact describes what students, who follow the major’s study plan, will know and be able to do. These are listed as core student learning outcomes.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Outcomes Involve These Skills:

Upon completion of the Environmental Engineering Degree, students will possess:

Content

Critical Thinking

Communication

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

X

 

 

2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

 

X

 

3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

 

 

X

4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

 

X

 

5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

 

 

X

6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

X

 

 

7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

 

X

 

Course Offerings

Courses