A two-semester senior design project course (ME 755-756 or TECH 797) must be completed by the end of the senior year by all undergraduates who are planning to receive their bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. The purpose of this requirement is to allow every ME graduate to gain experience in a substantial design or experimental research project.

Partial list of some of the most popular senior projects:

• AERO

  The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) sponsors an annual competition at the University level for students to design, build and compete with a remote controlled airplane. The aircraft should lift as much weight as possible. Accurately predicting the lifting capacity of the aircraft is an important part of the exercise. The UNH Aero Team was formed in academic year 2007-2008, and ME/ECE seniors designed and built a remote controlled airplane for their senior project.

   

     

• Can Satellite

  NASA, AIAA, AAS and USN Research Labs sponsors the CANSAT competition for students to design, build and test a can-sized satellite and ground station. The can-sized satellite will be deployed via rocket to an altitude of about 750m. The system mimics future NASA lunar and Martian missions. A team of ME and ECE seniors participated in the National CanSat competition in June 2008 and won first place! Congrats to all our team members and advisor, Prof. May-Win Thein.

• Formula SAE Vehicle

  The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) sponsors an annual competition at the University level for students to design, build and compete with mini Formula-1 racing cars. Approximately 150 universities are usually involved in these competitions. The cars have to meet several requirements specified by the SAE, such as maximum engine displacement (610 cc). Strict safety requirements are established by the SAE and are enforced in the design and the competition. ME students have organized the UNH Precision Racing Team and are designing and building a Formula SAE racing vehicle as part of the ME senior design project course and plan to enter the vehicle in the international competition held in Detroit each year.
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• Mini Baja Vehicle

  Each year, the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) sponsors a Mini Baja competition for undergraduate engineering students throughout the United States and Canada. The vehicle must be safe, fun to drive, easily maintained and be capable of negotiating rough terrain and deep water without damage. Each vehicle will be judged on the engineering design, safety and cost. The performance of the vehicle is demonstrated at the annual competition, where the vehicle is evaluated in such areas as acceleration, land maneuverability, water maneuverability, strength and endurance. Such events as slalom, chain pulling and braking may also be used to evaluate the vehicle. Following these events, each vehicle is entered into a four-hour endurance race. In the past years, ME students at UNH have participated in the annual Mini Baja competition as part of the ME senior design project course.

• Hovercats Classic

  A hovercraft is a vehicle capable of traveling on all types of terrain while remaining maneuverable, compact, affordable, and easy to maintain. Hovercrafts ride and are propelled by a cushion of air supplied by one or two engine and fan assemblies. The goal of this project is to design and fabricate a competitive, race worthy hovercraft for the June Hover Club of America's Collegiate Competition held in Chillicothe, Ohio each year. This contest will test the ME team's skills in many ways such as teamwork, financial management, design, time management, safety and performance.
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