2012-2103 BSME Curriculum Rollout

      Introduction: Reason for the Curriculum Revision
      2012-2013 Curriculum (Program of Study)
      Concentration Areas
      New Classes in the 2012-2013 Curriculum
      Curricula Comparisons

Changing Your Curriculum

      Can I Move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum?
      Should I Move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum?
      How do I Move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum?

 


Introduction: Reason for the Curriculum Revision

The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering is introducing a new BSME Curriculum starting summer 2012. The 2012-2013 BSME Curriculum contains 15 hours of free electives, increases the total required hours from 126 to 129, and allows students to pursue Concentration Areas. The increased flexibility is designed to give students more opportunities to do things such as study abroad, earn a minor or certificate, take classes outside of ME or pursue one of the newly formed concentrations.


2012-2013 Curriculum (Program of Study)

  • New 2012-2013 Curriculum: PDF, Excel
    • Required Overlay Areas: As a part of the curriculum, students must complete two overlay areas: Global Perspective and Ethics. These overlay areas must be taken as part of the curriculum and can satisfy humanities electives, social science electives or free electives. Both Global Perspective and Ethics must be a three hour class selected from Institute approved lists. Please note that these lists must be used from the 2012-2013 Catalog which will be published in mid-May.
  • Existing 2011-2012 Curriculum: PDF, Excel
  • 2012-2013 Curriculum Rollout (PDF version)

Can I Move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum?

  • Students who started at Georgia Tech Spring 2012 and earlier have the option to move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum or stay on the current curriculum. To move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum students must taking classes at Georgia Tech summer 2012 or later and graduate summer 2012 or later. Students may continue to use the 2011-2012 Curriculum if they started taking classes at GT before Summer 2012.
  • Any student who changes their major to ME effective summer 2012 and beyond is automatically required to move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum and must complete all of the 2012-2013 Curriculum requirements. Keep in mind that any change of major forms submitted after phase 2 registration closes become effective the following semester.
  • All students who start at Georgia Tech summer 2012 and later are required to use the 2012-2013 Curriculum.
  • Catalog Year (Same as Curriculum Year)
    • Every student is assigned a Catalog Year when they change their major or when they start at Georgia Tech. The Catalog Year is the same as the curriculum that you are assigned.
    • Each Catalog Year runs from summer through spring. Ex: A students who changes their major during summer 2012, fall 2012 or spring 2013 is assigned a Catalog Year of 2012-2013 which means that he/she is on the 2012-2013 Curriculum. Any change of major forms submitted after phase 2 registration closes become effective the following semester.
    • Students can move to later Catalog Year as long as they are taking classes at Georgia Tech during that Catalog Year.
    • If you are not sure of your Catalog Year, you can find listed on your DegreeWorks Audit.

Should I Move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum?

The following is a very general evaluation of who should consider moving to the 2012-2013 Curriculum. Every student should take the time to evaluate the curriculum comparison charts and see whether it is better to move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum. Your academic advisor can verify your decision for you, but you need to do the research. In general, we recommend the following students consider moving:

  • Transfer students who started fall 2011 and later who have extra transfer credits that are not being used.
  • Students who are interested in adding a minor that is not on our list of approved minors that allow substitutions for the ME electives.
  • Students who are planning to attend a study abroad or exchange program and will take extra classes.
  • Students who are interested in pursuing a concentration area.
  • Students with a D in COE 2001, PHYS 2211 or more than 3 D’s in ME classes, should not move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum unless they are willing to repeat these classes.
  • Students who want to use 9 hours of research towards their degree should not move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum.

How do I Move to the 2012-2013 Curriculum?

Students who plan to move to the new curriculum must fill out a Change of Major Form to change their Catalog Year to 2012-2013. The Catalog Year is the same as the curriculum year. We will not sign Change of Major Forms during registration times, only during non-registration times. Keep in mind that students cannot combine curricula; they must completely satisfy one curriculum or another.


Concentration Areas

Concentrations are a new feature of the 2012-2013 Curriculum and are only available in the 2012-2013 Curriculum. Some features of the concentrations are:

  • Concentrations are optional, not required.
  • Concentrations are 15 hours of classes and the classes satisfy the Design Elective, the ME Elective and 9 hours of free electives.
  • Concentrations are different than minors because they allow students to specialize in a particular area within ME.


The three initial concentrations are listed below. We plan to add more concentrations next year. More information about concentrations (including the requirements) will be available during summer 2012.

