The Mechanical Engineering program at San Francisco State offers a strong foundation in the fundamentals of this discipline. The student may also select optional courses to specialize in one of three areas. The Thermal/Fluids Area covers the production and transmission of energy. The Mechanics and Materials Area encompasses force and motion analysis and the design of mechanical devices. Finally, the Robotics and Controls Area deals with automated manufacturing techniques and the Control of motion or processes. All of these areas contain the problem solving skills needed for mechanical engineering design and the transformation of ideas into mechanical devices and systems.

The Mechanical Engineering program at San Francisco State has an emphasis on the design process, the integration of design activities that lead to a successful result. Most of the faculty engage in professional activities beside instruction and emphasize real world applications in the courses they teach. In the junior and senior years, most courses include special design projects in which design methodologies are applied to realistic engineering problems. During the senior year, each student completes a design project of significant scope, with topics frequently suggested by local engineering companies.

Careers in Mechanical Engineering

Graduates with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering may immediately engage in the design, analysis, testing, production and maintenance of machines and mechanical systems. Most industries, including aerospace, electrical equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical, automotive, chemical, power generation, agriculture, food processing, textile and mining employ mechanical engineers.