MEE Overview

MEE Overview

Vision Statement

The vision of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy is to be an innovative leader in providing undergraduate and graduate mechanical engineering education, conducting high quality research, and serving industry and government agencies in Indianapolis, the state, and beyond.

Mission Statement

Consistent with the mission of IUPUI and the School of Engineering and Technology, the mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy is to:

  1. Provide high quality education in mechanical engineering for both undergraduate and graduate students
  2. Provide support for faculty to conduct high quality research and ensure high quality education 
  3. Increase the program's national and international reputation
  4. Enhance the community through civic responsibility and the promotion of economic development
  5. Provide technical expertise and training to industry on advanced technologies

Prospective Students

Mechanical engineering is a very diverse field that includes a large range of topics, such as the design of products, processes and new systems to implementing large-scale machinery or creating tiny Micro-Electromechanical systems (M.E.M.S.). The Mechanical engineer has many job choices and has the opportunity to work in well established technological fields or at the cutting edge of science. Whether at the molecular scale or at the scale of large, complex systems, Mechanical engineering principles are used in the conception, design, development, and manufacture of almost every product made by man. 

The following provides additional information about the Undergraduate Program and the Graduate Program at IUPUI as well as more about IUPUI in general.

To enroll in the Mechanical Engineering and Energy Department you need to be admitted to IUPUI. The admission process can be started by visiting this page: IUPUI Admissions.

Welcome to Mechanical and Energy Engineering at IUPUI

As a graduate student or an undergraduate student there are numerous ways to get involved in research in Mechanical Engineering. At the graduate level you can become a Research Assistant and be involved in full-time research, or you can take directed research courses if full-time research is not your interest. As an undergraduate, there are a number of opportunities to get involved in research. From a similar directed research program, to the Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Institute (MURI) which coordinates small research teams of undergraduate students with faculty advisors. The faculty in the Mechanical Engineering program at IUPUI not only have a strong commitment to education but also have world class research programs in the following areas.

  • Renewable Energy
  • Combustion & Heat Transfer
  • Propulsion
  • Design & Manufacturing
  • Dental Biomechanics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Materials & Solid Mechanics
  • Systems & Controls

More information about the research being performed in the Mechanical Engineering and Energy Department at IUPUI can be found at the ME Research Laboratories page.

The Department continues to expand with the hiring of new faculty in areas as diverse as nano-scale modeling to fuel cell technology. New courses keep the ME graduate and undergraduate curricula current and relevant. We have recently added new courses in renewable energy and system engineering to the curriculum. Although these examples are a small sampling, they exemplify that from nano-scale theory to real world product development, the Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department at IUPUI provides an exciting and diverse educational experience.

An active cooperative education program exists in the Mechanical Engineering program. This program provides opportunities for employment in engineering while students are working on their degree. This program allows for hands-on engineering experience and simultaneously provides credit towards your degree. Information about the Co-op program can be found here. In addition there are study aboard opportunities, such as the Go-Green program where students tour progressive factories in Germany to learn about Green Manufacturing.

There are numerous student chapters of professional and honor societies such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineering, Pi Tau Sigma, and the Society of Women Engineers which provide leadership opportunities, collegial activities, and learning experiences outside the classroom.

Our mission is to provide you with the best educational and research curriculum possible, giving you the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in whatever field of Mechanical Engineering you choose.

What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering (ME) is one of the most versatile and multidisciplinary engineering disciplines. ME encompasses almost all aspects of modern technology from man-made devices to biological systems. Mechanical engineers design, develop, and manufacture every kind of vehicle, power system, machine, and tool. Any type of machine that produces, transmits, or uses power is most likely the product of a mechanical engineer. Mechanical Engineers are also expected to understand and be able to apply concepts from the chemistry, math, physics, and electrical engineering fields.

Careers in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering graduates qualify for jobs in areas such as computer-aided engineering (finite element method, virtual prototyping, computer-aided manufacturing), fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, heat transfer, manufacturing, robotics, control systems, stress analysis, applied thermodynamics, combustion, heating, refrigeration and air conditioning, and turbomachinery. Moreover, emerging technologies in biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology are likely to create new job opportunities for mechanical engineers. ME graduates work in one of several departments of businesses including design, manufacturing, research, testing, and management. They work in diverse insdustries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy, HVAC, manufacturing, materials processing, medical device, nuclear, and pharmaceutical industries as lead personnel.

The following sites provide additional information about mechanical engineering: 

Three of the most active professional societies which mechanical engineers belong to are: 

Educational Requirements

Information on the mechanical engineering degrees in our department is available at: