Undergraduate Students
Mechanical engineers apply the principles of motion, energy, and force to solve challenges and create new technologies to make life better and more sustainable.
About one in five of all engineers practicing today are mechanical engineers. Their skills are used in research, development, design, testing, production, technical sales, technical management, as well as medicine, law, and business. Mechanical engineers are characterized by personal creativity, breadth of knowledge, and versatility. For these reasons they serve as valuable members and leaders of multidisciplinary teams. Mechanical engineers are employed in a wide range of industries; examples include agricultural/heavy equipment, biomedical, consulting, energy and power, manufacturing, product design and transportation.
Core Curriculum
The mechanical engineering core curriculum is designed to provide undergraduate students exposure to each of the four major areas in the field:
- Design and Optimization
- Materials and Manufacturing
- Thermal Fluids
- Dynamic Systems
Complementary Minors
Along with a major in Mechanical Engineering, students can also get a minor in other fields of engineering.
Concurrent Programs
Also available to students is the concurrent BS/MS degrees program. The concurrent BS/MS classification offers an opportunity for well-qualified Iowa State juniors and seniors to begin working on a master’s degree before completing a bachelor’s degree.