Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science
Department website: https://www.atu.edu/engineering/mechanical
Mechanical engineering is the profession which designs, develops, and manufactures machines that produce, transmit, or use power. Mechanical engineers are involved in the design, development, and production of virtually every product one can imagine. The range of job possibilities for mechanical engineers, both in location and function, is limitless.
The mechanical engineering program at Arkansas Tech is designed to give its students a solid grounding in the machine design and thermal systems areas and to satisfy the engineering manpower needs of industry in Arkansas and the mid-south region. The required courses provide a basic foundation in mechanical engineering with a strong cross-disciplinary component and an emphasis on engineering design. The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Committee of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Most graduates of the engineering program go directly into the work force as practicing engineers. Many are employed by manufacturing companies in the Arkansas River Valley area, while others have obtained positions with large national and multinational corporations. A number of graduates have elected to attend one of many different graduate schools specializing in disciplines such as engineering (electrical, mechanical, industrial, or nuclear), mathematics, physics, or business.
The first two years of the curriculum contain the needed mathematics, science, and engineering science basics to prepare the student for the upper-level mechanical engineering courses. The junior and senior years include 12 hours of engineering electives which allows the student to concentrate in one of the available areas of specialization which include manufacturing, machine design, nuclear systems, or thermal systems.
For a detailed policy regarding transfer credit for the Mechanical Engineering programs, please see the Department of Mechanical Engineering page.
It is highly recommended that all freshmen engineering students starting fall 2017 purchase laptop computers. Laptop computer specifications are at: https://www.atu.edu/engineering/specifications.php.