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Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science

Mechanical Engineering

Concentrations
Advanced Topics Aerospace Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Mechanical and Thermal Systems Operations Research
 
 
Workshop

Design the Future

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.
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Program Highlights

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.
circuits

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.

Concentrations in Mechanical Engineering

advanced topics
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.
mechanical lab.
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 
Interest Areas
Aerodynamics and Fluid MechanicsStructural Dynamics and AeroelasticitySpacecraft Engineering 
lab
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. 
Interest Areas
Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of MaterialsAdvanced CharacterizationManufacturing
mechanical lab.
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. 
Interest Areas
HeatingVentilating and Air ConditioningComputer Manufacturing and Control
solar pannel.
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. 

 

Mechanical Engineering Careers

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.
mechanical lab.

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
student looking at a computer

Job Growth

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

Mechanical Engineering Stats

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.
 

Meet the Faculty

View Department Faculty
Mary Vollaro

Mary Vollaro

Associate Professor - 9
Matt Bohm

Matt Bohm

Associate Professor - 9
Richard Matyi

Richard Matyi

Associate Professor - 9

Get Involved Outside the Classroom

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. 
robotics

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. 
skylight

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.
 

Make Your Passion a Career

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.  
Light skinned female in NASA t-shirt.

Internship Opportunities

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

Program Requirements

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.

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).

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

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

Click here for your complete degree planner for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. 

Our rigorous mechanical engineering curriculum allows Florida Poly graduates to:

  1. Apply fundamental concepts of math, science, technology, and mechanical engineering to solve real-life problems of societal, global, environmental, and economic consequence.
  2. Achieve professional success working in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams/constituencies using technical knowledge, communication abilities, and leadership skills.
  3. 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.

 

Mechanical Engineering in the News

See all news
Phoenix puts her skills to the test in engineering internship

Phoenix puts her skills to the test in engineering internship

Jul 28
Erica Johnson
NSF research experience readies Phoenix for graduate school success

NSF research experience readies Phoenix for graduate school success

Jul 20
Erica Johnson
NSF research experience puts Phoenix on path to high-tech, entrepreneurial future

NSF research experience puts Phoenix on path to high-tech, entrepreneurial future

Jul 7
Erica Johnson
 

Want to be a Phoenix? Get in touch with Admissions.