Mechanical Engineering Degree (BSME)

Type of Offering

Major

College

Engineering

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the T.J. Smull College of Engineering, you’ll gain a solid foundation in the field, learning about materials science, mechatronics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, the design process and more. You’ll have the option of specializing in an area that you’re passionate about – like aerospace, advanced energy, manufacturing, robotics, or biomedical engineering.

Our academic program is rigorous. Expect to work hard and be challenged. But there’s no need to stress, because we offer a supportive and collaborative environment. Your professors, fellow engineering students and ��«Ӱҵ alumni will become your friends and family. They will help you succeed and open doors for you.

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready for whatever the future holds, whether it’s designing the next-generation automobile, building a robotic system for a manufacturer, developing alternative energy solutions or starting your own company!

ABET is a nonprofit, ISO 9001 certified organization that accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. The mechanical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, , under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for mechanical engineering.

Facts to Build On

Here, you’ll discover who you are and what you can do.

15 In the nation for mechanical engineering departments at universities without a PhD program, according to U.S. News & World Report
12 College in the nation for undergraduate engineering at universities without a PhD program, according to U.S. News & World Report
100% Placement in co-op program

Mechanical Engineering Courses, Curriculum, & Program Resources

In the Dr. Carl D. Clay and H. Jane Clay Department of Mechanical Engineering, you’ll need 128 credit hours to earn your Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME). We encourage you to use your elective hours to pursue a minor of your choice or a concentration that will align with your interests and passions.

Concentrations

Whether you're looking to design the next great car, create medical devices that improve lives, or ensure manufacturing is efficient and sustainable, our mechanical engineering program provides the tools, mentorship, and hands-on experience to make it happen. Going beyond the core curriculum, concentrations each offer unique opportunities tailored to your passions and career goals.

Hands-on Learning: ��«Ӱҵ offers small class sizes with big opportunities. You'll use state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, providing an experience that rivals larger institutions.

Faculty Mentorship: You’ll work closely with faculty who not only know your name but also care about your success—during and after your time here.

Industry Connections: With strong ties to industries like aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, our graduates are industry-ready, landing jobs at top companies right out of school.

Why Choose It? If you've ever looked up at the sky and wondered how aircraft soar or how space exploration advances, the aerospace engineering concentration is perfect for you. You'll dive into cutting-edge topics like aircraft design, advanced thermodynamics, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), where you'll model how air interacts with machines in flight. Put your knowledge to the test by participating in an aircraft design-build-fly competition team, gaining valuable real-world experience.

Career Prospects: Graduates with this concentration are primed for careers in aviation, space exploration, and defense. You could work on designing aircraft, drones, or even spacecraft for major aerospace companies, government agencies like NASA, or defense contractors. Whether you’re working on commercial jets or developing next-gen space technology, the sky is truly the limit.

Job Demand: High

Assessment: Ohio is home to key aerospace players, such as NASA’s Glenn Research Center and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which is one of the largest Air Force research and development hubs in the country. Aerospace engineering in Ohio spans both the defense and commercial sectors. Engineers with knowledge of computational fluid dynamics, aircraft design, and thermodynamics will find opportunities in aircraft manufacturing, defense contractors, and government agencies focused on air and space exploration.

Outlook: With Ohio’s robust aerospace sector and national investments in space exploration and defense, job prospects are strong, though competitive.

Aerospace Engineering academic page
Why Choose It? Robotics is the future, and this concentration gives you the skills to be a leader in that future. You'll explore robotics, mechatronics, and industrial controls, learning to create systems that combine mechanical components with electronics and software. Whether it's designing a robot football team or developing autonomous systems for factories, you'll gain hands-on experience in bringing ideas to life.

Career Prospects: With robotics expertise, you'll be ready for roles in industries like manufacturing automation, medical devices, and even artificial intelligence-driven robotics. Robotics engineers are in high demand in sectors from automotive manufacturing to healthcare, where automation and intelligent systems are revolutionizing how we live and work.

Job Demand: High

Assessment: Robotics engineering is growing across multiple industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, where automation is increasingly adopted to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs. Ohio’s industrial sector, particularly in manufacturing automation, is driving demand for engineers with skills in mechatronics and industrial controls. Robotics experts are also finding opportunities in designing autonomous systems for various applications.

Outlook: Robotics will continue to see steady demand, especially as industries increasingly turn to automation and intelligent systems to maintain competitiveness.

Robotics academic page
Why Choose It? If you like to see things made with precision and efficiency, the manufacturing concentration offers you the chance to learn about the full production cycle, from raw materials to finished products. You'll delve into quality control, manufacturing processes, and statistical process control—tools that are critical for ensuring high-quality products and optimizing production systems.

Career Prospects: With the strong manufacturing base in Northwest Ohio and beyond, this concentration prepares you for roles in production management, quality assurance, and industrial engineering. You could work in industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to consumer products, overseeing the creation of everything from cars to electronics.

Job Demand: Very High

Assessment: Ohio’s economy has deep roots in manufacturing, particularly in automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. There’s a high demand for engineers with expertise in quality control, manufacturing processes, and industrial automation. Manufacturing engineers play a pivotal role in increasing production efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring product quality. Companies across industries—from automotive plants to medical device manufacturing—are continuously seeking to optimize operations.

Outlook: As automation and advanced manufacturing technologies (e.g., robotics and AI) become more prevalent, this field offers steady, long-term job security.

