Mechanical Engineering is a rich and versatile profession that encompasses invention, analysis, and manufacture of mechanical components and systems. Broadly speaking, mechanical engineering is the branch of engineering that encompasses the generation and application of heat and mechanical power. In other words, mechanical engineering is all about the analysis, design and manufacturing of systems in motion. It spans both mature well-established industries such as automotive, aerospace, shipping, power, heating and cooling and machinery and new and emerging technologies such as robotics, medical devices, micro and nano devices. Some of the most exciting areas in mechanical engineering occur where it interfaces with other disciplines.

Undergraduate education

The department offers two undergraduate programs of study: A Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), and a Bachelor of Science (BS) with a specialization in Human Factors. The Human Factors program has two parallel tracks: one for students in the School of Engineering and the other for students in the School of Arts and Sciences.

The B.S. in mechanical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Of the thirty-eight course credits required for the professional degrees accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, a minimum of 9.5 course credits must be completed in college level math and basic science subjects appropriate to the discipline and a minimum of 14.5 course credits must be completed in engineering topics, consistent with ABET general and program criteria.

At Tufts, our Undergraduate Program focuses on the individual and personalized attention. We can tailor a program to suit your specific interests, and offer specialization for those interested in research, entrepreneurship, business, or human factors. We also offer a variety of minors and dual-major programs of study.

Graduate education

We offer an MS in Mechanical Engineering, an MS in Human Factors Engineering, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. We also offer a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree that is especially well-suited for part-time, practicing engineers.

Students may enroll full-time or part-time in any Master's program. In general the PhD program is for full time students only. Tuition scholarships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are only available, on a competitive basis, to full-time MS and PhD candidates.