South Dakota - School of Mines and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Rapid City, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 29,200 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineering is the study of objects or systems in motion. If you own any type of machine, chances are a mechanical engineer created it. In fact, nearly every product or service in our modern world has been affected by mechanical engineering, from the sensors in your car to the satellites in the sky.
What does a mechanical engineer do?
With a degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota Mines, you will design, develop, build, and test mechanical systems, ranging from individual components in small devices to large pieces of equipment on machines as large as NASA's next-generation Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
You will use your individual creativity, your training, and your ability to analyze systems to create and maintain the devices and machines found throughout society. As a mechanical engineer, you might:
- Design bionic limbs or prosthetic joint
- Develop high-performance composite materials
- Develop custom medical devices
- And much more
International students may seek scholarship opportunities but should be aware that many scholarships are limited to US citizens or permanent residents. South Dakota Mines does not offer scholarships specifically for international students. You must be ADMITTED by January 15 of the year you are planning to enroll in the fall semester if you wish to be considered for scholarships. Scholarships are only awarded for a start date of the fall semester. Please see the Scholarships website for information on Mines scholarships.
International students are NOT eligible for South Dakota Mines or federal loan programs and should not apply for such financial assistance.
Freshman Year
First Semester
- Calculus I
- General Chemistry I
- General Chemistry I Lab
- Introduction to Mechanical Engineering/Lab
- Composition I
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)
Second Semester
- Calculus II
- University Physics I
- Programming for Engineers and Scientists
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)
- Design for Manufacturing
Sophomore Year
First Semester
- Communication in the STEM Workplace
- Statics of Mechanisms
- Calculus III
- University Physics II
- University Physics I Laboratory
- Product Design and Development
Second Semester
- Dynamics of Mechanisms
- Introduction to Thermodynamics
- Differential Equations
- Introduction to Solid Mechanics
- Structures and Properties of Materials Lab
- Properties of Materials
Junior Year
First Semester
- Explorations in STEM Communications
- Solid Mechanics
- Introduction to Circuits, Machines, and Systems/Lab
- Thermo Fluid Dynamics
- Introduction to Numerical Analysis
Second Semester
- Thermodynamics II
- Heat Transfer
- Introduction to Dynamic Systems
- Machine Design I
- Mechatronics and Measurement Systems/Lab
Senior Year
First Semester
- Mechanical Engineering Design I
- Advanced Production Development Lab I
- Basic Engineering Economics
- Mechanical Engr Elective #1
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)
- Mechanical Engr Elective # 2
Second Semester
- Mechanical Systems Design II
- Advanced Product Development Lab II
- Mechanical Engr Elective #3
- Mechanical Engr Elective #4
- Upper Level (300/400) Humanities or Social Sciences Elective(s)
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics
As a South Dakota Mines mechanical engineering graduate, you’ll have the knowledge to design and develop robots, medical devices, automobile engines, and electric power plants, as well as the machines needed to produce these products. You’ll be needed in a variety of fields, from automotive and aerospace to petroleum and pharmaceutical. Some careers might include:
- Robotic engineers
- Auto research engineers
- Project manager
- Support for military
- Product engineer
- Medical technology engineer
- Energy conversion, turbines
- Computers and electronics engineer
- Power systems engineer