The Mechanical Engineering Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree. The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410)347-7700.
Minnesota State University, Mankato has heavily invested in its engineering programs over the last decade. This investment has enhanced the quality of engineering programs offered here. In fact, US News & World Report magazine ranks our engineering programs among the best in the country. We are proud of our position but we are not resting. We continue making improvements in all aspects of engineering education at Minnesota State University, Mankato. These efforts are reflected in our well-known state-of-the-art labs, small class sizes, nearly all the students passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam in their first attempt, and success stories of our graduates.
Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power-producing machines such as electricity-producing generators, internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, and jet and rocket engines. They also develop power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, robots used in manufacturing, machine tools, materials handling systems, and industrial production equipment. In addition, mechanical engineers design tools used by other engineers in their work.
Mechanical engineers work in many industries and their work varies by industry and function. Some specialties include applied mechanics, computer-aided design and manufacturing, energy systems, pressure vessels and piping, and heating, refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineering is the broadest engineering discipline, extending across many interdependent specialties. Mechanical engineers may work in production operations, maintenance, or technical sales; many are administrators or managers.
Mechanical engineers held about 221,000 jobs in 2000. More than 1 out of 2 jobs were in manufacturing --- mostly in machinery, transportation equipment, electrical equipment, instruments, and fabricated metal products industries. The remaining jobs were provided by engineering and management services, business services, and the federal government.
Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010. Although overall manufacturing employment is expected to grow slowly, employment of mechanical engineers in manufacturing should increase more rapidly as the demand for improved machinery and machine tools grows and industrial machinery and processes become increasingly complex. Also, emerging technologies in information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology will create new job opportunities for mechanical engineers.
Employment of mechanical engineers in business and engineering services firms is expected to grow faster than average as other industries in the economy increasingly contract out to these firms to solve engineering problems. In addition to job openings from growth, many openings should result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
Median annual earnings of mechanical engineers were $58,710 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,600 and $72,850. The lowest 10 percent earned less then $38,770, and the highest 10 percent earned more then $88,610. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of mechanical engineers in 2000 were
Federal government $66,320 Engineering and architectural services $59,800 Motor vehicles and equipment $59,400According to a 2001 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree graduates in mechanical engineering received a starting salary averaging about $48,426 a year; master's degree graduates in mechanical engineering, $55,994; and Ph.D. graduates, $72,096.
*information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
