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College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture

BS in Mechanical Engineering

At a Glance

Mechanical Engineering truly embodies the spirit of creativity and innovation as it is one of the broadest areas of study in engineering. This diverse program encompasses key aspects of engineering that deal with the application of mechanics to the design of machines.

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Bachelor of Science

132

Minor

18

BS + MEng Degrees

156

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Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program will expose you to foundational engineering skills that employers are looking for. You will also learn about careers in the automotive, aerospace, or power generation industries and those focused on noise control, mechatronics, and biomedical applications.

Questions?
Contact Program Director Ted Diehl.

About This Degree

bs-mechanical-CETA

The field of mechanical engineering offers a diverse blend of career opportunities such as:

  • Energy Conversion
  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning
  • Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanics of Solids
  • Mechatronics and Robotics

...and more!

Why UHart?

You can select one of six concentrations to expand your knowledge in a niche area that is personalized to your interests. These fields include acoustics, computational, energy engineering and sustainability, manufacturing, robotics, and turbomachinery.

Our state-of-the-art labs and spaces offer your a collaborative space to engage in project-based learning that mirrors industry expectations. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you will be part of a supportive community of distinguished professionals and students that are motivated to help you succeed both academically and professionally.

About the Minor

The minor in mechanical engineering (ME) consists of six courses (18 credits) from the following list or any additional ME courses approved by the Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering Department chair. Courses are selected with advice from a mechanical engineering faculty member to ensure that they are taken in the necessary sequence.

Degree Requirements

For more information, and to see a complete list of degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.

Core Classes

  • ES 212 | Mechanics of Materials
  • ME 340 | Fluid Mechanics
  • ME 370 | Elements of Mechanical Design
  • ME 472 | Capstone Design Project
  • ME 473 | Capstone Design Project II

Additional Requirements

Basic tools of engineering practice, such as graphic communication, computer-aided drafting/design, and computer programming, including applications and simulation, are also required knowledge. The basic engineering sciences, such as statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, material science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electrical circuits, design of machine elements, and control theory, complete the introductory phase of the program.

Extensive laboratory experience enhances the theoretical course work. There are several required laboratory courses in the sciences and engineering. Written and oral communication of laboratory results is required.

Oral presentation by the students is introduced in the first year and continues through to the capstone design course, as well as in several other required advanced and elective courses.

Zamir Primus

Mechanical Engineering, 2023

Build and design has always been a passion of Zamir Primus ’23, a College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) mechanical engineering student. This summer, Primus accepted an internship at Turbine Controls, an FAA-approved aircraft repair station that works on the engines for major aircraft like Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s, and even F-35 supersonic fighter jets.

My models have to be accurate to the thousandths of an inch, so I have learned the importance of recognizing the nitty-gritty details behind the parts I work on.

Concentrations

professor and student in sound room

If you pursue engineering to study acoustics you will have many career areas to choose from including audio engineering (high fidelity sound system design); architectural acoustics (design of concert halls, recording studios, and music rooms); musical acoustics (design of musical instruments); noise control and sound quality (of machinery, jet engines, automobiles, and environmental regulations); and bioacoustics (design of hearing aids, replacement parts for the ear, hearing test equipment).

Learn more about the two options UHart offers in Acoustics here.

Computational Mechanical Engineering (CompME) provides you with the modern modeling and simulation skills used across all engineering and science disciplines. You will gain experience creating models of new and existing systems, simulating systems, visualizing results of your models and simulations, going through the process of verification and validation, optimizing solutions, and building applications that are used in manufacturing, energy, and aerospace industries, among others.

Simulation app built by undergraduate students Jeffrey Severino (2019) and Iliana Albion-Poles (2019). Their work was supported by the Connecticut Space Grant for Faculty Research. The app predicts the appearance of tones in a dual stream 4-strut nozzle for jet engines.

The above image is from a simulation app built by undergraduate mechanical engineering students with acoustics concentration Jeffrey Severino '19 and Iliana Albion-Poles '19. Their work was supported by the Connecticut Space Grant for Faculty Research. The app predicts the appearance of tones in a dual stream 4-strut nozzle for jet engines.

Fig 2 Flow Past a Cylinder, Simulation app built by undergraduate student Patrick Dubiel (’19)

The above image is a Flow Past a Cylinder, Simulation app built by undergraduate student Patrick Dubiel ’19, BSME.

Fig 3 Sample gif will provide caption if you can use it Stefan Keilich (’18)

The above gif is based on the paper "Design of an Electro-Osmotic Microfluidic Mixer" by Stefan Keilich '18, BSME.

With our concentration in energy engineering and sustainable design, you can focus your studies on technologies in renewable (solar, wind, geothermal, ocean wave, etc.); as well as on non-renewable (nuclear and other conventional fossil-fuel based); energy production and conversion. Emphasis is placed on the judicious use of energy in the conception and design of mechanical systems and processes for energy production and consumption. The concentration prepares you to enter careers in building mechanical systems (HVAC design); power plants (energy production); utility companies (energy distribution); and industrial manufacturing facilities (energy use, design and auditing).

