Christine Trinkle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
c.trinkle@uky.eduFrom aerospace to manufacturing and aviation to acoustics, a degree in Mechanical Engineering can prepare you for an exciting career in a variety of industries. Examples of products and processes developed by mechanical engineers include engines and control systems for automobiles and aircraft, electric power generation, lifesaving medical devices, robots, and high-tech consumer products such as low-energy lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and household appliances. Mechanical engineers use mathematics, computers, sophisticated modeling and analysis to solve problems associated with energy usage, propulsion, power generation, sound and vibration, machinery design, and manufacturing. In short, mechanical engineers play a part in designing and building the mechanical devices and systems that are essential to our everyday lives.
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers ABET-accredited undergraduate programs on two campuses, the main Lexington campus and the Paducah extended campus. We prepare students for financially lucrative, high-demand professions or for furthering their education through acceptance to prominent graduate schools. Through a challenging curriculum of undergraduate study, collaboration with renowned businesses and technology centers and research options within the college’s centers and consortia, UK delivers an education designed to produce proficient, marketable graduates adept at meeting today’s engineering needs.
Career opportunities in Mechanical Engineering
“As a mechanical engineering student, I began to see how engineering really opens a door for you. You might not necessarily be doing engineering your whole life, but you still have the creative problem-solving mindset that you get from becoming an engineer.”
2019 Mechanical Engineering Graduate
The Pigman College of Engineering offers multiple pathways to undergraduate admission -- both as an incoming freshman or transfer student.
Admission requirements for incoming freshmen can be accessed here.
Admission requirements for transfer students can be accessed here.
Engineering Standing
All incoming freshmen and transfer students admitted to the Pigman College of Engineering have their major listed as "Pre-Aerospace Engineering", "Pre-Biomedical Engineering", etc. on their admission letter and in our academic system, myUK. Engineering Standing will be achieved, and the pre- designation will be dropped from the major name, once the student achieves a minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum GPA in select courses. You may view the select courses in the University Bulletin.
The smartest, most talented engineers around the world are devoting themselves to tackling immense global challenges. As a student in the UK Pigman College of Engineering, you get to join them!
In 2008, the National Academy of Engineering identified 14 “Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century”—opportunities to greatly increase humanity’s sustainability, health, security and joy of living. Themes include making solar energy economical, enhancing virtual reality, reverse-engineering the brain, securing cyberspace, providing access to clean water and more.
These ambitious goals demand engineers roll up their sleeves and get to work, which is why we put them front and center during your first year as an engineering student. We have designed the First-Year Engineering (FYE) program to inspire you. We want you to discover your passion. We want you to explore where you might make your unique contribution. We want you to get your hands dirty and make stuff that might, one day, lead to a breakthrough.
Why wait until you’re taking upper-level classes to figure out what interests you? Through real engineering classes taught by top faculty and exposure to engineering’s greatest challenges, the FYE program gets you into the game from day one.
The following curriculum meets the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, provided the student satisfies the graduation requirements of the Pigman College of Engineering.
2023-24 Curriculum Previous Curricula
Jake [Ingram] worked at SpaceX, where he built rockets to send humans to Mars. He specifically focused on the engines of Falcon 9, the world's first orbital class rocket capable of reflight.
From undergraduate research with his professors to service projects with other Wildcats, and even a stint as student body president, Jake harnessed every opportunity to learn not only about engineering, but about how to connect with people and achieve a common mission.
Click here to read the full article and find out more.
Student organizations are an outgrowth of student interest and serve the needs of a variety of students. Many provide programs that supplement the classroom experience and extend into areas of service for the community. All provide learning and leadership training for participating students. Student organizations that are typically of interest to Mechanical Engineering students include: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Solar Car Team, Formula Kentucky, Society of Women Engineers, and many others.
The mechanical engineering program offers numerous opportunities to obtain hands-on experience through summer internships and co-operative education with a variety of companies that have operations throughout the U.S. These experiences often lead to full-time engineering professional positions upon graduation. For those interested in research, the program offers numerous undergraduate research opportunities in each of the specialized areas of mechanical engineering.
The Engineering Career and Co-op Center is a valuable resource for assisting you with developing job and co-op search skills; participating in education-abroad programs and participating in research endeavors and career network development so you can secure a rewarding career in your chosen field of study.
Mechanical engineers work in a wide variety of industries: aerospace, automobile, manufacturing, industrial equipment design, consulting firms, and government agencies. Examples of job placement for our graduates include: GE Appliances, GE Aviation, Cummins, Toyota, Lexmark, Trane, Link-Belt, Belcan, NASA, and many more.
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$99,510
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
286,100
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
28,500
new jobs (average)
Mechanical engineers generally work in offices. They may occasionally visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. Mechanical engineers work mostly in engineering services, research and development, and manufacturing.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreAerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$130,720
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
63,800
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
3,900
new jobs (average)
Aerospace engineers typically work in an office setting, often using a computer. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreIndustrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$99,380
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
327,300
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
38,400
new jobs (average)
Depending on their tasks, industrial engineers work either in offices or in the settings they are trying to improve. For example, when observing problems, they may watch workers assembling parts in a factory. When solving problems, they may be in an office at a computer, looking at data that they or others have collected.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read More
Christine Trinkle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
c.trinkle@uky.eduPigman College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
151 Ralph G. Anderson Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0503
(859) 257-6336
