Mechanical engineering is a broad area of engineering that centers on creating and improving the machines and systems that make modern life possible. For instance: The use and economical conversion of energy from natural sources into other useful energy to provide power, light, heat, cooling, and transportation. Design and production of machines to lighten the burden of human work, Creative planning, development, and operation of systems for using energy, machines, and resources, The processing of materials into products useful to people. The mechanical engineering program at WSU is particularly strong in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials science, controls, mechanical design, and thermal design.