Our freshman engineering sequence is a unique, fast-paced, hands-on series designed for freshmen to dive into mechanical engineering. These courses are designed around that belief that successful engineers (and successful engineering students) need to have a willingness to tackle problems without obvious solutions.
The courses follow a flipped classroom format. Students watch lectures prior to class and spend class time discussing material and applying concepts through hands-on lab work. As this course is not a traditional lecture-based course, students do not purchase a textbook – instead, they purchase a set of hand tools and electronic parts kits, which includes an open-source microcontroller.
Students will have the opportunity to use the 3D printer, laser cutter, and equipment in the Machine Shop to fabricate projects. Please note that students are required to take the MME Shop Safety Class to be able to access this equipment.
ME 120: Introduction to Engineering
Students are introduced to the technology, software, and fabrication skills necessary for effective engineering, as well as the fundamentals of engineering problem-solving. During class, students work on sensors and microcontrollers, fabricate/assemble parts using tools in the classroom and components they will purchase through the Electronic Prototyping Lab (EPL). They will also use laptops to solve problems and practice concepts and techniques demonstrated during the lectures.
The course will involve up to three projects that require the use of different types of sensors including light sensors, proximity sensors, temperature and humidity sensors; write Arduino codes to control and display the outputs of the sensors on liquid crystal (LCD) displays, neopixel strips and micro-OLED screens.
ME 120 is the core source of skills for ME 121 and ME 122.
Student must be registered for or have completed MTH 251: Calculus I or higher in order to register for this course.
ME 121: Introduction to Systems and Control
Students learn to use mass and energy balances to design and evaluate strategies for controlling temperature and air quality while considering the constraint of energy consumed in doing so. Building on the skills and techniques learned in ME 120, students develop stronger programming skills and focus on sensor input/output, sensor calibration, on/off control of heaters, and proportional control of ventilation fans with variable speed drives. Students will also learn fundamental skills to develop and solve heat and mass conservation equations, fabrication and design skills, and programming sensing and control strategies for the Arduino microcontroller platform.
Students will develop these skills while developing a small-scale physical model of a "smart" building that controls temperature, ventilation, and lighting while tracking the energy consumption of the "building".
ME 122: Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving
Students are broken into small groups to collaborate on a project. Project topics relate to environmental sustainability, quality of life, the economy, and/or the engineering profession that can be solved with mechanical engineering.
Students are in charge of all aspects of the project; they design it, fabricate it, program it, and test it. Students often encounter various problems while building the projects and have to troubleshoot the design, programming, and/or fabrication issues to meet the project deadline.
At the end of the term, the projects are displayed at the MME Design Fair, where students have the ability to demonstrate the projects to other students, faculty, and members of the community.