Mechanical Engineering

School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management

The Mechanical Engineering specialization at Roger Williams University prepares students for career success. From power-producing machines like wind turbines, hydroelectric generators, and internal combustion engines to power-using machines like cars, planes, robots, and medical devices, mechanical engineers are constantly designing and developing life-changing mechanisms. 

The Mechanical Engineering Specialization is part of our Engineering Program, which is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria.

Engineering Program Educational Objectives

Three to five years after graduation, we expect our graduates to:

  1. Possess an inquisitive mind, demonstrate excellence in technical knowledge and skills, achieve success as a practicing engineer or graduate student, and apply the highest ethical standards in all pursuits.
  2. Value the concept of, and demonstrate through practice, activities and actions that contribute to continual intellectual growth.
  3. Advance the engineering profession by becoming actively involved in professional associations and societies, serving in professional and community volunteer positions, acting as a role model for the future generation of engineers, and assisting the SECCM Engineering Program in achieving its mission and goals

Degree Requirements

Engineering, B.S.

Engineering, B.S.

The Engineering program develops in students the necessary knowledge and analytical skills for professional engineering practice or for successful graduate studies. The Engineering program is characterized by breadth but permits study in depth, to include attaining a specialization in civil, computer, electrical, environmental, or mechanical engineering. The Engineering major also provides for flexibility to address the unknown challenges of the 21st century. In consultation with an academic advisor, students may design a Custom Specialization to prepare for emerging fields not immediately definable with traditional specializations.

Engineers apply the principles of mathematics and the laws of natural science to analyze, design, develop and devise improvements that benefit humanity. The Engineering program consists of a course of study in mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals during the first two years of study. Students then tailor their program to their own specific needs by selection, with the assistance of their advisor, of appropriate elective courses constituting a specialization. The resulting curriculum is designed to achieve a balance between science and engineering, to provide an understanding of the economic and social implications of engineering activity, and to develop creative talents. This program includes the necessary topics found on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (https://www.abet.org) under the General Criteria. Specific program educational objectives and outcomes include:

Program Educational Objectives

During the first few years after graduation, we expect our graduates to:

  1. Possess an inquisitive mind, demonstrate excellence in technical knowledge and skills, achieve success as a practicing engineer or graduate student, and apply the highest ethical standards in all pursuits.
  2. Value the concept of, and demonstrate through practice, activities and actions that contribute to continual intellectual growth.
  3. Advance the engineering profession by becoming actively involved in professional associations and societies, serving in professional and community volunteer positions, acting as a role model for the future generation of engineers, and assisting the SECCM Engineering Program in achieving its mission and goals.

Program Outcomes

We expect our graduating students to possess:

  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 collabortive 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 Requirements

The major in Engineering leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. Students normally complete a minimum of 124 credits, including satisfaction of all University Core Curriculum requirements and meeting the requirements of one of the available Engineering Specializations. The approved outline is as follows:

Required Courses

Recommended Sequence of Courses by Term

First Year (16 credits) - Fall


First Year (17 credits) - Spring


Second Year (17 credits) - Fall


Second Year (17 credits) - Spring


Third Year (16-17 credits) - Fall

Third Year (13-15 credits) - Spring

Fourth Year (13-14 credits) - Fall

Fourth Year (15-19 credits) - Spring

Electives

Engineering electives must be selected to meet the requirements of one of the available Engineering Specializations.

Mathematics elective requirement excludes the following courses:

MATH 335
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,
MATH 340
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,
MATH 450
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, and
MATH 451
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.

Total: 124-133 Semester Credits

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Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Specialization, B.S.

The Mechanical Engineering Specialization is only for students majoring in

Engineering, B.S.
 

Students specializing in Mechanical Engineering must complete all of the requirements for the 

Engineering, B.S.
  degree as well as the requirements listed below.

Program Requirements

Required Courses

Four Courses from the Following List:


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Train for the Future of Engineering  

Our program is unique: by providing a broad Engineering education, students are well-versed in a variety of areas, allowing them to work with engineers from all backgrounds and fields. This is the future of the Engineering industry.

Learn more from Dean Robert Griffin: 

Senior Design Project

The Senior Design Project is a fundamental element of senior year. Much like the cross-discipline work that will be in their future careers, the design of our students’ senior projects integrates math, science, computer science, and engineering principles into a comprehensive, client-based engineering design project. Student teams work with faculty advisors to design and fabricate solutions to open-ended problems and present their projects at professional conferences and competitions. 

An exterior shot of the SECCM Labs building
Tensile and compression testing machines in the Mechanics and Materials Lab
A machine used for torsion
An exterior shot of the SECCM Labs building
A closeup of equipment in the Electrical Engineering lab
An Electrical Engineering lab

The newest building on the Bristol campus, the Richard L. Bready Applied Learning Laboratories is designed to foster collaboration and innovation while offering high-tech resources for experiential learning. The three-floor, 27,325-square-foot building features seven cutting-edge laboratories, senior design project rooms and open spaces dedicated to hands-on education.

Receive Professional Recognition 

Our students are encouraged and supported to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and become an Engineer In Training (EIT), a professional designation from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and a key step toward licensure as a Professional Engineer.  

Ways to Get Involved 

Women in Engineering Society of Women Engineers 

RWU's chapter of the Society of Women Engineers provides opportunities for women students to build community and connect with faculty mentors and industry professionals to advance women in engineering. Students travel to the Society of Women Engineers Conference, making industry connections that lead to success after graduation. 

Each year, SWE brings scores of fourth-grade girls to campus for a hands-on engineering lesson that helps them earn a Girl Scouts badge.

  • In Fall 2020, women students accounted for 49% of all students in STEM majors, which includes the sciences, math, engineering, and computer science
  • 41% of tenured and tenure-track Natural Science, Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics professors are women, ahead of the national average of 36%

Discover SWE at RWU 

Engineers Without Borders 

RWU's Engineers Without Borders chapter focuses on community based projects by providing an engineering solution. ​Throughout the school year, students and faculty collaborate to plan, design, and prototype for upcoming projects. They also take part in various local engineering projects. In recent years, EWB has traveled with The Foundation of the International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC); their first trip was in 2016 to Dajabon, Dominican Republic.

Discover EWB at RWU

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

The mission of RWU's chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers is to inspire the application of engineering techniques, assist with the development of curious minds, and embrace the diverse benefits of calling one's self a mechanical engineer. ASME membership offers students a variety of benefits to help build their careers. 

Discover ASME at RWU

Multicultural STEM Alliance 

The Multicultural STEM Alliance aims to strengthen the sense of community among students of color in STEM majors at RWU by offering activities, mentorship, and networking opportunities at and outside of the university.

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