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University of South Alabama

Mobile , Alabama ,United States

Mechanical Engineering (BS)

Mechanical Engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers invent, analyze and design systems that produce power or convert energy. This encompasses such diverse applications as designing next-generation aircraft and automobiles, inventing novel methods of generating energy from renewable sources, and developing sophisticated new medical devices and systems. Mechanical engineers are in the forefront of exciting new technological fields, including nano-engineering, biomedical engineering, and energy research.

The basic fields of study for mechanical engineers include:

  • Materials science, the study of the relationship between structure, properties, and processing of materials.
  • Thermodynamics and heat transfer dealing with basic concepts and applications of work, energy, and power. Applications include power generation from fossil fuels, from renewable sources (solar, wind energy) and fuel cells.
  • Engineering mechanics, the study of static and dynamic effects of forces applied to rigid and flexible solid bodies.
  • Fluid mechanics, the study of the forces and motions of liquids and gases. Included in this area of study are hydraulics, gas dynamics, aerodynamics, and design and application of pumps, compressors, and turbines.
  • Control systems including studies of transient and steady-state response of systems to external inputs.
  • Design synthesis which integrates all fields of engineering in the production of safe, practical, efficient, and economically feasible solutions to real problems.

All BSME students complete a senior-year "capstone" design project, in which a team of students defines and solves a unique, real-world engineering problem.

The curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) is designed so that graduates can work in any Mechanical Engineering field, or continue their educations at the graduate level.

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Applying for Jobs through USA
All employment opportunities that are reported to the University of South Alabama (including full-time positions, co-ops, internships) are circulated to possible candidate students by the Career Services Office. Once a student creates an account in Handshake, emails will be sent to their JagMail account when positions become available. Students should browse through Handshake frequently for updated job postings, career events, and more. To create an account, you must first have a resume to upload and unofficial transcripts.

There are two types of employment opportunities, the co-op program and internships:

Cooperative Education Program
Working as an engineer in a professional setting is a great opportunity. Students gain real-world experience that will translate into a better understanding of the concepts they are learning in class, a glimpse into what their future will look like, and an ability to better define their job preferences when interviewing for a permanent position upon graduation. These are paid positions where students can earn two to three times the wage of a traditional college student job.

The University of South Alabama Engineering Cooperative Education Program provides an opportunity for students to alternate time in the classroom with periods of paid, full-time, career-related work experience. Work experience may take place in industry or government agencies.

Internships
Students may also look for internships while they are taking classes at USA. Summer internships are usually a full-time job for 10-12 weeks between semesters. Engineering internships are usually paid positions.

There are also opportunities available for part-time internships, both during the summer and during the academic year. Please remember that being an engineering student is a full time occupation, so if you plan an internship be sure to meet with your advisor to discuss your course load.

PSW Opportunity

3 Years 

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

  1. Non-citizen Application for Admission - The Non-citizen Application for Admission must be completed and signed by the applicant. A nonrefundable $35.00 application fee, payable through a U.S. bank, must accompany the application. Applications received without the $35.00 processing fee will not be processed.
  2. Academic Records - Complete and certified academic records of all secondary and postsecondary education attempted must be submitted. Whenever possible, the records must be forwarded directly from the issuing institution to the University of South Alabama. Copies must be certified by an official of the government or school (e.g., Registrar or Dean). Notarized copies are not accepted.
  3. English Proficiency
    1. TOEFL
      • Nonimmigrant applicants whose native language is not English, must submit a score of 61 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for admission. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited United States institution are exempt. Students transferring from postsecondary institutions within the United States are exempt, subject to the following conditions:
        1. transfer credits total at least 24 semester hours; and
        2. completion of English Composition I with grade of "C" or above.
      • The exempted transfer students ARE NOT subject to the proficiency examination discussed below.  In addition the TOEFL may be substituted with the following:
        1. SAT Reading Test Score of 24
        2. ACT English score of 19
        3. Advanced Level English examinations from the United Kingdom with a score of "A", "B" or "C/A-E"
        4. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5.
        5. International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) score of 3.6
        6. Pearson (PTE Academic) score of 44
      • English Proficiency - International students, admitted with the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score, will be required to take additional English as a Second Language courses if their IELTS Reading subscore is less than a 5.5 and if their IELTS Writing subscore is less than a 5.5 or if their TOEFL Reading subscore is less than 20 and if their Writing subscore is less than 20. Students holding J-1 visas and those holding baccalaureate or graduate degrees from regionally accredited United States postsecondary institutions are exempt.  
  4. Financial Statement - Non-immigrants must provide proof that sufficient finances are available to undertake their entire course of study.

Notification:  Students are notified of admissions decisions as soon as all required documents are received. The I-20 or DS-2019 is mailed to students with the letter of admission.

Transfer Credit from Foreign Institutions - Students transferring to the University from foreign postsecondary institutions must submit a detailed course syllabus from which to evaluate transfer credit. Advanced Placement credit is available from a number of worldwide sources: contact the Office of International Services for details. Students may secure a professional evaluation of academic credentials at their own expense. Course-by-course professional evaluation is required of transfer students accepted into the College of Education and Professional Studies and students applying to the professional component of any program in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions.