Mechanical Engineering Department

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Undergraduate programs

We offer Bachelor of Science degrees and minor programs in aerospace engineering and in mechanical engineering. Learn more about our undergraduate programs.

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Graduate degrees

We offer graduate degrees in aerospace engineering and in mechanical engineering. Learn more about our graduate programs.

Mechanical Engineering Highlights

Mechanical Engineering students and sisters Lily and Melanie Raymond won the Reno Innevation Center’s Makerthon competition April 25-27, 2025. In the 48-hour competition period, the two developed a specialized deck of cards designed to boost cognitive functionality, provide an emotional connection and offer a tactical activity to improve fine motor skills in response to the competition challenge: "Design a product, system, or experience that meaningfully enhances the aging journey." View separate news clips of and on KOLO-TV.
Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Jun Zhang has published an opinion piece on coiled muscles — a type of artificial muscle — in the March 7, 2025 issue of Science magazine. discusses advances in the production of coiled muscle, particularly the use of twisted polymer fibers to improve stroke and force output of the coiled muscle. Zhang’s piece appears in the magazine’s Insights | Perspectives section and complements a relevant research paper in the same issue.

Mechanical engineering news

Three researchers in a laboratory stand behind a seated student working at a computer, which displays an image of an explosion outdoors.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission funds new nuclear microreactor safety research

University faculty to help develop regulations that ensure safe and rapid deployment of sustained electric power capacity to military and disaster sites