Academics

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Mechanical Engineering Major

Bachelor of Science Degree

Engineering Alumni Insight

The mechanical engineering program is dedicated to teaching fundamental laws of God’s creation, manifest through science and mathematics, as building blocks of a solid engineering education. Understanding the forces at work within nature enables man to control and direct these forces to achieve human goals. While a firm theoretical foundation is laid, a strong emphasis is placed on practicality and application of principles for solving design problems.

High School Preparation: Modern engineering education demands much specific high school preparation. Ideally, the beginning engineering student should have a good understanding of basic physical sciences, a highly developed ability in mathematics, and competence to read rapidly with comprehension. Minimum adequate preparation includes 2 units of algebra, and 1 unit each of plane geometry, advanced mathematics (trigonometry and analytical geometry or precalculus), chemistry, and physics.

Students not prepared to enter directly into mechanical engineering curriculum will be able to make up certain deficiencies. In this case, time required to complete a mechanical engineering degree could be expected to increase.

Plan of Study: The broad field of knowledge required in a mechanical engineering degree makes it necessary for a student to attend a 2-week Interterm course prior to second semester and a 2-week Post-term course at the conclusion of second semester during his freshman and sophomore years. Students may elect to extend their program an additional semester to eliminate the need for Interterm and Post-term courses.

Residence Requirements: Engineering students that are nonresidence hall students are required to pay a Nonresidence Fee of $1,675 per semester, in addition to tuition and other applicable fees. All single, undergraduate students under 25 years of age not living with their parents are required to reside in the residence hall. Mechanical engineering town students must pay the Nonresidence Fee. PCC does not provide residence hall living space for married students or their families; therefore, all married mechanical engineering students are classified as town students and must pay the Nonresidence Fee.

Academic Requirements: Students must have at least a “C” in all engineering courses (EG, EL, ME). Students complete a minor in mathematics through their required mathematics-support courses.

Academic Program Fee: $100 per semester or $25 per payment.

Recommended Course Sequence

Freshman Course Sequence

Fall
BI 101: New Testament Survey 2
CH 111: General Chemistry 4
EG 103: Engineering Orientation 2
EN 101: English Grammar and Composition 3
MA 221: Calculus I 4
PE: PE Activity Elective
1
Total Hours 16
Spring
BI 102: New Testament Survey 2
CH 112: General Chemistry 4
EG 106: Engineering Graphics and Computer-Aided Drafting 2
EN 102: English Grammar and Composition 3
HI 101: History of Civilization1 3
MA 222: Calculus II 4
Total Hours 18

Sophomore Course Sequence

Fall
BI 201: Old Testament Survey 2
EG 201: Materials Science 3
EG 205: Statics 3
EN 202: American Literature2 3
MA 321: Calculus III 4
PY 201: Physics 4
 
 
Total Hours 19
Spring
BI 202: Old Testament Survey 2
BI/BB: Bible or Bible Background Elective1 2
EG 206: Mechanics of Materials 3
EG 208: Dynamics 3
EG 212: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design 1
MA 401: Differential Equations 3
PY 202: Physics 4
Total Hours 18

Junior Course Sequence

Fall
EG 241: Numerical Methods for Engineering 3
EG 321: Electrical Circuits 4
ME 301: Thermodynamics 3
ME 412: Machine Design I 3
ME: Technical Elective3 3
Total Hours 16
Spring
CR 370: Origins 2
EG 322: Electrical Systems 2
ME 308: Fluid Mechanics 3
ME 407: Heat Transfer 3
ME: Engineering Design Elective4 3
PE: PE Activity Elective 1
SP101: Fundamentals of Speech 3
Total Hours 17

Senior Course Sequence

Fall
BA 303: Macroeconomics 3
BI/BB: Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2
EG 425: Engineering Economics and Professional Issues† 3
HI 102: History of Civilization 3
ME 405: Automatic Control Systems 3
ME 421: Instrumentation Analysis Laboratory 1
ME 422: Circuits and Instrumentation Design Laboratory 1
Total Hours 16
Spring
BI 414: Revelation 3
EN 204: British Literature 3
ME 408: Heat and Power Design Lab 1
ME 442: Senior Mechanical Engineering Design 3
ME: Technical Elective3
 
6
Total Hours 16

1 Taken during Post-term
2 Taken during Interterm
3 Technical Electives: Students must take any three of ME 310, 331, 415, or 432
4 Engineering Design Electives: Students must take one of ME 409 or 413

‡ At least 2 hours out of 4 hours of BI/BB electives must have a BI course number.
† This meets 3 hours of social science requirement.