BS in Mechanical Engineering-USGC Option
The Major
The Mechanical Engineering curriculum provides a sound foundation for the practice of engineering through instruction in basic sciences and mathematics, computer applications, design, laboratory experiences, communication, humanities, and social sciences. The curriculum requires a core of mechanical engineering courses in the energy and the mechanical stems, as well as a two-course capstone design experience starting in the fall of the senior year. Computer applications and design experiences are integrated into several required and stem-elective courses.
Excellent facilities in circuits, instrumentation and measurements, electromechanical machinery, controls, materials/mechanical, manufacturing processes, and fluids/thermal laboratories further strengthen the instructional Mechanical Engineering program. Through selection of electives, students can choose to specialize in either the energy design stem or the mechanical design stem.
The assessment system includes a Program Educational Objectives (PEO) process and a Program Outcomes (PO) process. The PEO process includes assessment tools such as Industry Advisory Board Assessment, Alumni Survey Assessment, Employer Survey Assessment, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Assessment, and Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET Assessment.
The PO process includes Student Portfolios, Instructor Class Assessment, Student Evaluations of Instructor/Course, Cruise/Co-op Report Assessment, Senior Project Design Assessment, Graduating Senior Survey Assessment, and Course Portfolios. These assessment tools are used to ensure that the ME program educational mission and constituency needs are met. The results are further used to develop and improve the program.
The Mechanical Engineering-U.S. Coast Guard Option
The ME-USCG option is designed for students who wish to use their engineering degree as a marine engineer. The curriculum consists of the core mechanical engineering courses (see the ME Option), and additional courses intended to provide additional training for a marine engineer, much of which is required to obtain the merchant marine third assistant engineer’s license. Students are required to obtain experience at sea through three summer cruises, two of them aboard the academy’s training ship, and one aboard a commercial vessel. In addition, students in this option must pass the Third Assistant Engineer exam given by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
This is clearly a very demanding option. Nonetheless, many of the mechanical engineering students at Cal Maritime choose this option. For these students, sailing is the reason they chose to study at Cal Maritime, and this option serves them well.
Program Educational Objectives
Mechanical engineering graduates of the California Maritime Academy will:
A. Be well educated professionals who utilize their intellectual learning, applied technology experience, leadership skills and global awareness in successful careers, and continue to improve their skills through lifelong learning and advanced studies;
B. Effectively practice as professional engineers, managers, and leaders in the maritime and energy industries and a wide variety other fields, and as licensed engineers in the merchant marine;
C. Successfully combine fundamental engineering knowledge, core leadership skills and the practical experience gained at the Academy to turn ideas into reality for the benefit of society;
D. Be influential members of multidisciplinary teams, creatively and effectively contributing to the design, development, and objective evaluation of engineering components, systems, and products, and clearly communicating the work in an appropriate manner to their customers and colleagues; and
E. Personally assume and actively encourage peers to uphold the professional, ethical, social and environmental responsibilities of their profession.
Program Educational Outcomess
1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economics, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
4. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
7. An ability to communicate effectively;
8. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
9. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
10. A knowledge of contemporary issues;
11. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;
12. An ability to apply principle of engineering, basic science, and mathematics (including multivariate calculus and differential equations) to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems, components or processes;
13. Ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas;
14. An ability to apply the "hands-on" knowledge to solve/understand engineering design problems/systems;
15. An ability to demonstrate leadership roles; and
16. An ability to comprehend and convey technical information.
