Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering
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Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, & Nuclear Engineering

Undergraduate > Mechanical Engineering Program

Quick Facts: Emphasis | Careers | Curriculum | Special Features | Sample Electives | Quality | Size
  • How can we push the envelope on race car performance?
  • Can we produce a laser-powered shuttlecraft?
  • How do we improve the performance of parts, machines, and entire manufacturing facilities?
  • How can we design and manufacture the next generation of computer chips?

Mechanical engineers design, develop, manufacture, sell, and maintain machinery. Air conditioning and heating systems, automobiles, jets, power plants, spacecraft, and oil drilling equipment all bear the imprint of the mechanical engineer.

As an undergraduate, you'll follow the core engineering curriculum in your first two years, gaining solid grounding in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, as well as taking introductory courses in computing and mechanical engineering. You can then opt for concentrations in aeronautics, applied mechanics/mechanics of materials, design, manufacturing, energy systems, or space technology.

Our graduates work in everything from basic research to sales of manufactured goods.

Quick facts about Aeronautical Engineering

:: Emphasis

Research, design, development, and manufacture of mechanical components and systems for industry and energy production.

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:: Career Options

Design and operation in industries that manufacture products and produce energy, including transportation, energy production, and at national research laboratories. Employers range from large prestigious corporations including all the major car manufactures to small vigorous start-up companies. Nearly all our graduates receive job offers or are admitted to graduate school before they graduate. In 2006, the average annual salary for all Mechanical Engineers is $70,000. 1

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:: Curriculum

Instruction focuses on the design analysis and manufacture of mechanical systems and their components. Specific areas of concentration include:

  • Applied Mechanics: studies in basic structural analysis, solid mechanics, and fluid dynamics.
  • Design: learning methodology and techniques for the design of machinery and mechanical systems.
  • Energy Systems: energy conversion and the development of mechanical power.
  • Manufacturing: techniques, equipment, processing, and operating manufacturing facilities.
  • Space Technology: exploration and utilization.

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:: Special Features

Hands-on work on the Formula Race Car and the RP-4 Composite Bushplane Project Research participation with individual faculty. Project work in Flexible Manufacturing Center, the Scientific Computational Research Center, and the Center for Integrated Electronics.

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:: Sample electives

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:: Quality of program

In 2006 the U.S. News and World Report Ranks Rensselaer’s Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Program 18th.

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:: Size of Program

For the academic year 2006-2007, MANE consists of 580 Mechanical Engineering Students, 281 Aeronautical Engineering students and 128 Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics students. There are 40 faculty including members of the National Academy Engineering (engineering’s highest honor) and eleven National Science Foundation or Office of Naval Research Early Career Development award winners.

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Department Contact:

Email: mane@rpi.edu
Webpage: www.rpi.edu/dept/mane
Tel: 518-276-6351
Fax: 518-276-6025

1 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. www.bls.gov

updated November, 2006