RIT - Department of Mechanical Engineering | Prospective Students

Department Overview

Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline, covering such diverse topics as aerodynamics, space vehicles, medical devices, energy systems, system control, materials development, structural integrity, and robotics. The mechanical engineering department at RIT offers a solid foundation in ME fundamentals as well as the opportunity for students to concentrate their studies in one of several specific areas of engineering.

Fall 2006 Enrollment
639 Undergraduate (BS) Students

83 Dual Degree (BS+Masters) Students
43 Graduate (Masters) Students

Areas of Focus
Aerospace
Automotive
Bioengineering
Energy & Environment
Mechanics/Design
Microsystems
Systems/Controls
Thermo/Fluids

Career Outlook
The mechanical engineer's career opportunities encompass the design of such diverse systems as medical devices, energy services and power plants, automobiles, robots, airplanes, defense technology and machine tools. The spectrum of professional activity for the mechanical engineering graduate runs from research through design and development to manufacturing and sales. Because of their comprehensive training and education, mechanical engineers are often called upon to assume management positions. Placement and career opportunities for mechanical engineers remain strong, and are expected to remain strong in the coming decades.

Undergraduate Study
In ME classes, students will be exposed to a balance of theory, hands-on experiment and design. Our laboratory facilities are primarily intended for student use, although most professors also participate in ongoing research projects in these same labs. Undergraduate students can become involved with these projects through class, co-op experience, or through participation in the BS/MEng and BS/MS degree programs, which allow students to earn both bachelor's and master's degrees in a five-year period. Undergraduate education is our strength, and students have an opportunity to customize their program of study through one of our four options, or to pursue minors or double majors.

Graduate Study
Graduate study can be concentrated in solid body mechanics, thermal fluid sciences or dynamic systems and controls. With a faculty that include several recipients of teaching awards, RIT has a demonstrated commitment to excellence in education.

Perspective on the Department

The ME Department is a relatively young program, although the roots of our program go back to the founding of the institution over 175 years ago. Our department was first accredited in 1968, and has been in a state of constant change ever since.

Our department is an important contributor to the number of BS graduates on national level. In August 2006, the ASEE released their most recent “By The Numbers” report, which summarizes engineering education statistics for the 2004-05 academic year, the most recent year available. For the 2004-05 academic year, RIT’s Mechanical Engineering department climbed several spots to rank 16th in the USA for the number of BSME degrees awarded. We awarded more BS degrees in mechanical engineering than any other ME department in New York State, and the most of any private school in the nation.

While many of our research programs are not yet generally recognized at the national level, we are starting to be a significant producer of Master's degrees. Nearly 25% of our second year students applied for the dual degree BS/Masters program last year, and our graduate programs are increasingly cited as a major decision factor for students choosing to come to RIT.