undergrad programs
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers are the brains behind the design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing of some of the world’s most complex systems that govern our daily lives. From vehicle design to power plant maintenance––whatever path you choose, your future in mechanical engineering begins here.
Program Overview
One of UT’s largest engineering programs, the mechanical engineering undergrad program combines interdisciplinary study with hands-on research and career readiness for a robust experience. Through connections with our industry partners and access to world class research labs and centers, students have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning, gaining in-depth knowledge from industry leaders and world-renowned faculty.
Why Study Mechanical Engineering?
Our BS program combines foundational engineering principles with experiential learning to prepare students for a broad range of careers. With access to cutting-edge labs, collaborative research with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and real-world co-op and internship programs, students gain the technical skills and professional experience needed to lead in industries like energy, robotics, and manufacturing. Opportunities for study abroad and engagement with a strong alumni network further enrich the academic journey.
Minor
In addition to a BS program, our department offers a minor in mechanical engineering.
Five-Year BS/MS
For students seeking to complete their MS degree in aerospace engineering, the department offers a five year BS/MS program for qualified students. This program allows you to take up to nine hours of graduate coursework toward your undergrad electives, giving you a jump start on your MS degree.
Our Curriculum
The first two years of the curriculum are considered to be lower-division and the two remaining years upper-division. Students must apply for progression to departmental upper-division courses, which depends on academic performance. Factors considered include overall grade point average, performance in selected lower-division courses and evidence of orderly progression through the prescribed curriculum.
In order to remain on track and graduate on time, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester, known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA.
Check out the course catalog to learn more about coursework and milestones.
Featured Courses
Check out some of the courses that our students take as part of the mechanical engineering program. For a full list of courses, use the link below.
ME 231 Dynamics
Kinematics of rigid bodies, center of mass, and kinetics of systems of particles. Mass moments of inertia. Kinetics of rigid bodies. Newton’s laws, work-energy, and impulse-momentum.
ME 321 Mechanics of Materials
Concepts of stress and strain; stress-strain relations; applications including axially loaded members, torsion of circular shafts, and bending of beams.
ME 463 Mechanical Vibration
Free and forced response of systems with multiple degrees of freedom. Response to arbitrary excitation. Lagrange’s equations. Introduction to continuous systems. Vibration absorbers and rotor balancing.
ME 460 Mechanical Engineering Design II
Synthesis and design of a complete mechanical engineering system. Participation in team design effort, including formal oral presentations and written design report.
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