Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Whether your goal is to advance the energy sector, design public water systems, or oversee the manufacturing of equipment and products, St. Ambrose University has a program to help you reach your goals.

Our graduates work at Accenture, ExxonMobil, Genesis Health System, Boeing Charleston, Deere & Company, HON Company, Sierra Nevada Corporation Space Systems, and others.

AT A GLANCE

SAU was ranked 5th in College Consensus' (2018) survey of Best Colleges and Universities in Iowa, and 13th in the category Best Regional Universities-Midwest, based on an average of published rankings and student reviews. Ranked 38th (tie) by U.S. News & World Report (2019) Regional Universities Midwest out of a region of 12 states. The publication gathers data from each college on up to 15 indicators of academic excellence. Each factor is assigned a weight that reflects U.S. News' judgment about how much that measure matters. Finally, the colleges and universities in each category are ranked against their peers, based on their composite weighted score.

Ambrose Advantages

• Extensive Hands-On Research & Design Experience
• Exceptional Lab Facilities
• Personal Attention: Faculty Focus On You

Our rigorous, but rewarding, Mechanical Engineering program gives you hands-on, real-world experience. You will be guided by an expert and engaged faculty and gain skills that make you a sought-after asset in the workforce.

St Ambrose University is a recognized College of Distinction for its adherence to successful outcomes, great teaching, creating a vibrant community, and educating engaged students.

St. Ambrose Fall Drone Tour from St Ambrose University on Vimeo.

Accreditation

The St. Ambrose Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org).

Why choose SAU Engineering?

Our Liberal Arts focus makes us different than any other engineering school. Yes, you will learn the same math, science, and analytical skills here, but you will also learn to think critically, how to communicate, work in teams, and gain the ability to see how and where you fit into the greater world. These are assets regional and national employers are looking for in new hires, and they tell us that our students excel in those areas. That could be why 99% of our domestic students have a job lined up before they graduate.

Enrollment in our engineering programs has more than doubled in recent years from 50 students in 2009 to more than 150 this year. That is a lot of growth, yet we remain a small department committed to giving you personal attention. Our goal is to educate engineers, not conduct personal research projects. And you will be taught by Ph.D.s, not teaching assistants.

Our engineering programs get high praise and support from regional employers who offer internships, professional mentorships, and job opportunities. Some even have given financial support to the university, allowing us to provide you with three floors of state-of-the-art labs.

What unique learning opportunities will I get at SAU?

• Internships : Companies throughout the region highly support our engineering programs, and provide internships, professional mentors, and job opportunities. Through our extensive network of engineering alumni and companies across the country, you get on-the-job experience in a mandatory internship at leading manufacturers such as Deere & Company, the Rock Island Arsenal, Caterpillar and more.

• Design Experience : Enroll in sophomore design courses and undertake a real project for a real customer, then present your work at an Engineering Showcase. Our students have completed projects for local companies and even engineered ways to help people with disabilities lead more active lives.

• Engineering Club : The club hosts pizza and study nights throughout the year, members volunteer at events that promote engineering and community service, organizes tours of local companies, and participate in Quad Cities Engineering and Science Council events.

• Society of Women Engineers : Our official chapter of SWE focuses on professional development and outreach to youth. Our members go to area high schools and tell students about the opportunities that abound in STEM fields. We annually host Introduce a Girl to Engineering Night, and in the Spring of 2017, it garnered a crowd of more than 500 girls, ages 3-13, who learned about engineering through hands-on activities.

• Engineering Ambassadors : You, too, can represent S.A.U.'s Mechanical and Industrial Engineering programs. Ambassadors share their experiences as Ambrosians and members of the engineering program. They help with recruiting, retention, outreach, and industry relations for the Engineering and Physical Science Department.

What have alumni of this program done?

• Samantha (Lee) Barkley '09 was a Fulbright Scholar and worked in an HIV/AIDS clinic in Trinidad and Tobago where she researched medical record processes and developed ways medical centers could provide better care. She is now a process engineer for ASEA Brown Boveri in St. Louis.

• Santiago Gonzalez '14 is the Chief Design Engineer for Frautschi and runs his own thriving business.

• Jeff Menke '99 is a Pella Windows senior engineer and recently designed custom windows for the Ambrose Hall renovation at SAU.

