Engineering Mechanics Major

View course descriptions and suggested course sequence.

Do you want to design and build things? Do understanding, building and using state-of-the-art materials such as composites and ceramics intrigue you? If so, this challenging major may be for you. If you aren’t sure which engineering discipline to pursue right now and you want to keep your options open, this broad-based foundational major is the perfect choice.

Engineering mechanics is considered the foundation engineering discipline with roots tracing back to the likes of Archimedes, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo and Sir Isaac Newton. Engineering mechanics deals with forces acting on bodies (such as satellites, missiles and aircraft) and how bodies dynamically respond to those forces. Nearly all more specialized engineering disciplines begin with one or more courses in engineering mechanics.

If you’re a top performer in the Engineering Mechanics Major, graduate school could be your first Air Force assignment – either by winning a prestigious national scholarship (Guggenheim, Hertz, Rhodes, etc.) or through departmental sponsorship. The Engineering Mechanics Major gives you the flexibility to pursue either a more specialized degree in graduate school, or to continue your broad-based study in engineering mechanics. Whether you ultimately choose aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, astronautical engineering, materials engineering or engineering mechanics, your decision will be an informed one.

With a degree in engineering mechanics you can get an Air Force assignment as an aeronautical engineer, civil engineer, astronautical engineer, mechanical engineer or project engineer. The engineering mechanics degree also satisfies the educational requirements for Air Force Test Pilot, Flight Test Navigator and Flight Test Engineer duties. Additional specialties are Scientific Analyst and Acquisition Project Officer.

The Goal of the Department of Engineering Mechanics is to Educate Engineers for the Military Profession. The Engineering Mechanics Program is specifically designed with the goal of generating officers who:

1. Possess breadth of integrated, fundamental knowledge in engineering, the basic sciences, social sciences and humanities, as well as a depth of knowledge in engineering mechanics.
2. Communicate effectively.
3. Work effectively on teams and grow into team leaders.
4. Are independent learners and, as applicable, are successful in graduate school.
5. Can apply their knowledge and skills to solve Air Force engineering problems, both well and ill defined.
6. Know and practice their ethical, professional and community responsibilities as embodied in the Untied States Air Force Core Values.

The Program Operational Goals above describe what the Air Force would like to see in our graduates as they begin their careers as Air Force Engineering Officers. To best support these goals our program’s curriculum is designed so that, by graduation, our graduates possess certain qualities or outcomes. These Program Curricular Outcomes, listed below, call for our graduating cadets to satisfactorily demonstrate:

1. Application of the fundamental analysis concepts of engineering mechanics to solve engineering problems.
2. Modeling, design and fabrication techniques of systems with solid and fluid components under real-world conditions.
3. Use of contemporary engineering mechanics analysis, design and test tools.
4. Experimental techniques to include test design, execution, data analysis and interpretation.
5. Written and oral communications skills.
6. Knowledge of ethical and professional responsibilities.
7. Breadth and depth of engineering knowledge and skills to effectively identify and solve the types of complex, interdisciplinary problems they will encounter as Air Force engineers.
8. Ability to be effective interdisciplinary team members and leaders.
9. Skills to be independent lifelong learners while knowing when to seek help.
10. Knowledge of contemporary social, political, military and engineering issues, as well as the role of Air Force engineering officers and citizens in our global society.