Mechanical Engineering

ACCELERATED OPTION: You can earn this degree and a master's in five years and at a significant savings: Accelerated degree option.

Fundamentals

Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture, and test mechanical devices. The University of Akron offers an undergraduate degree program where students graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. This is the broadest of all engineering degrees offered at The University of Akron with a huge variety of career options once you graduate.

Our comprehensive curriculum teaches students how to apply energy, momentum, and continuity to thermo-fluid and mechanical systems.

More Information

Our faculty

  • are innovative and interactive
  • incorporate real engineering design challenges into courses
  • conduct research year round in state-of-the-art facilities

Akron Advantage

Hands-on research

Experience mechanical engineering firsthand by working alongside faculty at one of our research facilities, including:

  • NSF I/UCRC Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe)
  • 3D Printing of Smart Structures Lab
  • Conquer Chiari Research Center
  • Acoustic/Elastic Composite Metamaterials Lab
  • Computational Aerodynamics Lab
  • Electrospun Polymer Adhesives Lab
  • Micro/Nano Engineering Lab
  • Microelectromechanical Systems Lab
  • Multi-scale Modeling of Damage and Failure of Materials Lab
  • High-Temperature Lab
  • Surface Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Lab
  • Nonlinear Dynamics and Structural Mechanics Lab
  • Autonomous Systems Lab
  • Advanced Energy & Sensor Lab
  • Solid Mechanics Lab
  • Human Factors Engineering Lab

Real-world experience

Gain important practical professional experience through the optional cooperative education program in the engineering field of your choice. Through co-op, you’ll alternate semesters of work and school following your sophomore year. As an added benefit, you’ll earn a competitive salary.

Join one of the award-winning UA design competition teams — Aero Design, Akronauts Rocketry, Formula Combustion, Formula Electric, Human Power Vehicle, or Baja.

Student organizations

Interact with other engineering students and professionals in the field through organizations and groups including:

  • Tau Beta Pi (engineering honors society)
  • Women in Engineering
  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineering
  • Society of Automotive Engineers
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Sample Curriculum


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Career Opportunities

A degree in mechanical engineering paves the way to careers in many industries, including:

  • automotive
  • petroleum
  • energy generation and conversion
  • aerospace
  • tire
  • chemical
  • electronic
  • machinery
  • transportation equipment
  • electrical equipment
  • instruments
  • fabricated metal products industries

Specialties in mechanical engineering include:

  • applied mechanics
  • computer-aided design and manufacturing
  • energy systems
  • control systems
  • pressure vessels and piping
  • heating, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, and materials

Outlook

Mechanical engineers continue to be in demand in manufacturing, engineering and management services, business services, and the federal government.

Career Services

Career Services helps students and alumni explore and reach career goals. They connect students to employers for internships, jobs, and careers.