Updated November 3, 2024

Check these “quick reference” pages for help on items important to undergrad students. What else would you like to see here? What questions do you and your classmates ask often? Send your ideas to co-webmasters Mike Bernard and John Soos.

You can go to these Mechanical Engineering staff members for help!

John Soos, Senior Academic Program Coordinator
me-academic@jhu.edu
410-516-7154

  • Reserving rooms for class, lab, and group meetings
  • “Good Standing” letters
  • Teaching Assistant hiring and payments
  • Pi Tau Sigma membership, graduation accessories
  • Questions you are not sure who to ask for help

Mike Bernard, Academic Program Manager
me-academic@jhu.edu
410-516-7154

  • “Good Standing” letters
  • Career and Internship information
  • Reserving rooms for class, lab, and group meetings
  • Questions you are not sure who to ask for help

Glennisha Fulton, Grants & Contracts Analyst
gfulton3@jhu.edu
410-516-6782 |

  • Purchasing of supplies and equipment
  • Travel reimbursements
  • Coordinate shipments and deliveries
  • Reserving rooms for class, lab, and group meeting

Jonathan Deutschman, Communications Specialist
jdeuts10@jhu.edu

  • News, events, updates

Serene Davis, Senior Administrative Coordinator
sdavi159@jhmi.edu

  • Purchasing of supplies and equipment
  • Travel reimbursements
  • Coordinate shipments and deliveries
  • Reserving rooms for class, lab, and group meeting

Lucy Ng, Senior Administrative Coordinator
lng7@jh.edu

(For students working with Professor Hemker or Professor Wang)

  • Purchasing of supplies and equipment
  • Travel reimbursements
  • Coordinate shipments and deliveries
  • Reserving rooms for class, lab, and group meeting

 

Academic Advising

Contact your academic advisor with questions on course selection, degree requirements, other minors and majors, and 4-year degree planning.

Visit these links:

Forms

Checkout Sheets

There are “checkout sheets,” also known as “4-year plans” of the degree requirements on the Undergraduate Advising Page’s “Checkout Sheets/4-Year Plans” section. Be sure to select your major and year’s sheets for your use.

Lab Safety Course

All students taking courses with experimental labs must now take 990.100 Laboratory Safety for Undergraduates before registering for your courses. This two-hour online course should be completed 24 hours before your registration period begins so the SIS registration system will acknowledge the course’s completion.

Visit the “990.100 Lab Safety” section of the MechE Undergraduate Advising page for information.

Minors

Check out the dozens of minors available!

Tracks

The department of Mechanical Engineering currently recognizes two undergraduate tracks.

Students do not have to declare a track but simply just take courses that will qualify.

The “tracks” referred to in the Engineering 101 booklet for freshmen refer to both the aerospace and biomechanics tracks as well as a variety of other specialized areas that do not have a formalized recognition process.

Upon completion of the Aerospace or Biomechanics track, notification of this achievement is placed on the student’s academic record and transcript.

Course Schedules

Visit these pages for course schedules:

Course Registration

Visit the Registrar’s course registration page for Registration Instructions and Deadlines.

Course Catalogue/Policies

Visit the University Course Catalogue for information on degree programs, academic policies, majors, majors, and faculty.

Some policies that students find important:

Academic Calendar

Visit the Registrar’s “Academic Calendar” page for the academic calendar, which displays dates for registration deadlines, breaks and vacations, alternate class days (Monday-on-Thursday, for example), and exam periods.

Taking Courses Outside JHU

Students can take up to 12 credits outside Hopkins toward their degrees (besides AP and IB credits, and those earned by students who transferred from other institutions). Some students like to take courses during the summer or other times to make room for courses during the academic year, especially if someone wants to earn a minor or repeat a course to absolve a low grade.

There is a pre-approval process that students should complete in order to see if the intended course will be transferrable. Please visit the MechE Undergraduate Advising page > Approval Required: Credit Overloads / Taking Courses Outside JHU for information on how to request pre-approval.

Given the anticipated volume the Whiting School academic advisors are likely to receive with such requests and the time it takes to thoroughly vet the courses, please allow up to 10 business days (two work weeks) to receive a response.

After receiving approval, students can take the course and must earn a C or higher. The school then sends the transcript to Hopkins. Once received, the credits will be transferred to the transcript, though the grade will not be calculated in the Hopkins GPA.

Study Abroad

Consider an experience studying abroad! Our students have enjoyed semester-long experiences worldwide. Visit the Global Education office page for information.

