UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — What do new developments in renewable energy, homeland security and biomedical devices have in common? They all require mechanical engineering to be successful. As the U.S. economy continues to improve, demand for mechanical engineers is up 9 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Advancing in this career, which involves designing, developing, building and testing mechanical devices, will be more convenient with Penn State’s master of science in mechanical engineering (MSME), which will be delivered online starting this fall.
“Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest of the engineering disciplines and gives people a lot of flexibility to work in design, research and technical sales, or in their own businesses,” said Daniel Haworth, professor of mechanical engineering and professor-in-charge of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Graduate Programs. “Penn State’s MSME has a prescribed set of general requirements, but students can tailor the degree to their specific engineering interests.”
Penn State has offered mechanical arts education since its formation. By 1887, the College of Engineering had a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. In the 1930s, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering was created. This degree now ranks among the top U.S. programs. More recently, the college’s Industrial Advisory Board recommended offering this degree online to meet employee education needs, said Karen A. Thole, professor and head of the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.
“Many of our Penn State mechanical engineering graduates also are interested in an advanced degree, but they want to continue their education while working,” added Thole. “By offering this degree online, more Penn State alumni and other engineers will be able to access our excellent curriculum.”
The College of Engineering’s 32-credit MSME is delivered online through Penn State’s World Campus. The same faculty who teach on campus teach online. The degree includes courses in thermal and mechanical systems, covering topics of heat transfer, foundations of fluid mechanics, principles of turbomachinery, automatic control systems, solid mechanics and engineering optimization. Courses are collaborative, enabling students to interact with each other and build strong ties.
Applications are now being accepted for Penn State’s online master of science in mechanical engineering.