Mechanical Engineering involves the design of all types of machines and equipment including vehicles used in ground, air, and space transportation; machines for the conversion of fuels into energy; food processing; consumer products; robots; biomedical devices; the machines used to manufacture all of the above; and the climate control of buildings. Mechanical engineers bring together the fields of design graphics, manufacturing, engineering materials, thermodynamics and heat transfer, and the principles of mathematics and science to find solutions to?societal needs. They often work directly in the design and operation of food processing plants, power plants, manufacturing plants, refineries, and other industrial operations. A major goal of the curriculum is to provide the graduates with the analytical and practical skills needed to perform mechanical design in a variety of fields, preparing graduates to take advantage of the many employment opportunities.

The Mechanical Engineering Program includes courses on design, thermal sciences, manufacturing, properties and selection of materials, and computer applications related to these topics. The curriculum maintains a balance among basic fundamentals, analytical methods, and design applications of current knowledge, preparing the graduates for both entry into the profession and a life-long career.

The employers of Mechanical Engineering graduates include aircraft and automobile companies, food processing companies, machinery and equipment companies, gas and electric utilities, architectural and engineering firms, and many agencies in federal, state, and local governments. Some graduates continue their education by completing advanced degrees in Engineering or Management.