Mechanical Engineering Major

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.

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and most diverse of the engineering fields. 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 vehicles
  • power plants; control systems
  • machinery
  • machine tools
  • conventional and nuclear-powered power production facilities
  • biomedical devices
  • space vehicles
  • pollution control
  • new energy sources
  • energy conversion
  • transportation systems
  • military weapons systems

These 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.  

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. The mechanical engineering major is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Mechanical engineering majors have a lab requirement component. This major offers an honors track. 

To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

Required Courses

MC306 DYNAMICS 

MC364 MECHANICS OF MATERIALS 

MC380 ENGINEERING MATERIALS

ME201 INTRO TO MECH ENGINEERING 

ME202 COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

ME400 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SEMINAR

ME403 MANUFACTURING/MACHINE COMP DSN

ME480 HEAT TRANSFER

MC486 VIBRATION ENGINEERING

XE472 DYNAMIC MODELING AND CONTROL

 

Sample Electives

MC311 THERMAL-FLUID SYSTEMS I

MC312 THERMAL-FLUID SYSTEMS II

ME301 THERMODYNAMICS 

ME362 FLUID MECHANICS

CE350 INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING

CE403 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

CH362 MASS & ENERGY BALANCES 

CH364 CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING

EE360 DIGITAL LOGIC W/ EMBEDDED SYS

EE377 ELECTRICAL POWER ENGNRNG 

EM381 ENGINEERING ECONOMY

MC486 VIBRATION ENGINEERING

ME387 INTRODUCTION TO AERONAUTICS

ME388 HELICOPTER AERONAUTICS

ME389I NTRO TO ADV STUDY IN MECH ENG

ME389A INTRO TO ADV STUDY IN MECH ENG

ME472 ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS

ME481 AIRCRAFT AERODYNAMICS AND DSGN

ME490 TOPICS IN MECHANICAL ENGNRG

ME493 WEAPONS ENGINEERING

NE300 FUNDAMENTALS OF NUCLEAR ENGR

NE355 NUCLEAR REACTOR ENGINEERING

XE310 INTRO TO BIOMECH ENGINEERING

XE472 DYNAMIC MODELING AND CONTROL

XE475 MECHATRONICS

 

This major offers an honors track. 

 

To learn more, view the full Mechanical Engineering Major Curriculum.

Mechanical engineering majors are able to study abroad including in Egypt, Mexico, China, Russia, and Canada. Cadets in this major have the opportunity to apply for 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 Society
Phi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor Society

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering or the Center for Innovation & Engineering.