History of the Department

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is in the Faculty of Engineering and located at the Main Campus of University of Abuja, kilometer 23, Airport Road, Giri, Abuja, Nigeria. This programme encompasses many core areas including energy, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, material science, metallurgy, structural analysis, production, manufacturing as well as industrial machinery and equipment. Moreover, the programme is accredited by the National University Commission (NUC) and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

The Senate of the University at its 92nd regular meeting held on 27th October 2004 approved the establishment of the Department of Mechanical Engineering with effect from 2005/2006 Session. The Programme took off at the Mini Campus of the University situated at Gwagwalada. The Department runs a 5-year degree Programme leading to the award of the Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng) degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Objectives of the Programme

The programme educational objectives of the department (PEOs) are to produce Engineering graduates who shall possess the following attributes:

1. PEO1 – Ability to become a high level, self-reliant graduate with the technological know-how to exercise original thought, have good professional judgment and be able to take responsibility for the direction of important tasks.
2. PEO2 - The ability to design Engineering projects and supervise their constructions, install and manage complex engineering systems so that they can perform optimally in an environment.
3. PEO3 - To engage in lifelong learning and professional development with proficient soft skills via postgraduate education and participation in professional organizations in order to compete excellently both at the local and global levels.
4. PEO4 - The ability to manage people’s fund, materials and equipment diligently.
5. PEO5 - The ability to improve on indigenous and global technology and to develop links with local and international industries to enhance both local and global problem solving capability.

In pursuance of the above, specific features have been incorporated into the Programme. These include:

1. Common foundation courses at 100 and 200 levels for all engineering students.
2. Workshop practice, technology, laboratory work and tutorials
3. Design projects with bias towards local applications.
4. Broad-based engineering and interaction between students and professionals.
5. Project in the final year on which the student works alone under supervision in specific areas of mechanical engineering.
6. Special skill and in-depth study in a particular area of the Programme through optional courses or electives.
7. Adequate knowledge in the areas of engineering management, economics, law and information technology.
8. Six months of supervised industrial training during the second semester of the fourth year. The academic Programme has been planned to offer challenges and to encourage the development of ingenuity and originality in the student. The corner stone of this is an early grounding in the basic engineering sciences and a strong emphasis in Applied Design in the later years.

The Programme Outcomes (POs)

Programme Outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students acquire as they progress through the programme. The programme should demonstrate that the students have acquired the following Graduate Attributes listed PO1 to PO12.

1. PO1 Engineering knowledge - Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialization to the solution of developmental and complex engineering problems
   • PO Demonstrate ability to identify and apply knowledge and technique in mathematics, science, and engineering to solve engineering problems.
2. PO2 Problem Analysis – Identify, formulate, research literature, and analyze developmental and complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences.
   • PO Demonstrate ability to solve problems by concepts through the integration of mathematics, science, and engineering.
   • PO Demonstrate skill in identifying vital information from resources in solving problems.
   • PO Demonstrate skill and appropriate technique and ingenuity in solving developmental or engineering problems.
3. PO3 Design/Development of Solutions - Proffer solutions for developmental or complex engineering problems and design systems, components, or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations
   • PO Demonstrate understanding of the impact of engineering decisions and solutions to societal issues.
   • PO Demonstrate understanding of solutions to cultural diversity based on our local context in Nigeria.
   • PO Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of engineering designs and solutions to the public health and safety of all.
4. PO4 Investigation - Conduct investigation into developmental or complex problems using research-based knowledge and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions.
   • PO Demonstrate ability to appropriately set-up and conduct experiment to understand and extract underlining and fundamental principles.
   • PO Demonstrate ability to apply statistical tools in designing and analyzing experiments.
   • PO Demonstrate skill in applying the appropriate research method in solving engineering problems.
5. PO5 Modern Tools Usage - Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources and modern engineering and ICT tools, including prediction, modelling and optimization to developmental and complex engineering activities, with an understanding of the limitations.
   • PO Demonstrate an understanding of the inherent limitations of software (application) tools, and analytical and numerical techniques.
   • PO Demonstrate ability to identify and apply appropriate technique in investigating and solving problems of engineering relevance.
   • PO Demonstrate capability and proficiency in using modern and ICT tools to solve engineering problems.
6. PO6 The Engineer and Society - Apply reasoning informed by contextual knowledge including Humanities and Social Sciences to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to professional engineering practice
   • PO Demonstrate awareness of legal implications of professional engineering practice.
   • PO Demonstrate understanding of the required contribution of engineers to the society.
7. PO7 Environment & Sustainability - Understand the impact of professional engineering solutions in societal and environmental contexts and demonstrate knowledge of and need for sustainable development
   • PO Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of engineering solutions on the society and environment.
   • PO Demonstrate ability to recognize and evaluate the ethical dilemmas that may arise in the workplace.
8. PO8 Ethics - Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of engineering practice, including adherence to the COREN Engineers Code of Conducts.
   • PO Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the COREN Engineers Code of Conduct.
   • PO Demonstrate ability to apply professional responsibilities and norms of engineering practice.
   • PO Demonstrate understanding and appreciation of diversity.
9. PO9 Individual & Teamwork - Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams and in multi-disciplinary settings.
   • PO Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in completing set goals and plan tasks
   • PO Demonstrate understanding in apply, using skills acquired to examine and adopt ideas as a member or team lead
   • PO Demonstrate the ability to work with other engineering discipline or multi- disciplinary settings
10. PO10 Communication - Communicate effectively on developmental or complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large, such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
    • PO Demonstrate the skills to communicate within the engineering society and outside engineering profession
    • PO Demonstrate the ability to make presentations and be able to communicate the society at large
    • PO Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate presentation medium for proper communication and receive clear instructions
11. PO11 Project Management & Finance - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering, management and financial principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multi-disciplinary environments
    • PO Demonstrate the ability to conduct, manage and execute projects in multi- disciplinary areas
    • PO Demonstrate the ability to work within the budget when executing a project for proper management
    • PO Demonstrate recognition or the skills needed for project management
12. PO12 Lifelong Learning - Recognize the need for, and have the preparations and ability to engage in independent and lifelong learning in the broadest context of technological and social changes
    • PO Demonstrate the ability to learn new technology or techniques that will be used for solving life problems and professional development activities
    • PO Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge acquired from teaching, professional journals, and industry publications to improve processes and systems