The University of Scranton

New State-of-the-Art Laboratory Spaces for Scranton Mechanical Engineering Students

Students majoring in mechanical engineering at The University of Scranton are practicing the techniques learned in their courses in newly renovated, state-of-the-art, learning and laboratory spaces. Class/lab sizes of just 16 students allow each student the chance to use the latest laboratory, simulation and modeling techniques in their courses.

Scranton, a Jesuit university in Pennsylvania's Pocono Northeast, reconfigured 5,300 square feet of space in Hyland Hall in 2021 through a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant.

The renovated space, dedicated to students in the University's new mechanical engineering major, includes three laboratories, a workshop, a machine shop and a 16-seat computer lab, as well as faculty offices and a student lounge area.

"The Physics and Engineering Department at Scranton emphasizes active and applied learning methods to educate our students. The renovated facilities allow us to use the latest in laboratory, simulation and modeling techniques to prepare our students to be successful in their professional careers in mechanical engineering," said W. Andrew Berger, Ph.D., professor and chair of the department.

Mechanical engineering students experiment with several pieces of equipment in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, control, dynamics and vibration labs. Students, like aerospace scientists, work with a wind tunnel, where they determine important fluid characteristics by measuring aerodynamics pressures, forces and moments applied to aerodynamics models such as airfoil models by the airflow in laminar and turbulent flows. They also investigate the behavior of engineering materials by performing precise tensile and compression tests using state-of-the-art Instron equipment to determine material properties such as strength, modulus of elasticity, yield and failure stresses of standard engineering materials.

"We prepare our students to take the position they deserve by focusing on the applied sciences in engineering, experiments and manufacturing, and research that is essential in future careers of the students," said Amir Hosein Zamanian, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Scranton.

Furthermore, Scranton's faculty get to know the students and are invested in their success. The Physics Department has even redesigned its curriculum to help students master the learning required to be successful in their field.

Dr. Berger said that engineering faculty members are actively engaged in research and often involve undergraduate students in their lab work to enrich the student learning experience. In addition, students frequently participate in internship opportunities to expand their skills and experience, as well as mentoring and individual advising with faculty members to fully develop their aptitude and interests.

"As a Jesuit and Catholic university, the rigorous curriculum at Scranton not only challenges students, it reinforces ethical, professional and socially conscientious practices," said Dr. Berger. "Our graduates are prepared well to face the technical and ethical challenges of the future."

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines and involves the design, production and operation of mechanical systems and thermal systems. Scranton's program allows students to specialize in several areas, such as biomechanics, energy conversion, laser-assisted materials processing, fracture mechanics, vibrations and combustion.

Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in a wide array of fields, including the automotive and aerospace industries, manufacturing, electronics, mechatronics and nanotechnologies.

In addition to mechanical engineering, which Scranton began to offer in the fall of 2020, other majors offered by the Physics and Engineering Department include computer engineering, electrical engineering, engineering management, biophysics and physics.