Mechanical Engineering BS

91制片厂鈥檚 state-of-the-art Mechanical Engineering Program sets you apart from typical engineering students in the following ways:

  1. Small class sizes. From your very first year, you鈥檒l benefit from small, engaging, and interactive classes. You鈥檒l get to know your professors and classmates well, creating an environment where you learn and grow together.

  2. Hands-on experience. You鈥檒l gain ample hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment in our brand-new laboratories. Every course includes an applied component鈥攚hether you鈥檙e 3D-printing custom components, building a wooden bridge, or taking fluid measurements in a flume.

  3. Holistic education. At 91制片厂, you鈥檒l be prepared to become not just a skilled engineer, but an ethical one. You鈥檒l learn how to work responsibly with AI, take on senior capstone projects that serve the greater good, and even have the offering of a humanitarian engineering course with an optional Spring Break experience in your senior year.

  4. Professional mentorship. You鈥檒l be supported as you prepare for life after graduation鈥攚hether your next step is entering the workforce or pursuing graduate school. You鈥檒l be guided to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, have the chance to participate in summer research with faculty through 91制片厂鈥檚 URP program, and at a career fair tailored for Science and Engineering students.

  5. Nurturing environment. At 91制片厂, you鈥檒l feel like part of a family. Your professors will be approachable, patient, and supportive, no matter your background. You鈥檒l also have access to a full-time Student Success Coach dedicated to helping you succeed as a well-rounded individual.

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Program Information

91制片厂's Mechanical Engineering Program offers a comprehensive and cutting-edge education. The program is known for its commitment to academic excellence, hands-on learning, and a strong focus on developing well-rounded engineers.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

School of Science and Engineering

Academic Department

Mechanical Engineering

Duration

4 years

Required Credit Hours

130

Modality

In-Person

I Can Help You Reach Your Bigger Goals!

I can help you get started on your academic path. Please contact me if you have questions.

Dr. Phillip Palmer

Associate Dean

Science and Engineering

a male in a blue coat

A Sneak Peak Inside The Labs

 

What鈥檚 it like to study Mechanical Engineering at 91制片厂?

In this video, students and faculty from the School of Science and Engineering offer an inside look at the program.

How 91制片厂 Prepares the Next Generation of Mechanical Engineers

From hands-on learning and cutting-edge research to a supportive community and career-ready curriculum, 91制片厂 is shaping future engineers to lead with purpose and innovation.

From The Chair

girl in a blue shirt

Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic, ever-evolving field that covers everything from robotics to electric cars, and even power plants. What really sets us apart is the hands-on experience students get with the latest technology, software and research.

Katherine Hornbostel, Ph.D. Department Chair and Associate Professor
Take The Next Step

Discover, Connect and Grow Beyond the Classroom

male in a red shirt

Explore Research Opportunities

The School of Science and Engineering is a vibrant center for discoveries that benefit society, featuring eight departments, numerous research centers, abundant undergraduate research opportunities鈥攊ncluding 91制片厂's Summer Undergraduate Research Program鈥攁nd a rapidly growing funded-research budget. Our strong partnerships in Pittsburgh and around the world further enhance our collaborative initiatives.

students of the SACNAS organization

Get Involved on Campus

You can explore your interests through approximately 14 student organizations, which are open to science and engineering majors. These options include joining the American Chemical Society, the Biomedical Engineering Society, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Multicultural STEM Group, among others, to connect with like-minded peers and pursue your passions.

Now Open And Ready For You

The newly renovated Mechanical Engineering Laboratory and Machine Shop will be a hub for experiential learning where you will develop the technical competencies, practical skills and professional readiness sought by employers.

people cutting a ribbon
a male and two females looking at a piece of equipment
a group of people in a lab
two males in front of a computer in a lab
a group of people and a piece of equipment in a lab
a group of people in a lab
two people looking at a piece of equipment
two people looking at a piece of equipment
a group of people in a lab

Faculty & Staff

Katherine Hornbostel, Ph.D.

Katherine Hornbostel, Ph.D.

Department Chair

Caleb Foster, Ph.D.

