MEC Student Life

Clubs & Organizations Experiential Learning Professional Development Student Spotlights Student News

Life as a Mechanical Engineering student is filled with opportunities to learn, create, and grow. Through student organizations and design teams, experiential learning, research, and internships, you'll gain valuable experience, form meaningful connections, and make the most of your time at Stony Brook.

A young woman writes an equation on a white board with a blue marker

A student in a white lab coat and red Stony Brook University shirt uses a metal caliper to measure a small, square, grey textured material sample.

A student in a grey cable-knit sweater and tie talks to a peer while holding a small, orange medical device, with a woman visible in the background.

A young man with glasses adjusts a small, black, four-legged robotic creature on a white table while another student watches in the background.

Hear From Our Students:

"Having completed my undergraduate, master’s, and PhD degrees at Stony Brook University, this place feels like home to me. Looking back, I'm grateful for everything I learned here and for the people who were part of that journey. The experiences I had throughout my time at Stony Brook helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I feel well prepared for whatever comes next." Rodrigo Ristow Hadlich, PhD '26

"Since coming here, I've had so many amazing opportunities and made countless connections. I believe I've grown tremendously as both a student and a person at Stony Brook. Looking back, I would choose Stony Brook again without hesitation." Samantha Margulies, Undergraduate Student

Clubs & Organizations

Student organizations are an important part of the Mechanical Engineering experience. Through professional societies, competitive teams, and special-interest groups, students have opportunities to connect with peers, develop leadership skills, explore engineering beyond the classroom, and engage with the broader engineering community. Whether designing and building for competitions, attending industry events, or organizing outreach activities, these organizations help students build lasting connections and gain valuable hands-on experience throughout their academic journey. Explore some of our most active student groups below.

Two off-road racing vehicles maneuver through a dirt track, with one red vehicle in the foreground and one yellow vehicle behind it, both driven by masked racers.

A group of students stands outdoors on a cloudy day, posing with a large, pointed rocket model held by two individuals in the center of the crowd.

A young man and woman work together to assemble a small, colorful robotic device with wires and plastic parts while sitting at a table in a room.

Experiential Learning

Mechanical Engineering students are encouraged to engage in experiential learning opportunities that allow them to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Through internships, co-ops, independent research, Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) teams, and other hands-on experiences, students work alongside faculty, industry professionals, and fellow students to develop technical skills, gain practical experience, and explore potential career paths. These opportunities enrich the educational experience and help prepare students for success in graduate study, industry, entrepreneurship, and beyond.

Mechanical Engineering Design Capstone Project
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program
MACH 1 Innovation Hub
Undergraduate Research And Creative Activities (URECA)
SUNY SOAR: Summer Opportunity for Academic Research

Two students in a workshop use a milling machine, one operating it and the other observing, both wearing safety glasses.

Four students gather around a wooden car racing track, enthusiastically examining their aluminum cars in an outdoor setting.

The NCEES FE Exam logo features a gray and white shield shape with a red square containing a white graph, the text NCEES, and a computer monitor icon.

Logo of ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission, featuring an orange circle and the text “ABET” and “Engineering Accreditation Commission” in gray.

Professional Development

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam is often the first step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), a credential that demonstrates technical competence and professional achievement. As an ABET-accredited program, Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University provides students with the educational foundation needed to pursue the FE Exam and begin the pathway toward professional licensure. Through rigorous coursework, hands-on design experiences, and problem-solving across a broad range of engineering disciplines, our students are well prepared to take this important next step in their careers. For students interested in consulting, public infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, and many other engineering fields, earning an FE designation can open doors to future leadership and professional opportunities.