UB Programs At-A-Glance

Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
309 Furnas Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716.645.2593
Fax: 716.645.3875
Web: www.mae.buffalo.edu/

D. Joseph Mook
Chair

Roger W. Mayne
Director of Undergraduate Studies

About the Program

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest of the engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers are involved in research and development, design, manufacturing, and technical sales of a variety of products. Specific areas include computer-aided design and manufacturing; robotics; power plants; engines; machine tools; construction equipment; materials; agricultural implements; automotive vehicles and systems of transportation; domestic and industrial appliances; control and measurement devices; instrumentation; biomedical devices; apparatus for the control of air, water, noise, refuse, and other types of pollution; underwater technology; space flight equipment; safety devices; and food processing machinery.

The objectives of our programs are to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the profession and to present technical concepts that are important to them as they begin their careers and/or prepare for advanced studies. To achieved these objectives, we have created a broad, flexible program that is well balanced among the technical areas of the thermal-fluid sciences, systems, design, mechanics, and materials.

About Our Degrees

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest of the engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers are involved in design, development, research, manufacturing, and technical sales for a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. We are currently graduating about 110 students per year at the undergraduate level.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in engineering courses.

Acceptance Information

Number of applicants (2003-2004): approximately 140
Number of accepted majors (2003-2004): approximately 120
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 340

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 80-100
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 80-100
Upper level/advanced courses is: 20-40

In the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, what do teaching assistants (TAs) do?

Nearly all of our courses are taught by regular full-time faculty members and in some cases by practicing professionals from industry.

Normally, teaching assistants grade homework and conduct laboratory and recitation sections of courses.

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The faculty members in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering are nationally recognized for their technical skills. They are active participants in our instructional program and several have received awards for their teaching abilities including five winners of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to their teaching duties, our faculty are active contributors to the world of technology in industry and research. Six of our faculty have received prestigious national research awards including the coveted Presidential Faculty Fellow award.

See a list of our undergraduate faculty.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

As part of their undergraduate education, students are encouraged to participate in work experience classes and research opportunities.

Work experience is available through the Engineering Career Institute program in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, as well as departmental co-op and internship classes. The Engineering Career Institute (EAS 396, 1 academic credit) provides career-effectiveness skills and co-op placement assistance during the junior year. This may be followed by one to three co-op work experiences (EAS 496, 2 academic credit hours). Descriptions of co-op courses may be found at http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/academicprograms/eas.shtml.

Undergraduate research experiences are available for course credit (Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity or Independent Study) or as an assistant in the research laboratory of a faculty member. The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity serves as a clearing house for information regarding undergraduate research opportunities.


Extracurricular Activities

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

The AIAA is a national organization whose goal is to serve the technical needs and to promote the professional development of engineers in the aerospace field. The student chapter at UB serves the interests of both undergraduate and graduate students of aerospace engineering. The student section runs a variety of activities including field trips, guest speakers, and design projects.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME International)

ASME International organizes meetings of researchers and practitioners throughout the country and publishes numerous reports, conference proceedings, and journals, as well as the monthly magazine, Mechanical Engineering, which is received by members. Here at UB, the student chapter coordinates, plans, and runs a variety of student activities, including extending invitations to potential guest speakers, organizing field trips, a department open house for the Buffalo community, student paper contests, an annual picnic and banquet, and participation in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Student Conference. Membership provides students with the privileges of the parent society.

Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

BMES is a national organization with 2,000 members, approximately half of whom are students. Members include engineers as well as physiologists and other health scientists with interests in biomedical engineering. The annual BMES Fall Meeting features awards to undergraduate and graduate students. The Buffalo student section program includes guest lecturers, and field trips to research and manufacturing facilities.

Pi Tau Sigma

Pi Tau Sigma is the National Honorary Society for Mechanical Engineering in the United States. This organization was established to recognize and honor those men and women in the field of mechanical engineering who, through scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement, have been a credit to their profession. Outstanding students may be nominated from among the juniors and seniors in the mechanical engineering program.

Sigma Gamma Tau

Sigma Gamma Tau is the National Honorary Society for Aeronautics, Astronautics, and Aerospace Engineering in the United States. Outstanding students are selected from among the juniors and seniors in the aerospace engineering program. A formal initiation coupled with a dinner takes place every spring.

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

The SAE student chapter is organized primarily to train students in hands-on engineering and design skills. To accomplish this, teams are formed to work on projects that will subsequently be entered in national competitions. Typical projects include: Mini-Baja, Supermileage Vehicle, Formula Car, and Go-Karts (an introductory experience to involve underclassmen). The UB SAE student chapter is large and well-motivated, and has performed well in recent competitions. The SAE has been named the UB Student Association's 'Club-of-the-Year’ - a rare honor for a technically oriented club.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

SWE provides a means of increasing awareness of issues associated with being part of a minority body within the field of engineering. SWE encourages participation of all students in several extra-curricular activities, including seminars, workshops, and regional meetings. UB has been selected as the site for regional meetings of the SWE, with participation of hundreds of students.

Tau Beta Pi (TBP)

Tau Beta Pi is the National Honorary Society for Engineering in the United States. This organization was established to recognize and honor those men and women in all fields of engineering who have, through scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement, been a credit to their profession. Outstanding students are selected from among the juniors and seniors in the engineering programs. A formal initiation coupled with a dinner takes place every spring.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Majors that Complement Mechanical Engineering


Minors that Complement Mechanical Engineering


Courses outside Mechanical Engineering that Could Improve Employment Opportunities

Career Information and Further Study

Mechanical engineers typically work in industry, business, government service, and universities. Most students find employment opportunities at the B.S. level. Master’s degrees in mechanical engineering are particularly helpful in seeking positions in research and development. Mechanical engineering graduates may also continue their studies in management, law or medicine. While many students enter industry directly after completing the B.S. program, about 25 percent of our mechanical graduates elect to pursue graduate work in engineering or other fields.

A mechanical engineer helps create products and systems that benefit society. Mechanical engineers design and develop tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical equipment. They are involved with power-producing machines such as internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, and jet and rocket engines.

Alumni in mechanical engineering have found employment in the following fields:

  • Agricultural implements
  • Apparatus for the control of air
  • Automotive vehicles and systems of transportation
  • Biomedical devices
  • Computer-aided design and manufacturing
  • Construction equipment
  • Control and measurement devices
  • Domestic and industrial appliances
  • Engines
  • Food processing machinery
  • Instrumentation
  • Machine tooks
  • Materials
  • Power plants
  • Robotics
  • Safety devices
  • Space flight equipment
  • Underwater technology
  • Water, noise, refuse, and other types of pollution


Salary Information

Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another. However, according to the Fall 2005 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates, mechanical engineering graduates' starting salaries are averaging $50,175.

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:12 EST