Program Overview
Mechanical Engineering
Design and test mechanical, fluid and thermal systems for solving problems in robotics, automotive, aerospace industries or building energy systems.
Mechanical Engineering B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
From designing the next generation of spacecraft and automobiles to alternative energy systems and much more, mechanical engineers enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities that involve working with thermal and mechanical energy. Students in the Mechanical Engineering program at Montana State are given ample opportunity for hands-on experience, from studying in MSUs computer-aided drafting, integrated manufacturing and machining laboratories to their capstone senior projects that solve real-world design problems.
Research Opportunities
Research for Engineering students capstone research at Montana State can be out of this world, such as Mechanical Engineering students creating a research device that can simulate the microgravity of low Earth orbit in order to assist MSU researcher study microbial build-up on the International Space Station. Hands-On Learning: With the capstone senior design project, engineering students work in teams to help organizations, companies and MSU researchers solve real-world problems.
Awards and Recognition
Montana State is the Top 3 in the West, after Stanford and Cal Tech, in recipients of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for students in math, science and engineering.
Facilities and Resources
The Bill Wurst Makerspace: A state-of-the-art facility in MSU's new engineering building includes specialty tools such as 3-D printers for students to prototype their big ideas.
Career Resources
Within their first year of graduation, more than 96% of Montana State graduates are employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment.
Career Coaching & Professional Skills Studio
Professional career coaches help students with their career exploration, employer networking opportunities and job or internship searches. They also critique resumes and help students practice job interviews. Additionally, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success offers free workshops for students to develop the professional communication and collaboration skills that are highly sought after by employers.
Careers
Mechanical Engineering students at Montana State University go into careers such as:
- Aerospace
- Automobile Manufacturing
- Energy
- National Laboratories
- Robotics
Sample Course Plan
The following is a sample course plan for the Mechanical Engineering program:
Year One
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| COMX 111US - Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| M 171Q - Calculus I | 4 |
| EMEC 100 - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering | 1 |
| EMEC 103 - CAE I-Engineering Graphics Communications | 2 |
| PHSX 220 - Physics I with Calculus | 4 |
| University Core Electives | 3 |
| CHMY 141 - College Chemistry I & CHMY 142 - College Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| WRIT 101W - College Writing I | 3 |
| M 172 - Calculus II | 4 |
| PHSX 222 - Physics II with Calculus | 4 |
| University Core Electives | 3 |
| Year Total: 17 | 18 |
Year Two
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| EGEN 201 - Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 |
| EMEC 203 - CAE II-Mechanical Engineering Computations | 2 |
| ETME 215 - Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| ETME 216 - Manufacturing Process Laboratory | 1 |
| M 273 - Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| University Core Electives | 3 |
| EGEN 202 - Engineering Mechanics -- Dynamics | 3 |
| EGEN 205 - Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| EGEN 350 - Applied Engineering Data Analysis | 2 |
| EELE 250 - Circuits, Devices and Motors | 4 |
| M 274 - Introduction to Differential Equation | 4 |
| Year Total: 16 | 16 |
Year Three
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| EGEN 335 - Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| EMEC 250 - Mechanical Engineering Materials | 3 |
| EMAT 252 - Materials Struct and Prop Lab | 1 |
| EMEC 303 - CAE III-- Systems Analysis | 3 |
| EMEC 320 - Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| EMEC 341 - Adv Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| EMEC 321 - Thermodynamics II | 3 |
| EMEC 326 - Fundamentals of Heat Transfer | 3 |
| EMEC 342 - Mechanical Component Design | 3 |
| EMEC 360 - Measurement & Instrumentation | 3 |
| EMEC 361 - Measurement & Instrument Lab | 1 |
| EGEN 310R - Multidisciplinary Engineering Design | 3 |
| Year Total: 16 | 16 |
Year Four
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| EGEN 330 - Business Fundamentals for Technical Professionals | 3 |
| EGEN 488 - Fundamentals of Engineering Exam | 0 |
| EMEC 445 - Mechanical Vibrations | 3 |
| EMEC 489R - Mechanical Engineering Design Capstone I | 2 |
| Professional Electives | 6 |
| EMEC 499R - Mechanical Engineering Design Capstone II | 3 |
| Professional Electives | 6 |
| Professional Elective - Take one of the following: | 3 |
| EMEC 405 - Finite Element Analysis | |
| EMEC 436 - Computational Fluid Dynamics | |
| University Core Electives | 3 |
| Year Total: 14 | 15 |
Total Program Credits: 128