Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
Freshman Fall Guide | Penn Engineering Undergraduate Handbook
2025 MEAM Undergraduate Handbook
Archived versions of the MEAM Undergraduate Handbook:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
Effective for students entering in Fall 2020 or after, students may select an optional concentration. Concentrations are intended to give students a more in-depth perspective into a particular area of focus within mechanical engineering and applied mechanics. Students must formally declare their concentration by submitting the “Declare/Update Field of Study form” on the Path Forms page, and then by selecting “Add a concentration” in the drop-down menu when prompted.
*Courses appearing with an asterisk require permission of the instructor.
Students who not formally declare one of the three optional concentrations must take a series of four prescribed foundational courses:
Medical micro-robots, self-driving cars, interplanetary spacecraft, and hydrofoil catamarans critically rely on aspects of mechanical engineering. This concentration focuses on developing a practical and theoretical understanding of motion (dynamics), algorithms for achieving desired motion (controls), along with the design and creation of just about anything that moves.
The Dynamics, Controls, and Robotics Concentration requires the completion of the following 4 CUs:
Engineering materials, including metals, plastics, composites and biological tissues, are the building blocks of all engineered products. This concentration focuses on the experimental and mathematical characterization of the mechanical properties of these materials, as well as of the computation of internal forces (stresses) and deformations (strains) that develop on structures and mechanical devices made of these materials, either for design, manufacturing or performance evaluation including failure.
The Mechanics of Materials, Structures and Design Concentration requires the completion of the following 4 CUs:
Energy conversion and power generation, aerospace engineering, materials fabrication and manufacturing, cooling of microelectronic equipment, and thermal control and treatment of living organisms are critically important in today’s economy. The MEAM Energy, Fluids, and Thermal Systems concentration is designed to provide the basic tools for dealing with these and other problems of current and future technological interest.
The Energy, Fluids, and Thermal Systems Concentration requires the completion of the following 4 CUs:
Many courses have prerequisites, and therefore, the sequence in which courses are taken may be important. The following sample course plans show one sequence which satisfies the prerequisites for the specified courses. However, each student must develop a complete course plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Please note that courses in bold are required MEAM courses.
The sample schedule below represents a student completing the General Curriculum (with no concentration declared).
Students with AP credit should consider taking ENGR 1050 or MEAM 1010.
The three summer internships (normally offered in alternating years) below are designed to support undergraduates in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics in pursuing summer research and design projects. Proposals for projects that are initiated by the students and do not have an alternative source of support from funded faculty research projects will be given special consideration. Projects with a creative or entrepreneurial focus are especially encouraged.
The Jacob M. Abel Summer Internship seeks to promote excellence in undergraduate education in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics in Penn Engineering. This internship provides a stipend of up to $5000 to assist undergraduate students in pursuing summer research projects. A special focus of this internship is the development of experiments in the undergraduate laboratory sequence and the support of creative design projects.
The Herbert J. and Selma W. Bernstein Class of 1945 Internship provides financial aid for undergraduate mechanical engineering students involved in summer research projects. A stipend of up to $5000 will be awarded to support independent research projects initiated by MEAM students.
The Kerry Wisnosky Internship seeks to enrich the undergraduate experience in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics in Penn Engineering by supporting a student completing a summer project in the department. This internship provides a stipend of $6000 to a student for completing an 11-week summer project. A MEAM faculty member must serve as a mentor on the project. This internship is intended to support a student pursuing a research project, and there is a strong preference that the research project have applications in aerospace (the connection to aerospace should be described in your project description).
Applications for the 2026 MEAM Summer Internships are currently closed.
Application process: (1) Identify and discuss your project idea with potential faculty mentors. (2) Submit the following documents to: This Form (2a) A brief (< 250 words) description of your project; be sure to explain the motivation, scope, and expected approach. Be sure to indicate which internship you are applying to. (2b) A copy of your resume (3) Have your faculty mentor submit a brief (<250 words) support letter to This Form indicating a commitment to mentor you in your proposed summer project if you are selected for an internship.
MEAM undergraduate students participate in many student clubs and organizations. Some of the most popular are listed below.
ASME functions as a student technical and professional society. Students elect their own officers and conduct a variety of programs of academic, professional and social interest to them.
The Penn chapter of Engineers Without Borders seeks to help its undergraduate members develop the skills and knowledge necessary to leave lasting social impact on a global scale.
The mission of NSBE is to increase the number of engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
Penn Electric Racing has roots in the American Solar Car Challenge, and now focuses on battery-powered vehicles. The club’s purpose is to build efficient electric vehicles, promoting the mantra that clean energy and high performance are not mutually exclusive when it comes to cars. Students take vehicle projects from conception to the pavement, with opportunities in design, simulation, fabrication, testing, and organized competition.
The Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE) is committed to helping STEM students achieve their full career potential through professional development and giving back to our local communities. SASE is right at the intersection of culture, science, and technology. Join SASE for mentorship, community impact, and professional development events throughout the year!
SHPE promotes the development of students in engineering, science and other technical professions to achieve educational excellence, economic opportunity and social equity.
The mission of SWE is to stimulate students to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders and to expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life for all.
