Majors
The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science offers three programs of study which lead to Bachelor of Science degrees in the following engineering disciplines:
Minors
The department also offers two programs leading to minors in the following disciplines:
Certificate
The department offers a Certificate in Nuclear Engineering and a Certificate in Engineering Simulation in Design for students in the Swanson School of Engineering and qualified students in the School of Arts and Sciences.
Concentration
The department offers a concentration in ferrous physical metallurgy to allow a student to develop strength in this particular area of interest.
Swanson School of Engineering Minors
The departments in the Swanson School of Engineering offer the following minors.
School of Arts & Sciences Minors
Twenty-three departmental Minors are available in programs offered by the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. The minors are Africana studies, chemistry, classics, computer science, economics, English literature, film studies, French, German, history, Japanese, linguistics, mathematics, music, neuroscience, philosophy, physics, political science, religious studies, sociology, statistics, studio arts, and theatre arts. Students must complete at least half of the credits earned for a minor at the University of Pittsburgh and must complete a minor with at least a 2.0 GPA.
Certificate Programs
Swanson School of Engineering undergraduate students are encouraged to broaden their educational experience by electing to take one of the certificate programs currently offered by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, the University Center for International Studies, or the Swanson School of Engineering. The certificate programs may be used by engineering students to partially fulfill the humanities/social sciences requirement or technical electives requirement as determined by the undergraduate director, thereby allowing specialization in an area of interest while pursuing an engineering degree. The requirements for each certificate vary, and students should contact the appropriate certificate program director.
The Swanson School of Engineering offers eight certificates at the undergraduate level.
Innovation, Product Design and Entrepreneurship
International Engineering Studies
Nuclear Engineering Certificate
Engineering Simulation in Design Certificate
Sustainable Engineering
Engineering for Humanity
Cooperative Education Program
The Cooperative Education Program (or Co-op Program) is a partnership among the employer, university, and student that provides relevant work assignments for the students while at the undergraduate level. The employers benefit from the expertise and enthusiasm of the student, and find the program a cost-effective means of completing projects. Many employers also utilize the program as a recruitment tool for post-graduate employment.
The program integrates a rotation of school and employment terms that enables the cooperative education students to complement their formal classroom training with additional technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and financial remuneration. The co-op graduate possesses the maturity and assurance of a more seasoned employee and the ability to incorporate academic knowledge and theory into practice. During co-op sessions, students earn competitive salaries, which makes this program also financially rewarding.
Frederick Honors College
The Frederick Honors College offers academic challenges through a diverse, interdisciplinary curriculum, which includes honors-specific courses and the prestigious Bachelor of Philosophy degree. Students in any major who demonstrate an extraordinary ability to pursue independent scholarship may register for an honors course.
International Education
The Swanson School of Engineering is making a concerted effort to expand students' knowledge through International Education. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and globalization is a way of life, engineering students must understand how to operate in a global manner to remain competitive. The school's programs provide opportunities for students to broaden their horizons in numerous ways.
The Swanson School of Engineering has designed several international programs for the benefit of its students. Students are encouraged to participate in overseas study and/or internship programs for academic credit during a semester, summer, or academic year.
Arts and Sciences-Engineering Joint Degree Program
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and the Swanson School of Engineering have developed an undergraduate Arts and Sciences-Engineering Joint Degree Program that permits a student to combine a major in arts and sciences with a program in engineering and then receive degrees from both the Dietrich School and the Swanson School of Engineering. A student can apply for admission into this program through either the Dietrich School or the Swanson School of Engineering and must be admitted into both schools. This challenging five-year program can be tailored to a student’s special interest.
Emerging Leaders Program
Emerging Leaders introduces participants to four fundamentals of leadership: self-knowledge, valuing others, personal accountability, and integrity. Learners explore these topics while building skills in group dynamics, conflict management, power and influence, diversity, ethics, and life-work planning. This 10-week program provides learners with opportunities to:
• Explore and assess your leadership skills and style
• Practice and experiment with new leadership behavior
• Receive feedback on your style and behavior
• Plan for your on-going leadership development
Cross-Registration Program
The Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) cross-registration program provides opportunities for enriched educational programs by permitting full-time undergraduate and graduate students to cross-register at any other PCHE school.
Engineering-School of Education Certification Program
The Swanson School of Engineering realizes the need to provide program flexibility and a variety of career options to undergraduate engineering majors. Careers in the teaching of mathematics, chemistry, and physics present one such option to students who have acquired a knowledge base in engineering. Engineering students may apply for the Engineering-School of Education Certification Program, a five-year program of study that combines course work in engineering with content core studies for the teaching of chemistry, mathematics, or physics; additionally, general education courses and pre-educational professional credits are included in the program. During the program’s fifth year (after completion of the BS in engineering degree), students will complete the requirements for the Instructional I Certificate in their area of choice. This two-term program will enable them to teach in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.