机械工程设计所涉及的不仅仅是解决化学，物理和微积分课程中发现的问题的类型，设计工作还涉及大量的分析和创造性工作。在制定详细的设计解决方案时，数学和科学原理非常有用，但对正确定义问题，指定解决方案以及查找和组织所需信息的关键问题几乎没有帮助。此外，设计不能违反基本的物理定律，必须在满足安全性和环境因素的前提下，以合理的成本，采用真实的制造方法，以真实的材料建造真实的材料。包括用于地面，空中和太空运输的车辆，将燃料转换为能量的机器，食品加工，消费品，机器人，生物医学设备，用于制造上述所有机器的机器以及建筑物的
Mechanical Engineering design involves far more than solving the types of problems found in chemistry, physics, and calculus courses; design work involves a large measure of analytical and creative work. The principles of mathematics and science are extremely useful when developing a detailed design solution but contribute little to the critical issues of correctly defining the problem, specifying the solution, and locating and organizing needed information. In addition, the design cannot violate fundamental physical laws and must be built from real materials using real manufacturing methods at a reasonable cost while satisfying safety and environmental factors.<br><br>The work in the four semester design-project sequence and other courses addresses these issues by including the study of design methods, procedures for developing a design solution from concept through a fully-developed design, and construction of a prototype. The courses in mechanics, thermodynamics, manufacturing, and materials complement the design sequence. The design work includes a mixture of problem and project work in individual courses; some of the course-level projects are team projects to help the student develop the ability to efficiently and effectively work with other engineers making decisions, use the abilities of different colleagues, and distribute the work of large projects. The design sequence includes classical as well as computer aided design and analysis techniques. The work in the two-semester, capstone and senior project sequence involves team effort on a significant design problem. Students interested in furthering their skills in analysis, including finite element analysis, and dynamic modeling of systems, can choose from a number of elective courses which rely heavily on computer methods.