Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Welcome to the Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering (MME), where we integrate fundamental engineering principles with industry-relevant applications. Our programs offers strong educational experience steeped in an array of specialized impact research areas, including mechanical design, robotics, healthy buildings, microfluidics, nanomaterials, semiconductor materials, biomaterials, and wind energy and turbulence. Our department provides a comprehensive educational pathway for aspiring engineers with our  ABET-accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees.

• Mission & Faculty
  The department's mission—to nurture a professional and innovative learning environment—is realized through the work of its internationally recognized faculty members. At the forefront of their fields, they guide students in research that is closely aligned with industry needs, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in mechanical and materials engineering.
• Our Community & Location
  With strong ties to local industries and international partners, the department leverages its Portland location to give students direct access to the professional community. This integration provides a strong foundation for launching a successful engineering career

The Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering provides a curriculum that integrates fundamental principles with industry-relevant applications. A strong advising structure supports students, with a dedicated upper-division adviser for undergraduates and a multi-stage advising process for all graduate students.

Undergraduate Programs
The department's core undergraduate program is the ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Honors Program option. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on, practical learning and offers unique pathways to advanced study and professional experience. Enrollment in our upper division classes (300-400 level) requires special permission.

• The Mechanical Engineering Experience: An upper-level course that functions like a first engineering job, where students design, fabricate, and test a device with real-world applications.
• Bachelor's + Master's (B+M) Program: This accelerated pathway allows qualified juniors to take up to 16 credit hours of 500-level coursework at an undergraduate tuition rate, applying the credits toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees. Students in the B+M program with at least a 3.3 GPA are guaranteed admission into an MME graduate program.

Post-Baccalaureate & Career-Change Pathways
The department welcomes a large number of non-traditional and post-baccalaureate students. For those who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field, we provide two distinct paths to transition into an engineering career.

• Second Bachelor's Degree: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) to build a comprehensive foundation in the field.
• Master's Degree Preparation: Take necessary undergraduate courses as a post-baccalaureate student to prepare for admission into the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) or Materials Science Engineering (MSMSE) programs.

Graduate Programs
Graduate studies are designed for both full-time students and part-time working professionals, with many courses available in hybrid or online formats to provide flexibility. The department includes three distinct graduate degrees:

• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering: This program focuses on advanced coursework and research in diverse areas such as additive manufacturing, robotics, computational fluid dynamics, and vibration and control of mechanical devices.
• Master of Science in Materials Science Engineering: This degree combines fundamental materials science with engineering principles, supporting research in nanomaterials, semiconductor materials, biomaterials, and composites.
• Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering: The doctoral program emphasizes advanced research aimed at discovering or enhancing critical aspects of the field, closely aligned with industry needs to push the boundaries of mechanical engineering.

From zero-gravity experiments in space to developing nanomaterials for biomedical applications, faculty and students in the Mechanical & Materials Engineering (MME) department engage in a wide range of innovative research. This work is supported by over $3 million in annual departmental research funding. Research in the department is organized into three primary areas of interest, allowing students and faculty to develop deep expertise.

• Design & Manufacturing: This area focuses on topics including additive manufacturing (3D printing), mechanical design, robotics, and the vibration and control of mechanical devices.
• Thermal & Fluid Science: Research in this area explores turbulence, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and microfluidics.
• Materials Science: This area combines fundamental science with engineering principles, supporting research in nanomaterials, semiconductor materials, biomaterials, composites, metallurgy, and computational modeling.

Student Research Opportunities & Facilities
Both graduate and undergraduate students can participate directly in faculty-led research projects. Students work in state-of-the-art labs, gaining practical skills with industry-standard software and analysis tools.

• Analysis Software: Students use tools like ANSYS or Abaqus for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and ANSYS Fluent for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate and solve complex problems.
• Design & Programming Tools: The curriculum integrates proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks and programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, and LabVIEW for simulations and data acquisition.
• Graduate Research: The department offers opportunities for funded graduate research assistantships.

MME fosters a professional and supportive community focused on student success and provides direct pathways to a rewarding career in a wide range of industries. The department is home to a diverse student body that includes a large number of transfer and non-traditional students, as well as part-time working professionals in the graduate programs. To foster a sense of community, department staff organize events, orientations, and feedback sessions, making sure students feel welcomed and heard. 

A key networking opportunity is the department's seminar series, held each fall and spring term. This series, which is a required course for graduate students but open to everyone, invites industry professionals and alumni to present on their current work. Students can also join a variety of active, hands-on student groups to build teamwork and project management skills. Popular groups for MME students include: Viking Motorsports (VMS), PSU Robotics Club, and Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS).

Internships & Career Outcomes
Graduates are well-equipped for the job market, with average starting salaries of $73,000 or more for undergraduates and over $100,000 for our alums with advanced degrees. MME provides structured pathways to gain industry knowledge and experience through two key internship programs: MECOP (Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program) and EWX (Engineering Work Experience). These hands-on experience prepares students for careers in the aerospace, biomedical, and energy industries, among others. Graduates find jobs at top employers like Blue Origin, Boeing, Daimler Trucks, Intel, NASA, and Nike. They excel in a variety of roles, including as bioengineers, energy engineers, mechanical designers, mechatronics engineers, and systems engineers.