Department of Mechanical Engineering
www.citadel.edu/root/ eveningundergraduatestudies-2-2-programs/ mechanical-engineering

Dr. Kevin Skenes, Department Head,
843-953-0535, kskenes@citadel.edu

 

Mission Statement

To broadly educate and prepare graduates to become principled mechanical engineering leaders in the global community by instilling the core values of The Citadel, the School of Engineering and the Mechanical Engineering program in a challenging intellectual environment that includes a broad-based, rigorous curriculum, emphasizing theoretical and practical engineering concepts, strong professional values, and a disciplined work ethic.

Program Educational Objectives

The Mechanical Engineering program educational objectives are for alumni, 3-5 years after graduation, to achieve success through:

1. Collaborative positions to provide leadership or engineering expertise to organizations and create innovative solutions in a complex world.
2. Local and national recognition in their career paths, solving technical, environmental, business and social challenges.
3. Professional registration and/or an advanced degree in ME or closely related field, oriented to serve local and national development.

Program Core Values

The Mechanical Engineering Program has adopted the following core values:

Students are our Focus: We believe the education, development, empowerment, and welfare of our students are the primary focus of our efforts.

Engineers as Principled Leaders: We believe the engineering profession requires the highest professional and ethical standards, which we seek to model, teach and prepare our students to embrace.

Collaborative Teaching and Learning Environment: We believe in a collaborative collegial environment among our faculty, staff and students is critical in sustaining advancement in educational excellence.

Growth through Assessment: We believe data-driven inquiry and improvement will lead us to sustained advancement in educational excellence.

Program Requirements Two-Plus-Two Evening Studies

The Citadel through The Citadel Graduate College offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree (BSME). This program is offered in cooperation with South Carolina technical colleges where the student completes the first two years of study. Students may also attend an accredited college or university. The junior and senior years of study are completed at The Citadel by attending evening classes.

Student Outcomes

The Citadel’s Mechanical Engineering program includes assessment to demonstrate that students obtain:

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 judgements, 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 judgement to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program of Study

The Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by ABET (www.abet.org).

The Mechanical Engineering program will incorporate a number of courses within the existing ABET accredited civil and electrical engineering programs. As shown in the program of study, there will be five main focus areas to meet the needs of the local industry in South Carolina.

1. Manufacturing Engineering:
   Students acquire knowledge in different manufacturing practices to optimize the processes and systems in a production environment.
2. Composites - Students study composite materials, the principles behind their design, their physical properties, fabrication methods, and application to real-world engineering solutions.
3. Power and Energy - Students learn about energy resources, alternative energy, energy storage, conversion between forms of energy, and energy performance limitations as they apply to satisfying the needs of mankind.
4. Aeronautical Systems - Students study the science and design of fixed wing light systems, aircraft performance and structures.
5. Mechatronics - Students apply skills from mechanical engineering and electrical engineering to enable real-world control of robots, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other autonomous systems.