This hands-on, experiential learning course is designed to develop student understanding of the majors in the College Engineering Technology (CET). Students engage in team-based and individual projects related to each undergraduate major in the college. Additionally, students will meet with and learn from recent alumni and current students as they explore the different majors, learn about career opportunities, and reflect on their own personal aspirations.

Students will apply engineering problem solving methods used in industry to complete projects involving engineering topics such as mechanics, circuits, robotics, and thermodynamics. Software tools are used to model their designs, perform design calculations, collect and analyze data. Finally, students will present their work professionally using both written and oral communication software. The goal of the class is to have students become familiar with the many aspects of mechanical engineering through hands on, experiential learning and prepares them to work professionally and effectively in a team setting both in college and in industry.

This course provides an in-depth coverage on the application of the first and second law of thermodynamics and conservation principles, mass and energy, to the analysis of open systems and power cycles, including refrigeration, heat pump and power cycles. It also introduces the fundamentals of heat transfer theory, conduction, radiation, free and forced convection, and its application to heat exchangers including free surface and conduit flow. Case studies based on real-world thermal systems are used to illustrate the connection between these interdisciplinary subjects.