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 Humanities/Arts and Social Science Electives
Mathematics/Science Electives
Foundation Elective
Concentration Electives
Design Sequence
Free Electives
Pass/Fail
Computer Use in the Curriculum
Weekly Seminar Series
(1) Humanities/Arts and Social Science Electives
The Humanities/Arts (HA) and Social Sciences (SS) portion of the College of
Engineering degree requirements consists of 5 course credits beyond English 1.
Students are required to have at least one course in each category (HA and SS)
and at least one course must have a college-level pre-requisite. The list of
acceptable courses in HA and SS are defined in the current Tufts Bulletin in the
College of Liberal Arts Requirements for Degrees, as Humanities/Arts (HA shall
include all levels of English and Foreign Language courses), and Social
Sciences. The courses excluded from the list are those in Studio Art, Applied
Music, and the Performing Arts (in Drama and Dance). Please note that
traditionally the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and
the College of Engineering do not make the distinction between Humanities and
Arts, therefore they are interchangeable. Any course, including Studio art,
Applied Music, Performing Arts, Experimental College or Physical Education
courses may be credited toward the free elective requirement. The
Humanities/Arts (HA) and Social Sciences (SS) requirements may also be satisfied
through a minor in Chinese, German, Hebrew, Japanese, or Russian Language and
culture. For more information of these programs, contact the Department of
German, Russian and Asian Languages and Literature.
Beginning with the Class of 2000 and beyond, each student selects, with the aid
of a faculty advisor, HA/SS courses to form an "Intellectual Cluster", an
individually designed combination of courses outside the requirements of his or
her engineering major. This combination of courses is developed with an
overarching theme to improve the coherence of the liberal arts component of the
engineering student's education. The following is a strategy for choosing HA &
SS courses:
Combine courses around personalized, coherent, and well-structured areas
distinct from your major, though they may complement each other. These combined
courses are called an "intellectual cluster". Choose a theme broad enough to encompass HA and SS courses. Take enough HA & SS courses to provide necessary breadth and depth. Breadth
implies an interdisciplinary approach top learning, one that employs different
perspectives. Depth, on the other hand, involves not only course work at the
introductory level, but may also include intermediate and advanced study. At
least one credit must have a college level prerequisite.
Examples of Humanities/Arts and Social Sciences intellectual clusters are
available from the Engineering Dean or Dean of the Colleges offices. Any
departure from these requirements must be approved in advance by the advisor and
the Assistant Dean of Engineering.top
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(2) Mathematics/Science Electives
Mathematics/Science Electives can be in either natural science and/or mathematics courses. It is the policy of the
School of Engineering to accept courses offered by the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology,
and Geology beyond the required introductory courses. The following courses cannot be used as Science Electives: AST 9-10; CHEM 8, 143; GEO 9; any BIO course
numbered below 13 except BIO 1; and any course described as "primarily for the non-science majors" or which deal
primarily with computational methods or computer programming. The School-
approved Mathematics courses are any course from the Department of Mathematics beyond MATH 38 and
also MATH 22, ME 150, ES 101, CEE 102, and EE 102. Note that ES 101 or ME 150 can be counted as either a Mathematics/Science or BSME Concentration Elective.
(3) Foundation Elective
The Foundation Elective is included to help students customize their programs to
include technical courses that prepare them for advanced coursework or specific
career areas. There are currently a number of options. They are:
- ES 4 (Introduction to Digital Logic Circuits) or any course with ES 3
(Introduction to Electrical Engineering) or ES 4 as its prerequisite. This
option is for those students who wish to have a better foundation in electronics
or electrical machinery.
- CSC 11 (Introduction to Computer Science) or any course with CSC 11 as its
prerequisite. This option may be of interest to students interested in expanding
their computer science background.
- A non-introductory science course which has a prerequisite from the
department in which the course is offered. Students use this option as an
additional opportunity to take courses in a scientific discipline of interest to
them. One possible motivation is the satisfaction of pre-medical science
requirements.
- Specific engineering courses which are consistent with a student's pursuit
of a minor or ancillary focus. Currently approved courses in this option
include:
- EE 50 (co-listed as ES 50) (Introduction to Biomedical Engineering) which is a
required course for the College's minor in biomedical engineering,
- ENP 61 (Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics),
- ES 20 (Consumer Product Evaluation)
- ES 25 (Environment and Technology) and
- ES 88 (Introduction to Computer Aided Design).
Using other courses as the foundation elective requires department approval, by
petition, in advance of taking the course. top
(4) Concentration Electives
Any Mechanical Engineering can be selected as a Concentration Elective.
Independent project and research work is another worthwhile option (see Section
5).
