Mechanical Engineering
About
Mechanical engineering is the application of engineering, physics and materials science principles to the design, production and operation of mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines.
Why Mechanical Engineering is in Demand:
- Mechanical engineers work in a range of industries, including auto and machinery manufacturing, electronics, architecture and nanotechnologies.
- Mechanical engineers often work on the latest industrial pursuits, especially in robotics and automation.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the mechanical engineering field to experience faster than average growth in engineering services.
- The median annual salary for mechanical engineers in May 2021 was $95,300. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Is it for me?
- Do you like to think outside the box to solve problems?
- Do you want to create things that help improve people’s lives?
Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for Mechanical Engineering
Preparing You For Personal & Professional Successplus or minus
You’ll learn how to:
- Identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
- Use the techniques, skills and tools necessary for engineering practice
- Function on multidisciplinary teams
- Design a system, component or process within realistic constraints such as budget, health and safety concerns, and sustainability.
- Communicate effectively
- Understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
Internships
The Physics and Engineering Department, in conjunction with the Center for Career Development, assists mechanical engineering students in obtaining summer internships – an important vehicle for career networking and job placement after graduation.
What You'll Learnplus or minus
Curriculum
The 131-credit curriculum provides a strong foundation for a number of career paths, while offering space and flexibility for majors to further tailor their degree to suit a wide array of specializations.
Courses include:
- Strength of Materials
- Heat Transfer
- Vibration Engineering
- Manufacturing Processes
Careers
Where will mechanical engineering take me?
Mechanical engineers work in a wide range of industries, including:
- Manufacturing (machine tools, prototyping)
- Computers and electronics (disk drives, printers, cooling systems, semiconductor tools)
- Automotive (from a car’s chassis to every subsystem in it)
- Aerospace (airplanes, engines, control systems for airplanes and spacecraft)
- Biotechnology (prosthetic devices, implants, fluidic systems for the pharmaceutical industry)
- Energy conversion (gas and wind turbines, solar energy, fuel cells)
- Environmental control (heating and air conditioning, refrigeration, compressors)
- Automation (robots, data and image acquisition)
After college, many mechanical engineers obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows them to supervise other engineers’ work and sign off on projects.
Others continue on to graduate school, earning master’s degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology or broaden project management skills. Some earn doctorates in order to work in higher education or some research and development programs.
How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge

Whether it's advising or providing letters of references for a competitive graduate school or dream job, faculty make it their priority to get to know each student on an individual level. That deep level of understanding means that our faculty members are not only dedicated teachers and strong researchers but advocates for you professionally.
Take the Next Step
Get the Facts
For More Information
Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu
Department of Physics/Engineering
Andrew Berger, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Physics/Engineering
(570) 941-4056
wandrew.berger@scranton.edu