A hearty welcome to the Department of Mechanical Engineering!

Established in the early 1900's, our department houses one of the premier programs in the University. As a significant part of a major engineering college under Catholic auspices, we are committed to the education of engineers within the framework of the University's Augustinian humanistic tradition. The 330 full-time undergraduate students and 90 graduate students receive the personal attention of 17 full-time professors and four full-time freshman instructors. All lecture courses are taught by professors, and the average lecture class size is less than 30. More than 85% of our students obtain their degrees in four years, and the rest in five years or less. 

High-quality research develops the faculty's intellectual skills and benefits the students in the lecture hall and laboratory. Our full-time faculty are very active in research and have published over 100 technical papers in the past five years. They perform research in nanomaterials, robotics and controls, dynamic systems, biomechanics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, materials science, and manufacturing. Undergraduate students also perform research and mechanical engineering seniors have the option of obtaining academic credit for summer internships. Our Study Abroad program is expanding yearly. Senior elective courses are flexible and minors and concentrations in areas other than mechanical engineering are common. The mechanical engineering curriculum includes more than 24 Liberal Arts credits including public speaking and engineering ethics. 

The department offers graduate programs for full-time study as well as part-time which is suitable for practicing engineers. Most of our graduate courses are offered in the evening, and it is possible to obtain an MS degree completely on-line. Full-time students are required to perform research and write a thesis for their Master’s degree. The Ph.D. program is offered through the College of Engineering. 

All students are strongly encouraged to join one of the professional societies and to participate in the many volunteer programs sponsored by Villanova. Our American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ student section is vibrant and has performed extremely well in regional and national competitions, placing more than 16 times since 1997. 

Our graduates are actively recruited by some of the best companies in the U.S. including Air Products, Boeing Helicopters, Dupont, Exxon, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. Navy. 

Thank you for visiting our department on the web. I would also like to invite you to physically visit the beautiful campus of Villanova. 

C. “Nat” Nataraj, Ph.D
Professor and Chairman