Manufacturing academic page
Why Choose It? If you’re passionate about making a difference in healthcare through technology, this concentration is your pathway. You'll study biomechanics, biomaterials, and biomedical devices—learning how to design and improve medical equipment that saves lives. The mix of human anatomy and physiology with cutting-edge engineering prepares you to create innovations like prosthetics, implants, and advanced diagnostic tools.

Career Prospects: With this concentration, you'll be ready for roles in the booming biomedical field, working for medical device manufacturers, hospitals, or research labs. Biomedical engineers develop life-saving technologies, from artificial organs to wearable health monitors, making this one of the most impactful and rewarding career paths.

Job Demand: Moderate to High

Assessment: Ohio has a strong healthcare and medical device manufacturing industry, particularly in cities like Cleveland, home to the Cleveland Clinic. Biomedical engineers are sought after to develop medical devices, prosthetics, and other healthcare technologies. While not as large as Ohio’s manufacturing or automotive sectors, biomedical engineering is a growing field, particularly as healthcare technologies advance and the population ages.

Outlook: The demand for biomedical engineers is expected to grow, though job opportunities may be more concentrated around major medical centers and device manufacturers.

Biomedical Engineering academic page

��«Ӱҵ engineering students provide real clients with real solutions.

Make the world better

Your mechanical engineering education will blend a wide range challenging coursework with real-world learning. You’ll work on team projects and solve mechanical engineering challenges for actual clients. You’ll not only apply the knowledge you learn in class, but also hone skills in leadership, teamwork, creativity and entrepreneurship. These skills are essential to every successful mechanical engineer.

The ultimate learning environment

The James Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building, a 105,000-square-foot facility, is able to accommodate 600 students and includes more than 10,000 square feet of large-scale project and design space for capstone projects, competitive design projects and other direct industry engagement. Further, it provides flexible space that can be adjusted to various projects and features more than 2,000 square feet for research labs that can exist on their own or can be combined into larger spaces for bigger projects.

The new home of the College of Engineering

A look inside the new James Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building

Get a high-impact head start

We boast a 100 percent placement rate for students in co-op employment opportunities, which begin in the second semester of the junior year and continue for one year. Our mechanical engineering students co-op at Battelle Memorial Institute, Borg Warner Turbo Systems, Emerson Climate Technologies, Honda and other well-known companies.

Over the last five years, an average of 95 percent of our mechanical engineering majors found a full-time engineering job or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation

Coming to ��«Ӱҵ has really changed who I am as a person. I have gained the confidence I need to go out into the real world and succeed in my future career and also just life in general. I will forever be grateful to ��«Ӱҵ for giving me a great college experience and a ton of amazing memories.”

Katelyn Keckler, mechanical engineering major

Student Organizations

In the College of Engineering, we have a variety of active and award-winning student organizations. Through participation in one or more of these groups, you’ll have the opportunity to network, be a leader, make lifelong friends, gain knowledge about your chosen profession, volunteer, travel to regional and national conferences, and more. Click on the headlines below to learn more.

This professional organization has more than 90,000 members worldwide who share information and exchange ideas for advancing the engineering of mobility systems. is a one-stop resource for the latest information and expertise in self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space. SAE hosts the Baja SAE and SAE Aero Design competitions.
The Society of Women Engineers professional organization is open to male and female engineers who are dedicated to making known the need for more female engineers and for encouraging young women to consider majoring in engineering. ��«Ӱҵ’s chapter provides support for its female students and hosts social activities.
is a social sorority for women in engineering or engineering technology. Sisters develop the highest standard of personal integrity, strive for academic excellence and build friendships that last a lifetime.
is for juniors who are in the upper 12.5 percent of their class and seniors who are in the upper 20 percent of their class.
represents the study body of the College of Engineering. Members work closely with the dean of the College of Engineering, the faculty and our student organizations. Its purpose is to cultivate greater cooperation and communication between all groups.
enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines, toward a goal of helping the global engineering community develop solutions to benefit lives and livelihoods.
The is a professional society specializing in the aerospace field. ��«Ӱҵ's on-campus chapter gives students many opportunities, including competing in the SAE Aero design competition, where students design, build, and fly a radio controlled airplane against other universities at locations across the country.
This student organization provides a platform for students passionate about biomedical engineering or biomechanics to enhance their skills through hands-on experience, with a focus on benefiting the wider community.

Photo of ��«Ӱҵ students carrying a rocket

Photo of Student working on Mechanical Engineering Project

Photo of Mechanical Engineering Student working on class project

Photo of an ��«Ӱҵ student building a rocket

Photo of ��«Ӱҵ students working on a rocket

Competition Teams

Want to build a high-power rocket, concrete canoe, radio-controlled airplane or off-road vehicle that can stand up to the competition? Every year ��«Ӱҵ teams travel to regional and national competitions where they’re pitted against engineering students from top schools across the U.S. We’re proud of our excellent standings year after year in these competitions.

Learn More

��«Ӱҵ thoroughly prepared me for real-world engineering and a top-notch career right from the start. The curriculum is strong and constantly adapting to suit industry’s evolving needs.

Jennifer Smith O’Brian, BSME ’12

End game: A fulfilling mechanical engineering career

Our Mechanical Engineering graduates make a difference all over the world.

Whether you enter the workforce right after graduation, or continue your education in graduate school, the Smull College of Engineering prepares you for success.

Careers in Mechanical Engineering:
- Robotics
- Alternative energy generation
- Oil and natural gas
- Biotechnology
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Sports and recreational equipment
- Project management
- Research/Graduate school

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