Mechanical Engineering

Overview

Mechanical engineering (ME) is perhaps the broadest of the engineering disciplines with students working in a wide range of technical areas. These include acoustics, computer-aided design and analysis, controls, energy conversion and management, mechanical design, mechatronics, and propulsion, among many others. Several courses in nuclear engineering have been added to the mechanical engineering program in recent years. The curriculum provides a strong fundamental background in the engineering sciences as well as mathematics, statistics, thermal fluid engineering, vibrations and controls, and mechanical design. This background is strengthened with instructional laboratories and design courses. Graduates are prepared for professional engineering careers or graduate study.

Curriculum:

Review the Graduation Requirements (Checksheet) for your entering class year to see the required coursework.

Interest Areas and Related Degrees/Minors

The undergraduate ME program provides courses and experiences in a broad range of possible career fields. The department has loosely grouped these fields into four thrust areas: bio, micro, and nano systems; energy engineering and science; design, materials, and manufacturing; robotics, autonomous, and dynamical systems. 

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) in the following majors:

Mechanical Engineering
Our traditional Mechanical Engineering major allows the most flexibility for a student to pursue their personal interests within engineering.  Twelve credits of technical electives and a wide variety of team-based senior design projects allow students to either focus on a specific area of interest or explore different areas within mechanical engineering.
Related Engineering Degrees: Aerospace Engineering | Biomedical Engineering | Material Science and Engineering | Mining Engineering | Ocean Engineering
Related Degrees:  Industrial Design  | Packaging Systems and Design | Physics
Related Minors: Computer Science | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Green Engineering | Industrial Design | Mathematics | Music Technology | Naval Engineering | Nuclear Engineering | Packaging Science | Physics | Science, Technology, and Society

Automotive Engineering
Ready to design the next generation of cars? Automotive engineering will bring together the design and analysis of automotive systems with particular emphasis on chassis systems, engines, vehicle dynamics and control, tire and wheel system, and other important topics. Students in this program will graduate with the skills to design and analyze various automotive subsystems and conduct hands-on research which will provide a rich experience for putting science into motion.
Related Engineering Degrees: Aerospace Engineering | Industrial and Systems Engineering | Materials Science and Engineering 
Related Degrees:  Industrial Design | Physics
Related Minors:  Computer Science | Engineering Science and Mechanics | Green Engineering

Robotics and Mechatronics
This major fuses together skills including controls, automation, coding, electrical engineering, and more. From assistive medical devices to robots used in space, consumer electronics to virtual reality, graduates of this program will find multiple paths available after they finish their degree.
Related Engineering Degrees:  Computer Engineering | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering
Related Minors: Computer Science

The ME department is also host to the Nuclear Engineering program at Virginia Tech, which offers a minor for undergraduate students and a master's and doctoral degree for graduate students.

Getting Involved

Design Teams
Honor Society - Pi Tau Sigma
Professional Society – American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Study Abroad
Undergraduate Research

Career Resources

Our Engineering Career Resource provides you with all of the most frequently used career information websites in one place for ease of access. This list includes links to VT First Destination Post Grad Report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Defense, and many more.