The vitality of our nation depends upon innovation in the design of new machines, devices to satisfy society's needs, engines to produce power efficiently, equipment to condition the environment of our buildings, and the systems to use and control these engineered products. Mechanical engineers are involved in solving problems by originating design concepts, developing products and processes of manufacture, and designing hardware and the systems needed to satisfy society's demands. Mechanical engineers work in virtually all industries.
The study of mechanical engineering requires a basic understanding of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the engineering sciences. Mechanical engineering education emphasizes solid mechanics; dynamics of machines; aerodynamics; propulsion devices; material behavior; power producing and environmental conditioning processes; control of dynamics of machines; energy conversion; and the synthesis, development, evaluation, and optimization of designs of devices and systems.
Degree Programs. The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers the B.E., M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.
The curriculum in mechanical engineering leading to a bachelor of engineering provides a broad-based engineering education with opportunities for the student to elect courses in areas of study related to any industry and, with careful planning of the elective courses, to achieve some specialization. The mechanical engineering program prepares an individual to become a practicing engineer who can participate fully in the engineering activities of design, building, operation, production, maintenance, safety, marketing, sales, research, and administration.
Undergraduate Honors Program. See the Special Programs chapter for general requirements of the professional Honors Program in mechanical engineering. Honors candidates choose their technical elective courses with the advice and consent of an honors adviser. Each candidate is expected to take 3 hours of ME 3860 in a single semester and at least 6 hours of graduate courses numbered 5000 or higher, including one course numbered 8000 or higher. A formal written honors thesis on the candidate's research must be approved by the honors adviser and the department chair. Honors candidates shall meet all Engineering School requirements in the nontechnical areas. The diploma designation is Honors in Mechanical Engineering.
Facilities. Undergraduate instructional laboratories are equipped for studies in heat and power, refrigeration and air-conditioning, fluid flow, heat transfer, design, controls, robotics, instrumentation, and biomechanics. Specialized facilities for robotic surgery, rehabilitation robotics, energy storage, medical microfluidics, thermal transport, combustion characterization, and photonics are used for both faculty-led research and instruction. The department also maintains various maker spaces including machine shops and design studios for fabrication of experimental equipment and for instruction.