Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

The mission of the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department is to provide and support the professional fields of industrial and mechanical engineering and affiliated programs within the land-grant framework of Montana State University. These programs include not only the undergraduate instruction and granting of accredited degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Industrial Engineering, but they necessarily embody graduate studies, research projects, and service activities.

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department endorses the mission, goals, and objectives of the College of Engineering. A complete and up-to-date listing of these objectives as well as assessment strategies and outcomes is provided in the College of Engineering Web site at http://www.coe.montana.edu.

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department provides programs leading to BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Industrial Engineering. Students in all programs are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to graduation.

Curricula in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering Technology

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

The mission of the undergraduate program in Industrial Engineering is to produce graduates grounded in classic and educated in current industrial engineering knowledge and skills consistent with the land-grant mission of MSU. Graduates will be prepared to be productive citizens and contributors to the economic well-being of employers. The educational objectives for the IE program follow.

Industrial Engineering graduates will:

1. Undertake professional careers in industrial engineering;
2. Employ effective communication;
3. Work in multidisciplinary professional teams;
4. Engage in life-long learning, including post-graduate education for some graduates;
5. Contribute to industry and society, in Montana or elsewhere, including involvement in professional and other service activities;
6. Design, manage, improve, and integrate systems across a broad range of organizations; and
7. Participate in ethical leadership in design and operational activities that contribute to the success of the organization and the community.

The undergraduate curriculum in Industrial Engineering (IE) includes mathematics, basic sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering sciences, design, and communication courses tabulated over a four-year period. An important feature of the program is to teach students to foster the ability to comprehend, define, and analyze problems; synthesize alternatives; and rationally choose appropriate solutions. This requires a broad technical education that motivates life-long learning to keep pace with technological and social changes.

Industrial Engineering is a broad engineering discipline. Since IEs are employed in every facet of American business and industry, they are usually "people-oriented problem solvers" who enjoy diversity in their assignments and careers. For example, IE alumni include plant managers, manufacturing engineers, teachers, hospital administrators, consultants, quality assurance managers and engineers, technical sales engineers, production supervisors, and department heads. Today IEs are active in all kinds of manufacturing, as well as in service operations such as hospitals, banks, airlines, transportation and distribution companies, retailers, utilities, and local, state, and federal governments.

IEs are qualified for this wide variety of careers because their education is unique. First of all they are people-oriented, but they are also technically trained. IEs take the standard core of engineering courses, including two years of calculus, to provide a background for understanding production, fabrication, assembly processes, etc., required to design systems for business and industry. All engineering curricula require graduates to meet accreditation standards in mathematics, basic science, engineering science, engineering design, as well as in humanities and social sciences. However, IEs are more knowledgeable of management functions in companies than are other engineering majors. A technically trained, management-oriented man or woman who can solve problems by working with people--that's an IE graduate.

The IE is an "integrator" of resources, people, material, and equipment. This is accomplished by "designing systems" so that the right people with the proper mix of skills, combined with the right quantities of equipment and materials, are available at the right time to produce a product or provide a service at a cost that will allow a profit to be made. Since these professionals frequently work on problem solving teams, the ability to communicate, coordinate, and work with others is essential. Because IEs design systems for producing products, specifying processes, or providing services, their expertise is applicable to many businesses and industries. Frequently, they become supervisors and managers of the same systems they design.

Today much is written about "re-engineering companies." IE graduates are uniquely qualified to analyze a company's customer needs, relate those to products or services, and examine the flow of materials, processes, documentation, information, etc., that result in "re-engineering" the company to compete more effectively. World class companies must have "systems" that consistently provide on-time delivery of defect-free products (or services) that delight the customers--and for a competitive price that allows the company to make a reasonable profit. Industrial Engineers are actively involved in designing these systems, integrating the resources required to make them function, and quite often managing them.

Graduate Program

Students who have graduated from a four-year degree program which has sharpened their mathematical and communication skills will greatly benefit by completing the Master of Science degree in Industrial & Management Engineering. Emphases in Manufacturing, Human Factors/Ergonomics, Manufacturing Automation, Operations Research/Computer Applications, Quality Management, and Systems Analysis and Modeling are available. Flexible guidelines permit broadening or customizing to meet career objectives.

Student Performance and Retention Requirements

No further requirements apply in order to advance in the Industrial Engineering program.

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The specific mission of the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering program is to prepare students for successful mechanical engineering careers, responsible citizenship, and continued intellectual growth. The goal of the program is to produce graduates strong in fundamentals, applications, design, communication, and professional responsibility. The educational objectives for the ME program follow:

Mechanical Engineering graduates will:

1. Undertake professional careers;
2. Assume leadership roles by advancing in the engineering profession;
3. Employ effective communication;
4. Work in multidisciplinary professional teams;
5. Engage in life-long learning, including post-graduate education for some graduates;
6. Contribute to industry and society, in Montana or elsewhere, including involvement in professional and other service activities; and
7. Solve technical problems in design, analysis, manufacturing, project management, or testing.

The undergraduate mechanical engineering program is principally oriented toward career preparation, providing students with the engineering and technical education appropriate to the challenges presented by today's technologically complex and difficult problems. The coursework in mechanical engineering provides four years of study in mathematics, basic sciences, humanities, social sciences, and engineering topics. The overall curriculum provides an integrated educational experience directed toward the development of an ability to apply pertinent knowledge to the identification and solution of practical problems in mechanical engineering. The basic mechanical engineering curriculum includes two stems of course offerings in (1) energy, and (2) structures and motion in mechanical systems.

