Message from the Chair

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the William B. Burnsed, Jr. Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering where we provide our students with an enriching learning experience fostered by a team of dedicated faculty and staff.   Our students’ potential employers in the area include Airbus, Austal USA, Ingalls Shipbuilding, etc.

We offer two Bachelor of Science (BS) programs: Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and Aerospace Engineering (BSAE). Our BSME program is accredited by ABET. Starting Fall 2024, we are excited to launch our BSAE program, proactively preparing for its inaugural ABET review scheduled for 2029.

Within both degrees, undergraduate students have an opportunity to select a concentration in Biomedical Engineering. Our students also have the option of pursuing a minor in various programs such as Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, General Business, Music, etc.  Additionally, well-qualified students can apply for the ABM (Accelerated BS to MS degree) program which allows them to complete both BS and MS degrees in 5 years.  Paid summer research opportunities are also available through the university-funded SURF program.

Our graduate students can pursue an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering or a Ph.D. degree in Systems Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering.  Many of our graduate students have been supported through graduate assistantships to assist a faculty member with teaching-related tasks while conducting research alongside our faculty in different areas such as Advanced Composite Materials, Flight Dynamics, Medical Imaging and Devices, Cell Mechanics, Biomechanics, Additive Manufacturing, Computational Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, etc. We are committed to expanding the availability of graduate assistantships to attract and support talented graduate students.

I invite you to take a moment to explore our website for more information about our programs.  Please feel free to contact me at vphan@southalabama.edu if you have any questions.

Anh-Vu Phan
Professor and Interim Department Chair