SJSU Catalog

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department

Introduction

Mission Statement for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The mission of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at San José State University is to serve society, the public sector, and private industry by:

• Providing undergraduate and graduate Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering education that prepares students with the knowledge, modern applications and lifelong learning skills required to serve the engineering profession and industry
• Contributing to the development and application of knowledge through faculty scholarship
• Preparing students for the modern professional-practice environment

A. Department Educational Objectives:

1. To provide students with a strong foundation in mathematics, basic science and engineering fundamentals to successfully compete for entry-level positions or pursue graduate studies in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or related fields.

2. Contemporary professional and lifelong learning skills including hands-on laboratory experience, familiarity with computers, modern software, and information technology, to successfully compete in the local, national and global engineering market.

3. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, broad knowledge, and an understanding of multicultural and global perspectives to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, both as team members and as leaders.

4. An understanding of the ethical choices inherent in the engineering profession to deal with issues such as public safety and respect for intellectual property.

B. Relevance of MAE Department Educational Objectives to Institutional Mission Statements:

We believe that the educational objectives presented above support the mission statements of both the College of Engineering and the University. For example, Item 1) will provide our students with necessary knowledge and skills for applying them in the service of our society, and Items 2) to 4) will allow our students to expand the base of knowledge through research and scholarship. The content in Items 1), 4) will provide our students with an excellent chance of success in their professional practice in their chosen fields.

Students in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department may pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees in either discipline.

Mechanical Engineering

The undergraduate curriculum is designed to educate students in mechanical engineering theory and practice. By proper choice of electives, under the guidance of a departmental academic advisor, the student can prepare for professional work in mechanical engineering with a focus in one or more of the following areas: mechanical design, mechatronics, and thermal fluids. The curriculum is based on a strong core of engineering science courses common to all engineering curricula and includes courses with hands-on laboratory components and design projects. The undergraduate curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The MS program for advanced study in mechanical engineering is designed to develop the high degree of competency, both in theory and in practice, required by the advancing technology of the nation, and allows concentrated efforts in the areas of mechanical design, thermal fluid systems, and mechatronics. Late afternoon and early evening courses of specific interest to practicing engineers wishing to do graduate work are offered.

Each student majoring in mechanical engineering is expected to maintain close contact with the department academic advisor and to obtain the advisor's approval of and signature on all required registration forms. Failure to plan a program carefully may result in delays in graduation.

See the Engineering Preparation and Common Area Requirements below for details common to all engineering curricula.

Aerospace Engineering

The undergraduate curriculum provides students with a broad understanding of basic concepts, as well as the contemporary skills required by industry. The coursework includes extensive laboratory experiences and many opportunities for students to work on hands-on, design projects. The foundation courses provide a basis for professional competence and the required knowledge to focus on a particular specialization upon graduation, in the work environment or in graduate school. Students specialize in one or more of the following fields: aircraft or spacecraft design, structures and materials, guidance and control, aerodynamics and propulsion. Emphasis is placed on both analysis and design. Students are prepared for professional careers in several fields of aerospace engineering involving aeronautical and space systems research, design, development, testing, and systems integration. The undergraduate curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Major facilities include a subsonic wind tunnel, a water tunnel for flow visualization, a shock tunnel for supersonic/hypersonic testing and modern dedicated computer workstations and microcomputers.

See Engineering Preparation and Common Area Requirements section for details common to all engineering curricula.