About the Department
One of four departments in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of Mechanical Engineering offers accredited and nationally ranked undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Automotive Systems Engineering. Our curriculum offers comprehensive and rigorous education rich in design, research, and interdisciplinary opportunities leading to successful careers in industry, government, higher education, and non-profit organizations both in southeast Michigan and worldwide.
- 1959: UM-Dearborn's first students enroll in three degree programs, including Mechanical Engineering.
- 1963: The Mechanical Engineering master's program begins.
- 2011: The Bioengineering undergraduate program begins.
- 2016: The Bioengineering master's program begins.
- 2017: The PhD in Mechanical Sciences and Engineering program begins.
- 2017: The Automotive Systems Engineering master's program joins the department.
- 2019: The D.Eng. in Automotive Systems and Mobility begins.
Learn more about our fields of study
The mechanical engineering field is one of the oldest engineering fields. It is also one of the broadest in scope, for it is not restricted to any particular technology or particular device. Mechanical engineers understand the basic principles of statics and dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid flows, control, instrumentation, and other areas. Mechanical engineers know how to use these principles to design and manufacture technical systems.
The field is continuously evolving with new technologies bringing new challenges, new knowledge, and new job opportunities. One example is the automobile. The automotive industry has always employed many mechanical engineers, but the work they do and the problems they solve now are completely different than what they were fifty or even twenty years ago. Another example is new methods of energy generation. Neither wind, nor solar, nor biomass energy would be possible without mechanical engineers.
Bioengineering (BENG) is a cross-disciplinary field in which the methods of various areas of engineering are applied to solve problems in medicine, biology, health care, and, in general, to improve the quality of human life. The expertise of a bioengineer combines knowledge of engineering principles with the understanding of living systems.
Bioengineering is a rapidly growing profession with expanding career opportunities. Bioengineers work on medical and health care devices (artificial organs, imaging systems, surgery instruments and so on), medical procedures (such as rehabilitation), bio-processing technologies in pharmaceutical and other industries, and other biology-related problems (such as safety and ergonomics).
The automotive engineering industry is currently in the process of fundamental change, probably the most significant one in its history. Electric and autonomous vehicles are the two most noticeable aspects of the change, but there are other rapid developments such as the use of lightweight materials, more efficient powertrains, intelligent control systems, better manufacturing techniques, and improved comfort and safety.
The automotive engineering program is an interdisciplinary field that integrates the knowledge of other technical and non-technical disciplines. In addition to expertise in a specialized area, an automotive engineer must understand broader issues and have the skill of synthesizing diverse technical approaches into a system-wide solution.
News Flash
Research Spotlight : Mathumai Kanapathipillai - Protein/Peptide Aggregates
This week, we would like to shine a light on Dr. Mathumai Kanapathipillai’s research on tunable peptide/protein aggregates, for which she was awarded an NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
Peptides are the building blocks which make up protein molecules. Peptide/Protein Aggregation is a biological process in which proteins/peptides end up misfolded and clump into shapes they normally would not end up in.
Protein aggregates play a major role in many human diseases and physiological tasks. Peptide/protein aggregates are normally viewed as unfavorable to body function. For example, most neurodegenerative diseases are caused by protein aggregation. On the other hand, peptide aggregates that are not harmful to the body can be utilized for therapeutic applications. Faculty in the ME department are studying novel ways to treat diseases utilizing peptide/protein aggregates. The study explores ways to deliver peptide aggregates-based therapeutics to the disease site by mechanical stimuli. By targeting the delivery specifically to the disease site, systemic effects of therapeutics could be minimized. Furthermore, it could increase the efficacy of the therapy.
Open Faculty Positions
The Department of Mechanical Engineering invites applications for these tenure-track faculty positions:
Department Staff
Sherry
Boyd
Nicole
Engel
Advisory Boards
The ME department continually seeks outside interactions with business, industries, and government through its Industrial Advisory Boards. Our advisory boards are composed of industry professionals who provide input on curriculum, potential employment for students, research opportunities for faculty, and a perspective on future challenges requiring collaboration.
Subha Bhattacharyya, PhD
Principal Engineer
Medtronic PLC
Mark Cheng, PhD
Director, Nanofabrication Core
Wayne State University
Steve LeBeau
nanoMAG
Songnian Li
Sr PD Engineer II
Terumo Cardiovascular Group
Jan Stegemann, PhD
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
University of Michigan
Fangjing Wang, PhD
Senior scientist
Allergan
Qigui Wang
Material Tech Specialist
General Motors
Bin Wu
Software Engineering Manager
Engine & Drivetrain Systems Business Unit, Vitesco Technologies
Taner Onsay, PhD
Manager of Noise-Vibration-Harshness (NVH) Test, Development and Lab Operations
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Kelly Pietras
Chief Engineer Hybrid Population
General Motors
Greg Roth
Director of Automotive and Transportation Solutions
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
Brian Schweitzer
Chief Engineer: Electronics, Components, Instrumentation & Core Engineering
Yazaki
Eric Tseng
Ford Motor Company
