Skip to main content
Penn State Harrisburg
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Programs
  • Admissions and Financial Aid
    • Office of Admissions
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Alumni & Supporters
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Workforce Professionals
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Harrisburg
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Diversity and Inclusion at Penn State Harrisburg
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
    • Board of Advisers
    • Administration
    • Chancellor's Office
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Minors
    • Graduate or Postbaccalaureate Certificates
    • Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees
    • Education Certifications and Endorsements
  • Admissions
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Student Life

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Workforce Professionals

Helpful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Give Today
  • Directory
  • Events Calendar

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
  1. Home
  2. School of Science, Engineering, and Technology
Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)

The goal of the Mechanical Engineering program is to provide students with the necessary training and education for them to become technical leaders for various industrial, commercial, consulting, and governmental organizations. Mechanical engineers apply the principles of force, motion, energy, and thermal fluids to design tools and processes needed for the human, material, and economic benefit of society. As such, the program is firmly based on the understanding and application of scientific and engineering principles. Technical communication in oral and written form is also emphasized.

Graduates are expected to demonstrate understanding of their social, cultural, and ethical responsibilities to a global society. Graduates learn and then demonstrate proper use of engineering materials and methods that are safe, environmentally considerate, aesthetically pleasing, and fiscally responsible. Potential work-related duties include development and construction of machines and mechanisms; development, instrumentation, and control of manufacturing processes and procedures; design of mechanical systems for heating and cooling; development of energy management procedures; and renewable energy alternatives.

Career Opportunities

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers research and create designs, develop tools and processes, and conduct tests for engines, machines, and other mechanical devices from Mega-scale to nano-scale. Engineers in this discipline apply the principles of the thermal and fluid sciences to power systems that include electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also apply those principles to heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Mechanical engineers apply engineering mechanics principles to machine design, vibration, and strength of materials. Engineers in this field combine mechanics and scientific principles to biomedical product and diagnostic procedure development. Mechanical engineers apply automatic control and instrumentation technologies to robotic, material handling, and computer-numerical control systems. They provide engineering leadership to product and process design and manufacturing of various consumer and industrial items tools that other engineers need for their work. Mechanical engineers are becoming more involved in the incorporation of environmentally considerate principles and practices including green design, alternative energy development, and pollution prevention. Approximately 20 percent of Mechanical Engineering graduates work in non-engineering jobs such as management, administration, marketing, and sales.

Job Titles

Most graduates of baccalaureate Mechanical Engineering programs work for industrial businesses and corporations. Others secure positions with educational, governmental and nonprofit organizations and agencies. Some common job titles for entry-level graduates include: Acoustics Engineer, Automotive Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Management Consultant, Design Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Engineer, Materials Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Power Engineer, Production Engineer, Reliability and Testing Engineer, Robotics Engineer, and Tool Engineer.

Job Outlook

Mechanical Engineering graduates should experience good employment potential. Opportunities are expected to grow to keep pace with the demand for technical products. Many of the job openings will result from employment growth and the need to replace retiring workers. According to the 2006 employment projections of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for Mechanical Engineers will grow at a rate of over 4 percent, or nearly 10,000 additional jobs through 2016.

Accreditation and Licensure

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

ME CA graduates who wish to continue their professional development will be prepared to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (to be certified as an Engineer-in-Training), which is a prerequisite for taking the Professional Engineering exam. The current Pennsylvania licensing code requires applicants for the FE exam to be enrolled in a 4-year ABET-accredited B.S. program. The student can take the FE exam after completion of two years of the approved program. However, the state board does not grant certification of Engineer-in-Training until the individual graduates.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Student Organizations

All ME CA students are encouraged to join the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the premier worldwide professional organization of Mechanical Engineers and Technologists. This opportunity provides links to both students and professionals in the career of mechanical engineering. ME CA students are active in the ASME students club and the ASME Susquehanna chapter.

Selection of Major in Engineering or Engineering Technology

Excellent guidance for students, parents, friends, and others regarding the similarities and differences between engineering and engineering technology is provided at TryEngineering.org.

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)

  • Curriculum
  • Courses Overview
  • Program Requirements for Admission
  • Educational Objectives and Assessment
  • Enrollment and Graduation Statistics
  • Labs and Facilities
  • Program Contacts
Apply to Penn State
Online Application
Talk with a Student
Connect
Transfer to Penn State Harrisburg
learn more

Mechanical Engineering Programs

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)
Materials Science and Engineering (Minor)
Mechatronics (Minor)
Mechatronics Technology (Minor)

ACCREDITATION

ABET Logo

See Also

  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • Brochure (PDF)
  • Request Information
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • flickr
  • youtube
  • instagram
Visit Apply Give
  • This is Penn State
    • Administration
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Board of Advisors
    • Outreach and Economic Development Services
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Academic Calendar
  • Admission
    • Office of Admissions
    • Housing Options
    • Veterans
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Office of Student Aid
    • Bursar's Office
  • Research
    • Office of Research and Outreach
    • Harrisburg LaunchBox
  • Student Life
    • Office of Student Life
    • Student Affairs
    • Student Initiated Fee
  • Community Safety & Health
    • University Police and Public Safety
    • PSUAlert
    • Weather Policy
Penn State University
777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 717-948-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State