Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Certificates / Endorsements

Automotive, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Materials

Top 5 Reasons to Study

01

Broad and Flexible Degree: One of the most versatile engineering majors.

02

Hands-On Design: Build and test machines, engines, and systems.

03

Strong Job Stability: Mechanical engineers are needed across industries.

04

Creative and Technical: Blend design, math, and problem-solving.

05

Gateway to Many Careers: Great foundation for robotics, aerospace, energy, and more.

Core
Skills

  • Technical analysis and problem-solving
  • Design and innovation
  • Communication and collaboration

Sample
Jobs

  • Automotive/Aerospace Systems Engineer
  • Patent Examiner/Intellectual Property Consultant
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Thermal/HVAC Engineer
  • Technical Sales Engineer

Successful Career Outcomes

97% of Mechanical Engineering graduates reported a successful career outcome within six months after finishing their degree.

Top
Employment
Industries

  • Aerospace
  • Automotive and Advanced Manufacturing
  • Energy and Power Generation
  • Government
  • Robotics and Emerging Technologies

Brag
Points

  • Thirty-plus active industry partnerships—from energy to automotive leaders.
  • Hands-on experience mirrors real production environments before graduation.
  • Graduates power industries from aerospace to energy.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Co-ops and Internships

Co-ops and internships allow you to alternate semesters of paid, full-time work with academic study, giving you extended, hands-on experience before you graduate. You’ll apply what you learn in the classroom to real engineering projects, build professional skills, and often graduate with a stronger resume, industry connections, and a clearer sense of your career goals.

Spotlight

Thrive in Five Program

Academically talented juniors may apply for the Thrive in Five program, which allows you, as an undergraduate, to take classes at the graduate level for dual credit in both your undergraduate program and for graduate credit. A maximum of nine credit hours may be applied. 

Mechanical Engineering

2025-2026 Major Map

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Get the Courses You Need

1st Year

Building Your Foundation

You'll start by developing the core skills that every engineer needs. Your first year focuses on mathematics, chemistry, and physics, the building blocks for everything you'll do later in mechanical engineering. You'll also take your first mechanical engineering course, which introduces you to the field and helps you start imagining where this major can take you. Think of this year as setting yourself up for success. You're learning how to think like an engineer while building solid foundational knowledge.

2nd Year

Expanding Your Knowledge

Now that you have the basics down, you'll start seeing how math and science connect to real engineering problems. You’ll complete your physics sequence and continue with advanced math, including calculus and linear algebra. Courses like statics and dynamics introduce you to analyzing forces and motion, concepts that are central to mechanical engineering. You’ll also take thermodynamics, which is often when the major really starts to feel like engineering.

3rd Year

Craft Your Expertise

This is the year mechanical engineering comes into focus. You’ll study core topics like fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials science, and advanced thermodynamics. Labs give you the chance to apply what you’re learning, not just solve problems on paper. You’ll also work on design challenges and strengthen your communication skills. It’s a demanding year, but it’s often when students feel most confident in their choice of major.

4th Year

Knowledge Meets Experience
Your final year brings everything together. You’ll complete capstone design courses such as machine design and senior design, where you’ll work in teams to solve real-world engineering problems. Technical electives let you tailor your degree to your interests, whether that’s renewable energy, controls, vibrations, or another focus area. By graduation, you’ll be prepared to enter the engineering workforce or continue on to graduate school.

Hands-On Learning

1st Year

The Journey Begins

This is your introduction to building and making. You’ll start exploring design-focused clubs and organizations and get familiar with spaces like the IDEELab. Many students use this time to experiment with tools, try small projects, and see what hands-on engineering looks like beyond the classroom.

2nd Year

Additional Experience

By your second year, you’re ready to take on bigger challenges. This is a great time to join competition teams such as Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja or robotics, where you’ll work on real designs under real constraints. You’ll spend more time prototyping, manufacturing, and refining ideas, building confidence with tools and processes.

3rd Year

Lead

This is when you can step into leadership roles and take ownership of complex projects. Advanced labs allow you to test theories and see how systems behave in real conditions. Design-focused electives give you the chance to work on projects that go beyond the standard curriculum.

4th Year

Master and Launch

By now, you’re mentoring others and refining your technical strengths. Your capstone design experience ties together years of hands-on learning. When you graduate, you’ll have a strong portfolio of projects and practical experience you can confidently share with employers or graduate programs.

Connect with Community

1st Year

Explore and Get Involved

Your first year is a great time to explore student organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), SAE, or robotics clubs. You can attend guest speaker events, meet other students, and get involved in K-12 outreach or STEM activities in the community.

2nd Year

Grow and Explore

This is the year to start taking on more responsibility. You might step into a leadership role, attend regional competitions or conferences, and explore different industries such as automotive, aerospace, or manufacturing.

3rd Year

Experience and Lead

You’ll begin connecting with alumni, recruiters, and professionals in the field. This is also a natural time to mentor younger students and give back to the engineering community you’re part of.

4th Year

Professional Pathways

As graduation approaches, you’ll strengthen your professional network through organizations, industry partnerships, and your capstone project. These connections often carry directly into your next step after college.

Explore the World

1st Year

Discover

You can start learning about global opportunities by talking with your advisor about study abroad and the global engineering leadership minor and attending campus events that highlight study abroad and international programs.

2nd Year

Plan and Explore

This is a great time to attend the Study Abroad Fair and learn about faculty-led programs, exchange opportunities, and global engineering experiences.

3rd Year

Experience and Lead
This is the year many students choose to study abroad or participate in international engineering projects, gaining a valuable global perspective.

4th Year

Showcase and Expand

You’ll highlight your international experiences in interviews and professional profiles, showing employers that you can think and work globally.

Launch Your Career

1st Year

Chart Your Course

Your path toward a career starts early. You’ll begin exploring career options by attending Career Expos and workshops and starting your resume. Advisors and the Career Center can help you explore internships, research, or summer opportunities.

2nd Year

Gain Real Experience

This is the year to start pursuing internships or co-ops. You’ll continue attending Career Expos, practice interviews, and build professional confidence.

3rd Year

Target Your Path

In your third year, strategy becomes key. Attend on-campus recruiting events and Career Expos with an updated resume. Join LinkedIn and start researching target employers and graduate school programs. Align your technical electives and consider how undergraduate research helps with your career goals. Explore programs like Thrive in Five, which allows you, as an undergraduate, to take classes at the graduate level for dual credit in both your undergraduate program and for graduate credit. Attend graduate school information sessions to clarify your next steps.

4th Year

Make Your Move

Your final year is the time to put your career plan into action by applying for jobs and graduate programs with support from the Career Center. They'll help with resume refinement, interview prep, and application materials. Build your LinkedIn network and connect with Mechanical Engineering professionals. Take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam if you're pursuing professional engineer credentials. Highlight your internship experience and project portfolio to employers. You're ready to launch into the engineering workforce or graduate school.

Learn More

CurriculumApply NowBagley College of EngineeringMichael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering