Academic Guidance

Academic Integrity
Student Responsibilities
Faculty Responsibilities
Academic Advisers
Student Curriculum Coordinator
Degree Requirements
Academic Plans
Flow Charts
Technical Electives
Courses Requiring a C or Better to Graduate

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

To protect the rights and maintain the trust of honest students and support appropriate behavior, faculty and administrators should regularly communicate high standards of integrity and reinforce them by taking reasonable steps to anticipate and deter acts of dishonesty in all assignments. At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide students with a statement clarifying the application of University and College academic integrity policies to that course.

READ SENATE POLICY 49-20: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

advising.engr.psu.edu

Student Responsibilities

To attend every class unless extenuating circumstances occur (such as illness, emergencies, etc.).
To treat faculty and staff with respect and courtesy.
To come to class prepared to actively listen and participate (having completed reading and other assignments).
To exhibit academic integrity.
To respect other students and faculty in class through appropriate conduct (such as on-time attendance, attention to class activities, etc.)
To put forth an honest effort to understand material and prepare specific questions for faculty or teaching assistants when problems arise.
To provide prior information and documentation for situations meriting special attention (such as illness, athletic team travel, etc.).
To meet with his/her adviser regularly to ensure that all academic requirements are met.
To follow the stated policies of each course.
To plan for their professional development and future.
To review prerequisite material as needed.
To properly and safely use and care for all department facilities and equipment.
To equally participate in all group labs, assignments, and projects.
To take SRTEs seriously and provide a fair assessment, of course and faculty.
To display enthusiasm for courses with a real concern for learning.

Faculty Responsibilities

To be prepared for every class.
To develop a comprehensive syllabus covering topics to be studied, exam timing, policies, office hours, etc. for distribution during the first week of class.
To treat students and staff with respect and courtesy.
To administer courses in a fair manner and in accordance with University policy.
To assign meaningful homework.
To provide meaningful feedback on graded material in a timely manner.
To post and hold office hours to be accessible to most students and be available during those times.
To do everything possible to enhance and enforce academic integrity.
To develop fair assessment instruments which will be impartially and fairly graded.
To encourage student professional growth and participation in preparation for future careers.
To provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.
To instruct, as needed, on the use and safety of equipment.
To inform students when classes or office hours cannot be met.
To display enthusiasm in courses taught and be concerned about student learning

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Students in Mechanical Engineering can schedule appointments with the Director of Undergraduate Studies through Starfish or by emailing undergrad@me.psu.edu to discuss questions related to professional development and industry paths, graduate school consideration, research opportunities, academic concerns/study skills, or suitable technical electives.

Academic Adviser

Every student in Mechanical Engineering is assigned to the Mechanical Engineering Academic Adviser in 140 Reber Building. The adviser will assist you in planning your academic curriculum and will help you in other matters associated with your college life. In some cases, advisers may not know the answers, but they will sit down and explore the possibilities and, where appropriate, recommend other avenues for assistance. Their role is to help guide and provide insight such that you may make informed decisions. You can also refer to LionPATH for online advising information. Advisers are the most important professional link you have at Penn State. Get to know them as soon as you can.

Academic Adviser Responsibilities

Listen to concerns while respecting individual values and choices
Promote the meaning and value of higher education
Assist students in defining academic, career, and personal goals while creating a supportive educational plan
Answer questions and interpret curriculum and degree requirements, as well as University policies and procedures
Help identify campus resources and make referrals when appropriate
Collaborate with others on campus to facilitate comprehensive student support
Adhere to the highest principles of ethical behavior and maintain confidentiality
Keep notes from advising meetings

Student Curriculum Coordinator

The Student Curriculum Coordinator in 140 Reber Building, is responsible for all student records. Please contact the them if you have any questions about your degree audit, course substitutions, co-op and internship questions, or anything related to interpreting statements made in this manual. In emergencies where neither the Academic Adviser nor the Student Curriculum Coordinator is available, the Associate Head of Undergraduate Programs for Mechanical Engineering can be consulted in 140 Reber Building.

Although the staff of the ME Undergraduate Program Office will help you as much as possible, the student should realize two important facts:

Your adviser’s role is to help guide and provide insight such that you may make informed decisions. Each student is responsible for their program/course choices and the monitoring of their academic progress.
Be aware that the student must “assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and the successful completion of all graduation recommendations.” (Academic Policy 32-30)
Mechanical Engineering, B.S. (Engineering) Degree Requirements
Academic Plans and Flow Charts

Technical Electives Overview

Before graduation, all Mechanical Engineering students must enroll in twelve credits of technical electives to prepare themselves for engineering careers. The strength of the major and its long-standing appeal to employers is that students are required to master both mechanical and thermal science subjects. Implicit in all their studies, students are expected to develop personal skills needed to be leaders in their profession. The twelve credits of technical electives are divided into three different areas:

3 credits of Mechanical Engineering Technical Elective (METE)

6 credits of Engineering Technical Elective (ETE)

3 credits of General Technical Elective (GTE)

More information on technical electives.

Courses Requiring a C or Better to Graduate

Students admitted into Mechanical Engineering are required to earn a minimum of a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course. These are listed below:

CAS 100, CHEM 110, EDSGN 100, E MCH 211, E MCH 212, E MCH 213, ENGL 15, ENGL 202C, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 220 MATH 251 ME 300, ME 320, ME 330, ME 340, ME 345, ME 348, ME 360, ME 370, ME 410, ME 450, ME 454, PHYS 211 and PHYS 212