Make an Impact with Your Major

Mechanical engineers make an impact in almost every aspect of modern society. It's hard to think of something that exists in our world that a mechanical engineer hasn't had a hand in designing or producing.

As a mechanical engineering major, you can look forward to good job prospects, a high salary and varied work.

Why Major in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson?

We offer areas of study in machine design, robotics, manufacturing processes, thermodynamics, fluid flow, composite materials and much more. You can study anything from biomechanics and assistive technologies for people with disabilities to automation and robotics systems. You can even learn about the design of ships, submarines, aircraft and spacecraft.

You'll gain hands-on experience working on projects alongside world-class faculty members, whose research activities cover a wide range of areas, from optimizing luge sleds for the U.S. Olympic Luge Association to creating the newest ducted wind turbine technology.

As a mechanical engineering graduate, you'll leave Clarkson with the ability to apply principles of engineering, science and mathematics to model, analyze, design and realize physical systems.

What You'll Learn

Mechanical engineering majors can take a range of unique courses, including:

  • Electrical Science
  • Numerical Methods in Engineering with Applications
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Introduction to Heat Transfer
  • Materials Science & Engineering
  • Rigid Body Dynamics
  • Strength of Materials
  • Thermodynamics
  • Thermodynamic System Engineering

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.

FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credits)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

Common First-Year Curricula

All students majoring in an engineering program offered by the Coulter School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (excluding engineering & management majors) take courses that are part of a common curricula during the first year. Therefore, students may defer the selection of a major field of study until the sophomore year. Beginning with the junior year, a significant amount of specialized material is incorporated into each curriculum. In the senior year, coursework is concentrated in the student’s chosen field. Courses in humanities and social sciences are taken throughout the 4-year program as part of the Clarkson Common Experience.

During the first year, students majoring in an engineering program offered by the Coulter School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (excluding engineering & management majors) must complete the following courses:

  • CM131 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • ES100 Introduction to Engineering Use of the Computer (2 credits)
  • ES110 Engineering & Society (3 credits)
  • MA131 Calculus I (3 credits)
  • MA132 Calculus II (3 credits)
  • PH131 Physics I (4 credits)
  • PH132 Physics II

Core Requirements

Students majoring in mechanical engineering are required to complete the following courses:

  • ES220 Statics (3 credits)
  • ES222 Strength of Materials (3 credits)
  • ES223 Rigid Body Dynamics (3 credits)
  • ES250 Electrical Science (3 credits)
  • ES260 Materials Science & Engineering I (3 credits)
  • ES330 Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)
  • ES340 Thermodynamics (3 credits)
  • ES499 Professional Experience 
  • MA231 Calculus III (3 credits)
  • MA232 Elementary Differential Equations (3 credits)
  • MA330 Advanced Engineering Mathematics (3 credits)
  • ME201 Introduction to Experimental Methods in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (1 credits)
  • ME212 Introduction to Engineering Design (3 credits)
  • ME301 Experimental Methods in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (1 credits)
  • ME310 Thermodynamic System Engineering (or ME455 Vibrations & Control) (3 credits)
  • ME324 Dynamical Systems (3 credits)
  • ME326 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)
  • ME341 Mechanics of Machine Elements (3 credits)
  • ME401 Advanced Experimental Methods in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (1 credits)
  • ME411 Introduction to Heat Transfer (3 credits)
  • ME442 Engineering Analysis Using the Finite Element Method (3 credits)
  • ME445 Integrated Design I (3 credits)
  • ME446 Integrated Design II (3 credits)
  • ME455 Mechanical Vibrations & Control (or ME310 Thermodynamic System Engineering) (3 credits)

Core Electives

The following are electives students are required to complete for the mechanical engineering major. Students must select a 3-credit engineering elective in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or engineering science. Typical courses include ME444 Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD), ME443 Optimal Engineering, ES380 Biomechanics, ME390 Additive Manufacturing or ME429 Welding and Metallurgy.

Professional Electives

This requirement can be satisfied with upper-division courses in mathematics, physics, other engineering disciplines and mechanical engineering (e.g., STAT383 Applied Statistics, MA339 Fourier Series and Boundary-Value Problems).

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students majoring in mechanical engineering are required to take at least 15 credit hours to satisfy the Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives requirement. This, for mechanical engineering majors, must include ES110 Engineering & Society and a course in economics, such as EC350 Engineering Economics.

