Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Major

PREPARES YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND DESIGN COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS

Mechanical engineers design and develop everything we think of as a machine — from rocket engines and nano motors to toasters and power tools. Penn's Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) program deals with the study of forces, deformations and motions of solid bodies and fluids, heat generation and transport, and applications to analysis, design, and manufacture of components, machines, and systems.

Students follow a program which contains basic groundwork in all aspects of mechanical engineering, while flexibility in the curriculum allows them to pursue elective programs in fields such as aeronautics, robotics, computers, electronics, automatic controls, and materials.

Career opportunities for mechanical engineers are perhaps the broadest among all the fields of engineering. Aerospace, automotive, electronics, computers, and robotics are but a few of the fields that employ mechanical engineers. Positions range from research and development to design and manufacturing to field engineering and marketing. Some recent graduates have taken positions with consulting and financial institutions while others have gone on to graduate studies in engineering, business, law, and medicine.

Educational Objectives of the MEAM Program

The undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics strives to prepare students to:

• educate students in the fundamental principles of mathematics science, and engineering and train
  them in modern problem-solving tools used by mechanical engineers;
• train students to apply their basic knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and techniques
  to analyze, synthesize and design engineering systems;
• offer students a flexible broad-based curriculum and a skill set that allows them to think critically and contribute to areas beyond the traditional boundaries of mechanical engineering;
• prepare students to be engineering professionals by training them to communicate and function effectively as members/ leaders of multi-disciplinary teams and by making them aware of social, ethical, and environmental issues that may be relevant to their work; and
• support and prepare students who wish to pursue advanced degrees by providing opportunities for them to participate in research and mentoring interactions with faculty and graduates.

MEAM Sample Curriculum