The education and research philosophy of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for both the undergraduate and graduate programs is based on a balanced operation of analytical, experimental, and computational activities. All three of these tools are used in a fundamental approach to the professional activities of research, development, and design. Among the major assets of the department are the experimental facilities maintained and available for the faculty, students, and staff.

The introductory undergraduate courses are taught through the Robert M. Ward ‘41 Laboratory, the Bingham Student Workshop, the Reinberger Product and Process Development Laboratory, the Reinberger Design Studio and Rapid Prototyping Laboratory, and the Harry A. Metcalf Computer Lab. The Ward Laboratory is modular in concept and available to the student at regularly scheduled class periods to conduct a variety of prepared experimental assignments. The lab is equipped with a variety of instruments ranging from classic analog devices to modern digital computer devices for the collection of data and the control of processes. Advanced facilities are available for more specialized experimental tasks in the various laboratories dedicated to each specific discipline. Most of these laboratories also house the research activities of the department, so students are exposed to the latest technology in their prospective professional practice. Finally, every undergraduate and graduate degree program involves a requirement, i.e., Project, Thesis or Dissertation, in which the student is exposed to a variety of facilities of the department.

The following is a listing of the laboratory facilities used for courses, advanced courses, and reseach in the MAE department.

• The Bingham Student Workshop
• The Biologically Inspired Robotics Laboratory
• The Computational Combustion Laboratory
• The Combustion Diagnostics Laboratory
• The D.K. Wright Jr. Dynamic Inelasticity Laboratory
• The Engineering Services Fabrication Center
• The General Motors Engines Laboratory
• The Harry A. Metcalf Computational Laboratory
• The Laser Flow Diagnostics Laboratory
• The Musculoskeletal Mechanics and Materials Laboratories
• The Nano Engineering Laboratory
• The National Center for Space Exploration and Research
• The Reinberger Design Studio and Rapid Prototyping Laboratory
• The Reinberger Product and Process Development Laboratory
• The Robert M. Ward Junior Experimental Mechanics Laboratory
• The Rotating Machinery Dynamics and Tribology Laboratory
• The Simon Ostrach Experimental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
• The Structural Dynamics Laboratory
• The Wayne Zahn Lecture Hall
• CWRU Research Computing