Free Electives

Students majoring in mechanical engineering have at least 6 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

Any undergraduate student at Clarkson can get involved in hands-on research with a faculty expert. Research experiences for undergraduate mechanical engineering majors include both on-campus research in the fall and spring semesters and paid summer internships funded by government agencies or foundations. Learn more about research at Clarkson.

Twice a year, nearly 200 employers come to campus to recruit undergraduate Clarkson students for internships and co-ops. In Spring 2020, more than 100 companies were looking for mechanical engineers. Many students who have internships or co-ops with companies they meet at one of our Career Fairs receive full-time job offers before graduation. Learn more about co-ops and internships.

Our undergraduate mechanical engineers are among the most active students on our hands-on, competitive SPEED (Student Projects for Engineering Experience and Design) teams. Any major can join any of our 13 SPEED teams. Mechanical engineers represent our department on a number of teams like Baja SAE, SAE Clean Snowmobile, Formula SAE/Formula SAE Electric and Human-Powered Vehicle.

You'll find leadership opportunities and lifetime friendships through over 200 student groups. Explore all clubs and organizations.

Biomedical Engineering Minor

As various fields of medicine and healthcare increasingly depend on advances in technology, graduates with combined expertise in biomedical engineering principles and knowledge of biological sciences will be in high demand. Learn more about the biomedical engineering minor.

Business Minor

The business minor provides broad exposure to the foundations of major business functions and is an excellent complement to a technical major. Learn more about the business minor.

Electrical Engineering Minor

An electrical engineering minor provides a foundation in energy systems, basic electrical science and digital design. Learn more about the electrical engineering minor.

Manufacturing Engineering Minor

This minor expands your knowledge of manufacturing‐related topics, such as production management, statistical quality control and manufacturing processes. Learn more about the manufacturing engineering minor.

Materials Engineering Minor

Increasing demands on the mechanical and environmental durability of national infrastructure require improving the strength and useful life of steels, concrete, ceramics and other engineering/structural materials. Learn more about the materials engineering minor.

Robotics Minor

The minor in robotics provides a solid and coherent introduction to the field with four required core courses and three elective courses. Learn more about the robotics minor.

Or Choose From a Range of Other Minors

Clarkson has a wide range of minors, concentrations and professional advising tracks. We'll help you design an education that meets your goals and interests. Learn more about minors, concentrations and tracks.

Mechanical Engineering Student Wins National Grid Scholarship

Syed Bazif, a junior Clarkson mechanical engineering student from Queens Village, NY, was awarded the National Grid “Charging Our Future” DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Engineering Scholarship. He received $10,000 with a paid internship opportunity.

Careers

A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Clarkson starts graduates out strong — Class of 2023 graduates in Mechanical Engineering had starting salaries as high as $112K and a 98 percent placement rate.

Entry-level mechanical engineering careers can be found in areas such as:

  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Process engineering
  • Project engineering
  • Robotics
  • Technical sales

Clarkson Grad Helps Design New Medical Instruments

Monica Bomze ’22 presented research for a new instrument to be used for minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery (MILS). Her findings were published in the ASME Journal of Medical Devices as part of the conference proceedings.

Recent Employers

By applying the problem-solving skills developed at Clarkson, graduates go on to leadership positions across many different industry sectors. Many mechanical engineering majors also choose to continue their studies at graduate schools.

Employers

Here is a sampling of companies who have recently hired Clarkson aerospace engineering graduates.

  • Apple
  • Arctic Cat
  • Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • General Dynamics Electric Boat
  • General Dynamics Mission Systems
  • General Electric (GE)
  • Global Foundries
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Moog
  • NASA
  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory
  • Norfolk Naval Shipyard
  • Northrup Grumman
  • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
  • Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies Company (RTX)
  • Raytheon Missile Systems
  • Siemens Energy
  • SpaceX
  • Tesla
  • Toyota
  • Universal Theme Park 

Graduate Schools

  • Clarkson University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Michigan State University
  • Northwestern University
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Virginia

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Contact Us

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Email: mae@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315-268-6586

Interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering? Contact the Department today with your questions.

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2023 Undergrad University Placement Rate

Clarkson team earns first place at SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge

A Clarkson SPEED Team consisting of 25 students from several different majors won a first-place finish in the Diesel Utility Class at the 2020 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge.

 

Learn More About the Clean Snowmobile Team

ABET (Accreditation)

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ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission

Clarkson University's undergraduate aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, mechanical, and software engineering programs and undergraduate engineering and management program are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. Read more on Engineering Program Objectives.

Get Ready for a Successful Career

Learn how to apply principles of engineering, science and mathematics in a hands-on environment with experienced and accessible faculty.