Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Kurt Bassett, Department Head
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Crothers Engineering Hall 221
605-688-5426

Faculty

Professors

Kurt Bassett, Stephen Gent, Zhong Hu

Associate Professors

Todd Letcher, Gregory Michna

Assistant Professors

Saikat Basu, Marco Ciarcià, Jeffrey Doom, Kim-Doang Nguyen, Anamika Prasad

Lecturers

William Bloxsom, Michael Twedt, John Versteeg

Instructors

Christina Gerometta, Sarah Michna, Douglas Peters

Emeritus

Fereidoon Delfanian, Don Froehlich, Alexandros Moutsoglou

Overview

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Mechanical Engineering, as well as minors in Biomedical Engineering and Sustainable Energy Systems. A Ph.D. in Agricultural, Biosystems, and Mechanical Engineering (ABME) is also offered.  The department is focused on developing students’ problem-solving talents, built upon a solid understanding of the scientific and mathematical principles that guide engineers. The faculty members are dedicated to providing a challenging and effective learning environment. They continue to build upon their considerable expertise through engineering research and practice.

Throughout the curriculum, classroom theory is extended and applied with learning activities in well-equipped laboratories. Team-oriented design courses prepare students to apply engineering principles to the solution of real-world problems. Most students participate in at least one internship or cooperative work experience during a summer or semester away from campus. Opportunities are also available for students to participate in research projects guided by faculty members working with state-of-the-art engineering equipment.

Department Mission

The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is to provide a highly respected, rigorous, professional education for Mechanical Engineering students; to conduct consequential research; and to provide technical assistance to our constituents.

Programs

Majors

• Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)  

Minors

• Biomedical Engineering Minor  
• Sustainable Energy Systems Minor  

Graduate Programs*

• Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)
• Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.)

* Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.

Facilities & Services

In addition to the instructional laboratories, the department houses the following research laboratories:

• Aerospace Robotics Testbed Laboratory
• Bio-Materials Laboratory
• Dynamics and Control Laboratory
• Heat Transfer Laboratory
• Materials Evaluation and Testing Laboratory
• Simulation-Based Engineering and Analysis Laboratory
• Lab for Engineering of Additive Designs; Education and Research

Student Support & Engagement Opportunities

The department provides opportunities for student engagement through engineering design projects, participation in research, and participation in student organizations. The following student branches of professional societies are active in the department:

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
• Society of Automotive Engineers
• Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society)
• Biomedical Engineering Society

In addition, mechanical engineering students are active in the following engineering organizations:

• Cube-Sat Club
• Robotics Club
• Society of Women Engineers
• Engineers For World Improvement
• Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
• Alpha Omega Epsilon (Engineering Sorority)
• Sigma Phi Delta (Engineering Fraternity)

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