Mechanical Engineering at NU

Undergraduate Study in Mechanical Engineering

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One of the most valuable experiences available at Northwestern is the opportunity for undergraduates to work with faculty one-on-one, in cutting-edge research projects. Motivated and capable students find faculty pleased to provide these opportunities, sometimes as parts of externally funded research projects, and sometimes on projects proposed by the student.

Here, Ben Stephens works in the Laboratory for Intelligent Mechanical Systems with Prof. Kevin Lynch. Ben is working on a Tunnel Climbing Robot . Ben won the department's 2006 Research and Innovation Award for his work.

Departmental Awards to Undergraduates: 2006, 2007, 2008 , 2009

McCormick Undergraduate Awards

The winners of the 2009 Margaret and Muir Frey Memorial Prize were announced at the 2009 McCormick Convocation. The prize is awarded each year for innovation and creativity in senior capstone work, as judged by a jury of recognized leaders from the fields of engineering. It was established by Donald Frey, professor of industrial engineering and management science, in honor of his late parents.

The Second Place prize was awarded to a team of four ME department students, Jennifer Breger, Nathan Henry, Mark Straccia, and Matt Turpin, for their project: "Robotic End-Effector for Automation of Sliced Meat Packaging". Their advisor was ME Professor Wei Chen. The prize was $8,000 to the students and $3,000 to the faculty adviser.

Undergraduate Research Opportunity match-up

Mechanical Engineering Program Outcomes and Objectives (ABET)

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Mission: To educate undergraduates in the basic principles underlying the field of mechanical engineering, to train students to think independently and to work in teams, to instill a systematic approach to problem solving, and to promote a keen awareness of the role of engineering in a modern society.

Prof. Michael Peshkin and Prof. Cate Brinson
talk with students about a 1st year course