ALTOONA, PA – A new bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering will be launched this fall at Penn State Altoona.

Mechanical Engineering (ME) is one of the largest and broadest engineering disciplines, forming the basis for almost all other engineering specializations. It uses a combination of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and materials science to study mechanical, fluid, and thermal systems.

According to Jungwoo Ryoo, division chief of business, engineering, and information science and technology at Penn State Altoona, there is a chronic shortage of engineers, and mechanical engineering at the college will help meet this ever-increasing demand both locally and globally. .

As problem solvers, mechanical engineers use their fundamental knowledge to apply scientific and technical methods to the design, construction and testing of products and components to ensure that they are safe, reliable and cost effective. . This includes everything from sports equipment, medical devices, theme park rides and personal computers to motors and power plants. Mechanical engineers contribute to the health and safety of our world.

“The launch of the new Mechanical Engineering program in the fall of 2021 is very exciting for our students, staff and faculty at Penn State Altoona,” says Grant Risha, professor of mechanical engineering. “This will provide an additional exciting engineering path for students. “

Penn State Altoona’s program offers smaller classrooms and labs, one-on-one interaction between students and faculty, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, undergraduate research, and proactive counseling. After graduation, our students will be prepared for graduate studies or to enter the industry, which includes a wide range of multinational companies and local businesses. Graduates will benefit from great career flexibility in disciplines as diverse as research, manufacturing, product and system design and testing, healthcare, energy, military, transportation and transportation. consumer products. A mechanical engineering background is also excellent preparation for technical management, business, law or technical sales.

Ryoo, who is also a professor of information science and technology, says that by offering mechanical engineering, electromechanical engineering technology, and the country’s only ABET-accredited rail transportation engineering major, the engineering program of Penn State Altoona is now stronger than ever. “We can get a lot of synergy from these engineering programs, including faculty exchanges, more optional options, and future collaborative research projects. I am delighted to have the Mechanical Engineering major added to our portfolio, and our division is at the forefront of providing more options and flexibility to our students.