The undergraduate curriculum in mechanical engineering (ME) is very broad and flexible. The curriculum comprises a ME core of fundamental concepts, plus a design/professional-practice stem, plus 15 credit hours of free electives. The program prepares students to be problem solvers and to contribute to a wide range of industries and businesses, or to go on for further study in graduate school. There is a strong emphasis in the ME program on design, creativity, and hands-on learning. Due to the wide range of career choices open to MEs, the program incorporates courses in electronics, materials science, computer programming, and manufacturing. The large number of free elective hours allows students to pursue minors and certificates throughout the Institute, or to specialize in areas within ME. The flexibility also helps students to pursue a variety of special programs including co-op, internships, study abroad, and undergraduate research.

Program Educational Objectives

The faculty of the Woodruff School strives to continuously improve our undergraduate programs in mechanical engineering. The educational objectives reflect the needs, and have been reviewed by, among others, the Advisory Board of the Woodruff School, the faculty, and the students.

• Our graduates will be recognized leaders in ME-related fields or other career paths, including industry, academe, government, and non-governmental organizations.
• Our graduates will be global collaborators, leading and participating in culturally diverse teams, who fearlessly discover and apply new knowledge and engineering practices that have a world-wide impact.
• Our graduates will be adaptive learners who continue to grow professionally by obtaining professional registration or certification, or by earning post-graduate degrees.
• Our graduates will be entrepreneurially minded innovators who have a positive economic and social impact on their communities, the nation, and society as a whole.

The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering has established concentration areas in sub-fields of Mechanical Engineering. Concentrations are optional for the students; they are not required. The Concentrations are each fifteen hours of classes, and will satisfy the Design Elective, the ME Elective and nine hours of Free Electives.