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Mechanical Engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines and is central in many new technological developments. From its history in the industrial revolution and railroads to the future of space exploration and medicine, mechanical engineers remain at the forefront of technology. The common thread through the mechanical engineering practice is the conversion of energy from one form to another and the design of efficient machines to perform these conversions. A concurrent major with Nuclear Engineering is also offered. Students entering the concurrent majors program must first enter Mechanical Engineering and then add Nuclear Engineering as the second major.
Is Mechanical Engineering for You?
If you are interested in how things work, from computer disk drives to airplanes; or how things are made, from automobiles to home entertainment systems, then mechanical engineering may be for you. As a mechanical engineering major, you will take part in a rigorous course of study that will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career. The field of mechanical engineering is broadly divided into two areas: mechanical systems and thermal systems. Mechanical systems include the design of mechanisms in an automobile or robot, analysis of the strength and wear of materials being used, and "smart" machines employing electronic or computer control. Thermal systems include methods of converting energy stored in a fuel to electrical power or heat, methods of raising or lowering temperature such as an air conditioner or the cooling of the circuitry in a computer, and fluid systems including chemical piping systems and wind drag of an automobile. Today's mechanical engineering majors use computers in nearly every aspect of their study.  From sophisticated computer simulations of motion and deformation, to electronic reports linked to databases including video and sound recordings, to three-dimensional "virtual" prototyping, mechanical engineers become proficient users of today's information technology. Typical class assignments might include the use of spreadsheets to quickly evaluate alternative designs or detailed computer simulations to predict the behavior of a system under different external influences. The skills gained in a mechanical engineering curriculum can be applied to the study of other fields that are not always associated with mechanical engineering. Interdisciplinary and exciting areas such as health care, entertainment, and space exploration find mechanical engineers working side-by-side with doctors, movie directors, and astronauts. In fact, a degree in mechanical engineering is often used as a stepping stone directly into these and other exciting fields.
Program Educational Objectives
| The objective of the Mechanical Engineering program is to prepare students for a wide range of career paths that use mechanical engineering principles and methodology. We will maintain and provide a curriculum that prepares our recent graduates for: |
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working in industry and government including computer-aided design, simulation and analysis of products or systems, experimentation and testing, manufacturing, and technical sales. |
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assuming increasing levels of responsibility in project, personnel, and budget management. |
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working and leading effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. |
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communicating effectively and recognizing the global, societal, and ethical contexts of their work. |
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entering into graduate and professional studies. |
ME Program Outcomes
Career Opportunities
A Mechanical Engineering degree prepares an individual for future employment in a wide range of endeavors involving the design and application of mechanical devices and systems that convert energy. From mountain bikes to the space shuttle, fuel cells to power plants, nano-devices to blood flow in an artificial heart, a degree in mechanical engineering offers the opportunity to apply the fundamental laws of physics and the tools of mathematics to the economical solution of real world problems. Mechanical engineers work in large companies, such as automotive and aerospace industries; in smaller "high tech" companies; in specialized areas such as robotics, nanotechnology, computational fluid dynamics, computer software development, or environmental systems; and in research centers such as government labs and universities. Within any company, mechanical engineers may have varied jobs including the creation, testing, evaluation, manufacturing, packaging, selling, and distribution of a product. Mechanical engineers are also well prepared to work as managers due to their broad background. Some mechanical engineers pursue professional degrees in medicine or law. The need for mechanical engineers spans a large segment of both the public and private sectors, making the market for mechanical engineering graduates very stable.
For more information, you can contact Dr. Martin Trethewey, Professor-in-Charge of the Undergraduate Programs in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, by E-Mail or by phone at (814) 863-1503. Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; 410-347-7700; www.abet.org.
Student Societies and Organizations
Adviser and contact information can be found at
http://www.mne.psu.edu/organizations.htm.
1. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
2. Pi Tau Sigma (Honor Society)
3. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
Other Links about Mechanical Engineering
What is the Difference Between Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technology?
http://www.asme.org/Communities/Students/K12/Technology_Which_Path_Take.cfm
The Top 10 Engineering Achievements of the 20th century as chosen by the readers of Mechanical Engineering magazine.
1. Automobile
2. Apollo
3. Power generation
4. Agricultural mechanization
5. Airplane
6. Integrated circuit mass production
7. Air conditioning and refrigeration
8. CAD/CAM and other CAE technology
9. Bioengineering
10. Codes and standards
Concluding Article
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