About

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara was founded in 1964. Our world-class faculty offers accredited programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D). The outstanding educational and research opportunities in our department are further enhanced by the many interdisciplinary activities that abound at UCSB. 

Mission Statement

We offer an education that prepares our students to become leaders of the engineering profession and one which empowers them to engage in a lifetime of learning and achievement.

Leadership

                             Prof. Bolin Liao UCSB                              Tyler Susko     

           Jeff Moehlis                                                          Bolin Liao                                                             Tyler Susko

       Professor and Chair                                  Associate Professor, Vice Chair,                          Undergraduate Faculty Advisor
                                                                             Graduate Faculty Advisor,
                                                                             and Diversity Officer
moehlis@engineering.ucsb.edu                        bliao@engineering.ucsb.edu                                         susko@ucsb.edu
 

 

Department Facts & Figures

Academic Statistics

  • 360
    Undergraduate Enrollment, Fall 2023
  • 90
    Graduate Enrollment, Fall 2023
  • 37
    Faculty & Lecturers, 2022/23
  • 11:1
    Student:Faculty Ratio

Faculty Awards & Honors

  • 4
    National Academy of Engineering Members

  • 7
    ASME Fellows

  • 3
    IEEE Fellows

  • 4
    AIMBE Fellows

  • 7
    Excellence in Teaching Awards

  • 18
    National Science Foundation CAREER Awards

  • 3
    Sloan Fellows

  • 3
    SIAM Fellows

History

1964 - Established as Department of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering
1987 - Engineering Building II opened
2003 - Established the Mohammed Dahleh Award and Lecture Series
2005 - Name change to Mechanical Engineering
2014 - 50th Anniversary Celebration Event

Department Chairs

2021 to present: Jeff Moehlis
2017-2021: Frederic Gibou
2013-2017:  Francesco Bullo
2008-2013:  Kimberly Foster
2007-2008:  George "Bud" Homsy

2003-2007:  Eckart Meiburg
1999-2003:  Robert McMeeking
1995-1999:  Robert Odette
1992-1995:  Robert McMeeking
1987-1992:  Frederick Leckie
1983-1987:  Jean-Louis Armand
1981-1983:  Wilbert Lick
1980-1983: Frederick Milstein
1976-1980: Roy Hickman
1972-1976: Thomas Mitchell
1971-1972: Gary Connell
1970-1971: Thomas Mitchell
1966-1970: William Thomson
1964-1966: Otto Witzell