The Department's undergraduate curriculum provides students with a solid foundation upon which they can build to meet the challenges associated with their individual career paths, and to adapt to the rapidly changing technologies faced by today's engineers. While the program is demanding, the Department's curriculum is also flexible and enables students to (i) begin taking elective courses during the Junior year, (ii) develop a specialization within mechanical engineering, (iii) develop a technical emphasis within another engineering or science department, or (iv) pursue studies in any other Carnegie Mellon department, such as foreign languages, economics, or design.

This liberal approach to engineering education recognizes the broader role that mechanical engineers play in society, as leaders in business, government, and law. Effective writing, speaking and presentation skills, and engineering ethics are also emphasized as important attributes of successful leaders.  Through electives and special degree programs, mechanical engineering students are able to pursue their personal interests both inside and outside the Department. Advanced courses in mechanical engineering are available in such areas as energy conversion, control, vibration, dynamics, manufacturing, robotics, internal combustion engines, mechatronics, fluid and solid mechanics, aerodynamics, and engineering design. Exceptional students can participate in a Departmental senior honors program through a design or research project. Students often find that solving unstructured open-ended problems in project-based courses or in their honor's thesis provides the ultimate educational experience.

The Department also offers an Accelerated Graduate Program, with access restricted to Carnegie Mellon undergraduates. In this program, students can take graduate courses during the Senior year in order to receive academic credit towards the Master's degree. After being admitted to the program, students can complete the coursework-based M.S. degree with only an additional summer and one semester of study beyond the traditional B.S. program.

In addition to teaching, the Department's faculty are actively involved in research sponsored by industry, consortia, and government agencies. Results of the research often serve as specific examples, case studies, and project in undergraduate courses. Frequent seminars are sponsored by the Department, and they keep both students and faculty aware of recent advances in mechanical engineering and its related fields. Speakers of national and international reputation are invited to give these lectures. Seminars are open to all students within the Department, and they can provide students with a broad perspective on the mechanical engineering profession.

The Department's Undergraduate Student Handbook and the Program Guide include further description of the Department's resources and policies.