Undergraduate Program
The objectives of the undergraduate program in mechanical engineering are as follows:
The Mechanical Engineering
Depart-ment at Columbia University is dedicated to graduating mechanical engineers who:
2. pursue advanced education, research and development, and other creative and innovative efforts in science, engineering, and technology, as well as other professional careers;
3. conduct themselves in a responsible, professional, and ethical manner;
4. participate as leaders in their fields of expertise and in activities that support service and economic development nationally and throughout the world.
Highly qualified students
are permitted to pursue an honors course consisting of independent study under the
guidance of a member of the faculty. Upon graduation the student may wish to enter
employment in industry or government, or continue with graduate study. Alternatively,
training in mechanical engineering may be viewed as a basis for a career in business,
patent law, medicine, or management. Thus, the department’s undergraduate program
provides a sound foundation for a variety of professional endeavors.
The program in mechanical
engineering leading to the B.S. degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation
Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Of the 21 points of elective
content in the third and fourth years, at least 12 points of technical courses,
including at least 6 points from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, must be
taken. Those remaining points of electives are intended primarily as an opportunity to
complete the four-year, 27-point nontechnical requirement. Consistent with professional
accreditation standards, courses in engineering science and courses in design must have
a combined credit of 48 points. Students should see their advisers for details.
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
The FE exam is a state licensing
exam and the first step toward becoming a Professional Engineer (P.E.). P.E. licensure
is important for engineers to obtain—it shows a demonstrated commitment to
professionalism and an established record of abilities that will help a job candidate
stand out in the field. Ideally, the FE exam should be taken in the senior year while
the technical material learned while pursuing the undergraduate degree is still fresh in
the student’s mind. In addition to the FE exam, achieving P.E. licensure requires some
years of experience and a second examination, which tests knowledge gained in
engineering practice. For more information, please see www.columbia.edu/cu/mechanical/
misc-pages/FE_Exam.html. The Mechanical Engineering Department strongly encourages all seniors to take this exam and offers a review course covering material relevant to the exam, including a practice exam to simulate the testing experience. The FE exam is given in the fall and spring of each year. The review course is offered in the spring semester, concluding before the spring exam.