About Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering Department directly promotes the land-grant mission of the University of Idaho by providing distinctive and innovative learning experiences related to "the mechanic arts" cited in the Morrill Acts. Mechanical Engineering is a statewide department, with faculty in Boise, Idaho Falls and Moscow, and, in conjunction with Engineering Outreach, delivers education to students throughout Idaho, the nation and the world. The department, which offers B.S., M.S., M.Engr. and Ph.D. degrees, has the third largest number of undergraduate and graduate students among all degree-granting departments at the university. Over the last ten years, enrollment in departmental programs has grown by over 30 percent.

For over 20 years, the department has played a leadership role in the inter-disciplinary, industry-sponsored capstone design program as well as the annual Engineering Design EXPO. Its efforts in hands-on, real-world engineering education have been recognized by the National Academy of Engineering and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The education delivered by the department prepares students for professional employment and graduate study at highly ranked institutions. Graduates are highly sought after by employers, and surveys show that companies are very pleased with the technical and problem-solving skills of program graduates. The department has engaged in a number of NSF-sponsored grants related to program assessment of professional skills and has shared its expertise with the College of Engineering in advancing numerous accreditation activities.

Faculty, staff and students within our department perform research sponsored by industry as well as by state and federal agencies. We are a partner in the Center for Advanced Energy Studies in Idaho Falls and have a long history of substantive research collaboration with the Idaho National Laboratory. Our faculty member in Boise is integral to the Center for Ecohydraulics Research. Several Moscow faculty have a long history of involvement with the National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. The department also engages in many inter-disciplinary projects that involve other colleges across campus on topics of entrepreneurship, manufacturing, energy conservation, water resources, material science, fire science, biomechanics, medical devices, autonomous vehicles and musical performance. The Mechanical Engineering Department is also home to a modern machine shop that is frequently called upon to fabricate precision equipment for other researchers from numerous colleges and departments. The scholarly and creative activities of the Mechanical Engineering Department promote economic development and national security while contributing new knowledge via peer-reviewed publications.