Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design the future. Combining technical analysis with creativity, mechanical engineers address challenges facing society both locally and globally.
Mechanical engineers apply scientific and mathematical ideas to create machines, projects, and technological systems. Working in a wide range of contexts, they often work collaboratively with team members of diverse expertise. Like all engineers, mechanical engineers are creative problem solvers. They design, develop, and construct internal combustion engines, machinery, power plants, transportation vehicles, and biomedical devices. They work in manufacturing, marketing, management, research, education, and system design and development.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a comprehensive B.S. program that prepares graduates for professional work or further study at the graduate level. Design is integrated throughout the curriculum. We also offer a minor in mechanical engineering.
Student Projects
Students work together in collaboration with faculty and laboratory staff to design and build a variety of working machines. Recent projects include a reusable rocket, a small Formula-style race car, a model airplane, and a Battlebot.
Read about these exciting projects
Honors Thesis
Students have the opportunity to explore their specific interests, take advantage of close interaction with faculty, and further their academic distinction through honors research projects.
Read more about honors projects
Study Abroad
Roughly half of Lafayette mechanical engineering students choose to study abroad whether for a semester or January or May interim term. Lafayette actively supports semester-long programs for sophomore engineering students with Lafayette faculty members teaching courses and accompanying students on cultural excursions.
Learn more about the full range of study abroad options
Facilities
The department has approximately 12,000 square feet of laboratory space, which is used to support undergraduate instruction, student research, student design projects, and faculty research.
Learn more about our leading edge laboratoriesLinks
From news.lafayette.edu
All Recent News
Oct 24, 2025
Meet our new faculty: Rosalie Connell
Learn more about Rosalie Connell, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
Sep 30, 2025
NASA aerospace engineer E. Lara Lash ’13 to deliver Resnik Memorial Lecture
NASA Aerospace engineer E. Lara Lash ’13—who is currently investigating the use of unsteady pressure-sensitive paint (uPSP) in large-scale aircraft and…
Jun 18, 2025
Inside the classroom: Systems course helps students visualize the world
A required course for an integrative engineering degree, this class is also popular among students from other majors.
More from Mechanical Engineering
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Engineering Programs
The programs are grounded in Lafayette’s traditional strength in discipline-specific engineering and complemented by the College’s excellence in the liberal arts.
Learn more about the engineering programs