News Release

Mechanical Engineering joins list of undergraduate majors

February 24, 2009

The region’s most extensive list of academic choices for students pursuing careers in engineering and engineering technology continues to grow.

This fall, Penn State Harrisburg is adding Mechanical Engineering to its list of programs, bringing to four the number of undergraduate engineering degrees it offers.

 “Coupled with the three engineering technology majors on campus, the college offers a range of programs in the disciplines not available at any other college in the region,” notes Director of the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology Omid Ansary.

 “Our stakeholders – students, employers, advisory boards – have all asked us to add Mechanical Engineering and we responded” says Ansary. “The college is committed to offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs based on program strength and demonstrated market needs. For example, a recent survey of first-year students who had expressed an interest in pursuing engineering was conducted at four Penn State campuses and HACC. Of those surveyed, more than 50 percent said they would be interested in mechanical engineering if it were offered at Penn State Harrisburg.”

He adds, “We did market studies, feasibility studies, and requested input from professionals in the field as well as area firms. The response was great interest in the program.”

Commenting on the introduction of mechanical engineering, David Brinjac, COO of Brinjac Engineering, says, “There is absolutely a need for mechanical engineers in this area and the more people who go to Penn State Harrisburg for engineering, the more likely they will be to stay in the area after graduation to enhance the engineering community.” He also adds, “We need more engineers to choose from and with Penn State Harrisburg now offering majors in electrical, environmental, civil, and mechanical engineering, central Pennsylvania firms will definitely benefit.”

“Penn State Harrisburg is providing an absolutely vital service to the central Pennsylvania region with the introduction of mechanical engineering,” says Doug Neidich, chief executive officer of GreenWorks Development in Harrisburg. “The manufacturing and business base of any area depends, among other things, on its mechanical engineering talent. Without it you will not develop a competent technology core in the area to drive economic development.”

William M. Stout, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gannett Fleming, adds, “The world needs more energy, but the old ways of producing it and using it must change.  Mechanical engineers are critical to developing sustainable solutions to this problem.  Facilities that produce power in new ways and energy efficiency strategies for facilities that use power require mechanical engineers to ‘LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)’ the way.  I’m delighted that Penn State Harrisburg will be preparing tomorrow’s mechanical engineers to tackle these problems.”

“Built around a broad foundation in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, mechanical engineering has the objective of educating graduates to be problem solvers,” says Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Richard Ciocci, the new program’s coordinator. He adds, “Penn State Harrisburg is the regional leader in engineering and engineering technology education. Mechanical Engineering follows the recently introduced Civil Engineering and the established Environmental Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs on campus. By expanding our engineering degrees, we are expanding our engineering core courses and expanding choices for students.” The college also offers established engineering technology majors in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Structural Design and Construction Engineering.

Rated the most popular engineering discipline by both U.S. News and World Report and the American Society for Engineering Education, Mechanical Engineering at Penn State Harrisburg offers multiple entry points for students, including freshman and transfer. The program will also be a part of the dual enrollment opportunity with Harrisburg Area Community College which enables students to begin their studies at HACC and then transfer to Penn State Harrisburg.