Mechanical Engineering

Advanced Topics Aerospace Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Mechanical and Thermal Systems Nanotechnology Operations Research

ABET Accredited Program

The B.S. in Mechanical Engineering combines quantitative, design and technical knowledge with hands-on skill in preparation for one of the world’s most versatile and in-demand professions. From nano-scaled innovations in medicine to the future of space flight, mechanical engineers design the future.

Apply Curriculum

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a comprehensive curriculum (grounded in foundational mathematics and physics) that prepares you for professional work or further graduate study. Design is integrated throughout the curriculum. You will gain experience with engineering computer software and a range of laboratory tools as you progress toward upper level coursework and a yearlong senior capstone project.

Why Engineering + Design?

Great mechanical engineering — especially in a world of so many potential solutions and choices — marries products with the user experience of owning, operating and leveraging the product. That’s why Florida Poly brings design into all four years of the student experience.

Advanced Topics

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

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

Aerodynamics and Fluid MechanicsStructural Dynamics and AeroelasticitySpacecraft Engineering

Materials and Advanced Manufacturing

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.

Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of MaterialsAdvanced CharacterizationManufacturing

Mechanical and Thermal Systems

Central Florida (as well as the broader state) is home to several companies and firms that the support agriculture processing, mining, power-production, and green/eco-construction industries. Common themes or threads within these industries is the need for large machinery to transmit large mechanical forces, operate under high pressures within a thermodynamic cycle, convert energy, and or heat or cool areas in extreme/semi-extreme environments. The student will build on their mechanical engineering core courses with a focus on more specific topics in the traditional areas of mechanical engineering including Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Computer Manufacturing and Control, Energy Conversion and Sustainability, and Principles of Turbomachinery.

HeatingVentilating and Air ConditioningComputer Manufacturing and Control

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology, also known as “the science of small,” focuses on manipulating matter at the level of atoms, molecules and supramolecular structures. This revolutionary discipline impacts many fields, from medicine to manufacturing. Students with a concentration in nanotechnology will study nanoscale materials, practices, and applications in order to develop high-performance, cutting-edge products.

Mechanistic and BiomolecularSustainable NanotechnologyEnvironmental Nanotechnology

Operations Research

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.

Nearly every change in business, science and engineering involves mechanical engineers. The job is highly individualistic and flexible because it is so broad. That means job security and professional challenge for those willing to keep their knowledge and skills fresh and relevant.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor anticipates that employment of mechanical engineers will grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026. Higher growth is expected in such areas as:

Internet of Things
Automotive Engineering Design
Bioengineering Applications
Machine Design & Advanced Materials
Alternative Energy

Job Growth

Mechanical engineering is listed as one of the top 50 occupations with the most openings that requires a bachelor’s degree.

At Florida Poly we’re educating the next generation of STEM leaders.

$76

Billion - the nanotechnology market is expected to reach $80 billion by 2020.

$210

Million in recent investments in multifunctional materials.

6%

the increase in engineering jobs between 2010 and 2020.

Mary Vollaro

Associate Professor - 9

Aslihan Vuruskan

Assistant Professor - 9

Bernardo Restrepo-Torres

Adjunct Professor

We have an active student organization community with more than 35 clubs that vary based on specific academic interests, professional development, and activities just for fun.

Purple Fire Robotics

Students focus on building Combat, VEX, and other robotics and entering them in competitions around the region and across the nation. The Purple Fire Robotics team welcomes students of all skill levels to join.

ASTRO Club

The ASTRO Club aims to provide a medium in which students can apply the theoretical knowledge learned in class to physical projects related to space.

We're here to give you the resources to land your dream internship, work alongside faculty in groundbreaking research, and to develop leadership skills to stand out in the workplace.

Internship Opportunities

Internships are an important part of setting up you up for success after college and are a requirement for you to graduate.

Research Opportunities

Conduct research along side faculty that is improving lives and changing businesses, with impact ranging from local Lakeland community to the outer-reaches of space.

Light skinned male smiling wearing glasses.

Career Development

We understand the importance of feeling prepared, and we are committed to your success here and beyond. That's why we have resources to support you in your continued career development.

General Education

Your future as a trusted engineering professional and confident problem solver begins with some essential skills. Your general education courses give you:

Critical Thinking Skills… so that you can both make and follow a reasoned argument, and develop habits of organized thinking and rational analysis.
Communication Skills… so that you can translate thoughts into words (spoken and written) and make the complex simple.
Exposure to Arts/Humanities and Social/Behavioral Sciences … so that you see all problems in their larger human context.
Mathematical Reasoning … so that you find and follow the quantitative thread connecting all scientific inquiry.
Scientific Reasoning … so that you can apply the scientific method to phenomenon big and small.

Major

Your B.S. in Mechanical Engineering requires 120 credits — typically 15 credits across eight semesters. You will complete 12 general education credits (Arts/Humanities and Social Science).

Plan of Study

Click here for your complete plan of study for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

Program Description

Click here for your complete program description for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

Degree Planner

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Professional Education Objectives

Our rigorous mechanical engineering curriculum allows Florida Poly graduates to:

Apply fundamental concepts of math, science, technology, and mechanical engineering to solve real-life problems of societal, global, environmental, and economic consequence.
Achieve professional success working in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams/constituencies using technical knowledge, communication abilities, and leadership skills.
Become adaptive and independent professionals who advance their professional education through industry related training and advanced degrees, with an entrepreneurial spirit, and an ethical responsibility to self and society.

Research team finds new ways to clean up landfill leachate

Mechanical Engineering

Design the Future

Program Highlights

Why Engineering + Design?

Concentrations in Mechanical Engineering