University Catalog 2023-2024

Engineering (BS): Mechanical Engineering Systems Concentration

To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!

The NC State Mechanical Engineering Systems (MES) BSE program is a site-based program located on the campus of Craven Community College in Havelock, North Carolina. Students in the program earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering Systems. Upon graduation from the MES program, students have the qualifications to apply for any job seeking mechanical engineering applicants.

Curriculum

MES students are drawn from a diverse population that includes not only the traditional college student but also military personnel and civilian staff of FRC-East.  

The 10 mechanical engineering courses in the MES program are taught by the nationally recognized NC State MAE faculty in Raleigh and delivered to the MES students in Havelock via interactive high-definition video teleconference.

Local NC State faculty teach the Systems Engineering content, conduct all laboratory experiences, and direct students in the two-semester capstone design experience where they are partnered with an industry sponsor to design a solution to a real-world problem. Hands-on laboratory exercises allow students to explore and experience theoretical concepts learned in their courses and practice important modern skills such as manual and computerized measurement techniques, data analysis, design of experiments, and technical communications.

The MES program is located within a short distance of the Naval Air Systems Command’s Fleet Readiness Center- East, Cherry Point (FRC-East). FRC-East is North Carolina’s largest industrial employer east of interstate highway I-95, and the MES program takes advantage of the synergies afforded by its close location and relationship with the more than 1000 engineers working at FRC-East.

The Mechanical Engineering Systems program is evaluated under the criteria for Mechanical Engineering Programs and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Admissions

Students in the MES program typically begin by taking general education courses, such as physics, chemistry, calculus, and the humanities, at one of North Carolina’s Community Colleges or another approved university program. Once a student satisfies all transfer requirements, they apply for acceptance into the College of Engineering at NC State as a transfer student majoring in the MES program. Current NCSU engineering students can pursue the MES program if they are willing to relocate to the Havelock area. For more information on admissions, go to our website.

Program Educational Objectives

Alumni of the BSE with a concentration in mechanical engineering systems will attain the following objectives within 3-5 years of graduating:

  1. Be engaged in the professional practice of engineering or be enrolled in graduate school.
  2. Establish themselves as problem solvers in the workplace through the practical application of engineering and systems knowledge and skills.
  3. Function effectively in a professional environment by utilizing written and oral communication, teamwork, project management, and leadership skills.
  4. Continuously improve and expand their technical and professional skills through formal study, as well as through informal means.

Plan Requirements

College Requirements
E 101Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving1
EC 205Fundamentals of Economics3
or EC 201 Principles of Microeconomics
or ARE 201 Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Math
MA 141
MA 241
MA 242
Calculus I
and Calculus II
and Calculus III
12
MA 341Applied Differential Equations I3
MA 305Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices3
Sciences
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
Major
MAE 201Engineering Thermodynamics I3
MAE 206Engineering Statics3
MAE 208Engineering Dynamics3
MAE 214Solid Mechanics3
MAE 308Fluid Mechanics3
MAE 310Heat Transfer Fundamentals3
MAE 315Dynamics of Machines3
MAE 316Strength of Mechanical Components3
MAE 412Design of Thermal System3
MAE 413Design of Mechanical Systems3
MAE 435Principles of Automatic Control3
MES 200Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Systems2
MES 201Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab I2
MES 300Systems Engineering3
MES 301Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab II2
MES 302Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab III2
MES 400Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab IV2
MES 401MES Capstone Design I3
MES 403MES Capstone Design II3
Other Major
CSC 111Introduction to Computing: Python3
or CSC 113 Introduction to Computing - MATLAB
or CSC 116 Introduction to Computing - Java
GC 120Foundations of Graphics3
ECE 331Principles of Electrical Engineering3
ENG 331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
MSE 201Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials3
Engineering Ethics:3
Issues in Business Ethics
Contemporary Moral Issues
Ethics
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research4
GEP Humanities3
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives5
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours124

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory 2
4
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
MA 141 Calculus I 2 4
GC 120 Foundations of Graphics 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
MA 241 Calculus II 2 4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 2
4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1** 1
EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics 3
MA 305 Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
MAE 206 Engineering Statics 1 3
MSE 201 Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials 3
MA 242 Calculus III 4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
MES 200 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Systems 2
 Hours16
Spring Semester
MAE 208 Engineering Dynamics 1 3
MAE 214 Solid Mechanics 1 3
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I 3
MES 201 Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab I 2
CSC 111
Introduction to Computing: Python
or Introduction to Computing - MATLAB
or Introduction to Computing - Java
3
Select one of the following Ethics courses: 3
Issues in Business Ethics
Contemporary Moral Issues
Ethics
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
MAE 201 Engineering Thermodynamics I 1 3
MAE 308 Fluid Mechanics 3
MAE 315 Dynamics of Machines 3
MES 301 Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab II 2
ENG 331 Communication for Engineering and Technology 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
MAE 316 Strength of Mechanical Components 3
MES 300 Systems Engineering 3
MAE 435 Principles of Automatic Control 3
MES 302 Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab III 2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
 Hours14
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
MAE 413 Design of Mechanical Systems ((Mech. Engr. Analysis)) 1 3
MAE 310 Heat Transfer Fundamentals 3
MES 401 MES Capstone Design I 3
MES 400 Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab IV 2
GEP Humanities 3
GEP Social Sciences 3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
MAE 412 Design of Thermal System 1 3
MES 403 MES Capstone Design II 3
ECE 331 Principles of Electrical Engineering 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2-3
 Hours14
 Total Hours124
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

2

A grade of C (2.0) or higher is required.

Career Opportunities

In the MES program, you will receive a solid foundation in mechanical engineering principles including structural mechanics, materials, fluid mechanics, dynamics, vibrations, controls, thermal sciences, mechanical design, and thermal design. You will also receive training in the formal systems engineering approach to the design and realization of integrated systems. Your training in formal systems engineering gives you the ability to understand and work through the broad complex issues involved with integrated systems. Your training in mechanical engineering principles gives you the skill and confidence required to understand and solve detailed technical problems. The unique combination of these skills allows you to be well prepared to meet the technical and non-technical challenges of today's engineering workplace.