Our faculty welcomes undergraduate student participation in research, which greatly enhances educational experience beyond coursework. Opportunities are available during the academic semesters, intersession, and summer through independent study and research courses or through paid research positions.

How?

To find Undergraduate Research opportunities in Mechanical Engineering, contact the faculty directly to ask.

  • Visit the Faculty page for a list of our faculty and their research interests. There are links to their lab sites where you can view their research in detail.
  • Select a faculty member or two whose work interests you.
  • Be prepared to talk about what interests you about their research. On each Faculty member’s “full profile” pages are publications of their recent papers, which you can often look up in the MSE Library. Read a couple papers. While you won’t be expected to know, much less understand everything in the papers, that fact that you took interest and can discuss what you read will impress professors.
  • Sometimes, professors would like to see your resume and/or transcript, so keep those handy when you make your first contact.
  • Contact the faculty members of interest by e-mail, phone, or in person and express your interest in their research and that you would like to get involved in their research.

The Undergraduate Academic Advising/Program Manual describes undergraduate research opportunities, such as general research information, pre-research course requirements in laboratory safety and responsible conduct of research, independent research and independent study for credit, now also known as “Customized Academic Learning.”

  • Your academic advisor must pre-approve doing research for credit. See the manual for information on working with faculty outside of Mechanical Engineering.
  • To count the independent research or independent study toward an elective section of the BS Mechanical Engineering or BS Engineering Mechanics degrees, the work must be at the rigor and vigor of upper-undergraduate (junior or senior) work or higher.
  • A 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher is strongly recommended before doing independent research.
  • Generally, 40 hours of research work = 1 credit.
  • Students must register in the first six weeks of the Fall or Spring semester to earn independent research or study credit that semester. The University prohibits retroactive registration.
  • Students taking three or more credits of undergraduate research are encouraged to present a research poster at the University’s Day of Undergraduate Research (DREAMS), which happens in the spring of each year. Visit the link for details on the event and how to submit your poster.

ForagerOne

ForagerOne assists undergraduate students in finding and contacting the right faculty mentors through a database of faculty profiles and a guided application process. Students can also find specific open projects that faculty are recruiting for and apply directly to join them.

Other Resources

The department receives information on all kinds of Research Experiences for Undergrads (REUs) and Summer Research opportunities from universities all over the United States and beyond. Watch your e-mail for those opportunities.

The Technical Communication Lab (TCL) serves as a free resource for all undergraduate and graduate students who need help improving written, oral, and visual communication.  The TCL offers free consultations in technical/professional writing, presentations and slides, interview practice, visual design, and ESL (English as a Second Language). In past semesters, their consultants have helped students polish papers for publication, prepare for important conference presentations, design flyers for research projects, improve their confidence in their English skills, work on their class assignments, and so much more!

Visit the TCL website and contact Senior Lecturer Amanda Hilliard at ahillia5@jhu.edu with your questions.

Computers and Software

You are welcome to use the computer facilities throughout campus, especially in the Milton S. Eisenhower Library and the Brody Learning Commons.

Laptops, pads, and software are available at a discount student rate when purchased through Hopkins.  Visit the Freshman and Transfer Students page > What Computer and Software Should I Buy for suggestions on which computers are best suited for your studies.

  • HAC Lab – Krieger 160 – offers all kinds of Microsoft, Adobe, math, multimedia and engineering software.
  • MATLAB – free for your computer, courtesy of Johns Hopkins!
    • Visit the Johns Hopkins Software Catalog
    • Log in with your JHED ID and password
    • Click on “Click Here to Browse Catalog”
    • Enter “Matlab” in the search bar and hit enter
    • Click on “Matlab for Students” (note: this is the same version as for faculty and staff, with all of the same toolboxes)
    • Follow the instructions that appear, which will send you to instructions on how to download the software.

Printers

For Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Undergraduates only
HP E60055 – Latrobe 2nd floor, Mezzanine

Canon Printer iR_ADV 6265 – Latrobe 217

  • Services include printing, scanning, faxing, file storage, copying
  • Driver Access and Operations Guide
  • IP Address: 10.160.48.40
  • Fax number is +1-410-516-4316.
    • Fax using individual sheets or multiple documents through the document feeder.
    • Dial “9” to get an outside line, then…
      • For local numbers, dial the area code and telephone number.
      • For long-distance numbers, dial “1” then the area code and telephone number.

Large Format Printer – Latrobe 3rd Floor Hallway

Mobile Printing

The University provides mobile printing options at a cost.

Library Services

Visit the Johns Hopkins Library page for information about our libraries.

