Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The field of mechanical engineering is one of engineering’s most comprehensive. Mechanical engineers design and supervise the manufacture of many products including medical devices, appliances, electronic gadgets and new battery systems, internal combustion engines and power-using machines like refrigeration and air conditioning.


Alvernia’s engineering programs feature a design-forward curriculum. In each of their first two years, engineering majors work in teams to complete a real-world design project mentored by an industry partner or research faculty. Third-year students may participate in a semester or summer-long industry internship or research experience. Fourth-year students work in interdisciplinary teams to complete a yearlong capstone, a real-world project with an industry partner.


The John R. Post School of Engineering houses new labs for undergraduate learning, containing millions of dollars of hands-on, real-world equipment and a continuously expanding maker space. Faculty-taught courses feature small class sizes with athlete-friendly scheduling. Regularly scheduled lunch-and-learn presentations feature local industry members looking for summer interns and full-time employees and research faculty presenting their innovative work.

In This Section
John R. Post School of Engineering

Getting Started

General Notes
  • A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
  • Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
  • Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
  • Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
  • Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
  • A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.
Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Request More Information
Loading...
Engineering
Why Choose Alvernia?
• A nationally ranked comprehensive regional university, Alvernia offers more than 50 majors and minors.
• An ever-expanding number of experiential learning opportunities includes internships, field experiences, co-ops, research projects, and study/service abroad programs.
• A rich campus life allows students to enjoy a full calendar of activities and events, more than 50 clubs, intramural sport and student leadership and governance opportunities.
• In growth mode, Alvernia continues to add value to its student experience: expanding academic programming in new facilities; adding student living space and updating residence halls; partnering with a community health provider; and adding amenities including a game room and new performance space.


Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Mechanical Engineering majors must complete 100 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

  • SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
  • COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
  • THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
  • PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)


Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

  • Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
    • Lab Science (Met in major)
    • Math (Met in related area)
  • Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
    • History or Political Science
    • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3 (Met in related area)
  • Culture & Language (9 credits)
    • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
    • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
  • Creative Expressions (6 credits)
    • Literature (ENG)
    • Art, Music, or Theatre (Met with PHI 200, 210 or 220)


Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

  • Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level) (3 credits)
  • Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (3 credits) (PHI 290 recommended)
Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

Curriculum: Major Requirements

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Mechanical Engineering majors must complete 100 credits in the major.

Required Engineering Courses (17.5 credits)

  • EGR 107: Engineering Lab Safety
  • EGR 110: Engineering Design I
  • EGR 201: Engineering Statics
  • EGR 210: Engineering Design II
  • EGR 306: Measurement and Dynamic Response
  • EGR 371L: Measurement and Dynamic Response Lab
  • EGR 480: Senior Capstone Design I
  • EGR 481: Senior Capstone Design II
  • EE 200: Circuits Theory I
  • EE 271L: Circuit Theory I Lab
     

Mechanical Engineering (19.5 credits)

  • ME 201: Strength of Materials
  • ME 202: Dynamics
  • ME 211: Thermodynamics
  • ME 271L: Strength of Materials Lab
  • ME 310: Fluid Mechanics
  • ME 331: Heat Transfer
  • ME 341: Machine Design
  • ME 371L: Fluid Mechanics Lab
  • ME 372L: Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Lab
     

Related Requirements (44 credits)

  • CHE 104: General Chemistry I
  • CHE 110: General Chemistry I Lab
  • CS 115: Intro Object-Oriented Prog
  • MAT 230: Calculus I 
  • MAT 231: Calculus II
  • MAT 322: Differential Equations
  • MAT 332: Calculus III 
  • MAT 345: Applied Probability & Linear Methods 
  • PHI 208: Ethics & Technology
  • PSY 200L: Physics I w/Lab 
  • PSY 201L: Physics II w/Lab 
  • PHY 304L: Modern Physics w/Lab 
  • THR 244: Computer-Assisted Design
     

Engineering Seminar Series (1 credit)

  • EGR 260: Undergraduate Engineering Colloquium


Please note that curriculum is subject to change.

Experiential Learning Opportunities
  • Dive into real-world challenges: Engage in hands-on projects, industry problems, and a year-long design course, transforming ideas into solutions
  • Explore cutting-edge labs: Innovate in new technical labs and upcoming facilities, shaping the future of engineering education
  • Ignite creativity in our Maker Space: Craft prototypes with top-notch tools, fostering innovation in a vibrant environment for hands-on creation.
  • Master core skills: The Engineering programs are built on the Liberal Arts backbone of Alvernia University. Develop the critical thinking and communication abilities that employers and graduate schools seek in their engineers.
  • Elevate your knowledge: Attend dynamic Lunch & Learn sessions with industry experts, research scholars, and career mentors, fostering professional growth.
Accreditation Statements
  • Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

  • Additive manufacturing engineer
  • Aerospace engineer
  • Automotive engineer
  • Biomedical device design
  • Mechatronics engineer
  • Product design engineer
  • Robotics engineer
  • Technical sales engineer


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for mechanical engineers are expected to grow by 10 percent between 2022 and 2032, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual salary is $96,310.


Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Mechanical Engineering program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Director of John R. Post School of Engineering Director Joseph Mahoney at 484-254-2135 or joseph.mahoney@alvernia.edu.

Salem Elsaiah

Salem Elsaiah

Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering

Engineering

Joseph Mahoney

Joseph Mahoney, Ph.D.

Director of John R. Post School of Engineering, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

484-254-2135
  • Faculty
Farah Mneimneh 2024

Farah Mneimneh

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

610-796-5442
  • Faculty