Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and most versatile of the engineering professions. This is reflected in the portfolio of current activities in the department, one that has widened rapidly in the past decade. Today, our faculty are involved in projects ranging from the use of nanoengineering to develop thermoelectric energy converters to the use of active control for efficient combustion; from the design of miniature robots for extraterrestrial exploration to the creation of needle-free drug injectors; from the design of low-cost radio-frequency identification chips to the development of advance numerical simulation techniques; from the development of unmanned underwater vehicles to the invention of cost-effective photovoltaic cells; from the desalination of seawater to the fabrication of 3-D nanostructures out of 2-D substrates.
Undergraduate Education
Our undergraduate programs combine a broad-based education in the engineering sciences with a strong grounding in quantitative, problem-solving, design, and communications skills. By emphasizing both analytical and creative methods, MechE gives students the broad skills set they need to pursue their goals — whether that means working as an engineer, founding a company, continuing on to graduate study and research, or going to a professional school to study medicine, business, or law. We foster independent learning through hands-on laboratory and design projects, and we help our students grow as creative thinkers, leaders, and collaborators.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers the following three undergraduate degree programs:
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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
This program fosters a broad intellectual foundation in mechanical engineering, preparing students to work in a range of fields. Students learn fundamental engineering concepts and the methods and techniques used in engineering practice, and they have the opportunity to apply what they learn in laboratory and real-world settings.
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Bachelor of Science in Engineering as recommended by the Department of Mechanical Engineering
This program is designed for students whose career objectives require greater flexibility than our traditional mechanical engineering program affords. Students combine the essential elements of the traditional program with study in another, complementary field. Popular choices include robotics, bioengineering and pre-medicine, product development, energy conversion engineering, engineering management, and sustainable development.
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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
Students in this program learn essential engineering concepts and skills related to ocean science, exploration, transportation, defense, and resource extraction. Theory and computation of ocean systems are covered in a number of courses, complementing a rigorous mechanical engineering program. A hands-on capstone design class enables students to master the design of advanced marine systems, including autonomous underwater vehicles and smart sensors.