You have a librarian! Contact Engineering Librarian Steve Stich at 410-516-8357 or sstich@jhu.edu. He can help you find research resources and show you how to use the library’s resources and services.

Facilities Help

The Mechanical Engineering department has 30 laboratories throughout the Homewood campus. With the depth and breadth of our research, labs can be as simple as a laptop on an office desk to as complex as a full laboratory with elaborate equipment and potentially dangerous situations and substances that need vigilant maintenance.

Inevitably, there will be problems with offices, facilities, and equipment that need attention beyond our department’s ability to address them. There is a central reporting tool that the department uses to vet, record, and refer such problems to get the appropriate help.

Visit the Mechanical Engineering Department Facilities Concerns site to report your problem, no matter what type or size.

MUSC, the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student Council enables communications between undergraduate students and the faculty. The Student Groups page will provide information.

MUSC meets several times a year to discuss issues such as the way courses are taught, availability of courses, advising, and department support.

Two student representatives from each class are elected by their colleagues during the Fall semester. The minutes from MUSC meetings are distributed to faculty, and the issues presented by the students are brought up for discussion and action at faculty meetings.

MUSC welcomes your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Contact MUSC by e-mail.

Financial Aid

College is a huge financial undertaking for families. There is help:

Student Employment

Students can work right on campus! There are all kinds of paid jobs all over campus, some engineering, many administrative, and all rewarding and fun.

University Experiential Learning, formerly known as Student Employment Services offers jobs on campus for full-time students. The Student Handbook has good information on jobs, applying for them, interviews, and work conduct.

Some research positions are paid positions, particularly those worked during the summer. Visit Tab #4 about Undergraduate Research.

You can work as a research assistant, student worker, teaching assistant in the Mechanical Engineering department.

  • If you’re hired as a research assistant or student worker, visit the Mechanical Engineering office in Latrobe 223 to inquire about the hiring process. Please ensure that your hiring supervisor notifies Grants and Contracts Manager Alison Wampler of your hire, and that he or she provides the date of hire, the position hired, and student year to determine hourly pay.
  • For hourly positions in Mechanical Engineering, standard hourly pay is $16 for undergraduate students and $17 for graduate students.  These rates will rise to $18 for undergraduate students and $19 for graduate students, effective July 1, 2024.
  • If you’re hired as a teaching assistant in Mechanical Engineering, Senior Academic Program Coordinator John Soos will notify you directly to begin the hiring process. Teaching Assistant positions are semi-monthly paid positions.
    • The semi-monthly rate is calculated according to a formula that quantifies the number of hours required for a particular course, multiplied by a standard hourly rate, to be determined by the beginning of each semester.
    • The standard hourly rate for Teaching Assistants will be $19 for undergraduate students and $21 for graduate students, effective July 1, 2024.

TimesheetX
TimesheetX is what is used to record hours worked.  Students are responsible to submit their time each week. The student’s supervisor will be responsible to approve the hours submitted each week. Both will receive e-mail reminders to submit and approve hours each week.

Deadlines
Time cards must be submitted by e-mail to meet the submission deadline of 2:00 p.m. one week before payday.

Visit the Hourly Payroll Submission Deadline Schedule for the deadline in the “Time Entry Cutoff 2:00 p.m.” column.

Hours submitted after the deadline will be paid at the next available pay period.

Direct Deposit

Sign up for Direct Deposit, where your stipend will be deposited right into your bank account on payday. Visit ESS, or “Employee Self-Service” to set up Direct Deposit or change accounts anytime.

  • Please have your bank account’s “routing number” and “account number” handy before signing in.
  • Go to my.jhu.edu and sign in with your JHED ID and password.
  • Select the “HR” tab and then the “ESS” tab.
  • Sign in again with your JHED ID and password.
  • Select the “Payroll Info” tab and you will see the option to set up or edit Direct Deposit. Follow the instructions to set up or update the account.
    • When setting up Direct Deposit for the first time, complete the Payee with your name as listed on your bank account. Enter the routing number which your bank or credit union can provide or will be on the bottom of your check. Leave “Bank Account Number” blank but add your account number in “New Bank Account Number” and “Re-enter Bank Account Number.”
    • Complete the Account Type, Payment Method, and Percentage or Amount.  Most will have 100% of their pay entered into their account.
    • Select Review and follow the steps to enter your request.

Purchasing / Reimbursements

There are specific rules and guidelines that the University requires for purchases to be made, whether that is for a research project, a club, or any other purchase where University funds are used in either a grant or in department funding.

