Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The undergraduate program offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering provides an opportunity for students with an aptitude for physical sciences, mathematics and use of computers to fully develop their capabilities and apply them to the engineering program. Graduates of Mechanical Engineering acquire an excellent background in mechanics and thermal sciences to analyze the conversion and transmission of energy in its many forms. Mechanical engineers use this knowledge to solve new problems and to make things work better, more efficiently, and more economicall

Energy generation and utilization, manufacturing processes and products, and design of mechanical equipment and systems are traditional mechanical engineering fields. Students receive basic preparation in all of these areas. The Mechanical Engineering program prepares students for entrance into industry, for independent business (e.g., consulting, contracting, or manufacturing), or for work in government agencies. A degree in Mechanical Engineering may be used as a background for business degree, as well as for graduate study in engineering.

Employment opportunities for graduates from Mechanical Engineering program are in the areas of research and development of new products, design of equipment or systems, supervision of production, maintenance, administration, sales engineering, and testing. Mechanical engineers may work in engineering organizations, in the government sector, and in major industries such as power and desalination plants, heavy equipments, plastic, aerospace, chemical, electronics, materials processing, etc.

The Mechanical Engineering curriculum is designed as a sequence of increasingly specialized experience. The entering student’s first two years are spent in studying the basics of science: mathematics, physics, and chemistry, English language, computer skills and Arabic language, Islam, and some fundamental courses such as statics, dynamics, materials engineering and mechanics of materials. Building on this base, in the third year, students take more fundamental courses such as thermodynamics, introductory fluid mechanics, basic elements of circuits and electronics, and manufacturing processes. By the fourth year, students study specialized Mechanical Engineering courses in the subfields of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, dynamic systems, automatic control, and engineering design.

Finally, during the fifth year, the program offers the opportunity to both broaden and deepen the students’ knowledge of the field through additional technical courses. Furthermore, in the final year, students take a senior project, in which the knowledge and skills they have learned are applied. Engineering design, technical communication, teamwork, and laboratory experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum.

 

Program Objectives

     - ME graduates will have successful careers in mechanical engineering, and graduate or professional studies in mechanical and related disciplines, if pursued.

     - ME graduates will possess a high degree of professionalism.

     - ME graduates will be applying practical knowledge in the global marketplace and will be continuously developing their skills throughout their careers.

 

Program Outcomes

The Program Outcomes state that “Students who complete the Mechanical Engineering program at King Saud University will have:

     1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to mechanical engineering problems.

     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 economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.

     4. an ability to function on multidisciplinary 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 work professionally in both mechanical and thermal systems areas.

     13. an ability to apply advanced mathematics through multivariate calculus and differential equations.

 

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering are 160 credit-hours distributed over 10 levels of study, and 60 days of Industrial Training.