Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Office: Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science
Mail Code: 2155 E. Wesley Ave, Room 277. Denver, CO 80208
Phone: 303.871.3041
Email: mmeinfo@du.edu
Web Site: http://ritchieschool.du.edu/departments/MME

The mission of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) at the undergraduate level is to offer programs that support and complement the University mission; to provide a general undergraduate education in mechanical engineering that prepares students for employment or graduate study; to include interdisciplinary engineering work; to encourage the professional development of the faculty; and to foster the professional awareness of the students.  The BS in Mechanical Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET, 415 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-347-7700, eac@abet.org).

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives of the BS in Mechanical Engineering program are to produce graduates who, within a few years of graduation:

  1. Apply their engineering and problem-solving skills towards engineering practice, engineering graduate school, or other fields such as medicine, science, business, or law.

  2. Value and demonstrate character by acting responsibly, ethically, and professionally. 

  3. Work synergistically in diverse and global environments to positively impact society.

  4. Embrace life-long learning to support professional development and personal wellness.   

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program.

The students outcomes for the BS in Mechanical Engineering program are:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics  
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors 
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences  
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts  
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives  
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze, and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions  
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies 

Program Components

The Departments of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) work closely together to deliver an exceptional educational experience for our students and to advance the state of the art through research and industry collaborations. 

All of our engineering programs have several components:

  1. The University of Denver’s Common Curriculum, which includes first-year seminar, writing courses, analytical inquiry and scientific inquiry courses, and advanced seminar

  2. Basic sciences and mathematics, including chemistry, physics, and mathematics

  3. An engineering common curriculum, with fundamental material from computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering

  4. An engineering discipline (computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering)

  5. Multiple integrated design experiences, which are interdisciplinary and involve teams working on impactful real-world problems

  6. Depth and/or breadth in the discipline through engineering, math, and science electives personalized to the student’s individual interests.

Engineering Design

The feature of engineering programs that most differentiates them from programs in basic or applied science and mathematics is engineering design, which is both an art and a science. Our programs feature a 4-year thread of coursework required of all students, regardless of curriculum, which emphasizes design, project work, team-work, and the application of scientific and technical knowledge and design skills already acquired to the solution of interdisciplinary engineering problems.  As the student progresses in the curriculum, more and more reliance is placed on previous work, and more realistic constraints and considerations are required for success.  The sequence culminates in a three-quarter capstone design project carried out in the final year.  Additional design work is contained in specialized courses, including junior year Integration.

Course of Study

Engineering curricula are highly structured; acquisition of certain knowledge and skills must precede acquisition of more advanced ones.  The course plan provides a detailed road map of the curriculum.

We offer an Engineering Common Curriculum for the first 5 quarters. As in, the curricula for all engineering programs (computer, electrical and mechanical) are the same for the first 5 quarters.  A student can delay choosing an engineering major until the beginning of the spring quarter of their second year.  By learning about the various engineering disciplines, students are better able to select the program that is right for them.

The curricula in the last two years includes advanced work in the engineering discipline, integrated engineering design experiences, depth and/or breadth through engineering, math, and science electives, and completion of the University Common Curriculum.

The MME department also offers several 4+1 dual BS-MS degree programs.  Students can earn MS degrees in Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering or Material Science.  For details and timing of the application process, visit the Ritchie's  School's 4+1 programs website. Students interested in these programs should discuss them with an advisor as early as possible in their undergraduate careers. 

Undergraduate Research Experiences 

Students wishing to participate in undergraduate research projects may be eligible for participation in Partners in Scholarship (PinS) or the Ritchie School's Grand Challenge Scholar Program (GCSP).   PinS is a University-wide program in which a student can receive support to collaborate on a project with a faculty member.  More information on PINS, including funding opportunities and the Undergraduate Showcase, is available at the Undergraduate Research Center website. 

The Ritchie School's GCSP provides opportunities for student to work closely with faculty mentor on projects related to the National Academy of Engineering's 14 Grand Challenges.  Students can apply for project, stipend or travel support for their projects.

Study Abroad

The University of Denver and the MME department strongly encourage students to participate in study abroad programs, particularly through the Cherrington Global Scholars Program.  More information can be found at the Office of International Education website.

Many engineering students participate in study abroad experiences. The engineering curricula have been structured so that students may take advantage of this opportunity in the autumn quarter of the senior year, rather than in the autumn quarter of the junior year, as is more usual in other DU programs.  If you are interested, it is important to plan ahead with your advisor to make sure the selected courses at your study abroad site integrate into your course plan.

Cooperative Education Program 

Recognizing the value of experiential learning, we have created a paid co-op program which is optional and competitive for all Ritchie School students, though ideally suited for current sophomores and juniors.  Through this collaborative program between academia and industry, students work full time at participating companies earning valuable work experience.  Typically, students will not take classes for one full academic year, resuming their studies upon their return exactly in sequence but one year removed.  In some cases, DU courses can be taken while on co-op.  Dr. Matt Gordon is the department contact for students interested in the co-op program.

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination and Enrollment as an Engineer-Intern (EI)

The FE Exam is the first of a two-step process in order to become registered as a Professional Engineer (PE).  The FE exam is a national 6-hour examination administered by NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) in conjunction with the Colorado State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

The MME department encourages, but does not require, mechanical engineering students to complete the FE exam. To register, a student must have completed at least 135 credits to apply to take the FE exam. The NCEES charges a fee to take the exam. For more information, please contact the MME department chair. 

After passing the FE exam, the student must send a final transcript recording the receipt of an engineering degree to the Colorado State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Typically, after passing the FE exam, the requirements for registration as a PE are 4 years of engineering experience under the supervision of a PE with increasing engineering responsibility and passing the PE examination.