Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

What do mechanical engineers do?

Mechanical engineers put machines to work for people. We made the steam engines that powered the industrial revolution; we still use steam power to generate most of the electricity in the USA. We also make better use of energy by designing more efficient buildings, vehicles, and even washing machines. We design hip implants for aging people, toys for kids, and kitchen utensils for people with disabilities. We make factories work by making machines that make things and by leading multidisciplinary teams. We design airplanes, helicopters, and space vehicles. Mechanical engineers design robots in every industry we work in: we make robots for surgery, cleaning, manufacturing, and space exploration. Some of us wind up doing things that don’t look like engineering but still require compassion, teamwork, creativity, and curiosity; we are scientists, clergy, social workers, managers, teachers, and physicians. Mechanical engineering is a broad field so mechanical engineering graduates can find fulfilling work in any industry.

What's great about careers in mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineers have high career satisfaction because they get to be creative and work together to help people. Because ME is the broadest engineering discipline, we have options for career growth including technical specialization, management, and entrepreneurship. Our work stays interesting because technology is always changing and because we can move between fields; our flexibility helps us be resilient to changing market conditions. Many ME jobs have a family-friendly combination of salary and working hours.

What makes the King's mechanical engineering program different?

• Engineering by people, for people. Our work is animated by a desire to meet human needs and it is done collaboratively and creatively. Because we start with people, it’s natural for us to be ethical and responsible for society, and for us to help everyone on the team be better. At King’s College, small class sizes enable close interactions with faculty who can guide students on how to start the design with understanding the people we’re serving.
• Authentic engineering experiences. Our students do design throughout the program. In class, students don’t just use textbook knowledge; they use engineering handbooks, codes, standards, and catalogs. Most courses in our engineering curriculum have hands-on labs. In labs, students solve complex, open-ended problems by using the tools that real engineers do, such as solid modeling and finite element analysis software, measurement tools, and fabrication equipment.
• Industriousness. Our students take the initiative to tackle challenging problems. When they experience setbacks, they determine what went wrong and figure out how to make it work.
• Integration of professional and technical skills. Mechanical engineers don’t just size gears or heat exchangers—they start by understanding people’s needs, then work in teams to do the research, experimentation, and design to meet those needs. Therefore, our students don’t just learn technical skills, they practice those skills in a professional context.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, alumni of the King’s College Mechanical Engineering program are expected to:

Complete engineering projects by using technical knowledge, working independently and as a member of a team, taking responsibility, and demonstrating leadership. Recognize how their responsibilities fit into their organization and thus take initiative to support the broader organization. Grow professionally and engage in life-long learning by engaging in activities such as completing graduate degrees or pursuing other training, obtaining licensure or certifications, and receiving guidance from mentors. Act as citizen engineers by living and working ethically and with concern for society and the environment.

King's College is about you.

You are, after all, the reason we're here. We strive to create a personal, welcoming environment that will give you the tools to succeed while you're here and long after you graduate. You'll find rigorous coursework, competitive sports and an array of activities as easily as you will supportive professors, impressive coaches and friends for life.

King's College is about values.

King's is a Catholic, comprehensive college in the liberal arts tradition founded in 1946 by the Congregation of Holy Cross from the University of Notre Dame. The minute you step foot on campus, you'll feel the warm, friendly vibe; you'll notice the immaculate surroundings and impressive facilities; you'll feel at home in the comfortable, urban setting. King's College is a home away from home—a place that overflows with values for a lifetime.

King's College is about opportunity.

Classes average 18 students, which fosters a dynamic, personal setting for you to interact with your professors and classmates, to succeed academically, socially and spiritually. King's College is your school, for life.

King's College ranks among the best.

U.S. News & World Report's list of Best Colleges and Barron's Best Buys in College Education consistently recognize the value of King's College. Don't take our word for it; see the national rankings for yourself.

Our accreditations speak volumes.

Our academic programs receive more than just respect; they receive national recognition, as well. The William G. McGowan School of Business is one of only 53 undergraduate schools of business nationwide to receive accreditation by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB-International).

Proof positive, we expect as much success from our institution, as we do from our students.

We offer more than just a tradition of excellence.

We offer the strength of a community rooted in the Congregation of Holy Cross from the University of Notre Dame. When you step foot on campus, you experience the warmth of our caring, nurturing environment.

We’re guided by principles of faith and trust.

King’s was founded in 1946 to educate the sons of miners and mill workers. While much has changed over the years, our commitment to provide a solid foundation in the liberal arts, along with the professional tools to enjoy a successful career in a number of fields continues to this day.

Students of all faiths and backgrounds benefit from a curriculum that’s as focused on the mind as it is the soul.

Mission

King's College is a Catholic institution of higher education animated and guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross. King's pursues excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship through a rigorous core curriculum, major programs across the liberal arts and sciences, nationally-accredited professional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and personal attention to student formation in a nurturing community.

Vision

Since its founding in 1946, King's has been dedicated to the Holy Cross ideal of transforming minds and hearts with zeal in communities of hope. The College's commitment to students is expressed both in the curriculum and in co-curricular programs encouraging service, fostering reflection, and cultivating leadership skills. Inspired by the teaching and example of its namesake, Christ the King, who taught by example and ruled by love, King's forms graduates who will champion the inherent dignity of every person and will mobilize their talents and professional skills to serve the common good. In the words of its founding president, "King's teaches its students not only how to make a living, but how to live."