The concentration in manufacturing is an interdisciplinary field with a significant design emphasis that includes a broad range of specialization from materials, machining, fabrication, automation and microelectronics, to systems and systems control, and robotics. You will learn to apply state-of-the-art real-world manufacturing technologies (computer aided design—CAD; computer aided manufacturing—CAM; computer aided inspection and quality control—CAIQC), to help manufacturers increase productivity, quality, and cost effectiveness in the engineering design and manufacturing sectors.

professor and students working on robots

As the demand for “smart” factories and automation is increasing, so does the need for robots. With our robotics concentration, you will be in an intellectually stimulating and project-based environment, learning to program and operate robots and autonomous vehicles. Emphasis is placed on helping you understand the design of robots, modeling their dynamic control systems, and interfacing sub-systems with sensors, actuators, and controllers.

Aerospace engineering turbomachinery lab

Turbomachinery is a diverse field that draws on most of the disciplines and specializations in mechanical engineering. You will focus on machines that add and/or extract energy between a rotor and a fluid, including turbines and compressors. Turbomachinery can include everything from Dutch windmills to jet engines and the space shuttle’s main engine turbopumps. You will be able to enter challenging careers with companies that design and manufacture wind, water and steam turbines, as well as fans, pumps, and compressors.

Accreditation

The mechanical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

The Mechanical Engineering program seeks to prepare students for productive, rewarding careers in the engineering profession. During their careers our alumni:

1. will become successful practicing engineers in a wide range of mechanical engineering fields and will advance professionally by accepting responsibilities and, potentially, pursuing leadership roles (PEO1);

2. will advance their knowledge of engineering, both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences (PEO2); and

3. will, as contributing members of multidisciplinary engineering teams, successfully apply the fundamentals of engineering analysis and engineering design to the formulation and solution of emerging technical problems (PEO3).

The engineering design experience is distributed over the entire engineering curriculum. The curricular sequence ensures that there is a one-half year of credits devoted to design content, which begins in the first-year course Engineering and Design and continues through the senior year's Capstone Design Project. The majority of the design work is incorporated into the junior and senior years to ensure that the students have taken sufficient preparatory engineering science courses.

Basic concepts of physics, chemistry, and mathematics create the foundation on which all engineering education is built. Basic tools of engineering practice, such as graphic communication, computer-aided drafting/design, and computer programming and applications, are also required knowledge. The basic engineering sciences, such as statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, material science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electrical circuits, design of machine elements, and control theory, complete the introductory phase of the program.

Mechanical engineering is generally considered to consist of a number of engineering subject areas, such as:

  • Energy Conversion
  • Fluid Flow
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning
  • Instrumentation
  • Machine Design
  • Manufacturing Industrial Engineering
  • Materials
  • Mechanics of Solids
  • Mechanisms
  • Noise Control
    Refrigeration
    System Control

All mechanical engineering students have the opportunity to take elective courses in any of the above subject areas. Through proper choice of electives, a student may become specialized in one or two of these areas. The Mechanical Engineering department has formalized three areas (acoustics, energy and sustainability, and manufacturing) as designated concentrations, with a separate curriculum listing.

Extensive laboratory experience enhances the theoretical coursework. There are several required laboratory courses in the sciences and engineering. Written and oral communication of laboratory results is needed.

Oral presentation by the students is introduced in the first year and continues through to the capstone design course, as well as in several other required advanced and elective courses.

Through participation in the All-University Curriculum and in additional elective courses in the humanities and/or social sciences, students are given the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and to take part in the larger learning community of the University. It is imperative that engineers understand and appreciate the unique role that technology plays in our society and the interactions between and among the various components of our society.

The student learning outcomes of the mechanical engineering program leading to BSME degree are aligned with the student learning outcomes of ABET EAC (1 through 7), and prepare graduates of the program to attain the program educational objectives.

Student outcomes (1) through (7) are articulated as follows:

(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.

Academic Year First-Year Sophomore Junior Senior Total Graduates
20-21 30 29 39 57 42
19-20 37 37 41 73 55
18-19 48 43 42 73 69
17-18 59 49 49 75 51
16-17 56 54 45 76 52

4+1 Program (BS + MEng degrees)

The program is designed to allow full-time engineering students to earn their Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Engineering (MEng) degrees in five years of study. Two graduate-level courses taken in the undergraduate program may be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Students usually commit to the program at the start of the second semester of their junior year, and juniors who are interested should contact their department chair.

In order to be accepted into the program, students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the junior year (below 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Contact Laurie Granstrand to learn more.

Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering Faculty

Claudio Campana
Applied Assistant Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Howard Canistraro
Associate Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Robert D. Celmer
Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Edward Diehl
Program Director, Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Suhash Ghosh
Associate Director, Center for Manufacturing and Metrology; Associate Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Christopher Jasinski
Program Director, Acoustical Engineering & Music Program
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Ivana Milanovic
Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Enrico Obst
Visiting Assistant Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Mark Orelup
Adjunct Faculty
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Allan Penda
Adjunct Faculty
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Chittaranjan Sahay
Vernon D. Roosa Distinguished Professor; Director, Center for Manufacturing and Metrology
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Paul Slaboch
Chair; Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering Department; Program Director, Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Akin Tatoglu
Assistant Dean; Associate Professor, Director of Autonomous Mobile Robotics Group
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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Cy Yavuzturk
Director, Clean Energy Institute; Professor
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Acoustical Engineering

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