Program Objectives and Outcomes

Objectives

The Mechanical Engineering program educational objectives meet the needs as identified by constituents that include the Technical Advisory Board, the faculty, the students, and others. The program faculty will provide and continuously improve a curriculum so that our graduates will:

  1. Work in industrial and governmental organizations that create, design, improve, and maintain sustainable and environmentally-considerate products, processes, and systems that are integral to national and international economies.
  2. Assume positions of leadership and responsibility within an organization.
  3. Participate on multi-disciplinary teams using state of the art computer-based methods in design, simulation and analysis of products and processes.
  4. Progress through professional licensure and/or advanced degrees in engineering, business, and other professionally-related fields.

Student Outcomes

  1. Students have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to mechanical systems and problems.
  2. Students have the ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  3. Students have the ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
  4. Students have the ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
  5. Students have the ability to identify, formulate, and solve mechanical engineering problems.
  6. Students have the ability to develop an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. Students have the ability to communicate effectively.
  8. Students explore the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
  9. Students recognize the need for, and have the ability to engage, in life-long learning.
  10. Students have the ability to demonstrate their knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. Students have the ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for mechanical engineering practice.

Program Mission

The mission of the Penn State Harrisburg Mechanical Engineering (ME CA) Program is to prepare undergraduate students for successful careers in mechanical engineering-related organizations. Through the integrated efforts of faculty, staff, and administration, the Mechanical Engineering Program’s mission remains consistent with the missions of the University and College.

Program Vision

Mechanical Engineering will be the premier regional mechanical engineering degree program and will be among the best nationally. The Program is founded on scientific principles, utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and software, requires effective oral and written communication, and responds to changing conditions in the profession. As effective educators, our faculty members engage in scholarly activities in order to stay current and pursue research initiatives in various fields of expertise. The Mechanical Engineering Program prepares students to meet changing industrial and professional needs, and it will be revised proactively to meet those needs.