The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has established the following set of program educational objectives:

1. Graduates will use mechanical engineering principles, proficiencies, and technical information to pursue graduate school or engineering careers including but not limited to design, development, project management and technical sales.
2. Graduates will pursue continued lifelong growth and development in mechanical engineering including learning and applying new engineering processes, tools, and technologies.
3. Graduates will contribute to the state-of-the-art in engineering design, research and problem solving including consideration of professional responsibilities.

Program outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These are as follows:

1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
7. an ability to communicate effectively
8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
10. a knowledge of contemporary issues
11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
12. an ability to apply principles of engineering, basic science, and mathematics (including multivariate calculus and differential equations); to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems, components or processes
13. preparation to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas