Next Generation of Engineering Leaders

With a vast need for engineering expertise in the state workforce, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) introduced a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program in 2006. The program’s growth has been phenomenal.

Mechanical engineers design, develop and manufacture practically every kind of machine you can think of, from simple household equipment to aerospace applications. Indeed, it is hard to find any product orservice that has not been touched in some way or another by a mechanical engineer,” according to CCSU Associate Professor of Engineering Nidal Al-Masoud, cocoordinator of the mechanical engineering (ME) program with Professor of Engineering Peter Baumann.

A large part of the popularity comes from the way the program responds to the demands for highly skilled engineers. Because the discipline is so broad and varied, CCSU’s ME curriculum has been developed to offer a wide range of general courses that will prepare mechanical engineering graduates for many different roles in many different industries.

“The Mechanical Engineering program has proven to be amazingly popular, growing from 42 majors in 2006 to 177 majors currently,” said Peter Baumann, professor of engineering.

Majors acquire the general engineering competencies through courses that focus on the ability to apply mathematics, science, and engineering principles to solve mechanical engineering problems. They design and conduct experiments to analyze and interpret data with access to state-of-the-art laboratories.

Since mechanical engineers often design mechanisms using computer-aided design (CAD) programs and then fabricate components using machine shop tools, students have the use of 10 CAD labs. They also develop the ability to function effectively on multi-disciplinary teams within a diverse environment.

What makes CCSU’s program unique in Connecticut is that it is designed with two concentrations: manufacturing and aerospace studies. Both of these draw on the School of Engineering & Technology’s deep educational and technical resources — which include existing engineering labs and a new engineering lab building currently under construction — and respond to the workforce needs of the large number of aerospace and manufacturing industries in Connecticut.

Students in the program gain extensive experience in dealing with real-world mechanical engineering problems and projects through 400 hours of internships at area industries. Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, Volvo, Trumpf USA, General Dynamics,Henkel, Whelen Engineering and Covidien are among the participating companies. Those internships have often turned into actual career-starting jobs, as well as providing majors with valuable insights.

CCSU senior Margarita Gudzon has been an intern at Covidien — formerly US Surgical Corp.— since 2008. She’s been able to apply mechanical engineering expertise in developing and executing tests for validations of new biomaterials and existing products and providing comprehensive data to support product development initiatives for surgical devices.

Preparing Connecticut’s Next Generation of Mechanical Engineering at Central : With a vast need for engineering expertise in the state workforce, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) introduced a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program in 2006. The program’s growth has been phenomenal.

“At Covidien, I’ve continued learning new skills and concepts in the professional practice of mechanical engineering and developing my understanding of the ethical and environmental implications involved in this field,” she said. “Most importantly, working at Covidien has exposed me to biomedical engineering, a field I would like to pursue as a career.”

Baumann said students have taken on the NASA moonbuggy project — designing, building and racing a moon rover vehicle under the auspices of the student Lunar Exploration Club, advised by Associate Professor Viatcheslav Naoumov.

The race takes place in Huntsville, Ala., and this year our students placed 22nd in a field of 42. CCSU engineering students have also participated in the Electric Mountain Bike competition, sponsoredby the American Society for Mechanical Engineering — coming in second in the Student Performance Development category.

Students graduate with a solid degree — one accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

When the mechanical engineering program was launched in 2006, the New Britain Herald reported that “industry leaders applauded the program, saying that is was critical to retaining the next generation of engineering leaders in Connecticut.” With an increasing number of majors in the pipeline, CCSU is making good on that promise.

This article, written by Geri Radacsi, first appeared in CCSU’s magazine Courier.