The links to the left will provide you with information that many prospective students seek. Please explore the links to learn more about our department. Some questions often asked are:

What is Mechanical Engineering?

What is Nuclear Engineering?

What type of classes should I take in High School to prepare me for Engineering?

Where can I find help preparing for the Undergraduate Admissions Exams?

What types of classes do engineering students take?

When do students declare major?

What lab courses do students take?

What about Co-op?

What is the honors program?

Find answers to other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you are interested in more details about the ME or NucE programs, you might find them in the Current Students section.

Facts and Figures:

During Fall 2005, The Pennsylvania State University enrolled 40,709 students at the University Park (UP) campus and 70,940 students at all locations. Approximately 40% of our students begin their studies at one of the Campus College locations. The engineering students assigned to a Campus College location complete two years of courses at that location. Then the students change location to University Park after the second year entrance to major.

As of Fall 2006, the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering had the following undergraduate enrollment levels:

• Mechanical Engineering - 662
• Nuclear Engineering - 105
• Concurrent ME/NucE Majors - 42

On average, the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering has approximately 132 students engaged in the Co-Op Program per year.

From Fall 2005 to Summer 2006, the number of students receiving Bachelor of Science degree from the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering were:

• Mechanical Engineering - 258
• Nuclear Engineering - 33
• Concurrent ME/NucE Majors - 12

Visits and Open House Events:

Each February, the College of Engineering hosts an Open House. On this day, tours and presentations are available in all College of Engineering departments. This is a good day to learn more about Penn State and explore different majors.

Throughout the year, high school students, and often their parents, visit the Department to explore whether Mechanical Engineering or Nuclear Engineering is the appropriate discipline to study. If you are not able to attend the Engineering Open House but want to learn more about our programs, please request information .

Quotes from Alumni:

"In conjunction with the University Scholar's Program, I worked with faculty and graduate students in the EVAD controls group for my senior thesis. This positive experience influenced me to pursue research in fluid mechanics at the California Institute of Technology where I have nearly completed my Ph.D. program. Both my ME course work and research as an undergraduate provided an excellent preparation for an academic career path."
Tricia Ann Waniewski, Class of 1993

"Penn State Mechanical Engineering has provided me with a versatile technical background and the opportunity to strengthen my interpersonal skills, both of which have prepared me to begin my career as a mechanical engineer."
Stephanie Saboe, Class of 1998

"I have always believed that the mechanical engineering education I received at Penn State served me well during my engineering, management and education careers. With the SKF company, world's largest manufacturer of ball bearings for which I worked for 31 years both in the USA and Europe, it provided the base for me to succeed in several multinational technical and executive positions. Together with the on-going education I accumulated since graduation, now as Professor in the ME department at Penn State , it has given me the expertise to transfer my technical and industrial knowledge and experience to a new generation of Penn Staters."
Tedric A. Harris, Class of 1953. Former V.P. at SKF Co. and Professor of Mechanical Engineering

"My engineering education at Penn State allowed me to be successful early in my career at the Ford Motor Company. The combination of hands-on, lab-based learning and teamwork-based assignments helped me gain the technical knowledge and people skills I needed to make the transition to the work environment."
Sachin Gore, Class of 1993 (BSME) and 1994 (MSME)