Mechanical engineers are concerned with the optimum use of materials, energy, time, and individual effort to serve societal needs through the design of machines, structures, and mechanical and thermal systems, and through better understanding of dynamic processes involving these systems. They have a wide involvement in many industries including aerospace, automotive, biomechanical and biomedical engineering, construction, electronics, manufacturing, national defense, power generation, and transportation. Within these industries, the engineer might specialize in the design, analysis, automation, operation, or marketing of systems or services. The individual's contribution may lie anywhere in the spectrum from highly theoretical to imminently practical, and often involves leadership as an engineering manager or organization executive.

Duke's Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science departments offers an accredited B.S.E. degree with a major in mechanical engineering. We recently launched new undergraduate certificate programs of specialization in Aerospace Engineering, and Energy and the Environment. See all certificate options.

Our curriculum capitalizes on the exceptional abilities of our highly select students to cultivate the learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities needed to adapt, to develop, and to exercise responsible leadership through times of rapid change. The program provides firm preparation in the essential engineering topics while allowing wide flexibility for students to pursue their own specialized interests, including hands-on research and independent study, dual majors in engineering, the sciences and liberal arts, and study abroad.