About Us
A Message From Our Chair
Dr. Rajiv Dubey - Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Welcome to the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of South Florida!
We are excited to announce that our department has expanded to include B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs in Aerospace Engineering, complementing our long-standing strength in Mechanical Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering is the broadest of engineering disciplines and offers a variety of career choices. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines. Aerospace Engineering focuses on the design, development, and innovation of aircraft, spacecraft, and related technologies, preparing graduates to meet the growing demands of this dynamic industry. Mechanical and Aerospace engineers work in various sectors, including engineering services, research and development, manufacturing industries, and government agencies.
The inaugural cohort of aerospace engineering students is already diving into courses on propulsion, flight stability and control, space exploration, and aerodynamics, setting the stage for careers in one of the state's fastest-growing industries. The program was created as a strategic investment to prepare students for in-demand careers while supporting employers seeking top aerospace talent. At USF, we are dedicated to advancing Florida's aerospace legacy by cultivating the next generation of innovators and engineers. With the establishment of the aerospace engineering program, we are poised to lead this mission and shape the future of the industry.
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at USF has more than 1,200 undergraduates and 100 graduate students. Our graduates are making a profound impact on society. Several of our alums are successful entrepreneurs and hold senior positions in large corporations. Our students are in great demand, receiving lucrative job offers from local, regional, national, and international companies, including Boeing, Honeywell, Siemens, Motorola, Honda, Lockheed, TECO, P&G, Jabil, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Harris, and Raytheon. According to Forbes, Aerospace Engineering was the third-highest-paying engineering job in 2023, with an average annual salary of $122,970. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked Mechanical Engineering as the third top-employing occupation for graduates with engineering degrees.
Our faculty are dedicated to advancing research that improves society, strengthens national prosperity, and ensures that teaching remains current and relevant. Much of the department's research is interdisciplinary and collaborative in nature. Key areas of focus include robotics, aerospace systems (encompassing propulsion, flight autonomy, aerodynamics, and supersonics), energy systems, biomedical and tissue engineering, nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing, microelectromechanical systems, biosensors and biofluidics, compliant mechanisms, rehabilitation engineering, system dynamics and vibrations, composite materials, and sustainable design. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, including the NSF, DOE, DoD, and NASA, as well as by non-profit organizations and industry partners.
Through collaboration among faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates, our department has earned national and international recognition for its research and teaching. The department has nine professional society fellows, several prestigious national and university teaching award winners, including the 2012 U.S. Professor of the Year, eight NSF CAREER awardees, and one NSF PECASE awardee. Faculty and students have secured numerous patents through innovative research and design projects at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department also hosts active student chapters of ASME, SAE, AIAA, and ASHRAE, many of which are engaged in national and international design competitions. Our students have established USF's Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry (SOAR), a successful student organization dedicated to advancing student interest in Aerospace. By participating in these organizations, students enrich their education while developing professional networks both within the Tampa community and beyond.
We are excited about the future of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at USF and invite you to join us in shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.