Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Students can design their own four-course concentration within the major based on their personal academic and professional pursuits. This unique combination of courses works in concert with other co- and extra-curricular activities, including research experiences, internships, and a wide variety of opportunities in our student organizations. Advanced Topics offers the student the flexibility in curriculum choices to grow with their changing interests as they look forward to graduation, graduate school, and their professional endeavors.

Aerospace focuses on industries in which engineers design or build aircraft, missiles, and systems for national defense, or spacecraft. Complementing your general mechanical engineering principles, you study subjects such as propulsion, stability and control, structures, mechanics, and aerodynamics, which is the study of how air interacts with moving objects. As you look forward, this provides you with additional courses to pursue career options at aerospace companies like NASA, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Draken, etc., and may spark an interest in undergraduate research and advanced study in graduate school

Students engage in in-depth study of automotive engineering principles, focusing on vehicle design, propulsion systems, and advanced technologies. They gain hands-on experience through projects, learning to optimize vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency.

Energy in mechanical engineering is the study and application of thermal, electrical, and kinetic energy in the design and operation of mechanical systems. Energy-related projects undertaken by mechanical engineering students include the design of energy-efficient structures, the development of renewable energy systems such as wind and solar power, and the improvement of the energy efficiency of industrial equipment and machinery.

The field of materials and advanced manufacturing focuses on engineering composite materials with unique capabilities that improve safety, efficiency, and versatility. The design of new smart materials and systems has major implications for the defense, aerospace, energy, and semiconductor industries. This concentration will give you a strong foundation in the fabrication, characterization, modeling, and prototyping of such materials.

Operations research focuses on modeling and solving operation efficiency challenges, and predicting and demonstrating value-added gains like cost savings. Professionals with expertise in this field are often found in environments with complex operations like ports and shipyards, where they are responsible for managing and improving traffic flow. If you like solving workflow problems and designing efficient systems, then this is the concentration for you.

Through focused coursework, students delve into robotics principles, learning about sensors, actuators, control systems, and artificial intelligence. They gain hands-on experience by designing and programming robotic prototypes, honing their skills in solving real-world challenges. The curriculum covers areas like robot kinematics, computer vision, and human-robot interaction.

Simulation in mechanical engineering is the modeling and analysis of the behavior of mechanical systems using computer software. Students of mechanical engineering focus on simulation-related challenges by studying simulation concepts and using software to develop and analyze models of mechanical systems.