College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering BS
Engineer smarter solutions for a changing world.
Program details
- Modality
- On-campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Accredited
- ABET
- Designated
- STEM, STEM-OPT
- Average starting salary for mechanical engineering graduates :
- $84,000 Average starting salary for mechanical engineering graduates . View career outcomes.
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Why study mechanical engineering at UMass Dartmouth?
Today's mechanical engineers do far more than design machines. From robotics and additive manufacturing to renewable energy systems and AI-assisted simulation, modern mechanical engineers combine engineering fundamentals with advanced digital tools to solve increasingly complex challenges.
The ABET-accredited mechanical engineering BS program at UMass Dartmouth prepares graduates to lead this new era of engineering through hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry-connected design experiences.
As you progress through the program, you can personalize your degree with an optional concentration in Advanced Manufacturing or Sustainable Energy.
Launch your career
Salary range: $84,000What can I do with a Mechanical Engineering BS degree?
Mechanical engineering is one of the largest and most flexible areas of the engineering profession, offering a wide variety of career paths and opportunities in fields like offshore wind energy, manufacturing, ocean technology, robotics, aerospace, defense, and more. Employers across industries need engineers who can navigate the integration of digital and physical systems and bring innovative solutions to tomorrow's challenges. Meet the growing demand in roles like:
- Mechanical engineer
- Aerospace engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Design engineer
- Robotics engineer
- Automotive engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Renewable energy engineer
- Automation engineer
Top employers
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Curriculum
As a mechanical engineering major, you'll learn the skills to:
- Apply engineering principles, mathematics, and physics to solve complex mechanical engineering challenges.
- Use industry-standard engineering software for computer-aided design (CAD), simulation, and analysis.
- Design mechanical systems with manufacturability, performance, sustainability, and cost in mind.
- Explore advanced manufacturing topics such as robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, and quality control.
Courses include manufacturing, materials science, design, fluid mechanics, control theory, thermodynamics, heat transfer, robotics, and more. And, you can customize your education with concentrations in sustainable energy or advanced manufacturing.
Real-world experience
Starting in year one, you'll have opportunities to get out of the classroom and learn by doing.
Through internships, undergraduate research, and our signature capstone program, you'll apply what you're learning in real-world settings. Build a professional portfolio, gain industry experience, grow your network, and graduate prepared for high-demand careers or advanced study.
Our mechanical engineering students have interned with top employers like MassDOT, Innofiber, Raytheon, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Academic advisors and UMass Dartmouth's full-service Career Center support you every step of the way.
Course descriptions and requirements
Explore the official academic catalog for detailed curriculum requirements, course descriptions and program information.
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Student spotlight
- Hometown
- Fall River, MA
- Major
- Mechanical Engineering
- Leadership
- ASME, SolidWorks Club, Society of Women Engineers
- Research
- Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) Lab
- Internship
- Cornell Dubilier
- Employment
- Design engineer at Cornell Dubilier
- Achievements
- First generation college student
Accelerated degree options
Explore accelerated pathways that may help you complete your bachelor’s degree sooner, begin graduate coursework early, or pursue a streamlined path to a master’s, teaching, or law degree. Available options vary by program and eligibility.
4+1 Accelerated bachelor’s to master’s option
Qualified students in this program may be eligible to pursue an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway at UMass Dartmouth. This option allows you to begin graduate coursework while completing your undergraduate degree and transition directly into a master's program.
Learn more about College of Engineering accelerated degrees
Accolades
UMass Dartmouth is a nationally ranked R2 research university that combines the resources of a major university with a personalized educational experience. Ranked among the top 15 public research institutions with fewer than 10,000 students and in the top 17% nationally for return on investment, UMass Dartmouth is recognized for advancing research, social mobility, and career-ready education.
Nationally Ranked Engineering with ABET-Accredited Programs
The College of Engineering is home to ABET-accredited undergraduate programs and nationally-ranked graduate programs supported by significant research activity and industry partnerships. Students gain hands-on experience through advanced laboratories, faculty-led research, internships, and work addressing emerging challenges in engineering, computing, energy, healthcare, and technology.
Accreditations and distinctions
Frequently asked questions
Have questions about the Mechanical Engineering BS program? Here you will find answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.
Mechanical engineering is one of the largest and most diverse fields in the engineering profession. Mechanical engineers work in industries like robotics, advanced manufacturing, offshore wind and renewable energy, automotive, aerospace, defense, ocean technology, and more. They design, test, and produce all kinds of products from tiny sensors and devices to large industrial machinery.
Worldwide transition to renewable energy, integration of machine learning, and rapid growth in manufacturing has created a surge in demand for mechanical engineers.
A degree in mechanical engineering prepares you for roles in industry, government agencies, and research organizations, as well as for graduate education, patent law, and more.
Yes, the mechanical engineering BS program at UMass Dartmouth is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
The mechanical engineering program at UMass Dartmouth culminates in the senior capstone project, a yearlong team-based project where students solve a real-world engineering challenge for an industry client or research group. Past projects have included building an offroad Baja vehicle for competition, creating an underwater imaging system to detect marine microplastics, and developing a wearable device to improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's Disease.
Mechanical Engineering is also available as a minor. Contact your academic advisor for more information.
The Mechanical Engineering BS program is designated as a STEM degree and may qualify eligible F-1 international students for the 24-month STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) extension after completing standard post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility for STEM OPT is determined by U.S. immigration regulations and individual student circumstances. To learn about eligibility requirements and the application process, review the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) OPT page and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) STEM OPT guidance. F-1 students must work with the ISSC to apply for a STEM OPT extension.