Mechanical engineering program is a versatile engineering program, and is designed for students who are interested in applying their solid backgrounds and knowledge of mathematics, science, and general engineering to design and conduct experiments; analyze and interpret data; and design systems, components, and processes to meet desired needs for a long-lasting societal impact.
Mechanical engineers pursue careers in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, computer, communication, defense, energy, railroad and robotics industries, just to name a few. Mechanical engineers are also found in almost all manufacturing industries. Increasingly, mechanical engineers are needed in the environmental and bio-medical fields, and many of our graduates have pursued education in medicine and law. Without a doubt, virtually every product or service in modern life has probably been touched in some way by a mechanical engineer!
Program Objectives
The University of Alabama Department of Mechanical Engineering has adopted the following objectives to ensure our graduates are equipped to meet known and anticipated technical challenges of our profession. Out of a commitment to continuously improve the undergraduate curriculum for the mechanical engineering program, the Department of Mechanical Engineering's faculty has adopted several educational objectives. The following objectives define the early-career accomplishments that the mechanical engineering program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue:
- Our graduates will be expected to follow one of two career paths: technical or management. We expect them to have sufficient career and professional accomplishments within 5-10 years of graduation to be considered as either an engineering expert or a leader/manager.
- Our graduates will continue to grow in expertise and knowledge by participating in activities that enhance professional development in their career path.
- Our graduates will contribute to the profession in ways that benefit society.
Student Outcomes
The mechanical engineering program at The University of Alabama will demonstrate that its graduates have:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.