The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a professional accrediting organization, reviews educational programs. The ABET accreditation process, a voluntary, non-governmental process of peer review, helps assure quality in educational programs. ABET-accredited educational programs must meet certain defined standards.

Accreditation serves to notify ...

• parents and prospective students that a program has met minimum standards;
• faculty, deans, and administrators of a program's strengths and weaknesses and of ways to improve the program;
• employers that graduates are prepared to begin professional practice;
• taxpayers that their funds are spent well;
• the public that graduates are aware of public health and safety considerations.

The present accreditation process requires each educational program to participate in a loop of self-examination and improvement:

1. Definition of desired program objectives and outcomes.
2. Collection and evaluation of data regarding how well objectives and outcomes are being reached.
3. Formulation and pursuit of appropriate means of better accomplishing objectives and outcomes.
4. Repetition of the process beginning with re-evaluation of objectives and outcomes.

Mechanical Engineering Program Objectives

• To provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of science and engineering.
• To examine current and relevant technical problems in engineering as examples of the applications of such principles.
• To provide comprehensive course work in both the thermal and mechanical systems areas, including cross-linkage between the two areas.
• To provide students with meaningful design experiences.
• To provide students with opportunities to develop teamwork, communication, and computer skills.

Mechanical Engineering Program Outcomes

Students graduating from this program should have...

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering,
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as, to analyze and interpret data,
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs,
• an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams,
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems,
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility,
• an ability to communicate effectively,
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context,
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning,
• a knowledge of contemporary issues,
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice,
• a knowledge of chemistry and calculus-based physics, with depth in at least one,
• an ability to apply advanced mathematics through multivariate calculus and differential equations,
• familiarity with statistics and linear algebra, and
• an ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas, including the design and realization of such system

Aerospace Engineering Program Objectives

Missouri S&T's Aerospace Engineering graduates will have...

• a solid foundation of principles of science and engineering with a strong background in mathematics and physics to serve as a foundation for life-long learning.
• a solid technical knowledge in the areas of aerodynamics, materials, structures, stability and control, propulsion, and aerothermochemistry including cross-linkage among the areas.
• the ability to apply engineering knowledge and skills to engineering analysis, solve open-ended problems, design projects, and develop useful products and processes.
• the ability to work in a team environment, create group synergy in pursuing a given goal, and communicate technical information in written, oral, visual, and graphical formats.
• an awareness and understanding of their moral, ethical, and professional obligations to protect human health and the environment.

Aerospace Engineering Program Outcomes

Students graduating from this program should have...

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering,
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as, to analyze and interpret data,
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs,
• an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams,
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems,
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility,
• an ability to communicate effectively,
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context,
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning,
• a knowledge of contemporary issues, and
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.