We are known for our hands-on learning, personal advising, and our amazing faculty that bring their real-world experience to the classroom. #23 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, .
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 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, .
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 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.
St. Thomas engineering faculty are real-world experts who build strong personal and professional connections with students both inside and outside of the classroom. Students can engage in clubs, activities, field trips and research projects with faculty and their peers.
Nearly 80% of our students graduate with internship experience. Our outstanding relationships with Twin Cities companies create great opportunities for students to gain real-world experience. Every year, at an event called "", over 75 companies send their representatives to seek out our engineering students for internships and jobs at their companies.
With over 400,000 square feet dedicated to STEM education, St. Thomas engineering students have plenty of room to conceptualize, collaborate, create and innovate. From industrial scale , a world-class , to one of the only in the nation, St. Thomas delivers on its promise of an impactful, hands-on education.
Engineering is about solving problems that ultimately improve people's lives. At St. Thomas, a broad Liberal Arts education develops students' ability to deeply appreciate and understand the people, perceptions, policies and business environment that define technology's success. The liberal arts perspective makes for better engineers.
of all mechanical engineering students are employed full-time or enrolled in graduate school within 6 months of graduation.
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.
Dagmawe Mamo is employed as a mechanical engineer at Nextern. "I definitely enjoyed the small class sizes and the professors are very personable. St. Thomas wants you to do well, wants you to graduate and wants you to be good at your job," said Mamo.
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 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?
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 to learn and grow through life-changing global experiences.
Dr. Jeong Ho You is working on using sound as electricity. Sound, mainly in a form of noises, is abundant in our urban lives. Acoustic energy from noise is a clean and sustainable energy resource. He has designed and fabricated a harvester, inspired by a mammal’s hearing mechanism to convert noises into electricity.
Dr. Nelson-Cheeseman has a passion for advanced engineering materials and has collaborated with St. Thomas engineering students to research magnetic responses of 3-D printed magnetic structures. The objective is to produce more efficient transformers that waste less energy in electrical systems.
Dr. Abraham along with engineering faculty Brian Plourde , '10, '11, developed a technology to clean drinking water with sunlight and to install these devices at hospitals and organizations in Africa. Next year, they plan to begin a world-wide roll out. He also works in the medical device field, designing implantable medical devices to improve patient care.
Dr. David Forliti is a rocket scientist (really) and has worked on many rocket launches. At St. Thomas, Dr. Forliti has researched how propellants mix and blend at high pressure. He hopes that his research will lead to a better understanding of high-pressure combustion systems to enable the development of liquid rocket engines that operate efficiently, safely and reliably.
The School of Engineering has many student clubs to choose from including:
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, , 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.