  • Purchasing and Reimbursements guide – read this before making purchases to ensure you’re properly reimbursed.
  • SAP Concur – self-service reimbursement
    • The University has moved to a self-service reimbursement system where anyone seeking reimbursement can make a direct request instead of waiting for a staff member to make a request, which saves you time!
    • SAP Concur will allow you to submit reimbursements easily and quickly.
    • Visit the Johns Hopkins Expense Processing page for training links to the Concur system and to take advantage of real-time training sessions.
  • Submit Reimbursement Requests Before 60 Days have Passed – Reimbursement requests must be submitted for reimbursement to the University within 60-days of the purchase date. Please submit your requests at least several days before this deadline to allow the department to submit the request on time. If they are submitted after 60 days, the expenses will be paid to the purchaser as a payroll supplement instead of reimbursement and will be subject to payroll taxation.

JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, CAREER INFO

Are you wondering what’s next in your life and what your career will look like?  Check out our Careers and Life page for info, resources, and who can help you create your path!

  • The National Science Foundation funds over 500 summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) programs nationwide, with over 200 with engineering-related themes.   These are typically paid 10-week summer research internships, with housing provided, at US Universities.  You need to apply individually to each internship program.  See Details and Apply!
  • The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provide many opportunities for students, recent graduates, and others looking for internships, fellowships, and similar programs with the federal government.

The Senior Design Project, a unique two-semester course, is the capstone of Johns Hopkins’ Mechanical Engineering program. In the class, students, working in small teams, tackle specific design challenges presented by industry, government, and non-profit organizations. It is the most significant (and popular) course in the entire degree program.

Info for Juniors – you will begin preparing for the Senior Design experience in your junior year, as you will form teams then. Watch for announcements from the course instructor.

EMERGENCY HELP

In case of emergency:

OTHER HELP

Safety and Security

The Johns Hopkins Safety and Security office offers many services to keep you and those around you safe. View the page for information on those services and other tips for your personal safety.

Well-Being

Check out the Student Wellness page, which offers support and services in seven key areas of wellness: emotional and mental health, physical health, finances, professional life, spiritual health, sexual health, and social well-being.

Getting Personal Help

Occasionally, students may feel overwhelmed by the rigors of education, especially if coupled with outside stresses like health and family concerns. Johns Hopkins offers a host of resources where you can ask for and receive help.

If you need someone to listen, you can talk to your academic advisor, faculty mentor, Academic Program Manager Mike Bernard or Senior Academic Program Coordinator John Soos. Sometimes, venting to someone may be all you need.

Sometimes, though, you may want to talk to someone who is trained to help people in distress. View these pages for information and hours:

  • Prof. Steven Marra, Director of Undergraduate Studies – marra@jhu.edu
  • Office of Student Life – for information on services, offices, events, and student groups
  • Office of Student Disability Services – to get help with a physical or mental incapacitation, no matter how minor.
  • Counseling Center – to get help with any emotional concerns, when feeling overwhelmed, and when needing mental health support in a caring environment.
  • Sexual Assault Helpline – 410-516-7333 (24 hours). More information here.
  • Emergencies – call the Security office at 410-516-7777 or the Baltimore City Emergency Line at 911.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
  • Prof. Vicky Nguyen – Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion committee – vicky.nguyen@jhu.edu – to discuss concerns about diversity, inclusion, and equity in your personal experience or issues affecting our Mechanical Engineering community
  • Diversity and Inclusion Feedback Form – use this Google form to provide anonymous feedback, suggestions, and concerns to the Diversity and Inclusion committee of our department.
  • Office of Institutional Equity

That big day at the end of students’ four years at Johns Hopkins culminates in the celebrations of graduation and commencement.

Timeline to Graduation

  • November – the Whiting School professional academic advisors will conduct the advising meetings for seniors and will review and confirm that they are on track to graduate.
  • February – submit the Application to Graduate when notified by the Whiting School. Information is available on the Graduation Eligibility and Application page. The deadline to apply for graduation is early-February.
  • March – the department certifies graduation and track eligibility. No separate application is necessary for the Aerospace or Biomechanics tracks.
  • March to May – seniors complete Exit Surveys and participate in an Exit Interview. Students will be notified of the schedule.

Celebrations

  • Obtain your diploma at Johns Hopkins Commencement.
  • Join your family and friends at the Mechanical Engineering celebration, right near Commencement. Graduates will receive an invitation in mid-Spring.

Go have some fun! (Click here, too)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Whiting School has created an information resources in these pages:

These links address health and wellness needs, coping with social distancing, academic policy and grading adjustments, research, remote courses, future course registration, and visa concerns.