COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Design Engineering at the University at Albany is a comprehensive program that blends mechanical engineering fundamentals with modern design thinking, preparing students to create innovative, functional, and sustainable engineering solutions. The curriculum covers a wide range of core topics, including mechanics, materials science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing processes, and systems analysis, while also emphasizing human-centered and sustainable design approaches. Students begin with foundational engineering and design courses such as Introduction to Engineering, Computer-Aided Design and Analysis, Introduction to Materials Science, Statics, Strength of Materials, and Introduction to Circuits and Electronics. These courses build essential technical knowledge in both mechanical systems and basic electrical principles. As students progress, they study advanced mechanical and design topics including Dynamics, Machine Design and Kinematics, Mechatronics, Systems Modeling and Analysis, Heat and Mass Transfer, and Fluid Mechanics, gaining a strong understanding of how physical systems operate and interact. A key feature of the program is its emphasis on applied learning, highlighted by a two-semester capstone project where students work in teams to design, prototype, and present engineering solutions while developing project management, communication, and teamwork skills. The curriculum also integrates strong mathematical and scientific foundations through courses in calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, probability, statistics, physics, and chemistry. Students further customize their education through upper-level electives and restricted electives, allowing them to focus on areas such as sustainable design, human-computer interaction, or digital project management. Overall, the program prepares graduates for careers in product design, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and systems development across industries such as consumer products, healthcare technology, and sustainable engineering.