Mechanical Engineering

Educational Objectives

The objectives of the Mechanical Engineering Program are to produce graduates whose careers and professional behavior several years after graduation are marked by:

• A commitment to continuing education and technical competency in solving engineering problems, consistent with the ethics of the profession, and serving the needs of local, national, and multinational communities and enterprises;
• Advancement in their professional careers, including the attainment of increased technical or managerial capabilities; and
• Continual improvement in effective technical and non-technical communication and teamwork.

Student Outcomes

The program has documented student outcomes that support the program educational objectives. Attainment of these outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering. Student outcomes are listed below:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Enrollment

Bachelor's Degrees Awarded

Mechanical engineering graduates work primarily in engineering services, research and development, manufacturing industries, and the federal government. Our alumni have been hired by Belcan Engineering, BNL Industries, Collins Aerospace, Control Automation Group, Electric Boat, EverPower Wind Holding Inc., FloDesign, General Dynamics, Global Foundries, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newell Rubbermaid, Pratt & Whitney, PTI Industries, Inc., Raytheon, Smith & Wesson, SynQor, Texas Instruments, and United Technology Corporation. Many students head directly to graduate schools, including Clemson University, Georgia Tech, Northeastern University, Purdue University, Stanford University, and Western New England University.

Internships
Students are encouraged to take on internships to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world industry. Recent internship sites include Boeing, Chrysler, FloDesign, General Electric, General Motors, Milton Bradley, NASA, Newell Rubbermaid, Sikorsky Aircraft, Smith & Wesson, Spalding Sports Worldwide, United Technology Research Center, and UTC Aerospace Systems.

Engineering Abroad
Our Mechanical Engineering majors have trekked all over the globe for educational and humanitarian pursuits, as part of their study abroad experiences. In recent years, students have traveled to Guatemala to help set up a water irrigation system in a remote village.

Our students participate in research projects with faculty and collaborate on projects within their majors and beyond. They also have opportunities to travel regionally and nationally to present their design projects and research papers at professional conferences.

Recent examples of research and collaboration include:

• Experimental Study of Nitinol Wire Arrangements as Servo-Biomimetics for Facial Muscles
• Study of Shape Memory Alloy Servo-Biomimetic Actuations
• Impinging Jet Spray Formation using Viscoelastic Liquids
• Optimization of PEMs: Conductance as a Function of Fabrication Method
• Investigation of Non-Newtonian Impinging Jets
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration with engineering and business students and faculty in the Product Development and Innovation Course

There are several student competitions each year that allow you to present your hard work and compete with students from other schools. Entries include design projects, academic papers, and research conducted with faculty members. Students also enter their entrepreneurial inventions in the Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards to vie for prize money to fund their own business or product or incubate their newest ideas through the Western Mass Innovation Jam.

With a growing interest among engineering students to work in the automotive industry, the Golden Bear Racing Club was established to design, develop, and produce an off-road vehicle that competed in the national Baja SAE competition. Mini-Baja racing is a form of off-road “dune buggy” style racing on dirt or sand courses.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers the latest technology and equipment, which is available to students, faculty, and staff to utilize for research-related activities. We are rigorous in our efforts to provide a safe and productive environment for all lab users.

Laboratory I is the first in a two-course sequence, and is designed to give students personal experience in the use of laboratory instruments and in the collection and interpretation of data. Experimental methodology and communication of experimental results are stressed throughout the course. This course also serves to enhance technical writing skills.

Laboratory II builds on the skills developed in Laboratory I. A student works with team members to perform laboratory experiments in materials science, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, data acquisition, and manufacturing. Additionally, each student works on an interdisciplinary semester-long team design project.

Mechanical Engineering students may have interests in: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, or the FIRST® Robotics Club. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Mini Baja SAE® competition, ASME Design Competitions, academic conferences, and entrepreneurial contests. Many of our students also participate in varsity and intramural sports, special interest groups, and student government.

You'll learn from these experienced faculty who are dedicated to your success. They will guide you not only through coursework, but also through projects, outside research, career opportunities, and internships. The personal attention and support you will receive is unparalleled. All members of the full-time faculty have doctoral degrees with research expertise in areas such as fluid mechanics, solar energy, sensor design, data acquisition, acoustics, mechatronics and control systems.

Program leading to BS in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.