Mechanical Engineering majors at CSUN receive a solid education in the fundamentals of the discipline augmented by hands-on experience that employers have found to be invaluable. Design concepts and projects are integrated throughout the curriculum.<br><br>The freshmen and sophomore years provide the student with a breadth of knowledge that is required in specialized courses and in the career work of the mechanical engineer. During these years, students take courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer programming, engineering materials, engineering mechanics, electrical systems and mechanical design. The junior year courses include engineering economics, engineering dynamics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mechanical design, the numerical analysis of engineering systems, and computer-aided analysis and design.<br><br>The senior year is composed of a group of required and elective courses that are related to the student's area of specialization within Mechanical Engineering. The required courses include system dynamics, mechatronics and two semesters of senior design. Students can take their electives to obtain more in-depth knowledge in the following areas: aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, controls engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical design and thermal-fluid systems.<br><br>The Mechanical Engineering department takes a practical approach to engineering, offering hands-on design experience as well as theoretical knowledge. That's an advantage on the job because our graduates have had experience constructing projects, not just analyzing and designing them. A key to this practical training is the department's Senior Design Program, which is modeled on the industry work groups that students will encounter on the job. Like professional engineers, students design and develop a project, from conception through manufacture. In the process, they gain valuable experience in working as a team, overcoming technical and management challenges, and developing communication skills. Past senior design projects have included an autonomous intelligent ground vehicle, a Formula SAE race car, a human-powered vehicle, unmanned aerial systems and sustainable energy systems.