Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Virginia have the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will allow them to make tangible contributions, meet new technical challenges, contribute effectively as team members, and be innovators in the analysis, design and implementation of creative solutions to problems with mechanical devices and systems. They communicate effectively and interact responsibly with colleagues, clients, employers and society. Mechanical engineering is one of the largest, broadest, and oldest engineering disciplines. It continues the traditions of natural philosophy from Mr. Jefferson's original vision for the University[1]. Mechanical engineers use the principles of energy, materials, and mechanics to design, analyze, optimize, and manufacture machines and devices of all types. They create the processes and systems that drive technology and industry. The key characteristics of the profession are its breadth, flexibility, and individuality. The career paths of mechanical engineers are largely determined by individual choices, a decided advantage in a changing world.