Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s University offers a diverse range of engineering programs grounded in academic excellence, innovation and hands-on learning. Students gain a strong foundation in engineering principles while exploring emerging technologies, solving real-world challenges and working with advanced industry-standard tools and software.
Our programs are distinguished by innovative Senior Design Projects, where students apply their knowledge to address real engineering challenges through creative and collaborative solutions. Through rigorous course work, experiential learning and project-based experiences, graduates are prepared to become skilled professionals and leaders committed to engineering solutions that benefit society.
St. Mary’s University focuses on educating the whole individual by integrating liberal arts and professional education. Our institution promotes student development in the context of the larger community, preparing students for success not only in their engineering careers but also in all aspects of their lives.
Education of the whole person is an important trait of the Marianist education philosophy that we follow in our Mechanical and Industrial Engineering programs. We also offer thought-provoking lectures from a variety of experts each semester during the Engineering Seminar Series.
Program Accreditation
Several of our engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Earn Two Degrees
Many of the Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering programs at St. Mary’s allow you to achieve both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees within a five-year time frame. Earn two degrees in less time with the combined degree option.
Employment Opportunities
St. Mary’s students have obtained employment at many companies:
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Boeing
- CPS Energy
- HEB
- FedEX
- Frito Lay
- Lockheed Martin
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- NASA
- Samsung
- San Antonio Food Bank
- San Antonio International Airport
- San Antonio River Authority
- San Antonio Water System
- SwRI
- TESLA
- Toyota
- UPS
- USAA
- Valero
Funded Graduate Research Opportunities
The Graduate Research Assistantship is available for master’s students. This opportunity covers tuition fees and provides a stipend to support their students in their studies. Not only does it allow them to focus more fully on their coursework and research, but it also offers an invaluable stepping stone for their future career development.
Engineering Labs and Facilities
At St. Mary’s, engineering is not theoretical — it is immersive, applied and relentlessly hands-on. From the moment students enter the program, they engage with real systems, real data and real challenges. Our laboratories span three buildings and are equipped with state-of-the-art, industry-grade technology, creating an environment where innovation is not simulated — it is engineered.
This integrated ecosystem empowers students to design, build, test and refine solutions at the level expected in leading engineering firms and research institutions.
Our Labs
- Advanced Manufacturing and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory
A high-performance fabrication environment with metal and polymer 3D printing, precision scanning and digital manufacturing capabilities that mirror modern industry. - Automation and Robotics Laboratory
Features advanced industrial and collaborative robotic systems, enabling students to master automation, precision manufacturing and intelligent robotic integration. - Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory
Dedicated to next-generation mobility systems, where students design, program and test autonomous platforms using advanced sensing, control and decision-making technologies. - Data Science and Machine Learning Laboratory
Focused on artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, empowering students to develop intelligent systems that extract insight and drive decision-making. - Human-Centered Design Laboratory
An interdisciplinary space where engineering meets human experience, integrating immersive technologies, ergonomics and user-centered design to create impactful solutions. - Joseph Erevelles Design Studio
A flagship innovation space where interdisciplinary teams transform ideas into functional, high-impact engineering solutions.
- Prototyping and Development Laboratory
The Department’s definitive workshop. Here, arrays of prototypes are constructed using state-of-the-art machinery. It is also frequently used by students for Engineering Senior Design Projects. - Materials Testing Laboratory
Houses industry-standard equipment for mechanical characterization, including tensile, fatigue and impact testing, enabling rigorous evaluation of material performance. - Measurements and Instrumentation Laboratory
A precision-driven laboratory for advanced metrology, sensor systems and real-time data acquisition — where students develop the skills to measure, validate and optimize engineering systems. - Supply Chain and Innovation Laboratory
Integrates data analytics, machine learning and industrial IoT to solve complex logistics and operations challenges with an emphasis on sustainability and digital transformation. - Thermofluids Laboratory
Equipped with a wind tunnel and modern experimental systems for aerodynamics, heat transfer, energy systems and fluid mechanics.
Rattler Racing
St. Mary’s University students build the Rattler race car. The car is taken to Baja SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) competitions and raced by student drivers.
While Engineering students are key in the development and maintenance of the race car, Rattler Racing seeks students of all majors to join the crew.
STEM Outreach
The Department hosts seminars, which help students learn how to be great students, as well as provide them with opportunities to learn how to interview and meet potential employers.
Students can participate in the Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering club called Infinite Loops and the cybersecurity club called Buffer Overflow, which are open to all students. They can also join the St. Mary’s IEEE Student Branch, part of the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. The branch offers students valuable opportunities to develop their skills and connect with professionals across the globe.
Live and Learn Together
Many of our students live in the Science Living Community, a residence hall dedicated to students who are majoring in the sciences. In this community, students live down the hall from their classmates studying similar subjects and have tutors available in the dorm for some math and science courses.
This community partners with the School of Science, Engineering and Technology to host programs throughout the academic year and invites faculty to visit the halls and share their passion and experiences.
View the full list of Departments in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Academic Programs in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Faculty in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
-
Mauricio Aristizabal, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering -
Morgan Bruns, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering -
Alisa Isaac, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering -
Rafael Moras, Ph.D., P.E. Professor of Industrial Engineering -
Juan D. Ocampo, Ph.D. Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering -
Miguel Cortina Ponton Lecturer of Engineering -
Mohamed Shaat, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering -
Parker Shectman, Ph.D., P.E. Assistant Professor of Engineering Management -
Madison Wooldridge, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering