Mechanical Engineering to be Offered at Scranton

The University of Scranton will begin to enroll students in its new major in mechanical engineering in the fall 2020 semester. Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines and involves the design, production and operation of mechanical systems and thermal systems. Students graduating in this major will be prepared to work in a wide array of fields, including the automotive and aerospace industries, manufacturing, electronics, mechatronics and nanotechnologies.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow four percent from 2018 to 2028, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The median annual pay for mechanical engineers in 2018 was reported at $87,370.

The University of Scranton’s annual six-month post-graduation surveys often show engineering graduates earning the highest average starting salaries of any other undergraduate major. According to the University’s undergraduate class or 2018 six-month post-graduate survey, electrical engineering majors reported the highest average salary of $70,625. The average salary reported for all majors for the University’s class of 2018 was $51,282.

The curriculum for mechanical engineering at the University, which consists of 131 credits, combines rigorous academics, project-based learning and values-based education. The program will allow the students to specialize in several areas, such as biomechanics, energy conversion, laser-assisted materials processing, fracture mechanics, vibrations and combustion. During the next few years, the University will further develop its engineering facilities on campus for mechanical engineering majors to learn using the latest in laboratory, simulation and modeling techniques.

The curriculum for mechanical engineering, just as with other majors offered in engineering fields at Scranton, will include research and internship opportunities, as well as mentoring and individual advising to fully develop students’ aptitude and interests.

“Our mechanical engineering program was conceived and became a reality due to advice and help of our Industrial Advisory Board,” said W. Andrew Berger, Ph.D., professor and chair of the University’s Physics and Engineering Department. “Internship opportunities have been always strongly supported and strong characteristic of our programs. We expect the new mechanical engineering program will enhance the educational experience of our engineering students and further educate them in cutting-edge investigational techniques in technology and design that characterize modern-day engineering. It will also allow to us to form true multidisciplinary teams in capstone engineering design courses.”

Students graduating in mechanical engineering will have the ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice; identify and solve engineering problems; design and conduct experiments and analyze and interpret data; design a system or process within budgetary, environmental, safety and other constraints; and understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context. In addition, Scranton graduates will be able to communicate effectively, function on multidisciplinary teams and understand the professional and ethical responsibility inherent in the field.

In addition to mechanical engineering, other majors offered at Scranton offered by the University’s Physics and Engineering Department include computer engineering, electrical engineering, engineering management, biophysics and physics.

For additional information, contact the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 888-727-2686 or email admissions@scranton.edu.