Mechanical Engineering at University of Utah

Program Description

Mechanical engineers play a significant role in designing and manufacturing all of the products and systems essential to everyday modern life: home appliances, bikes, recreational equipment, automobiles, satellites, wheelchairs, airplanes, robots, industrial equipment, and environmental control systems. The field of mechanical engineering (ME) is concerned with the mechanical, thermal, and fluid-flow aspects of all of these systems, including computer and feedback control of complex systems. As a mechanical engineering student at the University of Utah, you will learn the professional, technical, critical thinking, and communication skills you need to be successful and make meaningful contributions to this exciting field.

The Student Experience

The ME curriculum consists of courses throughout the broad disipline including: thermal-fluids, solid mechanics, robotics/mechatronics, and design and manufacturing. The major is built upon primarily math and physics prerequisites and culminates in a year long senior capstone design course. As the ME degree is a broad foundational engineering program, students also have the option to complete one of 13 emphasis areas, allowing them to tailor their program to best fit their strengths and interests. Emphasis areas include:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomechanics
• Design & Manufacturing
• Dynamics & Control
• Ergonomics & Safety
• Fluid Mechanics
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Micro/Nanoscale Engineering
• Robotics & Control
• Solid Mechanics
• Sustainable Energy Engineering
• Thermal Systems Engineering

Regardless of emphasis area, students are encouraged to complete undergraduate research, an internship, and/or sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, further solidifying ME concepts and their use in real-world problems. In addition to academic opportunities, students can get involved in some of the ME student clubs and societies such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the American Nuclear Society (ANS), Utah Student Robotics Club, Formula SAE or our Undergraduate Student Advisory Committee.

Career Opportunities

Mechanical engineers are prepared to pursue work in a variety of fields using the skills gained from research, interning, or coursework. U alumni have found work as engineers in a number of areas such as product design, aerospace, manufacturing, robotics, or sustainable energy - as well, as jobs in quality control and software development. With additional education at the graduate level, students can become professors, researchers, or administrators.