The BSME degree follows the ABET EC2000 accreditation process which involves processes involving students, faculty, staff, university administrators, industrial advisors and other constituencies in the continuous monitoring and improvement of the degree program. The underpinning and guiding principles for this ongoing review and evolution are the following Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives for the program.

BSME Mission Statement

The mission of the BSME degree program offered by Department of Mechanical Engineering is to provide our students with undergraduate educational experiences which give them a sound basis for professional practice and a career of lifelong learning. Its goal is that students learn fundamental principles of mechanical engineering and master engineering methods to solve challenging problems and to communicate these solutions to the technical and non-technical community. The faculty is dedicated to accomplishing this mission through the integration of teaching and research.

BSME Program Goals

1. Provide students with educational experiences that prepare them for continual learning and productive careers in engineering as well as other professions.
2. Offer high-quality instruction that encompasses not only the technical content but also makes students aware of the societal implications of technology.
3. Present a curriculum built on fundamental principles of mathematics, sciences, and engineering that utilizes departmental disciplinary strengths and gives students the ability to integrate and apply these principles.
4. Teach the curriculum through integrated experiences in analysis, computation, experimentation, design and fabrication.
5. Include individual and team-based experiences in problem definition and solution and the communication of these solutions to the technical as well as non-technical communities.
6. Encourage students, through advising and curriculum structure, to pursue individualized plans of study including elective courses, internships and undergraduate research.

BSME Program Objectives

All students completing a BSME degree from Tufts should have:

1. General Program
   1. In mathematics,
      1.  developed the ability to perform analysis using calculus and differential equations;
      2. used the basic principles of linear algebra and statistical data analysis;
      3. taken advanced courses in analytical and/or computational mathematics.
   2. In science,
      1. taken foundation courses in physics and chemistry;
      2. acquired some familiarity with the principles of biology.
   3. In non-technical coursework,
      1. included a coherent experience in the art, humanities and social sciences.
2. Core Program
   4. In the required coursework, learned and applied
      1. fundamental principles of mechanical systems including material properties, selection and processing; engineering mechanics; mechanical design; system control; and fabrication techniques;
      2. fundamental principles of thermal-fluid systems including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer;
      3. basic skills of instrumentation as used in mechanical engineering practice including computer-based data acquisition, control and data analysis, including statistical analysis.
   5. Through all coursework,
      1. solved problems using applied mathematics, computation and computer-aided engineering;
      2. performed didactic and open-ended experimentation;
      3. identified the application of learned principles in current engineering applications;
      4. developed an appreciation for system and discipline integration.
3. Individualized Programs of Study
   6. Had mentored individual and team-based design experiences which included
      1. open-ended projects derived from real world engineering challenges;
      2. adherence to constraints including technical specifications, schedules, economic limitations, environmental impacts and ethical considerations;
      3. realization of a complete or partial physical apparatus;
      4. preparation and presentation of oral and written documentation.
   7. In their elective courses and through other related academic activities (e.g. summer programs)
      1. pursued structured tracks of coursework in mechanical design and analysis, thermal-fluid systems, manufacturing, biomechanical applications, or other application area;
      2. had the opportunity to participate in internships and/or undergraduate research.

Students are involved in the accreditation and program evaluation process in several ways. Students maintain a portfolio as a record of their accomplishments and they complete periodic course and program surveys. Students will note that all mechanical engineering course syllabi address these goals and objectives. Students can also elect to be involved more directly in the review and planning process by participating in student-faculty meetings, serving on student focus groups which are convened periodically or volunteering to serve on the BSME Program Feedback and Assessment Team. Students interested in any of these opportunities should contact the Department Chair.