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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools. It is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines.

The engineering field requires an understanding of core concepts including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, materials science, and structural analysis. Mechanical engineers use these core principles along with tools like computer-aided engineering and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices and more.

2. What companies hire Mechanical Engineering graduates?
Arrowhead Conveyor
AT&T
Belcan Corporation
Black & Decker
Busch Gardens
Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
Citigroup Global Operations and Technology Management
Department of Energy
Department of Defense
DuPont
Dura-Cast Products, Inc.
Ford Motor Company
Florida Department of Transportation
GE Appliances
Georgia-Pacific, LLC
Harris Corporation
Honda
Honeywell International
Jabil Circuit, Inc.
Johnson and Johnson
Kennedy Space Center/NASA
Lockheed Martin
Maytag Appliances
Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas
Motorola
Purina PetCare Company
Nielsen
P&G
Pall Aeropower Corporation
Raytheon
Siemens USA
SIRIUS XM Radio
Skanska USA
Sun Hydraulics Corporation
Sun Microsystems
Tampa Armature Works
Tampa Bay Trane
TECO
The Boeing Company
The ENSER Corporation
The Mosaic Company
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
U.S. Army
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Navy
U.S. Peace Corps
United States Postal Service


3. What is the typical salary for a graduate with a BS, MS, or PhD degree?

National median wage estimates of Mechanical Engineers stands at $38.09 an hour with the mean annual wage at $79,230. This information reflects percentile wage estimates for Mechanical Engineers in the latest May 2011 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report (BLS).


According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the average starting salary for a BSME graduate in 2012 was $62,900. Graduates with a master’s degree had an average starting salary of $66,800 and PhD graduates averaged $98,000.


The top paying industries for Mechanical Engineers are Lessors of Real Estate; Oil and Gas Extraction; Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing; Other professional, scientific and Technical Services; and Spectator Sports.

Read more about Engineering's Occupational Outlook
Read more about Mechanical Engineering's Occupational Outlook

4. What is the current and future industry demand for Mechanical Engineers?

The total number of ME's that are employed in the U.S. according to the BLS national poll was 238,260. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics latest projections of national employment taken in 2010 projected a 9% growth in mechanical engineering employment in the 2010-2020 timeframe. Overall employment for mechanical engineers stood at 243,200 in 2010 and is projected to reach 264,600 in 2020.

 

 

Undergraduate Students

5. For the Bachelor of Science degree do I have to meet the FKL Capstone and Writing Intensive Exit requirements?

These six hours are automatically met by two required courses for the BSME degree – EML 4551: Capstone Design and EML 3211: Communication for Engineers.

6. What grade point average must be maintained to graduate "with honors"?

A Bachelor candidate must maintain the following:

• A USF GPA of 3.50 or higher (based on USF courses only)
• An Overall GPA of 3.50 or higher (based on USF and transfer courses combined)
• A minimum of forty credit hours completed at USF
• The Grade Forgiveness Policy cannot be used for meeting the 3.50 GPA minimum

The three levels of undergraduate Honors classification are as follows:

• Cum Laude: 3.50-3.69 GPA
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.70-3.89 GPA
• Summa Cum Laude: 3.90-4.00 GPA
7. How do I become part of the Honors College?

Please reference and contact the Honors College.

8. What scholarships can I apply for?

Please visit our College of Engineering Scholarships page for additional information and a complete list of scholarships.

In general, these scholarships for USF engineering students are contingent upon full time enrollment in degree applicable courses. Applicants in need of additional information or assistance may contact Kate Johnson, Director of Admissions and Advising, at 813-974-2684 or kjohnson@usf.edu.

The following scholarships are specifically for Mechanical Engineering students:

Association of Facilities Engineers Scholarship
This scholarship provides support for incoming freshmen with a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and financial need. Must have a declared intended major of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering; preference to students of the Central Florida area.

Engineering MATRIX Scholarship
This scholarship provides support to juniors or seniors in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering. Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be a resident of Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco County.

John J. Desmond Jr. Mechanical Engineering Scholarship
This scholarship provides support to Mechanical Engineering students with preference given to graduates of a Florida community college. Secondary preference is given to ROTC participants or those with military experience. Recipients should be well rounded with demonstrated leadership ability. Restricted based on a combination of merit and financial need. Full time or part time currently enrolled undergraduate students.

Joost Schwaanhuyser Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship provides support to students in the Mechanical Engineering Department who have maintained an above average GPA and who have provided service to the department and college. Restricted based on a combination of merit and financial need with an emphasis on service to the College of Engineering.

Juan and Maria Gonzalez Scholarship
This scholarship provides support to full time students in the Mechanical Engineering Department.

L. A. Scott Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship provides support to students in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Priority given to students who work while attending school and have a C average (minimum 2.0 GPA).

William "W-Dot" Smith Scholarship
This scholarship provides support to full time students in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Priority is given to students with interests in thermal sciences.