Bulletin Description

The department of Mechanical Engineering focuses on the design and operation of machinery and the prediction of machine behavior in industries such as: vehicles (land, sea, air, and space), processing (of materials, food, and chemicals), production and fabrication, power generation, heating and refrigeration, and many others.  Mechanical engineers design both mechanical components, as well as mechanical systems comprised of different categories of components.  Mechanical engineers study the engineering sciences of rigid mechanics (force and motion), deformable mechanics (stress and strain), thermo-fluid sciences (energy and hydraulics), and mechanisms (dynamics and control), often applying these sciences far afield from the traditional mechanical industries.

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Program is to educate students to become professionals who are prepared to enter practice, and to engage in advanced and lifelong learning, in the profession of mechanical engineering.  The Program emphasizes a background in the fundamental disciplines of Mechanical Engineering, as well as the supporting mathematics, basic science, and core subjects, leading to a comprehensive design experience in the senior year.  Laboratory experience (physical and computer) and communications (written and oral) are emphasized throughout the curriculum.  Specialized concentrations are offered in Automotive Engineering (in cooperation with the Society of Automotive Engineering Collegiate Design Series) and in Pulp and Paper (in cooperation wit the Pulp and Paper Institute).