Caleb Foster, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Amin Ghorbanpour, Ph.D.

Amin Ghorbanpour, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Lane Hall, CAP

Lane Hall, CAP

Administrative Assistant

Justine Valenti, M.S.Ed.

Justine Valenti, M.S.Ed.

Student Success Coach

Curriculum

This is the suggested course sequence for the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program, which includes 130 credits. Throughout the program, you鈥檒l dive into hands-on learning, work on real-world projects, and collaborate on research鈥攁ll designed to help you build the skills you need to succeed as an engineer.

Fall Semester (16 Credits):

  • ENGR 100: Intro to Engineering 鈥� 3 cr
  • CHEM 121: General Chemistry I with Lab & Recitation 鈥� 5 cr
  • MATH 115: Calculus I 鈥� 4 cr
  • PHYS 211: General Analytical Physics I with Lab 鈥� 4 cr

Spring Semester (17 Credits):

  • ENGR 110: Programming for Engineers 鈥� 3 cr
  • CHEM 122: General Chemistry II with Lab & Recitation 鈥� 5 cr
  • MATH 116: Calculus II 鈥� 4 cr
  • PHYS 212: General Analytical Physics II with Lab 鈥� 4 cr
  • BRDG 100: Research & Information Skills 鈥� 1 cr

Fall Semester (16 Credits):

  • MATH 215: Calculus III 鈥� 4 cr
  • PHYS 332W: Electronics 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH 200: Engineering Design 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH 201: Statics 鈥� 3 cr
  • BRDG 101: Writing & Analysis 鈥� 3 cr

Spring Semester (16 credits):

  • MATH 314: Differential Equations 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH 202: Mechanics of Materials 鈥� 4 cr
  • MECH 203: Dynamics 鈥� 3 cr
  • BRDG 105P/T/H: Intro to Ethical Reasoning 鈥� 3 cr
  • BRDG 102: Writing & Literature 鈥� 3 cr

Fall Semester (18 Credits):

  • MECH 301: Data Analysis 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH 302: Fluid Mechanics 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH 303: Control Systems 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH 204: Thermodynamics 鈥� 3 cr
  • EQ: Essential Questions 鈥� 3 cr
  • Bridges 鈥� Social & Historical Reasoning 鈥� 3 cr

Spring Semester (17 Credits):

  • MECH 306: Heat Transfer 鈥� 4 cr
  • MECH 307: Mechanical Design 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH 304: Mechatronics 鈥� 4 cr
  • MECH 305: Manufacturing 鈥� 3 cr
  • COMM 340W: Technical Communication 鈥� 3 cr

Fall Semester (15 Credits):

  • MECH Capstone Design I 鈥� 3 cr
  • Thermal System Design 鈥� 3 cr
  • MECH Elective (1)* 鈥� 3 cr
  • Robotics 鈥� 3 cr
  • Bridges- Theology 鈥� 3 cr

Spring Semester (15 Credits):

  • MECH Capstone Design II 鈥� 3 cr
  • Humanitarian Engineering鈥� 3 cr 
  • MECH Elective (2) 鈥� 3 cr
  • Bridges- Elective 鈥� 3 cr
  • Bridges 鈥� Philosophy 鈥� 3 cr
Choose Two
  • Aerospace Engineering 鈥� 3 cr
  • Additive Manufacturing 鈥� 3 cr
  • Automotive Engineering 鈥� 3 cr
  • AI & Machine Learning 鈥� 3 cr
  • Clean Energy Engineering 鈥� 3 cr
  • Finite Element Analysis 鈥� 3 cr

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program at 91制片厂 are expected to: 

  1. Demonstrate expertise in applying engineering principles to collaboratively solve problems associated with the mechanical engineering profession.
  2. Uphold the integrity of the engineering profession by being honest in their work, and by using their knowledge and skills to enhance human welfare.
  3. Continue learning and growing professionally鈥痶hroughout their careers by seeking out new knowledge and skills to advance the engineering profession.

Student Outcomes

The student outcomes of the mechanical engineering program include:
  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 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.