Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Afsoon Amirzadeh engineering mechanics, machine elements and mechanical systems design, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer

Farhad Azadivar modeling and optimization of manufacturing systems, computer simulation, management of technological innovation

Sankha Bhowmick (chairperson) heat and mass transfer bioengineering, alternate energy systems

Vijaya B Chalivendra mechanical characterization of biological materials and biocomposites

Sherif D El Wakil computer-aided manufacturing, design for manufacturing, materials science

Don Foster engineering design and project management

Alex J Fowler fluid flow in porous media, heat transfer, thermodynamics, bioengineering

Wenzhen Huang product and manufacturing process modeling, simulation, design analysis and optimization, and diagnosis for variation reduction and quality improvement

Raymond N Laoulache thermodynamics, multiphase flow, control systems, fluid mechanics, laser doppler anemometry, parallel computing

Tesfay Meressi robotics, control theory, machine design

Mehdi Raessi computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer, two-phase flows, renewable energy, material processing and manufacturing, environmentally friendly refrigeration systems, high performance heterogeneous CPU-GPU computing

John M Rice solid mechanics, computer-aided engineering, finite element analysis, composite materials, vibration

Amit Tandon fluid dynamics, physical oceanography, environmental, and computational physics

Mechanical engineers are involved in a spectrum of technical activities from the design and manufacture of various products to fundamental research.

Mechanical engineers are concerned with the production, transmission, and use of power. They design and develop systems which produce power, such as steam and gas turbines, internal combustion engines, nuclear reactors, jet engines, and rocket motors. They also design, develop, and manufacture devices which consume power in order to accomplish some useful result, such as refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, machine tools, rolling mills, and elevators, to name a few.

The environmental impact of these systems forms an integral part of their analysis and design. Mechanical engineers must cope with stringent standards of air and water quality, noise abatement, and thermal pollution.

Graduates find employment in a number of areas, including private industry, government, consulting firms and education. They may be involved in one or more of the following: research, design, development, manufacturing, administration, management, sales or production supervision. Others continue studies in graduate school.

The Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 415 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

A student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers permits the student to initiate professional contacts through a program of technical and social events which introduces the student to practicing engineers from industry and students from other engineering schools.

Mission Statement

The Mechanical Engineering Department at UMass Dartmouth offers two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The program provides service to meet the needs of students, industry, government, and society. The program offers excellence, access, and value through a strong commitment to teaching, scholarship, outreach, and professionalism.

Program Educational Objectives

The Mechanical Engineering program at UMass Dartmouth is structured to provide our graduates with a broad technical background that is grounded in fundamental principles as well as modern tools of engineering. In addition, the program educates students in ethical standards for the field and culturally broadening university studies courses. Students have the option of developing a specialized career plan by concentrating their field of study to focus on areas of interest through the selection of electives. Ultimately, the success of our program is best reflected by the success of our graduates after graduation as measured by the following educational objectives:

I. Career and Advancement: Our graduates will be successfully employed and advance in professional careers or graduate education programs.

II. Life-long learning: Our graduates will continue their professional and individual development through participation in activities such as: graduate education, self-study, membership in professional organizations, professional registration and certification.

Student Outcomes

UMass Dartmouth Mechanical Engineering graduates will have:

(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs including experience in designing and building a project and ability in the area of manufacturing

(d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams including an ability to work collaboratively and a broad interdisciplinary knowledge

(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

(g) an ability to communicate effectively including with written, oral, and electronic communication

(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global/societal context including understanding cultural, political, and economic issues

(i) a recognition of the need and an ability to engage in life-long learning including being an independent learner and working in industry and/or furthering their education in graduate schools, not only in engineering but also in business, law, or medicine, depending on their future interests

(j) a knowledge of contemporary issues

(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice including computers and instrumentation