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Appendix B
The University of West Florida
Division of Academic Affairs
Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program Template
Name of the proposed program:
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Level and degree name:
Undergraduate, BS Mechanical Engineering
Proposed CIP code:
14.1901
Offering department:
Contact person:
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mohamed Khabou
Telephone:
E-mail:
(850) 857-6031
mkhabou@uwf.edu
Offering college:
Science, Engineering and Health
Proposed implementation date:
Fall 2016
Description of the proposed program including principal student learning outcomes:
The creation of the proposed Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) at UWF is
in direct response to the increased workforce demand for mechanical engineers in northwest
Florida and consistent requests to start such a program by the local community. For example,
during the 2011-2012 Academic Visioning process, BSME was one of the top-priority programs
requested by the internal and external stakeholders at UWF.
The proposed program is envisioned to:
1) Respond directly to the regional and state workforce needs. To this end, the Engineering
Advisory Council (EAC) membership has been revised to include representatives of local
businesses, research labs, and the military community who typically hire mechanical
engineers. A survey is being developed/conducted to determine the area(s) of specialization
that are most relevant to the region's needs. The survey results will provide important
information to consider as the program curriculum is developed in detail.
2) Be a hands-on, high-quality program that will seek ABET accreditation as soon as it
graduates its first bachelor's students or shortly thereafter. The program will include an
engineering design sequence that begins in the freshman yearand culminates in a capstone
experience in the senior year. The success of Electrical and Computer Engineering's (ECE)
Unmanned Systems Lab, the student satisfaction with the capstone project experience, and
the Vision 2030 report of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) emphasize
the importance of integrating the design experience/component as early as possible in the
curriculum.
Because of the ABET accreditation goal, the program will be designed to satisfy student