The ME Department offers a curriculum that combines a foundation in mathematics and science and a core of engineering science and mechanics based courses with the creative processes of engineering design and supports student groups engaged in design-intensive and entrepreneurial extracurricular activities. The program integrates individual mastery of core subjects in fluid mechanics, thermal engineering, mechanical systems, and solid mechanics with teamwork-based solutions to open-ended design problems, real-world experiences, and experimental techniques. Students learn the skills to develop ideas from concept to product.

The design program is a core pillar of the undergraduate curriculum that combines core instruction in design with hands-on experiences in design-build-test projects. A sequence of fourdesign intensive course courses culminates in a capstone course, underpinned by industrially-sponsored projects. Industrial sponsorship for the capstone design experience is strong. Over the last ten years, 130 companies, most from within the state, have sponsored 369 capstone design projects. In addition to industrially-motivated projects, students have the option to participate in humanitarian projects.

The Department has a long-established study abroad program in Germany (RWTH in Aachen) and study abroad programs in France (École Catholique d'Arts et Métiers), the United Kingdom (University of Edinburgh), Korea (Korea University) and Denmark (Technical University of Denmark).

The program also brings in a diverse group of international students to study with us. Included in the variety of activities open to students is the cooperative education program in which a student may participate after his/her freshman year.