Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

OFFICE	2508 Patrick F. Taylor Hall
TELEPHONE	225-578-5792
FAX	225-578-5924

For information regarding the GRADUATE PROGRAM in MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, click here.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering emerged as a new field of engineering during the Industrial Revolution when many labor-saving inventions were designed and built in England between 1750 and 1850. The role of the mechanical engineer has expanded dramatically in recent years and nearly 10,000 graduates are now needed yearly.

All large industries employ mechanical engineers. Among those who regularly hire graduates from LSU are automotive, industrial machinery, oceanographic, power, chemical, textile, petroleum, computer, metal manufacturing, electronic, paper and wood product, and aerospace corporations.

In these industries, mechanical engineers perform a large variety of functions; therefore, the education of a mechanical engineer is necessarily broad. Mechanical engineers use the basic sciences (such as chemistry and physics), mathematics, computer programming, oral and written communication skills, and humanities and social sciences. Almost invariably, mechanical engineers rely heavily on a firm understanding of mechanics and thermal sciences to analyze the conversion and transmission of energy in its many forms.

Mechanical engineers use this knowledge in research by attempting to solve new problems, in development by altering a system to fit a new need, and in design to describe in detail a machine, system, or approach to a problem. Testing, manufacturing, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, and administration also require large numbers of mechanical engineers. Mechanical engineering, a technical professional field, offers challenge and opportunity for those prepared for hard work, both in school and during a lifetime of service.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is committed to continuing its three-fold mission of:

Producing graduate and post-graduate engineers who meet the needs of industry, government, and academia.
Advancing the state of knowledge and technology through innovative fundamental and applied research.
Serving the community and the profession through programs of education, technology transfer, and consulting.

The mechanical engineering curriculum is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. To qualify for graduation, mechanical engineering students must demonstrate:

an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, societal, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
an ability to communicate effectively;
the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning;
a knowledge of contemporary issues;
an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;
an ability to apply knowledge of materials science and engineering; and
an ability to execute a significant design that incorporates realistic constraints as a member of a team.

For information regarding the GRADUATE PROGRAM in INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING, click here.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering involves the synthesis and applications of scientific principles of design, installation, and improvement of integrated systems of people, materials, information, and equipment to provide the most efficient and effective operating and work environment. It combines principles of human behavior with concepts of engineering procedure or analysis.

Industrial engineers engage in ergonomics and human factors engineering, safety engineering, work systems design, methods development and improvement, lean systems analysis, information systems design, industrial automation and robotics, systems integration, manufacturing processes design, facilities and plant layout/design, production planning and control, material handling and supply chain systems, operation research and logistics, computer modeling and simulation, quality assurance, statistical analysis and control, and reliability engineering.

The industrial engineer combines the abilities of an engineer and a manager. These include an aptitude for mathematics, statistics, and economics, as well as for the basic engineering sciences; an interest in working with people and systems that produce goods or services; and the ability to analyze, synthesize, and integrate technical knowledge in practical ways.

The program objectives, within the first few years after graduation, for graduates from the BSIE program at LSU are:

Create value for organizations by developing and implementing effective solutions that balance intellectual, ethical, and societal considerations in design and improvement of operation and management systems so as to safely and efficiently produce and deliver the organization’s products and services. In particular, graduates will provide this value in industries of economic importance to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region, including construction; process industries; energy; information technology; traditional manufacturing; transportation and distribution; and healthcare.
Function effectively in their organizations in settings that are diverse, global, and multi-disciplinary; lead diverse teams and working collaboratively; advance to leadership roles within their organizations, and be entrepreneurial within their companies or in creating and leading new companies.
Lead changes in technology and our global society, by engaging in lifelong learning such as conferences, professional development courses, certifications and licensing, and advanced graduate studies.
Communicate effectively to diverse audiences with different organizational roles, backgrounds, cultures, education, and interests.
Be responsible, informed, ethical, and active citizens in their organizations, professions and community, through participation in and leadership of professional and community organizations and activities.

Global Knowledge Requirement: Today’s engineers work on global projects in culturally diverse environments. To help prepare for this environment, students in industrial engineering must meet a global knowledge requirement. This can be accomplished in one of two ways:

Through participation in a study abroad program of six or more weeks in length, during which course credit is earned.
By taking a general education course that meets the global knowledge requirement (the course also counts towards the general education requirement). Currently approved courses are kept on a list available in the College of Engineering office. For a course to be included on this list, it must include instruction and guidance on at least two of the following:
1. Systematically compare the ideas, values, images, cultural artifacts, economic structures, technological developments, or attitudes of people from different modern societies.
2. Identify the historical context of ideas and cultural practices of global cultures and their dynamic relations to current societal contexts.
3. Explain how a culture changes in response to internal and external pressures.

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