Undergraduate Program

Our unique curriculum provides a rigorous grounding in math and fundamental and applied science, as well as the humanities, as part of Columbia’s famed Core Curriculum. There are 27 points of nontechnical credit within the B.S. degree requirement. This gives students the flexibility to take electives within the engineering school and at Columbia College. Undergraduate students can choose from a large list of available courses from the college and the school.

Beginning in the first semester, students become immersed in designing engineering solutions, take part in collaborative research projects, and expand their thinking in Columbia’s legendary Core Curriculum.

Undergraduate students have numerous opportunities to work with top faculty, both in the classroom and in the laboratory, who are actively engaged in pioneering research across disciplines. Opportunities exist for both semester-long and full-time summer research projects. Students also participate in local chapters of clubs such as the ASME, Solar-Splash, SAE, Engineers without Borders and AIAA.

Program Educational Objectives

The Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Program at Columbia University has the following Program Educational Objectives (PEOs):

• Practice mechanical engineering in a broad range of industries
• Pursue advanced education, research and development, and other creative and innovative efforts in science, engineering, and technology, as well as other professional careers.
• Conduct themselves in a responsible, professional, and ethical manner.
• Participate in activities that support humanity and economic development nationally and globally, developing as leaders in their fields of expertise.

Our department periodically reviews these objectives and as part of this review process, encourages comments from all interested parties: current students, alumni, prospective students, faculty, teaching assistants, those who hire or admit our graduates to other programs, members of related professional organizations, and colleagues from other educational institutions. Please send comments to our ABET coordinator Arvind Narayanaswamy at [email protected].

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program at Columbia University will attain:

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
• An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• 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
• An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• An ability to communicate effectively
• The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
• A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning
• A knowledge of contemporary issues
• An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Additionally, graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program at Columbia University will also attain:

• An ability to apply principles of basic science and mathematics (including multivariate calculus and differential equations)
• An ability to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems, components or processes
• An ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas

Enrollment and Graduation Statistics

*excludes sophomores

ABET Accreditation

The undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET: http://www.abet.org.