At a glance: Mechanical Engineering
Did you know? Concrete can float? ONU mechanical engin
eering students compete in a concrete canoe competition each year.
Mechanical Engineering Features:
High Performance
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As one of the broadest of engineering disciplines, mechanical engineering offers a wide range of career choices, from designing aircraft engines or biomedical devices to developing new engineering materials or manufacturing techniques to discovering and applying alternative energy sources. An undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate studies in mechanical or related engineering programs or in other professional programs such as law, business or medicine. Visit the department's web site.
The mechanical engineering program at Ohio Northern University combines theory with hands-on experience so that students are able to develop a sound understanding of both fundamental principles and practical applications. This experience begins from the first day of the freshman year of the program. Students learn how to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom and laboratory to design new products and processes and to effectively communicate their accomplishments and ideas to others. Graduates of the program are creative problem solvers with the technical ability and communication skills highly sought after by a broad range of employers.
The program features a senior design project in which students work together to solve real-world problems using the knowledge and experience gained in previous courses. Students may also participate in an optional five-year cooperative education program that integrates relevant external employment into the educational experience. Several extracurricular competition projects provide additional opportunities for students to apply their classroom experiences to practical engineering problems.
Facilities
The Robert W. Biggs Engineering Building houses the T.J. Smull College of Engineering. Its classrooms, laboratories, computer labs, faculty and administrative offices completely accommodate the College of Engineering. Major features of the facility used by the mechanical engineering department include:
- Two PC-CAD laboratories
- Control systems laboratory
- Engineering material science laboratory
- Scanning electron microscope
- Vibration test table
- Finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) laboratory
- Two wind tunnels (open and closed circuit)
- Jet engine facility
- Automotive engine test facility with dynamometer
- Manufacturing processes laboratory
- Woodworking and metalworking machine shop
- Senior design studio and senior design project laboratory
Student organizations
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Joint Engineering Council, Phi Sigma Rho, Society of Women Engineers, Tau Beta Pi honorary
Program Outcomes
By the time of graduation, students majoring in Mechanical Engineering will:
- be able to apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
- be able to design and conduct experiments, then analyze and draw conclusions from the resulting data.
- be able to apply the engineering design method to specify a product or process that meets customer requirements while satisfying appropriate constraints.
- be prepared to participate as an active member of a multi-disciplinary team.
- be able to identify, formulate and solve problems in the areas of mechanical and thermal systems.
- be prepared to work ethically, professionally, and responsibly.
- demonstrate effective professional communication skills including technical writing, oral presentation, technical drawing, and listening skills.
- understand and accept that their actions and decisions are to contribute to the good of humankind.
- develop the skills needed for career-long learning, including preparation for graduate school and continuing professional development.
- have knowledge of contemporary issues and an understanding of how mechanical engineering relates to the global society.
- be able to use a variety of tools (e.g. software packages, manufacturing tools) and practices (e.g. specifications, analysis techniques) found in the professional workplace.
Professional placement
Battelle Memorial Institute, Boeing, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Copeland Corporation, Crown Equipment Corp., Daimler Chrysler, GE Aviation, Honda of America Mfg., Inc., Honda R&D Americas, Inc., Marathon Petroleum LLC, NASA Glenn Research Center, Swagelok Companies, Triumph Thermal Systems, WD Partners, Wright-Patterson AFB
Graduate schools
Case Western Reserve University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, University of Toledo, Virginia Tech, Wright State University

