The profession of Mechanical Engineering is very broad, with practitioners employed in practically all areas of technological and industrial management endeavor. Examples of industrial employers which require mechanical engineering background are: process industries including pulp and paper, steel, aluminum, food, petroleum, chemicals and others; manufacturing industries including highway vehicles, instruments, airplanes, rockets and engines, toys, agricultural machinery, and many others; power plants including steam, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants; federal laboratories performing a wide variety of defense and non-defense related engineering design, analysis, and experimental work; and a wide variety of consulting work including heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system design. This brief sample gives a view of the wide spectrum of employment possibilities in mechanical engineering. It is the mechanical engineer's responsibility and challenge to conceive, plan, design, and perform analysis and testing related to devices, machines, and systems used by or manufactured by the employer. This work may include liaison with other engineers, engineering technologists, technicians, outside vendors, and departments within the company. Areas of responsibility following design and prototype testing may include direction of a manufacturing line.

It should be evident that career opportunities abound within this very wide array of employers and engineering activities. The job market for engineers follows the nation's economy in general. In spite of these natural fluctuations, however, it is expected that our nation will always depend on uses of technology for creating an improved standard of living and a more efficient industrial base to maintain and enhance international competitiveness. Therefore, we can expect that mechanical engineering graduates will have a wide choice of specialties from which employment can be sought.

Course requirements include mathematics, basic sciences (physics and chemistry), engineering design, humanities and social sciences, and at least one year of engineering science. The program also includes engineering graphics, statistics, computer application, solid mechanics, materials science, manufacturing processes, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, electronics, and design of structural, mechanical, and energy systems. Computing and computer applications are stressed throughout the curriculum.

Students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering may take graduate work leading to the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering or Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering in the mechanical engineering option. Advanced degrees are necessary for university teaching and are becoming more important in industry, particularly in the areas of new product development and research.

Student Performance and Retention Requirements

No further requirements apply in order to advance in the Mechanical Engineering program.

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program is to prepare students for successful Mechanical Engineering Technology careers, responsible citizenship, and continued professional growth. The MET program seeks to produce graduates with a good foundation in engineering fundamentals as well as one strong in applications, design, problem recognition and resolution, project management, communication, and professional and ethical responsibility. The educational objectives of the MET program follow.

Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates employed in the field will:

1. Undertake professional careers in engineering technology;
2. Employ effective communication;
3. Work in multidisciplinary professional teams;
4. Engage in life-long learning, including post-graduate education for some graduates;
5. Contribute to industry and society, in Montana or elsewhere, including involvement in professional and other service activities;
6. Engage in professional problem-solving activities using applied methods;
7. Assume ethical leadership roles that contribute to the success of their organization or community; and
8. Advance in the profession.

The undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Technology program is applications-oriented; many technical science courses have an accompanying laboratory with emphasis on measurement, data collection and analysis, documentation, and written/oral report preparation/presentation. The technical science course work in mechanical engineering technology includes topics in materials science, statics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and electrical power or electronics. Extensive course work in the physical sciences and mathematics are included. Technical elective courses are chosen by the student in consultation with an academic advisor. Courses in the humanities and social sciences are also included. The overall curriculum is designed to provide the student with an ability to apply scientific and engineering knowledge and methods combined with technical skills in support of engineering activities. The program prepares students to enter the occupational spectrum between the craftsperson and the engineer, at the end of the spectrum closest to the engineer.

Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) is concerned with the application of scientific and engineering knowledge in support of engineering activities. Specifically, the mechanical engineering technologist provides the professional services needed in transforming the results of mechanical engineering endeavors into useful products and services. Students who choose a career in mechanical engineering technology may pursue any number of career paths including, but not limited to: machine and product design, product and system evaluation, research laboratory experimental support, prototype evaluation, plant operation and management, quality assurance, technical sales, quality control, and energy exploration. Many mechanical engineering technology graduates are employed in the power generation industry, the oil industry, and at government research institutions. The mechanical engineering technology graduate typically works between the crafts person and the engineer. The technologist's mission is to make necessary analysis and plans to convert design drawings into finished products in the most efficient and safe manner. He or she is the professional who sets up and operates manufacturing equipment, handles inspections, and analyzes production problems. Often it is the technologist who moves into the first-line supervisory position. The demand for the engineering technologist in general, and mechanical engineering technologists in particular, has been strong for the past several years, and average starting salaries are very competitive. Indications are that this trend will continue. MSU mechanical engineering technology graduates are actively recruited, and many of our alumni hold positions of considerable responsibility in industry and government.

The MET differs from the craftsperson by having knowledge of scientific and engineering theory and methods, and differs from the mechanical engineer by having technical and fabrication skills for the production of goods and services. These skills are essential, for mechanical engineering technologists tend to have careers which will involve supervision of skilled craftspersons. Students take courses in the areas listed above as preparation for work in production, maintenance, manufacturing, sales, and service. The curriculum gives a well-rounded, general, four-year university technical education culminating in an accredited Bachelor of Science degree.

In previous catalogs a manufacturing path was available for students. As of November 2002, the manufacturing path was cancelled. No admission to the manufacturing path is allowed after November 2002.

Student Performance and Retention Requirements

No further requirements apply in order to advance in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

A minimum of 126 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.