• Jeff Stebel '01 is a systems engineer for Dream Chaser Space, which supports NASA and the International Space Station.

Many of our graduates seek advanced degrees and have been admitted to programs at Southern Illinois University Medical School, Northern Illinois University, University of Florida, Bradley University and Oregon State University.

ST. AMBROSE UNIVERSITY

A dynamic campus life

We offer more than 60 majors with the flexibility to mix majors, minors, and electives to match your interests. What's more, our spirited community is known for its athletics, special events, and outstanding residence halls.

SAU students are inspired by our Catholic intellectual tradition and commitment to social justice. In fact, they volunteer thousands of service hours every year - and more than 150,000 hours in the past year alone!

AT A GLANCE

SAU was ranked 5th in College Consensus' (2018) survey of Best Colleges and Universities in Iowa, and 13th in the category Best Regional Universities-Midwest, based on an average of published rankings and student reviews. Ranked 38th (tie) by U.S. News & World Report (2019) Regional Universities Midwest out of a region of 12 states. The publication gathers data from each college on up to 15 indicators of academic excellence. Each factor is assigned a weight that reflects U.S. News' judgment about how much that measure matters. Finally, the colleges and universities in each category are ranked against their peers, based on their composite weighted score.

OUR LOCATON

Right in the middle of anywhere you want to go!

St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa, part of the Quad Cities – a bi-state (Iowa and Illinois) metropolitan area situated on the only major stretch of the Mississippi River that runs from east to west.

WHY SAU

Find your greater purpose in life at St. Ambrose University

Some students prefer to get lost in the crowd at large universities. Being one person in a sea of faces, they may step out into the world not knowing who they are or what life is all about.

But you're different. You want a quality education at a smaller school where your professors know you by name, where you can actually perform research in your first year, and where your faith and dedication to serving others provides you and your friends with a greater purpose in life. If you're this kind of student, we want to meet you!

The Academic Resources of a State School, the Friendliness of a Small College

Get the Best of Both Worlds

St. Ambrose offers dozens of majors and the same top-notch academics found at larger universities and colleges in Iowa. In fact, the academic opportunities at Ambrose – internships, research, hands-on learning – go above and beyond many of our state and private school competitors.

But what sets us apart is our small class sizes and approachable professors who get to know you and are dedicated to your instruction, providing you with opportunities you might not receive at other colleges in the Quad Cities or elsewhere.

Ambrosian Values Are the Foundation for Building Success

SAU Is the Right Fit for You

Our Ambrosian values of academic excellence and commitment to the liberal arts, social justice, and community service help lay the groundwork for your success as a student, your career, and in making the world a better place.

HOW CAN I SUPPLEMENT MY EDUCATION?

The SAU College of Business has a comprehensive internship program to give you quality hands-on, marketable experience. Management students have interned at many regional and national corporations, including the Rock Island Arsenal, MidAmerican Energy, and Deere & Company.

Our students also get to apply their learning to real projects, which allows you to learn from and contribute to, the Quad Cities community.

WHAT ARE SOME POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS?

Management professionals can enter many career fields, including marketing, financial, travel, banking, entertainment and more. Several of our alumni have joined their family business.

Your skills are also highly valued by companies that focus on retail, hospitality, banking, manufacturing, transportation, and entertainment.

Our alumni speak often about the quality and value of a St. Ambrose education.

A recent survey of SAU College of Business graduates found 97% were employed full- or part-time, in graduate school, continuing their education, or weren't seeking employment at the time.

WHAT HAVE ALUMNI OF THIS PROGRAM DONE?

• Wes Erickson '12, '14 MOL thought he would head into the armed forces, but instead found his passion in management and marketing. Although he achieved minors in those areas, his knowledge and interests - as well as mentoring by Wes' favorite professors - propelled him toward a master's degree in Organizational Leadership at SAU. As a Project Manager with UnityPoint Health's Enterprise Program Management Office, Wes succeeds at his job with the well-rounded and multi-discipline education he earned at Ambrose.
• Elijah Grant IV '15 double-majored in management and marketing and now runs his own media firm, Grant Media in Davenport. Knowing how to affect change and inspire people was what Elijah took away from St. Ambrose. "The leadership opportunities on campus made my time at St. Ambrose worthwhile. Being in those leader roles as a student prepared me to lead outside of the classroom and helped me grow as a person.”