Engineering Mechanics

Engineering mechanics focuses on solving mechanics problems through mathematical, scientific, and engineering principles. You will learn the building blocks of statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and fluid dynamics. As an engineering mechanics student, you’ll learn the basis of all mechanical sciences: civil engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and aeronautical and aerospace engineering. Your studies will also place an emphasis on the physical principles necessary to modern engineering design. This may be the major for you if you’re interested in a program that emphasizes analysis and research preparedness.

Engineering Mechanics students are prepared for careers at the forefront of a wide variety of fields, including the aerospace, electronics, automotive, manufacturing, software, and computer industries. Our ABET accredited curriculum also provides excellent preparation for graduate school in many different engineering disciplines.

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Highlights

  • Our engineering mechanics program is ranked #7 by U.S. News & World Report.
  • 86% of students reported having an internship or co-op during their degree program.
  • 98% of students reported securing their first choice destination upon graduation.
  • The average starting salary for an engineering mechanics graduate is $75,958 with a median signing bonus of $5,000.

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Your path to Grainger Engineering starts with connecting your passion and interests with the opportunities available in one of our 15 top-ranked major programs. Explore your options and gather the information you need to take the next step and apply.

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What You'll Study

Engineering mechanics (EM) allows you to combine a love of engineering with a passion for mathematics, physics, computation, and other sciences. While the student experience also includes applied topics and lab classes, the EM program places strong emphasis on a scientific approach. The program includes a foundation of math and physics classes, followed by courses in statics, dynamics, mechanics of solids, mechanics of fluids, continuum mechanics, mechanics of materials, computational mechanics, and engineering design.

You can also focus your studies through a secondary field. Secondary fields are often built around a your long-term career interests, integrating your engineering mechanics curriculum with another area of specialization. Secondary fields come in two varieties, pre-approved or customized.

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Minor in Computer Science

The CS Minor is offered for students seeking significant knowledge of digital computing without the more complete treatment of a major in computer science. This minor may be taken by any student except majors in the Computer Science degree programs and in Computer Engineering.

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Post-Graduation Success

The versatile problem-solving abilities you gain in this program will serve you well in all walks of life. About a third of our EM graduates continue their education in graduate school, and about two-thirds take positions in industry. Our Engineering Mechanics program produces science-based engineers prepared to solve challenging, technical problems in fields such as aerospace, biomedical, automotive, manufacturing, product development, petrochemical, energy, nanotechnology, heating and air condition, water treatment, software, robotics, consulting, and research applications. The average salary between 2020-21 for Engineering Mechanics grads was reported as $75,958 with a median signing bonus of $5,000 (reported by graduates in 2020-21). 

Our EM students who continue into graduate school find themselves well prepared for graduate work in a wide range of studies—from medicine to materials science—and they often attend the most highly regarded schools in the world.

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98%
employed or continuing education

53%
employed after graduation

45%
attending graduate school

$75,958
average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Navistar, PepsiCo FritoLay, Intel View All

Sample grad school destinations: Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon University View All

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Your future starts here.

Applying to The Grainger College of Engineering opens the door to your future as a successful engineer. Get started by scheduling a visit, requesting information, or submitting your application.