Please Note: Beginning with the Class of 2001, students can take either ME
11-Applied Thermodynamics or ME 80–Systems Design as one of their required
concentration courses. Previously, all students were required to take ME 11. ME
11 provides students with an opportunity to use concepts learned in introductory
Thermodynamics (ES 7) to understand engineered systems. ME 80 provides students
with a background in basic system dynamics and control and is a prerequisite for
many advanced courses in the areas of control and manufacturing. If students
take both ME 11 and ME 80, one counts as a concentration elective.
In choosing concentration electives, students should also consider some of the
Department's courses that address topics that cut across the various
subdisciplines. Examples include:
- ES 101 Numerical Methods
- ME 108 Modern Quality Control
- ME 118 Advanced Data Acquisition and Image Processing
- ME 129 Finite Element Methods in Engineering Systems
- ME 150 Applied Mathematics for Engineers.
Many students are interested in developing a set of focused elective choices.
The following tables are supplied as guidance, not requirements, for those
students interested in structuring their electives around specific areas of
Mechanical Engineering. However, beginning with the Class of 2002, all BSME
students will be required to document their technical elective choices, both
foundation and concentration electives, as part of their portfolio record.
Applied Mechanics
- ME 38 Vibration and Machinery Dynamics
- ME 122 Advanced Strength of Materials
- ME 128 Structural Mechanics
- ME 136 Noise and Vibration Control
- ME 137 Advanced Vibrations
- ME 138 Advanced Dynamics
- ME 139 Acoustics
Materials Processing and Manufacturing
- ME 80 Systems Design
- ME 108 Modern Quality Control
- ME 116 Mass Transfer and Phase Transformations in Materials Processing
- ME 120 Advanced Engineering Materials
- ME 121 Introduction to Biomaterials
- ME 123 Mechanics of Composite Materials
- ME 125 Manufacturing Processes and Materials Technology
- ME 126 Computer-Integrated Engineering
System Control and Design
- ME 80 Systems Design
- ME 102 Inventive Design
- ME 180 Modern Control Systems
- ME 182 Automation
- ME 184 Electromechanical Robotics,
- ME 185 Manufacturing Process Automation
- ME 186 Electromechanical System Design
Thermal-Fluid Sciences
- ME 11 Applied Thermodynamics
- ME 45 Power and Propulsion
- ME 65 Applied Fluid Mechanics
- ME 112 Advanced Heat Transfer
- ME 115 Advanced Thermodynamics
- ME 116 Mass Transfer and Phase Transformations in Materials Processing
- ME 145 Powerplant Engineering Analysis and Design
- ME 165 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
- ME 166 Compressible Fluid Mechanics
- ME 168 Seminar in Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
Management
Along with other departments in the College and within Arts and Sciences, the
Department offers two courses that may be appropriate for students interested in
management. They are:
- ME 54 Management of Technology and Innovation
- ME 108 Modern Quality Control.
Students should also be aware of the College-wide Minor in Engineering
Management
Out-of-Department Courses - The Department has approved the following list of
courses from other departments to be counted as Concentration Electives. One
course from this list can be used in this way with the approval, by petition, of
the advisor. (Petition forms are available in the Dean's office.) To utilize
courses not on this list or count additional out-of-Department courses as
Concentration Electives, students must obtain their advisor's and departmental
permission, by written petition. The primary considerations in approving such
petitions are the coherency of the student's program and the technical content
of the proposed substitution. This permission must be obtained in advance of
taking a course. More than two out-of-Department concentration courses should be
considered as extraordinary and permission for this is rarely given.
- BIO 196L Special Topics Laboratory
- CHE 109 Process Dynamics and Control
- CHE 110 Optimization
- CHE 122 Physical Chemistry
- CHE 140 Surface and Colloid Chemistry
- CHEM 31-32 Physical Chemistry I and II
- CHEM 53-54 Organic Chemistry I and II
- CEE 22 Structural Analysis
- CEE 42 Introduction to Soil Mechanics
- CEE 53 Engineering Economics
- CEE 102 Probability and Statistics Engineering
- CEE 176 Pollution Prevention Management
- CEE 188 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design
- COMP 15 Data Structures
- COMP 20 Multimedia Programming
- COMP 160 Algorithms
- EE 11 Introduction to Analog Electronics
- EE 12 Intermediate Electronics
- EE 13 Circuit Theory
- EE 14 Microprocessor Architecture and Applications
- EE 15 Electric Machinery
- EE 100 Design of Medical Instrumentation
- EE 105 Feedback-Control Systems
- ENP 120 Project Study in Human Systems
- ENP 151 Applied Operations Research Techniques for Deterministic Systems
- ENP 152 Applied Operations Research Techniques for Stochastic Systems
- ENP 161 Human Factors in Product Design
- ENP 162 Man-Machine System Design
- ENP 166 Applied Design for Software User Interaction
- ENP 171 Industrial Ergonomics for Manufacturing
- ENP 181 Fuzzy Sets and Genetic Algorithms
- ES 52 Management of Engineering Projects
- ES 125 Science & Technology of Atmospheric Change
- MATH 46 Linear Algebra
- MATH 48 Linear Differential Equations
- MATH 138 Partial Differential Equations
- MATH 151 Applications of Advanced Calculus
- MATH 161-162 Probability and Statistics
- PHY 13 General Physics III
- PHY 31 Wave Motion
- PHY 32 Intermediate Mechanics
- PHY 52 Thermal Physics
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(5) Design Sequence
Synthesizing analytical, technical and non-technical concepts for the solution
of practical design problems is a central feature of professional engineering
education. Engineering design education and experiences are included in the BSME
curriculum in three ways.
