Department of Mechanical Engineering

Assessment

Accreditation

The faculty and staff of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Iowa State University have worked diligently with students, alumni and employers to create an outstanding program for development of skilled, productive engineers.

Graduates are well-qualified either to embark on successful industrial careers or to pursue advanced study in graduate or professional schools. This work began in the fall of 1996 and represents the most comprehensive evaluation and renewal of the ME curriculum in over twenty-five years.

The ME Curriculum Committee first developed a goal statement to guide its work. It reads:

In light of the accelerating pace of change in the engineering profession, we plan to review our entire curriculum and develop the best possible educational experience for our mechanical engineering students to provide them with a sound foundation for a successful career.

Learn more about ME's assessment.

Reports

Program Educational Objectives

To ensure the success of students completing the curriculum in mechanical engineering, the department has established the following educational objectives:

1. The department provides a sound foundation for graduates to pursue a variety of careers.  Most graduates will find immediate employment in industry, government laboratories or consulting, but some will pursue graduate or professional studies in such fields as engineering, business, law or medicine.

2. Graduates will apply the problem solving skills they have learned at Iowa State University to meet the challenging demands and increasing responsibilities of a successful career.

3. Graduates will continue to learn as they grow in their profession, using modern technology and communication skills to contribute as team members or leaders in solving important problems for their employers and for society.

The primary constituencies considered when developing the program’s educational objectives were the students, alumni, employers and department faculty.

The Mechanical Engineering Curriculum Committee formulated the objective statements above on the basis of a series of faculty retreats, meetings of the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Council, and the work of several committees and sub-committees composed of faculty and students working on curriculum development over a period of three years.