Mechanical engineers design machines, materials, and systems that satisfy a particular function. They deal with problems in areas such as energy conversion, mechanical components and systems, man and machine environments, instrumentation, and control of processes.<br><br>Mechanical engineering has applications in all phases of industry, including such challenging fields as aerospace, materials, design, and product reliability and safety. Mechanical engineers consider fluid mechanics, design, thermodynamics, mechanics, controls, materials and heat transfer in addressing problems.<br><br>The department's curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn how to think creatively and logically, and how to use new-found knowledge to address complex problems. Throughout the curriculum, but particularly in the three course design sequence, students are challenged with creative design problems. To solve these problems, students use skills learned from classes in mechanics of materials, experimental methods, engineering analysis, controls, materials science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.