Program Description: The Mechanical Engineering major provides a solid foundation for service as a Coast Guard Officer, professional engineering practice, and further study in Mechanical Engineering or many other related fields. The major requirements develop the students’ ability to apply scientific principles in the design and analysis of mechanical and energy conversion systems. Students are challenged with design problems in most of the major courses, which provide opportunities for developing creativity in solving real-world problems. The program culminates with a hands-on capstone design project in which teams of students use their acquired knowledge to design, build, and test a practical device.Accreditation: This program is accredited by ABET (www.abet.org ), the premier U.S. engineering accreditation agency. ABET accredits over 3,100 programs in more than 20 countries.
Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) for Mechanical Engineering
Upon graduation, U.S. Coast Guard Academy Mechanical Engineering students are expected to achieve certain “Student Outcomes” as defined by ABET and the program. The Mechanical Engineering major produces graduates who demonstrate:
- an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
- an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- an ability to communicate effectively
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
- a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- a knowledge of contemporary issues
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
The Coast Guard Academy and ABET also look ahead, several years beyond graduation. Program Educational Objectives provide the expectations for graduates early in their career. The Mechanical Engineering Objectives are to produce graduates who can attain:
- Command positions in the Engineering and Operational communities of the U.S. Coast Guard
- Master’s degrees and be fully qualified to earn doctoral degrees in engineering
- Recognition as a leading technical resource in the Coast Guard engineering communities, as evidenced by licensure, publications, presentations, public service, and leadership/supervision.