Department of Engineering Mechanics

Antecedent Departments

Mechanics (1956–1966)
Engineering Mechanics (1966–1972)
Engineering Science, Mechanics & Materials (1972–1973)
Civil Engineering, Engineering Mechanics and Materials (1973–1979)
Engineering Mechanics (1979–Present)

Department Heads 1956–1963 Col Archie Higdon 1963–1964 Col Charles W. Sampson 1964–1965 Col Higdon 1965–1973 Col Philip J. Erdle 1973–1979 Col Wallace E. Fluhr 1979–1982 Col Cary A. Fisher 1982–1984 Lt Col Thomas A. Kullgren 1984–2005 Col Fisher Spring 2006 Lt Col Terry T. Thompson 2006–2012 Col Thomas L. Yoder 2012–2013 Col Andrew G. Szmerekovsky 2013–2015 Lt Col Donald W. Rhymer 2015–2018 Col Yoder 2018– Lt Col Cory A. Cooper		Permanent Professors Archie Higdon Phil Erdle   Em Fluhr Cary Fisher   Tom Yoder

The Department Today:

Mechanical Engineering is a broad discipline of design and analysis of mechanics and motion, thermodynamics and fluids, materials and structures, and control. Beginning with an introduction to the fundamental principles of statics and mechanics of materials applied to aerospace systems, the curriculum spans incredible mechanical engineering systems in aerospace, automotive hardware, power generation facilities, and manufacturing.

Curriculum:

The department offers 14 courses in Engineering Mechanics and 14 in Mechanical Engineering.
    Core Course: 
         Engr Mech 220. Fundamentals of Mechanics
    Majors:  History
         Mechanical Engineering
         Systems Engineering (Interdisciplinary)

Noteworthy:

In the Applied Mechanics Laboratory, cadets are encouraged to use a variety of wood- and metal-working equipment such as lathes, computer-controlled mills, welding equipment, material testing systems, composite material fabrication tools, and additive manufacturing devices (3D printing). Among many other projects, cadets design and fabricate various off-road vehicles and a formula car for national intercollegiate design competitions. A separate garage facility, complete with a full-scale chassis dynamometer, provides a unique opportunity for cadets to apply skills learned in their courses. The department’s Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension is the Academy’s largest research facility, specializing in aircraft structural integrity and technology required to maintain aging aircraft and national infrastructure. This Center functions as a de facto government laboratory providing science and technology support, delivering commercial products and services directly to the Offices of the Secretary of Defense, the Air Force, and the greater aerospace and aircraft structural community.