Reflecting the wide diversity of subject matter found in the present-day practice of mechanical engineering, the undergraduate program offers a multitude of opportunities for study and research.
Major areas of interest include mechanics and materials, MEMS/NEMS/NANO, robotics and autonomous systems, sustainable energy, biomechanics and biomechatronics, additive manufacturing, energy conversion, design and manufacturing, HVAC, solid mechanics, automatic controls, dynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, heat transfer, turbomachinery, and combustion. Students with particular interests or highly specific objectives can customize their curriculum by elective courses and appropriate project work.
Career opportunities are found in such diverse areas as power generation, design of machinery, manufacturing, research and development, guidance systems, product design and development, robotics, propulsion engineering, system analysis and design, and many others. Graduates of the program have been successful in gaining admission to the top graduate schools of their choice in the country.
The range and scope of mechanical engineering has undergone radical changes over the past decades, while retaining and expanding traditional areas of endeavor, and Stevens remains at the forefront. Some of the changes have been due to the improvements in auxiliary fields, such as materials, or to the introduction of new fields, such as mechatronics and micromachining. Traditionally, the design and production of machines have been major concerns of the mechanical engineer, working to the basic criteria of price, efficiency and delivery date. Safety and environmental considerations have added new dimensions to the mechanical engineer's task. This is most apparent in the design of new automobiles, where improved mileage and cleaner engines have been coupled with a reduction in weight and size, while greater emphasis has been placed on highway safety. In a time of severe energy shortage, the mechanical engineer is the one person to whom the nation looks for improved utilization of resources and for new forms of energy conversion.
Based on their interests, students may select the electives in a variety of topic areas. Other students may wish to cluster their elective courses in one topic area to gain a specialty within Mechanical Engineering. Please visit the Concentrations page to view the possible specialty areas available.
Supporting the overall Stevens strategic goal of excellence, Stevens' mechanical engineering student advising provides a holistic student resource center committed to promoting the success and encouraging the retention of all students in the mechanical engineering undergraduate program. Recognizing that student advising needs evolve through the course of study, the center focuses on facilitating a positive experience at each stage of the undergraduate program.
Opportunities to participate in research programs include through the Stevens Pinnacle Scholars Program. Each program has a fall exhibition open to the public and where students present their research results.
Additional opportunities (some paid) to conduct research may also be available. Interested undergraduates should review the department research page to identify faculty working in their area of interest.
Undergraduates may attend the weekly seminar series where researchers from industry and academia discuss state-of-the-art topics.
Mechanical Engineering students are well-rounded, with a diversity of interests, skills, and talents. With many activities including athletics, music and theater, undergraduates have a number of opportunities to extend their learning outside of the classroom.
of Class of 2019 secured jobs at graduation or graduate school admissions
The average starting salary for the Class of 2019
"Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering" by Best College Reviews, 2020
Ranked among the 30 U.S. colleges where students go on to earn the most money - Money Magazine, 2017
In alumni earnings, ranked by Forbes based on data from the Center for College Affordability and Productivity and the new U.S. Dept. of Ed. College Scorecard.
PayScale reports Stevens has the 10th-highest return on investment in the U.S.
Awarded for "Best Career Placement" from The Princeton Review’s "The Best Value Colleges," 2019
"Most Innovative Schools" in the nation, U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges 2018 rankings.