The Department of Mechanical Engineering in cooperation with the Department of Polymer Engineering has developed an undergraduate program which integrates mechanical engineering science and design with polymer processing science and technology. This program was created to meet the needs of undergraduate students who desire this interdisciplinary program of study.

The BSMPE curriculum offers students a large array of representative engineering science and design courses which, combined with polymer engineering courses, provides a fundamental education in Mechanical Engineering, as well as an understanding of Polymer Engineering principles. This knowledge allows the student to explore state-of-the-art technologies requiring comprehension of foundation principles in both disciplines.

The general education, mathematics and science requirements for the BSMPE degree are the same as for the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree. The specific required courses in Mechanical Engineering (4600:XXX) and Polymer Engineering (4700:XXX), as well as the required courses in Civil Engineering (4300:XXX), Electrical Engineering (4400:XXX) and Polymer Science (4700:XXX) total 139 semester hours.

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Polymer Engineering (BSMPE) degree program has been evaluated and accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) in September 2003.

Student Organizations
- Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honorary Society)
- ASME (Mechanical Engineers)
- AIAA (Aeronautical Engineers)
- AIChE (Chemical Engineers)
- ASCE (Civil Engineers)
- IEEE (Electrical Engineers)
- NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers)
- SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
- SPE (Society of Plastics Engineers)
- SWE (Society of Women Engineers)

The College of Engineering
The College of Engineering offers baccalaureate degrees in chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical polymer and mechanical engineering. A course of study which emphasizes a concentration in polymer engineering (not the BSMPE degree) is offered through the chemical and mechanical engineering undergraduate programs. The chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical undergraduate programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). The College also offers specialized programs which lead to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE).

Master of Science degrees are offered in chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical engineering and in engineering with specializations in biomedical engineering and engineering management. As part of the doctoral program in the College of Engineering a variety of interdisciplinary programs are offered which combine the disciplines of Civil, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering with Polymer Engineering, Mathematics, and other disciplines.

The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, established in 1988, has the largest academic program devoted to polymers in the United States. The University of Akron's tradition as a leader in polymer science began over 85 years ago with the foresight of Dr. C.M. Knight, a professor of chemistry, at Buchtel College, which was the forerunner of The University of Akron.

The College offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in polymer science and polymer engineering.

Cooperative Education
The Engineering Cooperative Education Program at The University of Akron was adopted in 1914. It is one of the oldest and largest Cooperative Education Programs (co-op) in the United States. Participation in the co-op program allows students to experience, first hand, real engineering situations which require the use of skills learned in the classroom. Students in the co-op program alternate semesters of work and school following their sophomore year. As an added advantage, the students earn a competitive salary. Generally, these salaries range between $1,600 and $2,300 per month. At the completion of the students' undergraduate program, they will have gained at least a full year of professional experience. Approximately eighty percent (80%) of the qualified engineering students have elected to enroll in the co-op program. The following is a partial list of co-op employers of mechanical engineering students:

- Akron Standard
- Advanced Cardiovascular System
- Babcock & Wilcox
- Bendix Automotive
- Cooper Tire & Rubber
- Diebold
- DOW Chemical
- Goodrich
- General Motor
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber
- Figgie International
- Hoover Company
- Kirby Co.
- LTV Steel
- Lear Romec
- Lubrizol
- NASA Lewis Research Center
- NASA Langley Research Center
- Ohio Edison
- Parker Hannifin
- Reliance Electric
- Rubbermaid
- Volvo GM Heavy Truck Co.