Technical Specialization Course Tracks

The following groupings are possible specialty areas that you can study within the mechanical engineering program. Courses outside of ME can be used as an Engineering Technical Elective (ETE) or General Technical Elective (GTE) as noted. A Mechanical Engineering Technical Elective (METE) can also be used for ETE or GTE. A course noted as ETE can also be used for GTE.

To help you decide, electives have been grouped in tracks and focus areas.

Learn more about ME degree elective requirements » 

Special Topics Electives (subject to change)

Special topic electives are not permanent course offerings and change periodically. Current course offerings may not be offered beyond the current academic year.

* Requires petition to count as METE

Biomedical Systems Track

Specialization in the application of mechanical engineering to devices and instruments used in the medical field. Track courses include medical imaging, biofluids and prosthesis design.

Design & Development Track

Machine Design Focus

Specialization in some of the most traditional and enduring mechanical engineering topics of design, motion, and dynamics of mechanical machinery. Track courses include advanced machine design, machine dynamics, strength of materials and stress analysis.

Product Development & Manufacturing Focus 

This track provides a specialization in developing a product starting with a customer need through to a manufactured device. Track courses include additive manufacturing, 3D solid modeling, project management and quality engineering.

Energy Systems Track

Combustion Systems Focus

Specialization in conversion of energy from combustion of fuels. Track courses include combustion processes, internal combustion engines, and rocket propulsion.

Turbomachinery Systems Focus

Specialization in the efficient transfer of thermal to mechanical energy. Track courses include advanced fluid dynamics and turbine design and operation.

Power Systems Focus

Specialization in the transfer of energy from one form to another, often as electricity in the end. Track courses include aspects of air pollution and nuclear reactor physics.

Graduate School Preparation Track

Mechanical Sciences Focus

Specialization in some of the most traditional and enduring mechanical engineering topics of design, motion, and dynamics of mechanical machinery. Track courses include advanced machine design, machine dynamics and strength of materials.

Thermal Sciences Focus

Specialization in some of the most traditional and enduring mechanical engineering topics of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics. Track courses include advanced thermodynamics and fluid flow.

Materials Track

Specialization in design, properties and processing of engineered composite and emerging responsive materials. Track courses include advanced strength of materials, methods of fabrication and processing, and stress analysis.

Mechatronics & Robotics Track

Specialization in the control mechanical systems for a specific goal such as maintaining a prescribed motion profile, efficient energy utilization or force application. Track courses include control system design and analysis and robotics.

Transportation Systems Track

Aerospace Applications Focus

Specialization in the application of mechanical engineering in the aerospace field. Track courses include aerodynamics, rocket propulsion and astronautics.

Vehicle Technologies Focus

This track includes traditional automotive engineering topics and advanced topics needed to meet today's needs for efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. Track courses include internal combustion engines, vehicle dynamics and autonomous vehicle sensing.

 
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With more than 60 faculty members, 330 graduate students, and 1,000 undergraduate students, the Penn State Department of Mechanical Engineering embraces a culture that welcomes individuals with a diversity of backgrounds and expertise. Our faculty and students are innovating today what will impact tomorrow’s solutions to meeting our energy needs, homeland security, biomedical devices, and transportation systems. We offer B.S. degrees in mechanical engineering as well as resident (M.S., Ph.D.) and online (M.S.) graduate degrees in mechanical engineering. See how we’re inspiring change and impacting tomorrow at me.psu.edu.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

137 Reber Building

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802-4400

Phone: 814-865-2519