About

Vision

To provide nationally recognized excellence in engineering education, research, and service to our profession and society.

Mission

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at NDSU will contribute to the aspirations of a land-grant university in the three primary components of education, research, and service. In support of these endeavors, the mission of the department is to:

• Educate undergraduate and graduate students in the fundamentals of the discipline, prepare graduates to effectively function in society in the field of their choice, and provide the learning skills to adapt to evolving personal and professional goals.
• Develop and maintain high quality research programs in traditional and emerging areas that build on the diverse strengths of the faculty, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and address national and global needs.
• Serve the needs of the profession, the state of North Dakota, and regional industries to promote and enhance economic development opportunities.

ABET Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. ABET accreditation is important, as it ensures that our program:

• Has received international recognition of its quality.
• Promotes “best practices” in education.
• Directly involves faculty and staff in self-assessment and continuous quality improvement processes.
• Is based on “learning outcomes” rather than “teaching inputs.”
• Can more easily determine the acceptability of transfer credits.

Through application of ABET’s quality standards, we seek to achieve a better-educated, geographically mobile, and diverse technical workforce well prepared to advance innovation and excel professionally in fields of critical importance to society. Earning a degree from an ABET accredited program:

• Verifies that your educational experience meets the global standard for technical education in our profession.
• Enhances your employment opportunities, as many companies require graduation from an accredited program.
• Supports your entry into a technical profession through licensure, registration, and certification.
• Establishes your eligibility for many federal student loans, grants, and scholarships.
• Provides greater opportunities to work globally.

Curriculum Built for You

At NDSU, you’ll have the freedom to shape your mechanical engineering education around what excites you most. Whether you’re drawn to robotics, biomedical innovation, sustainable energy, nanotechnology, or advanced materials, our flexible curriculum lets you explore your interests while building a strong foundation in engineering fundamentals. You can also pursue specialized minors—like coatings and polymeric materials or biomedical engineering—that give you a competitive edge and broaden your career options.

Expert Faculty, Hands-On Learning

As a mechanical engineering student, you’ll learn from experienced faculty who are not only passionate educators but also active researchers tackling real-world challenges. Our home in Dolve Hall features modern classrooms, dedicated labs, and computer clusters designed to support your learning and creativity. From day one, you'll gain access to the tools and technology that bring engineering concepts to life.

Launch a Career That Matters

NDSU mechanical engineering graduates are in demand across the country, launching careers with top companies in industries like aerospace, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and more. With an average starting salary of $73,000, our grads are making an impact right away. Employers hiring NDSU engineers include industry leaders like Bobcat, Boeing, John Deere, Caterpillar, 3M, and Xcel Energy. Whether your goal is to innovate in industry, work in government, or pursue advanced study, we’ll help you get there.