Undergraduate Programs

The bachelor of science in mechanical engineering emphasizes a culture of design beginning freshman year with an introduction to modern engineering tools and culminating in a year-long senior design project.

Our courses, taught by world-class faculty members, emphasize mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, systems control, and mechatronics. Required courses include entrepreneurship in engineering, mechatronics, and developing the societal engineer.

We have invested in new labs and spaces, and our mechanical engineering majors are making the most of them. Our seniors work in teams to conceive, design, and produce solutions to important, sponsor-dictated mechanical engineering problems.

These projects help students develop an understanding of research methodology and promote critical and innovative thinking. Students have built a robot to detect clogged storm drains, a portable wind turbine to provide electricity, and vehicle devices to make transportation safer.

Check the catalog for official admissions and degree requirements.

Our students have the option of declaring a concentration in Aerospace Engineering.  They’ll then choose four elective courses to learn about the fundamentals of astronautics, aeronautics and the systems that make operating in these environments possible to complete the concentration. Course options for the concentration are described in the catalog. To learn more about aerospace engineering at George Mason University, Learn more. 

Microfabrication involves the process of creating miniature structures on a micro or nanometer scale. It plays a crucial role in the semiconductor, biomedical, and other industries, being responsible for producing electronic devices such as computer chips, memory devices, and sensors. The concentration program in microfabrication is designed to equip students with the skills needed for the growing job opportunities in this field. Students will gain a solid understanding of advanced materials and sensors, along with hands-on experience. They will also learn about device design principles. Upon completing the concentration program, students will possess the ability to comprehend the unique properties of materials and device performance at the nanoscale. They will be able to fabricate microsensors within a cleanroom environment and operate key instruments used in the cleanroom. Given the increasing demand for well-paying jobs in microfabrication, students holding a microfabrication concentration will enjoy enhanced competitiveness. The training process not only augments their capacities in microfabrication but also complements their STEM majors.

The program consists of four core courses. Details on specific course requirements are available in the catalog. Questions can be addressed to Pei Dong. 

Our students have the option of declaring a concentration in Engineering Mechanics. They’ll then choose four elective courses from Mechanical Engineering to learn about the fundamentals of engineering mechanics (e.g., composite materials, nanosensors, microfluidics, and CAD) to complete the concentration. Course options for the concentration are described in the catalog. To learn more about engineering mechanics at George Mason University, Learn More.

Our students have the option of declaring a concentration in Robotics.  They’ll then choose four elective courses from Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer science, and Cybersecurity. Students will learn about the fundamentals of robotics (e.g., machine learning, AI, embedded systems and hardware interface) to complete the concentration. Course options for the concentration are described in the catalog. To learn more about robotics at George Mason University, Learn More. 

Our students have the option of declaring a concentration in Specialized Facilities. They’ll then choose four elective courses from Mechanical Engineering and Cybersecurity. Students will learn about the fundamentals of specialized facilities (e.g., biosafety labs, data centers, critical infrastructure protection) to complete the concentration. Course options for the concentration are described in the catalog. To learn more about specialized facilities at George Mason University, Learn more. 

Click here for a list of our featured electives for the upcoming semester. 

Our minor provides a foundation in mechanical engineering and is most appropriate for students with a strong mathematics and science background, such as a major in another engineering or science field. Check the catalog for official information.

The breadth of the mechanical engineering discipline prepares motivated students to pursue an accelerated master’s degree. Up to twelve credits of graduate coursework can be applied towards the completion of both BS and MS degrees allowing a student to earn both degrees in as little as 5 years. Currently, the department administers this degree in several areas including applied and engineering physics, bioengineering, civil engineering, computational science, data analytics, electrical engineering, information technology, operations research, and systems engineering.  For the latest list of programs and requirements, please visit the catalog.

Our students have the option of earning an associate of science degree from Northern Virginia Community College and then coming to Mason for a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering through the ADVANCE Partnership.