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About

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering was established in 1891 and has grown over its 130-year history to become the second-largest department in the university, with over 1,000 students pursuing mechanical engineering degrees. A new degree program in Aerospace Engineering was started in 2022.

98 Graduate students

1,013 Undergraduates

$70K ME Average starting salary

NACE Summer 2023

Explore Graduate offerings

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers programs of study leading to M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering. Graduate students will have the opportunity to work closely with internationally recognized faculty members on research at the leading edge of technology

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Explore our undergraduate programs

We are proud to offer the only undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering in the state of Kentucky! Mechanical engineers apply their expertise to the design, development and mass production of everything from rocket propulsion systems to appliances.

Learn more and explore all our undergraduate offerings!

Explore offerings

People

With over 30 full-time faculty members dedicated to teaching and research, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering supports research in numerous relevant fields. We advance aerospace research and often work with NASA on research methods for its future missions. Mechanical and aerospace engineering is a diverse discipline, and our robust faculty is engaged in every aspect of it.

View our People

31 Full-time faculty members

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Enhancement Fund

Support the Fund

Gifts to the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Enhancement Fund can supplement existing operating budgets or provide revenue that can be directed toward emerging needs and opportunities such as scholarships, faculty support, facility enhancement and unrestricted support for departments. This valuable support allows the college to be flexible and responsive and demonstrate the truth that there is power in numbers.

 

Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing

The Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing pioneers new manufacturing standards that respect the planet’s resources.

Visit ISM

Institute of Research for Technological Development

Our Institute of Research for Technological Development (IR4TD) explores fire research, painting technology research, lean manufacturing systems and more.

Visit IR4TD

NASA Kentucky Space Grant Consortium and EPSCoR Programs

NASA Kentucky

In partnership with NASA’s National Space Grant College & Fellowship Program, the Kentucky Space Grant Consortium provides opportunities in aerospace-related research and education for Kentucky colleges, universities, community colleges, non-profits, and industry affiliates. More information available at NASA Kentucky Space Grant.

Contact NASA KY

Dr. Alexandre Martin, Director

Phone: 859-218-NASA (218-6272)
E-mail: nasa@uky.edu

Associate Director:
Jacob Owen   859-323-4542

Visit the NASA KY website

MAE Department News

UK alum brings engineering skills to national racing stage

Rahman, a Frankfort, Kentucky native who earned his degree in mechanical engineering, will compete in the Legend Cars division Jan. 16-18 and Jan. 23-25, racing a car and wearing a fire suit featuring the UK Alumni Association logo.

Perry County students join UK water monitoring research team

University of Kentucky researchers — along with collaborators from across the United States — gathered at Buckhorn School in Perry County last month to work with high school students on a water-testing device developed at UK. The ESCAPE research is part of the NSF’s Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Preparation program. Berry is principal investigator of the nearly $18 million NSF award, shared by the four institutions.

FULL THROTTLE Monon Rahman is engineering his way through NASCAR’s ranks while racing toward the crew chief’s seat

Refusing to put his career on cruise control, Monon Rahman is engineering his way through NASCAR’s ranks while racing toward the crew chief’s seat.

Building magic at UK Honeycutt to be December 2025 UK Commencement Student Speaker

For Brysen Honeycutt, graduating from the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering and Lewis Honors College is more than a milestone — it’s the launch point of a dream shaped by resilience, creativity and a lifelong fascination with how joy is built. Honeycutt, who grew up in Pine Top, Kentucky in Knott County, will graduate this Friday and take the commencement stage as his ceremony’s student speaker

‘Fulfilled by my time here’ UK honors grad blends engineering and management on path to Toyota

As she prepares to cross the Commencement stage Dec. 19, Evelyn Hinz is reflecting on a University of Kentucky journey that brought together engineering, business and honors — and ultimately shaped the start of her career.

Sheltering Kentucky, Layer by Layer UK alum builds Kentucky’s 1st 3D-printed concrete home

UK alumnus Eric Wooldridge ‘01, ‘19 ENG uses a little concrete, a little technology and a lot of ingenuity as he constructs houses for Kentuckians that can take a real wallop.