Mechanical Engineering Major Mechanical Engineering Major Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest of all engineering disciplines, traditionally encompassing three primary subfields: energy, mechanisms and machinery, and manufacturing. Although its primary purpose could be summarized as creating and improving machines to benefit mankind, this fundamental task engages the mechanical engineer in a vast array of fascinating specialty areas.Offered by the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. Breadcrumb academics majors and minors mechanical engineering major academics-sidebarnav MENU Academic Program Majors & Minors Departments Internships Study Abroad Scholars Program Service Academy Exchange Program Annual Theme Overview Courses Enrichment Accreditation 2023 U.S. News and World Report: ME Program #5 in the Nation.What is Mechanical Engineering?Mechanical Engineering is the broadest and most diverse of the engineering fields with applications ranging from vehicles, weapons, aircraft, energy, biomechanics, mechatronics, and more. Traditionally, mechanical engineering encompasses three primary subfields: energy, mechanisms and machinery, and manufacturing. Although its primary purpose could be summarized as creating and improving machines to benefit mankind, this fundamental task engages the mechanical engineer in a vast array of fascinating specialty areas.Mechanical engineers work in fields ranging from robotics to superconductivity, from centrifuges to artificial joints and limbs, from rocket propulsion systems to air conditioners. Almost everything sold on the market today has involved mechanical engineering, from its very conception and design to its production and marketing.Mechanical engineers have an impact on so many aspects of everyday life. It deals with devices and systems for energy conversion, for material transport, and for control of motion and forces. Here is a sampling of topics addressed by the discipline:air, ground, and sea vehiclespower plants; control systemsmachinerymachine toolsconventional and nuclear-powered power production facilitiesbiomedical devicesspace vehiclespollution controlnew energy sourcesenergy conversiontransportation systemsmilitary weapons systemsThese modern weapons systems are used as vehicles of instruction in many of the courses, making mechanical engineering particularly appropriate for those considering service in most branches of the Army as well as specialties such as engineers, aviation, research and development, project management, and logistics.Why study Mechanical Engineering?Mechanical Engineering teaches you how things work. This will be of enormous benefit to you as an Army officer in an increasingly technical world. Almost everything used in the military has involved mechanical engineering at all or most stages of its design and production.Mechanical Engineering teaches you how to think. Mechanical engineers learn how to describe, analyze, and solve problems using mathematics and systematic problem-solving techniques. Learning to think logically and to work systematically contributes to an ability to address new and difficult problems with confidence.Mechanical Engineering teaches you how to oversee complicated and interdisciplinary projects. Because a mechanical engineering education teaches you how things work and how to logically solve new problems, mechanical engineers are in very high demand as project managers.Mechanical Engineering provides an opportunity for solving challenging, real-life problems for the benefit of the Army and society. Engineers are explorers and inventors. They push technological frontiers to improve the quality of life for our nation’s citizens today and for the future. The Army provides many postgraduate educational and research opportunities at top universities and research laboratories for its best engineering minds.Mechanical Engineering allows you to keep your options open. Mechanical engineers possess excellent reasoning skills and understand their world. These qualities make mechanical engineers competitive for most graduate programs of study in engineering as well as law, business, and medicine.What will I study?Majors choose from a number of inter-disciplinary electives in a number of areas within mechanical engineering.Aeronautical Systems: Students study the science and design of fixed wing flight systems. Cadets fly in Army airplanes and helicopters as part of their coursework.Automotive and Weapon Systems: Students gain an in-depth knowledge of automotive power and transmission systems, as well as weapon systems. Much of this material is presented in the context of Army vehicles and systems.Biomechanics: Students explore biology and human physiology, in order to create interactions between human and mechanical systems.Power and Energy: Students learn about energy resources, alternative energy, energy storage, conversion between forms of energy, and energy performance limitations as they apply to satisfying the needs of mankind.Mechatronics: Students apply skills from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to enable real-world control of robots, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and other autonomous systems.Questions: Dr. Greg Freisinger, ME Program Director or to learn more about the program, click this link.To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. Required CoursesMC306 DYNAMICS MC364 MECHANICS OF MATERIALS MC380 ENGINEERING MATERIALSME201 INTRO TO MECH ENGINEERING ME202 COMPUTER AIDED DESIGNME400 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SEMINARME403 MANUFACTURING/MACHINE COMP DSNME480 HEAT TRANSFERMC486 VIBRATION ENGINEERINGXE472 DYNAMIC MODELING AND CONTROLSample ElectivesMC311 THERMAL-FLUID SYSTEMS IMC312 THERMAL-FLUID SYSTEMS IIME301 THERMODYNAMICS ME362 FLUID MECHANICSCE350 INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERINGCE403 STRUCTURAL ANALYSISCH362 MASS & ENERGY BALANCES CH364 CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERINGEE360 DIGITAL LOGIC W/ EMBEDDED SYSEE377 ELECTRICAL POWER ENGNRNG EM381 ENGINEERING ECONOMYMC486 VIBRATION ENGINEERINGME387 INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICSME388 HELICOPTER AERONAUTICSME389I NTRO TO ADV STUDY IN MECH ENGME389A INTRO TO ADV STUDY IN MECH ENGME472 ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMSME481 AIRCRAFT AERODYNAMICS AND DSGNME490 TOPICS IN MECHANICAL ENGNRGME493 WEAPONS ENGINEERINGNE300 FUNDAMENTALS OF NUCLEAR ENGRNE355 NUCLEAR REACTOR ENGINEERINGXE310 INTRO TO BIOMECH ENGINEERINGXE472 DYNAMIC MODELING AND CONTROLXE475 MECHATRONICSThis major offers an honors track. To learn more, view the full Mechanical Engineering Major Curriculum. Mechanical engineering majors are able to study abroad in locations such as Egypt, Mexico, China, Russia, and Canada. Majors have the opportunity to participate in a summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experience. Cadets will work alongside world-class professional engineers and researchers, gaining invaluable knowledge and insight into the facilities, methods, and procedures used to design, test, and improve Army systems. Honor Societies:Golden Key - International Honour SocietyPhi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor SocietyTo learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering or the Center for Innovation & Engineering. ABET AccreditationThe Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical Engineering Program Criteria.Mechanical engineers possess excellent reasoning skills and understand their world. These qualities make mechanical engineers competitive for most graduate programs of study in engineering as well as law, business, and medicine.Mechanical engineering majors have a lab requirement component. This major offers an honors track.ABET Mechanical Engineering Student Outcomes Student Outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. Cadets who qualify for graduation with a mechanical engineering major from USMA will demonstrate: an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematicsan 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 an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiencesan 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 contextsan ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectivesan ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusionsan ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategiesABET Mechanical Engineering Program Educational ObjectivesProgram Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve.Within a few years after graduation, mechanical engineering majors are expected to attain:multiple positions of responsibility in which they:drive outcomes inform and influence others build teamspersonal and professional growth through formal and informal learning opportunities while being a role model to inspire othersexperience in providing engineering expertise to the Army and Nation to design solutions and innovate for winning in a complex worldFor the current and recent enrollment and graduate statistics, click the link for View by ABET major under the section 'Enrollment by ABET major'.