At which campus can I study this program?
Begin Campus
Any Penn State Campus
End Campus
Harrisburg
Degree Information At Additional Campuses
Program Description
Built upon a broad foundation in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, this major has the objective of educating graduates to be problem solvers. Graduates of this program will have had opportunities to learn about applying scientific principles, engineering analysis, and engineering design to solve unstructured problems that are typical of those found in mechanical engineering. The major helps prepare graduates for a lifelong productive career, whether they choose professional practice, graduate school, or some other career path. Graduates will have had opportunities to learn how to work with others toward a common goal, to clearly express their ideas in written and verbal form, and to be independent and capable of adapting to the continuously changing technology of the work environment.
After completing the fundamental science core, students may pursue their interest in mechanical engineering by studying fluid and solid mechanics, engineering materials and their properties, thermodynamics and heat transfer, computer-aided design, kinematics and dynamics of machine elements, machine design, finite elements, control systems, electricity, and electronic instrumentation and machinery. The students will be required to analyze and solve a significant mechanical engineering design problem during their senior year.
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineering is the largest and broadest engineering discipline. It uses a combination of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and materials science to study mechanical, fluid, and thermal systems. Mechanical engineers are problem solvers: They use their foundational knowledge to apply scientific and engineering methods to the design, construction, and testing of products and components to ensure that they are safe, reliable, and cost effective. Mechanical engineering differs from mechanical engineering technology in that it emphasizes the math and science behind the theoretical development of engineering analysis and design process principles rather than the application of these principles. Mechanical engineers design everything from athletic equipment, medical devices, theme park rides, and personal computers to engines and power plants.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are a curious, creative problem solver.
- You are interested in engineering, math, chemistry, and physics.
- You are looking for a broad discipline with career flexibility.
- You enjoy working on team-based projects.
Entrance to Major
In addition to the Carnegie unit and minimum GPA requirements1 described by University policies, all students applying for entrance to any of the engineering majors at Behrend, Berks, or Capital college must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the semester prior to applying for entrance to the major and have completed, with a minimum grade of C: CHEM 110, MATH 140, MATH 141, and PHYS 211. These courses must be completed by the end of the semester during which the admission to major process is carried out.
| 1 | In the event that the major is under enrollment control, a higher minimum cumulative grade-point average is likely to be needed. |
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, a minimum of 131 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Requirements for the Major | 107-108 |
21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 3 credits of GWS courses.
Per Senate Policy 83.80.5, the college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of coursework in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol 
appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
Each student must earn at least a grade of C in each 300- and 400-level course in the major field.
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CMPSC 200 | Programming for Engineers with MATLAB | 3 |
| EDSGN 100S | Introduction to Engineering Design | 3 |
| EE 211 | Electrical Circuits and Power Distribution | 3 |
| ENGL 202C | Effective Writing: Technical Writing | 3 |
| MATH 230 | Calculus and Vector Analysis | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I | 3 |
| EMCH 211 | Statics | 3 |
| EMCH 212 | Dynamics | 3 |
| EMCH 213 | Strength of Materials | 3 |
| MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 220 | Matrices | 2-3 |
| MATH 251 | Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations | 4 |
| MATSE 259 | Properties and Processing of Engineering Materials | 3 |
| ME 300 | Engineering Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| ME 320 | Fluid Flow | 3 |
| ME 345W | Instrumentation, Measurements, and Statistics | 4 |
| ME 349 | Intermediate Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| ME 357 | System Dynamics | 3 |
| ME 365 | Materials Testing Laboratory | 1 |
| ME 367 | Machine Design | 3 |
| ME 380 | Machine Dynamics | 3 |
| ME 410 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| ME 448 | Engineering Design Concepts | 3 |
| ME 449 | Mechanical Design Projects | 3 |
| ME 468 | Engineering for Manufacturing | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| or ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Experimental Chemistry I and General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics | ||
| Chemical Principles II | ||
| Introduction to Human Physiology | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 13 credits of program elective courses from school-approved list 1 | 13 | |
| 1 | These credits must be selected to fulfill the thematic requirements of the major. |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Harrisburg
Issam Abu-Mahfouz, Ph.D., P.E.
Program Chair
Olmsted Building W239
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6361
iaa2@psu.edu
Berks
Rungun Nathan
Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
Gaige 223
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6170
rungun.nathan@psu.edu
Erie
Elisa Wu, Ph.D.
Program Chair, Professor
227 AMIC
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6559
yxw22@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Harrisburg Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15 or 30‡ | 3 | PHYS 211*† | 4 |
| MATH 140*† | 4 | MATH 141*† | 4 |
| EDSGN 100S | 3 | CAS 100‡ | 3 |
| CHEM 110*† | 3 | MATH 220* | 2 |
| CHEM 111 | 1 | ECON 102 or 104† | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EMCH 211* | 3 | EMCH 212* | 3 |
| PHYS 212 | 4 | EMCH 213* | 3 |
| MATH 230 | 4 | ME 300* | 3 |
| MATH 251* | 4 | EE 211, 210, or 212 | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | CMPSC 200 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 16.5 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 202C‡ | 3 | PHYS 214 | 2 |
| MATSE 259* | 3 | ME 345W* | 4 |
| ME 320* | 3 | ME 357* | 3 |
| ME 349* | 3 | ME 367* | 3 |
| ME 365* | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| ME 380* | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ME 410* | 3 | ME 449* | 3 |
| ME 448* | 3 | 4XX Engineering Elective* | 3 |
| ME 468* | 3 | 4XX Engineering Elective* | 3 |
| ME 308 or 465* | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 4XX Engineering Elective* | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 4XX Engineering Elective* | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 16 | 16.5 | ||
| Total Credits 131 | |||
| * | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
| ‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
| # | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
| † | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
| 1 | CHEM 111 - Experimental Chemistry I Students may substitute either CHEM 112 (3) or BIOL 141 (3) for the combination of CHEM 111 (1) and PHYS 214 (2). |
| 2 | PHYS 214 - General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics |
| 3 | 4XX Engineering Elective See list below for eligible electives |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
Program Notes
4XX Engineering Electives include:
- ME 402 - Power Plants
- ME 408 - Energy Systems
- ME 431 - Internal Combustion Engines
- ME 455 - Automatic Control Systems
- ME 460 - Advance Machine Design Problems
- ME 461 - Finite element in Engineering
- ENVE 430 - Sustainable Engineering
- and others offered by the program
Career Paths
Because every industry values a mechanical engineer’s problem-solving capabilities, you’ll enjoy tremendous career flexibility in disciplines as varied as research, manufacturing, product and systems design and testing, health care, energy, the military, transportation, and consumer products. A mechanical engineering education also is excellent preparation for technical management, business, law, or technical sales.
Careers
Typical entry-level careers for mechanical engineering graduates are applications engineer, design engineer and mechanical design engineer, test engineer, equipment installation engineering, facilities technician, stress analysis engineer, product development engineer, and project engineer.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Graduate programs in mechanical engineering delve more deeply into areas of specialization such as automotive engineering, robotics, advanced manufacturing, thermal science, computational fluid mechanics, combustion modeling, or biomechanical engineering.
Professional Resources
Accreditation
This Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Contact
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
Olmsted Building, W239
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6116
kmb51@psu.edu
Berks
EBC DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6170
rungun.nathan@psu.edu
http://berks.psu.edu/bs-mechanical-engineering
Erie
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
242 Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center
5101 Jordan Road
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6153
engineering@psu.edu