With its intellectual roots in the fundamental science of mechanics, Mechanical Engineering has today evolved into a versatile discipline that impacts nearly every major advance in technology. Mechanical engineers design, manufacture, and control machines ranging from nano-devices to robots, engines and power plants that drive these machines; they analyze the environmental impact associated with power generation, and strive to promote environmental quality. Mechanical engineers also study human physiology, develop health care devices and systems, attempt to gain a deeper understanding of creativity and the design process, and investigate ways to make machines intelligent.
Faculty research covers the entire spectrum of Mechanical Engineering, including research with strong interdisciplinary links to materials science, semiconductor processing, computer and information engineering, and technology management. The Department directly oversees the management and operation of four research centers including the Institute for Advanced Machines and Design and the Advanced Automotive Research Center. With state-of-the-art facilities for cutting edge research and multimedia teaching, the department continues to prepare its students to be at the forefront of technology research and management as part of its mission to become a world-renowned center for graduate teaching and research in Mechanical Engineering.