Mechanical Engineering, BS
Shippensburg University offers the only mechanical engineering program in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. This program prepares you for a variety of careers including the design and manufacturing of mechanical and electromechanical components and systems. Students work in our state-of-the-art engineering labs.
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What Will I Learn?
You will develop the skills necessary to design, build, test and manage complex systems. The curriculum includes a focus on professional engineering practice, access to the latest Computer Assisted Design (CAD) and Computer Assisted Manufacturing (CAM) tools, with an emphasis on design for manufacturability, materials, modeling, simulation, process control and rapid prototyping. There is a strong balance between theory and hands-on practice that will prepare you to be an effective and practical engineer when you graduate.
There is an interdisciplinary focus through the common engineering core that includes seminars, modeling and simulation and computer graphics. Statics, dynamics and fluid mechanics are also important point of emphasis. You will also focus on topics such as:
- Machine dynamics and design
- Material selection and design
- Thermos-fluid system analysis and design
- Manufacturing
What are the requirements for this degree?
To gain admission to the program, you must meet the criteria for admission to Shippensburg University and you must be ready to start calculus 1 as demonstrated through previous completion of advanced math courses, SAT scores or placement tests. Students who are not ready to start calculus 1 are placed into the "Computer Science & Engineering General" category and are given courses that will prepare them to meet the challenges and rigors of an engineering program. When they meet the math requirement, they can declare the major.
This program requires a total of 125 credits.
This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.ABET accreditation means that the national accrediting organization has spent time on our campus making sure that our curriculum meets national standards, our faculty are well-supported and current in the discipline, and our infrastructure is up-to-date and well-supported. It is your assurance that, not only is our program strong today, but we have also laid the foundation so that it will continue to be strong in the future.
What Types of Careers Could I Get With This Degree?
Demand for mechanical engineers is growing, driven by the rapid pace of technological innovation and development. This is particularly true in the area of research and development. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering programs, and prepares students for jobs across all industries, including:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Construction
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Medicine
- Transportation
Graduates are prepared and encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, the first step to earning a Professional Engineering certificate. Some of our graduates go on to earn master's and doctoral degrees in engineering, while others may choose a career track towards project management and work towards a Master of Business Administration.
Shippensburg University is within an hour's drive of the I-81, I-70 and I-270 corridors, and many different manufacturing industries. The Manufacturer's Association of South-Central Pennsylvania has more than 350 members, contributes $11 billion to the local economy and employs more than 110,000 people. Major manufacturers in our immediate area include:
- Danfoss Drives
- Volvo
- JLG
- Grove
- Hirschmann
- Manitowoc
- TB Wood's
- Johnson Controls
The number and variety of manufacturers in our area coupled with the lack of competing engineering programs provide opportunities for internships and future co-op positions.
What Kinds of Experiences Could I Have?
Our class sizes are small, leading to personalized attention from expert faculty. We have state-of-the-art laboratories and that give students plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships, job-shadow and participation in research projects through department partnerships with regional industries.
You can join the Mechanical Engineering Club and participate in a number of activities. This club and other organizations can help you develop relationships with your peers and build professional relationships.
Every student in this program is assigned a crew when they arrive at Shippensburg University. They earn points for their crew all year long by participating in extracurricular activities, helping faculty, doing work beyond course requirements and through crew competitions.