Student Organizations
Although not built into the requirements, participation in student chapters of the professional societies and department Student Advisory Committees are strongly encouraged. Engineers can, and should, become leaders in the community. The University of Utah is one place to develop community and professional interests and leadership.
On this web page you will find clubs and societies that are related to Mechanical Engineering. You can find a list of all clubs at the University of Utah by clicking Here
Aerospace Club – Spaceport America Competition
The AIAA promotes the study of aeronautics and astronautics at the University of Utah, helps students to find related employment, sponsors projects for student participation, and organizes activities that complement aerospace education. Yearly, we design, manufacture, and fly a rocket at the worlds largest intercollegiate competition.
Website: https://aerospace.utahclubs.org/
Advisor: Dr. Hochhalter
Formula SAE Team: Formula U Racing
Regarded worldwide as one of the most prestigious design, engineering, and marketing competitions, “Formula SAE® is a student design competition organized by SAE International (formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers). The concept behind Formula SAE is that a fictional manufacturing company has contracted a design team to develop a small Formula-style racecar. The prototype racecar is to be evaluated for its potential as a production item.”
Advisor: Dr. d’Entremont
ASME/IEEE Heat Sink Challenge
This yearly competition gives students the opportunity to design an additively manufactured aluminum natural convection heat sink that provides maximum performance. These heat sinks are designed to operate at as low a temperature as possible for minimal cost. They also need to leverage the possibilities and advantages of additive manufacturing (metal 3d printing).
Advisor: Dr. Rao
Utah Student Robotics – Lunabotics Competition
The annual NASA Lunabotics competition challenges students to build prototype robots to complete tasks in a lunar-like environment.
Advisor: Dr. Minor
Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge
This competition combines human-powered vehicles and fluid power (hydraulics and pneumatics). By combining this unlikely pair, the Vehicle Challenge hopes to create an environment that results in uncommon connections and breakthroughs while supporting learning and the growth of fluid power industry knowledge.
Advisor: Dr. Dillon
Baja SAE
Baja SAE challenges engineering students to design and build an off-road vehicle that will survive the severe punishment of rough terrain and in some competitions, water. As in real work situations, these future engineers work together as a team to discover and resolve technical challenges in design, test, and manufacturing, as well as business issues.
Advisors: Andy Gill and Randal Morrill
Current student organizations include (alphabetical order):
Aerospace Club at the U, AIAA Student Chapter
The AIAA promotes the study of aeronautics and astronautics at the University of Utah, helps students to find related employment, sponsors projects for student participation, and organizes activities that complement aerospace education.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
The mission of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is to substantially increase the representation of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science, and other related technology disciplines. Since 1977, AISES has worked to substantially increase American Indian and Alaska Native representation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields
American Nuclear Society Student Chapter (ANS)
The American Nuclear Society Chapter at the University of Utah is a professional and outreach organization composed of undergraduate and graduate students interested in nuclear energy and its applications. ANSSC promotes nuclear education in order to inform the public of the benefits of nuclear energy and to recruit students into the University of Utah.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
The purpose of the ASME Student Section of the University of Utah is: to advance the arts, sciences, and technologies related to Mechanical Engineering; to provide an opportunity for students engaged in these pursuits to nurture and promote their professionalism through publications, field trips, competitions and meetings; to promote fellowship and interaction with other student sections, as well as professional sectors of the society; and to create a sense of unity between different student groups at the University of Utah and the Mechanical Engineering faculty.
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
ASSE’s missions is to promote the advancement of the safety, health, and environmental professions engaged in protecting people, property, and the environment by providing the necessary resources.
Formula SAE Team: Formula U Racing
Regarded worldwide as one of the most prestigious design, engineering, and marketing competitions, “Formula SAE® is a student design competition organized by SAE International (formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers). The concept behind Formula SAE is that a fictional manufacturing company has contracted a design team to develop a small Formula-style racecar. The prototype racecar is to be evaluated for its potential as a production item.”
“Formula SAE promotes careers and excellence in engineering [and other majors] as it encompasses all aspects of the automotive industry including research, design, manufacturing, testing, developing, marketing, management and finances. Formula SAE takes students out of the classroom and allows them to apply textbook theories to real work experiences.”
RoboUtes
The RoboUtes bring together individuals with an interest in robotics. Come learn about robotics, gain skills, and tackle challenging problems in an atmosphere of collaboration, creativity, and learning. We welcome all experience levels.
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
The Society of Automotive Engineers has more than 84,000 members – engineers, business executives, educators, and students from more than 97 countries – who share information and exchange ideas for advancing the engineering of mobility systems. SAE is your one-stop resource for standards development, events, and technical information and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
SHPE is the leading social-technical organization whose primary function is to enhance and achieve the potential of Hispanics in engineering, math and science. The society is committed to improving the overall culture of engineering at the University of Utah through diversity.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and be recognized for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders.
Utes FIRST Robotics
This club is made for FIRST alumni here at the U, our objective is to create a community within us and help create a network between FRC teams and mentors to help everyone advance their learning in robotics. This club hopes to keep you active in FIRST activities coming up as well as meeting peer who have same interests and values as you do. We encourage all FIRST alumni to join and build something amazing here at the U.
USAC (Undergraduate Student Advisory Council)
The Undergraduate Student Advisory Council, or USAC, is composed of Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students and a faculty advisor who welcome your input and participation. USAC serves as a link between students and the department. To contact USAC send an email rheannon.burnside@utah.edu
What is the USAC?
The Undergraduate Student Advisory Committee (USAC) is a student group within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Our main purpose is to create a bridge between faculty and students to improve students’ experience during their time in the program.
What do we do?
The USAC has developed four different committees based on student needs:
- Curriculum Committee
Two USAC members participate in meetings with faculty members and make decisions about improving the program curriculum. This is an opportunity for students to express their opinion on courses, program tracks, and new technical electives in the program.
- Retention, Promotion, and Tenure (RPT)
Four USAC members represent the student body by voting to retain, promote, or tenure professors in the department. USAC members read the course feedback forms that all students complete and base their decision on these forms.
- Colloquium Committee
All USAC members organize mini-seminars where professors in the department present their research to students outside of the formal classroom setting. Students attend the colloquiums to learn more about research in the department and available research positions.
- Department Improvement Committee
Several USAC members use feedback from students in the department to implement positive changes that improve the experience of all students. Past projects have been funding and getting approval of a public microwave for student use.
The USAC updates these committees and adds new committees to our student group based on the current needs of students in the department.
Who can join the USAC?
All students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering are welcome and encouraged to join the USAC! There are no dues, interviews, or minimum GPA requirements for joining the USAC. Students can join at any point during their time in the mechanical engineering program.
How can you get involved?
If you are interested in joining the USAC, fill out this quick Google form.
Can’t join but want to give feedback?
The USAC is meant to support the students, and there’s no better way than providing you with a way to express your concerns. Fill out this anonymous feedback form and we will do our best to address any and all concerns.
GSAC (Graduate Student Advisory Council)
The Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) is a liaison between Graduate Students and Faculty of the Mechanical Engineering Department at University of Utah. Our aim is to enhance your graduate experience by promoting the interests and concerns of the graduate student body, as well as establishing a dynamic community through active participation.
Information on these professional and honorary societies can be found at the Undergraduate Advising Office, 1560 MEK and in the University of Utah General Catalog.