  • Automation and Robotic Systems
  • Thermal, Fluid, and Energy Systems
  • Micro- and Nano- Engineering

New Classes in the 2012-2013 Curriculum

Two new classes will be introduced in the 2012-2013 Curriculum. ME 3017 (3 hours) will replace ME 3015 (4 hours) and ME 4056 (3 hours) will replace ME 4053 (2 hours). The transition plan is:

  • ME 3015/3017 Transition: ME 3015 (4 hours) will be offered through fall 2012. ME 3017 (3 hours) will be offered starting spring 2013.
  • ME 4053/4056 Transition: ME 4053 (2 hours) will be offered through summer 2013. ME 4056 (3 hours) will be offered starting fall 2013.
  • 2011-2012 Curriculum Substitutions: The following substitutions are allowed for the 2011-2012 and Earlier Curricula
    • ME 3015 (4 hours) = ME 3017 (3 hours) + Free Elective @ 3000 Level (1 hour)
    • ME 4053 (2 hours) + Free Elective @ 1000 Level (1 hour) = ME 4056 (3 hours)
  • 2012-2013 Curriculum Substitutions: The following substitutions are allowed for the 2012-2013 Curriculum
    • ME 3017 (3 hours) + Free Elective @ 1000 Level (1 hour) = ME 3015 (4 hours)
    • ME 4056 (3 hours) = ME 4053 (2 hours) + Free Elective @ 4000 Level (1 hour)

2011-2012 BSME Curriculum versus the 2012-2013 BSME Curriculum

The charts below compare the 2012-2013 to the 2011-2012 Curriculum. Students cannot combine requirements for the different catalog year; they must satisfy all of the requirements for one or the other. Students must meet all requirements for the catalog year they decide to follow. The only exceptions to this are the ME 3015 and ME 4053 class substitutions which are reviewed in the New Classes in the 2012-2013 Curriculum section of this document.

 

Comparison of GPA and Grade Requirements
Class2011-2012 Curriculum2012-2013 Curriculum
Major GPA: Classes IncludedAll ME and COE classesAll ME and COE classes required by name and number plus ECE 3710, ECE 3741, ISYE 3025, MSE 2001, Design Elective and ME Elective. ME classes used for free electives are not include.
Major GPA: GPA Required2.0 or higher (truncated GPA)2.0 or higher (truncated GPA)
Major GPA: C or Better RuleNo additional requirementsAll classes must be passed with a C or better with the exception of 9 hours which can be a D
Overall GPA Requirement2.0 or higher (truncated GPA)2.0 or higher (truncated GPA)
C or Better RuleA grade of C or better is required in MATH 1501, MATH 1502, MATH 2401, MATH 2403A grade of C-or-better is required in MATH 1501, MATH 1502, MATH 2401, MATH 2403, PHYS 2211, and COE 2001. The C or better is required before taking any other ME courses for which those courses are pre-requisites.
Pass/Fail Classes Allowed?No pass/fail classes are allowed. All classes must be taken letter grade, including all electives.No pass/fail classes are allowed. All classes must be taken letter grade, including all electives.

 

     

    Comparison of Class Requirements
    Class2011-2012 Curriculum2012-2013 Curriculum
    Total Credits126129
    Science ElectiveOne of BIOL 1510, BIOL 1520, CHEM 1212K, PHYS 2213, CHEM 1311, EAS 1600 or EAS 1601None required
    System Dynamics: ME 3015
    (transition plan)
    ME 3015 (4 hours) or an approved substituteME 3017 (3 hours) or an approved substitute
    ME Systems Lab: ME 4053
    (transition plan)
    ME 4053 (2 hours) or an approved substituteME 4056 (3 hours) or an approved substitute
    ME Electives: Hours Required6 hours required3 hours required
    ME Electives: Class RequirementsAny ME course at the 3000-level or above, excluding ME 3141, 3720, 3743, 3744, 4741, 4742, & 4753Any ME course at the 3000-level or above, excluding ME 3141, 3720, 3743, 3744, 4699, 4741, 4742, 4753 & 4903
    ME Elective: Approved SubstitutionsStudents who complete an ME approved minor can substitute minor classes for ME electivesNo substitutions allowed for the ME elective
    Research/Special Problems as ME Electives3 hours maximum of ME 4699 or ME 4903 can be used as a ME ElectiveNo research or special problem from any department can be used as an ME elective
    Free Electives: Hours Req’d6 Hours Required15 Hours Required
    Free Electives: Level Requirements6 hours at the 2000 level or above6 hours at the 1000 level or above plus 9 hours at the 2000 level or above *
    Research/Special Problems as Free Electives6 hours maximum of 2699/4699/4903. The course can be from any department.6 hours maximum of 2699/4699/4903. The course can be from any department.
    Minor Classes as Free ElectivesMinor classes can be used for free electives as long as they meet the free elective level requirementsMinor classes can be used for free electives as long as they meet the free elective level requirements
    Global PerspectiveRequired for the 2011-2012 Curriculum. Not required for any prior curriculum.Required regardless of when the student started at Georgia Tech
    EthicsOne of PHIL 3105, PHIL 3109, PHIL 3127, PHIL 4176, HTS 2084 or INTA 2030A three hour course selected from this list
    Concentration AreasNo concentration areas existOptional concentration areas are available

         * Notes: Four of the nine 2000 level free electives may be satisfied with one of: BIOL 1510, BIOL 1520 or CHEM 1212K