| Mechanical Engineering graduates should be able to solve problems and design effective systems. |
| 1. |
Graduates must be able to use problem solving processes in an iterative manner. |
| 2. |
Graduates must be able to design effectively. The department emphasizes the skills and abilities required for all stages of the design process and provides opportunities for the student to practice these skills and develop these abilities. |
| 3. |
Graduates must be able to continue to learn and educate themselves. Students must appreciate that not only do they need to know current technology; they must learn new technologies and become familiar with related disciplines. |
| 4. |
Graduates must be able to communicate effectively. Students must recognize there are many aspects to effective communication: visual "engineering languages," oral communications and written communications. In addition, students should begin to appreciate that the medium is as important as the message. The non-technical aspects of communications, such as politics, aesthetics, style, and technique should be recognized. |
| 5. |
Graduates must be able to work responsibly. Graduates must be prepared to practice engineering responsibly, i.e., make decisions based on personal and professional codes of ethics with the understanding that they are accountable for the outcomes of these decisions. Graduates must be sensitive to local and global issues in order to act ethically in their particular society and for humanity in general. |
| 6. |
Graduates should be able to work effectively in five areas: |
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a) |
Management. Management includes working as an effective team member as well as working effectively as an individual. |
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b) |
Concentration/focus. The concentration/focus includes sticking to priorities, recognizing the "Law of Diminishing Returns," knowing the objective and moving toward it. |
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c) |
Process. Process includes establishing priorities, using the right tool for the right job, dividing large problems into smaller ones, and learning during the process, especially from failures. |
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d) |
Interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills include working in teams, accepting compromise, considering societal constraints and considering physiological constraints. |
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e) |
Personal skills. Personal skills include time management and stress management. |