About the Department

Jump to a Section

• Mission Statement
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Why Choose Northwestern Engineering?
• Why Choose Mechanical Engineering?
• Get Involved
• Campus
• Visit Northwestern

Mission Statement

We train the next generation of ‘whole-brain’ mechanical engineers to lead with both creativity and analytical thinking. We pursue fundamental principles at the core of mechanical sciences and their interface with other scientific disciplines, and we generate new products, processes, and systems that create lasting societal impact.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diverse perspectives and recognizing the needs of a diverse society are critical to prioritizing our research initiatives and maximizing the impact of our teaching. We thrive by ensuring that students, faculty, and staff of all ages, backgrounds, religions, races, ethnicities, gender identities/expressions, national origins, sexual orientations, physical abilities, and all other identities feel welcome and respected, are treated equitably, and are able to fully engage with our learning and research communities.

Why Choose Northwestern Engineering?

The McCormick School of Engineering combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries. In addition, Northwestern University provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth in a setting enhanced by the richness of the city of Chicago.

Learn more about the McCormick School of Engineering

Learn more about Northwestern University

Why Choose Mechanical Engineering?

Here at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, we pursue the mechanical engineering of the future. Students learn the fundamentals of mechanical engineering by focusing on core disciplines in mechanics and materials, design and manufacturing, and robotics and biosystems, together with essential areas of mathematics and physical sciences. Students then dive into cross-cutting topics such as Advanced Manufacturing, AI and Design, Biosystems and Health, Computational Engineering, Energy and Sustainability, Micro/Nanoengineering, and Robotics and Autonomy.

With its roots in mechanical engineering, a hallmark at Northwestern is design. We provide outstanding coursework, projects, and activities in which fundamental course knowledge is synthesized and applied in a holistic fashion with wide-ranging design projects. We offer outstanding research opportunities, with a strong culture of collaboration that enables our students and faculty to tackle the world's most important and difficult technical challenges.

Get Involved

To create future leaders, our department offers premier programs for undergraduate and graduate studies that provide a solid foundation for careers in industry, entrepreneurship, research, and academia. We maintain an atmosphere that has all of the advantages of a large university, including world-renowned professors doing state-of-the-art research, yet maintain small class sizes that enable personal attention from our faculty.

Our students engage in a variety of extracurricular and service programs outside the classroom, ranging from Design for America, founded by one of our faculty members, to Engineers for a Sustainable World. Our students have led the installation of solar panels on our buildings and founded start-up companies to meet needs of individuals and industry. The future of mechanical engineering is the design of creative and sustainable systems that integrate traditional mechanical engineering knowledge with other disciplines to invent the engineering masterpieces of the 21st century.

Campus

A major private research university, Northwestern has 13,000+ graduate students and 8,000+ undergraduate students. The Evanston campus, located 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, is home to the undergraduate programs and graduate programs in engineering, management, the arts and sciences, music, speech, education and social policy, and journalism.

Learn more about Northwestern's campus

Visit Northwestern

The McCormick School of Engineering encourages all interested students and families to set up a time to visit Northwestern. Get more information about visiting the McCormick School of Engineering.

Schedule a campus tour through the Office of Undergraduate Admission