We are known for our hands-on learning, personal advising, and our amazing faculty that bring their real-world experience to the classroom. When it comes to academic quality, U.S. News & World Report ranks St. Thomas #30 in the U.S. and #1 in Minnesota for engineering schools without a doctoral program.
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is a hands-on, industry-oriented and career-focused program that blends theory and research with practical engineering fundamentals to prepare you to succeed in this increasingly autonomous and interconnected world. Mechanical engineers research, design, and manufacture an ever-growing list of products that can range from life-saving medical devices that measure brain activity and insulin levels, rocket propellants and smart clothing sensors for autistic children all the way to solar water purification systems and autonomous vehicles.
You will apply your curiosity and creativity to enhance your understanding of topics in mechanics, energy and thermal systems, manufacturing, materials, and electro-mechanical devices. With this in-demand degree, you will be prepared to work in industries focused on product design, medical devices, robotics, automotive, aerospace and more.
Students earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering will complete the University of St. Thomas Core Curriculum requirements and Mechanical Engineering major requirements and allied requirements.
If you are interested in transferring to St. Thomas with an Engineering major, read this information for undergraduate Engineering transfer students.
This is one snapshot of how the plan of study for this major can look. Plans of study exist for students who wish to study abroad, double major or for ROTC.
The Engineering Senior Design Clinic is a two-semester capstone that challenges students to create novel solutions to engineering problems posed by industry and community partners. This course is a critical component of the St. Thomas engineering curriculum as it requires student teams to engage hands-on with real-world design problems and to gain skills in professionalism, communication and project management, all while applying their engineering knowledge. Projects are selected from a broad range of partners to match varying student interest, from multinational corporations looking for fresh ideas to entrepreneurial ventures hoping to take a prototype to the next level.
Students earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering will complete the University of St. Thomas Core Curriculum requirements and Mechanical Engineering major requirements and allied requirements.
If you are interested in transferring to St. Thomas with an Engineering major, read this information for undergraduate Engineering transfer students.
This is one snapshot of how the plan of study for this major can look. Plans of study exist for students who wish to study abroad, double major or for ROTC.
The Engineering Senior Design Clinic is a two-semester capstone that challenges students to create novel solutions to engineering problems posed by industry and community partners. This course is a critical component of the St. Thomas engineering curriculum as it requires student teams to engage hands-on with real-world design problems and to gain skills in professionalism, communication and project management, all while applying their engineering knowledge. Projects are selected from a broad range of partners to match varying student interest, from multinational corporations looking for fresh ideas to entrepreneurial ventures hoping to take a prototype to the next level.
Find your perfect fit.
While every engineering program delivers a capstone experience, the Senior Design Clinic at St. Thomas School of Engineering is building momentum around a unique national model that industry sponsors have embraced, transforming students into real-world champions.
Scott Porter is a manufacturing engineer at Renewal by Andersen. "St. Thomas was a great fit for me - small class sizes, a highly rated engineering school, professors who are there for me and I made connections to an internship that I turned into a full-time job," said Porter.
Mary Murphy is employed as a manufacturing engineer at Graco. "I appreciate all the hands-on labs we got to do for our degrees. It is so unique [at St. Thomas] that we have so many resources open to us for personal use in the machine and wood shops," said Murphy.
Brenna Carberry is a Powertrain Thermal Calibration Engineer at General Motors. “[At St. Thomas] we are trained in how to learn in addition to what we actually learn. St. Thomas Engineering gave such a foundational set of education, but the real value was in practice solving problems. Senior Design is a great example of this. You have to practice teamwork, collaboration, answering your own questions, using engineering judgement. All of those skills are what I most draw from my time at St. Thomas,” said Carberry.
The University of St. Thomas School of Engineering helps you build your resume from day one. You will have the opportunity to engage in research with faculty, become a global learner, participate in co-op and internship programs, connect with potential employers during our annual reverse career fair, build your network with a wide a variety of tech companies, and enjoy lifetime career development support.
Meet the Engineers in a Reverse Career Fair held every fall. St. Thomas engineering students interested in full-time employment and internships represent themselves with a poster board and standby as prospective employers walk and talk with students about their particular goals, interests and talents.
80% of engineering students graduate with a technical internship in industry. (Many with more than one!)
The Twin Cities is one of the leading tech areas in the United States with over 136,000 tech jobs* and over 600 companies are within 20 minutes of campus including: 3M, Honeywell, Ecolab, Polaris, Medtronic, Cargill, Xcel Energy, Cargill, Graco, and Boston Scientific.
*Why the Minnesota Technology Corridor? https://www.mntechcorridor.com/collaboration/why-the-Minnesota-technology-corridor
Access to tools and resources, including career webinars, resume assistance, interview prep and one-on-one advice.
Collaborate with faculty and engage in hands-on research right from the start as a St. Thomas engineering student.
Take advantage of study abroad opportunities to learn and grow through life-changing global experiences.
The Fast Track Bachelor’s/Master’s Program, offers mechanical engineering students the opportunity to begin their graduate studies during their undergraduate years, accelerating the process of getting their master’s degree. Students earn their bachelor’s degree first and then go on to earn their master’s with as few as 8 additional classes, saving time and money. With careful planning, it is possible to finish both degrees from St. Thomas in as few as five years.
Engineers get global experience in study abroad programs focused on engineering, social entrepreneurship or cultural immersion. Programs are held worldwide, including in Italy, Peru, Germany, Australia, and South Korea.
Become a Global Engineer
The German and Engineering dual degree program prepares graduates for meaningful careers in a globally minded and diverse world. Spending a year abroad, the combination of foreign language and engineering studies lets students apply their language and culture skills to engineering and vice versa.
The University of St. Thomas bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is accredited by the EAC Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
The University of St. Thomas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Graduates of the University of St. Thomas Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E) program are expected to achieve one or more of the following:
Adopted: August 13, 2002. Revised: May 6, 2022.
Graduates of the program have:
It takes more than theory to transform an idea into useful technology for our society. St. Thomas engineers emerge with practical, hands-on experience, the power of strong communication skills and the broad perspective of a liberal arts education. Our rigorous engineering programs are designed to transform the young creative minds of our students into engineers who can truly make a difference in the world.
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.