Engineering (BS): Mechanical Engineering Systems Concentration
The Mechanical Engineering Systems concentration offers a solid foundation in mechanical engineering principles, including structural mechanics, materials, fluid mechanics, dynamics, vibrations, controls, thermal sciences, mechanical design, and thermal design. Mechanical engineering courses are taught by nationally recognized faculty from the Raleigh campus.
On-site 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 and design-build projects each semester 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 acquisition and analysis, design of experiments, and technical communications.
Training in formal systems engineering prepares students to understand and work through the broad, complex issues involved with integrated systems. Training in mechanical engineering equips students with the skills and confidence required to understand and solve detailed technical problems. Students with this unique combination of skills are well-prepared to meet both the technical and non-technical challenges of today’s engineering workplace.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Requirements | |||
| E 101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving | 1 | |
| EC 205 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 | |
| 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 341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| MA 305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 | |
| 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 201 | Thermal-Fluid Sciences | 3 | |
| MAE 206 | Engineering Statics | 3 | |
| MAE 208 | Engineering Dynamics | 3 | |
| MAE 214 | Solid Mechanics | 3 | |
| MAE 308 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 | |
| MAE 310 | Heat Transfer Fundamentals | 3 | |
| MAE 315 | Fundamentals of Vibrations | 3 | |
| MAE 316 | Strength of Mechanical Components | 3 | |
| MAE 412 | Design of Thermal System | 3 | |
| MAE 413 | Design of Mechanical Systems | 3 | |
| MAE 435 | Principles of Automatic Control | 3 | |
| MES 200 | Introduction to Engineering Systems | 2 | |
| MES 201 | Engineering Systems Lab 1 | 2 | |
| MES 300 | Systems Engineering | 3 | |
| MES 301 | Engineering Systems Junior Design Lab | 2 | |
| MES 302 | Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab 1 | 2 | |
| MES 400 | Mechanical Engineering Systems Lab 2 | 2 | |
| MES 401 | MES Capstone Design I | 3 | |
| MES 403 | MES Capstone Design II | 3 | |
| Other Major | |||
| CSC 111 | Introduction to Computing: Python | 3 | |
| or CSC 113 | Introduction to Computing - MATLAB | ||
| or CSC 116 | Introduction to Computing - Java | ||
| GC 120 | Foundations of Graphics | 3 | |
| ECE 331 | Principles of Electrical Engineering | 3 | |
| ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 | |
| MSE 201 | Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials | 3 | |
| Engineering Ethics: | 3 | ||
| Issues in Business Ethics | |||
or PHI 221 | Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
or PHI 375 | Ethics | ||
| GEP Courses | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 124 | ||
Semester Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 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 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| 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 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Engineering Systems | 2 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MAE 208 | Engineering Dynamics 1 | 3 |
| MAE 214 | Solid Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 |
| MES 201 | Engineering Systems Lab 1 | 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 | ||
| Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MAE 201 | Thermal-Fluid Sciences 1 | 3 |
| MAE 308 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MAE 315 | Fundamentals of Vibrations | 3 |
| MES 301 | Engineering Systems Junior Design Lab | 2 |
| ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 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 1 | 2 |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 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 2 | 2 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
A grade of C (2.0) or higher is required.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering Systems concentration are highly recruited with most graduates securing full-time employment before graduation. Alumni work as mechanical engineers, design engineers, manufacturing engineers, support equipment engineers, test equipment engineers, systems engineers, aerospace engineers, HVAC engineers, program analysts, and program managers. Many alumni have continued their education through graduate programs at a variety of universities, including NC State. Mechanical Engineering Systems alumni work for companies such as: Fleet Readiness Center East, Department of Defense Contractors, Lockheed Martin, GE Nuclear, US Army Futures Command, Duke Energy, Parker Boats and Toyota.
Career Titles
- Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineer
- Aerospace Engineering Technician
- Agricultural Engineer
- Airport Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Ceramic Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Clinical Data Managers
- Computer Network Architects
- Computer Systems Engineer
- Cost Analysis Engineer
- Cost Estimator
- Electronics Engineer
- Energy Engineer
- Engineering Professor
- Environmental Engineer
- Factory Layout Engineer
- Fire Prevention Engineer
- Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
- Industrial Engineer
- Industrial Engineering Technician
- Industrial Safety and Health Engineer
- Irrigation Engineer
- Logistics Engineers
- Marine Engineer
- Marine Surveyor
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Meteorologist
- Mining Engineer
- Model Maker
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Nuclear Engineer
- Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer
- Operating Engineer
- Petroleum Engineer
- Photogrammetrist
- Physicist
- Product Safety Engineer
- Quality Control Managers
- Radiation Protection Engineer
- Sanitary Engineer
- Ship Engineers
- Software Developers - Applications
- Soil Engineer
- Solar Energy Systems Designer
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers
- Sound Engineering Technicians
- Structural Engineer
- Surveying Technicians
- Surveyor
- Sustainability Specialists
- Tool and Machine Designer
- Transportation Engineer
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Wind Energy Engineer
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