The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) offers programs in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. Mechanical Engineering is the study of machines, their motion, structure, power, and efficiency, while Aerospace Engineering involves the study of air and space vehicles. MAE uses a "hands-on" approach to education. Design courses offered during the third year of study provide experience in design, fabrication, manufacturing, and testing. The varied interests of students in MAE is indicated by the independent work they have selected. Some of the recent topics chosen include materials and biomaterials; energy and environment; vehicles and machines; human-machine interaction and robotics; computational fluid dynamics; and space science and engineering.

Approximately one-third of MAE graduates go into industry after graduation, working for companies such as Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Ford, General Motors, Schlumberger and NASA. Another third go on to top graduate schools such as MIT, Stanford, Princeton, and Cal Tech. The remaining third join technical consulting firms, teach, or prepare for careers in business, law, or medicine.