First, core courses include applications, open-ended problem solving and small
group projects. Second, all BSME candidates are required to take ME 41/42 -
Machine Design I & II. These courses cover design methodology as applied to
mechanical engineering systems as well as manual and computer-aided design and
manufacturing concepts. The courses contain project work in which students must
define problems, develop alternative solutions and consider design issues such
as safety, manufacturability and economics as the projects are developed. Third,
all seniors are required to participate in a Senior Design Project elective.
This requirement is fulfilled by taking one of the courses that the Department
designates as ME 43A (B, C, etc.). The Department plans to offer three
"versions" of ME 43 in the Fall 1999 term.
- ME 43A – Machine Design & Design for Humans Projects - Individuals or two person
teams working on designs of machines or biomedical devices, from a list to be
provided. (Prof. O'Leary)
- ME 43B - Vehicle Design (Prof. Nelson)
- ME 43C – Thermal-Fluid Design Projects (Prof. Manno)
A special "high demand" section of ME 43 will be offered in the Spring 2000 term
for students who have defined their own design project in concert with a faculty
advisor. Such projects must be proposed in writing to the Department at the time
of pre-registration for the Spring 2000 term.
All Senior Design Project Electives have in common the use of engineering
science background, application of design theory and practice including
open-ended projects, applications, manufacturing and construction, specification
and selection, testing and evaluation and imposition of constraints. Additional
topics in engineering science and analysis may be included in certain electives
to improve project execution, quality and relevance. However, the primary focus
of these experiences is the execution of a project. Individual or group projects
are acceptable but group projects must include clearly identifiable individual
contributions. Written proposals that respond to performance specifications,
progress reports and oral and written final reports are required in all cases.
The final reports and sample project products are archived by the Department as
a permanent record of the student's participation.
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(6) Free Electives
Free Electives are an integral and complementary part of the curriculum and
students are urged to consult with their academic advisors in choosing these
electives. For example, students may wish to take additional humanities and
social science courses preparing them for professional activities and graduate
studies in areas such as law, organization, and social aspects of engineering,
management, and technology and policy. Students in the combined five-year
Liberal Arts-Engineering Program may use the free electives to satisfy the
requirements in the second major. top
(7) Pass/Fail
The opportunity to take certain courses pass/fail offers students a way to
extend their interest beyond their core requirements. Taking courses pass/fail
is not a recommended as a means of reducing one attention or effort in
particular subject. Guidelines on the pass/fail option are described in the
University Bulletin.
The following restrictions apply to the Pass/Fail option:
- The Introductory courses MATH 11, 12, 13, and 38; PHY 11; CHEM 1, 3 or 16;
EN 1, 2; and ENG 1, may not be taken pass/fail.
- A maximum of one course pass/fail in the Department Foundation sequence,
which consists of ES 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9; Foundation Elective; and the two
Math/Science electives.
- No accredited degree (e.g. BSME) concentration electives may be taken
Pass/Fail.
- No more than one pass/fail per semester and no more than eight pass/fail
course credits may be counted towards the requirements for graduation.
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(8) Computer Use in the Curriculum
Computer analysis and modeling are important aspects of modern engineering. The
Department encourages students to utilize computational aids. The Department has
implemented an integrated software and computer utilization program in required
and elective courses. The basic idea is to
use a set of specific professional software tools (currently AutoCAD, EXCEL,
LabVIEW and MathCAD). These tools represent the type of tools that engineering
practitioners use in their work. The underlying philosophy is to get better
answers faster and to increase insight into problem solutions by using these
tools.
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(9) Weekly Seminar Series
The Department sponsors weekly seminar series featuring speakers from inside and
outside of Tufts, from industry, government and academia, who address topics of
current interest in mechanical engineering. The Department endeavors to recruit
speakers who present material of interest to a wide variety of audiences.
Undergraduates, in particular, should take advantage of this opportunity to
learn about what people at the forefront of the mechanical engineering and
related professions are doing. The ASME Student Section hosts an informal
reception after most seminars. In fact, it is recommended that undergraduates
include regular attendance of the seminar as an integral part of their
educational program. |
