U of R ME : Undergraduate Societies

Engineering Professional & Honor Societies

For a complete list of all engineering societies, please refer to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences undergraduate societies webpage.

ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers

The technical base upon which the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) rests is its 36 Technical Division and 1 institute. These divisions, organized within the Council of Engineering, are a major force in accomplishing the Society's stated purpose of advancing the art, science and practice of mechanical engineering. As an ASME Student Member you are affiliated with a local Student Section. Through this affiliation, you receive a number of benefits:

Technical interaction among your peers
Networking with practicing engineers
Invitations to student section conferences/social events
Engineering practices information
Employment practices information
Employment guidance
Student loans and scholarships
Local industry/plant tours
Mechanical Engineering and ASME News
Mechanical Advantage, a special publication for young members, published thrice yearly
Professional recognition and awards
Regional/national competitions
Reduced rates for ASME technical papers and publications
Registration fee waivers for ASME conferences and meetings

BMES - Biomedical Engineering Society

The field of biomedical engineering brings together scientists and engineers form many i nterrelated disciplines to work on common technical problems in medicine and biology. BMES is the student organization at the University of Rochester serving undergraduate and graduate students interested in biomedical engineering. Members include students in all engineering specialties (biomedical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, optics) as well as students studying biology, chemistry, physics, visual studies, and computer science. BMES provides an arena for the exchange of information on biomedical engineering between undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members.

Pi Tau Sigma

Pi Tau Sigma is the national mechanical engineering honor society.

Tau Beta Pi

Tau Beta Pi is the national engineering honor society, recognizing students of superior scholarship and exemplary character. The students in the organization, chosen from the top one-eighth of the junior class and the top one-fifth of the senior student body, offer such services as tutoring assistance, sponsorship of prominent guest speakers, and recruitment of engineering students.

AISES - American Indian Science & Engineering Society

The American Indian Science & Engineering Society has over 120 college chapters in the US and Canada as of April 1995 and is growing. The organization is open to all American Indians who can use our programs and to everyone else who can lend a helping hand.

NSBE - National Society of Black Engineers

The National Society of Black Engineers, with 8,000 members, is one of the largest student-managed organization in the country. The Society is dedicated to the realization of a better tomorrow through the development of intensive programs for increasing the recruitment, retention, and successful graduation of African-American and other minorities in engineering.

New and innovative projects are generated and implemented throughout the year on chapter, regional and national levels. Some of NSBE's present activities include tutorial programs, technical seminars and workshops, a national communications network (NSBENET), two national magazines (NSBE Magazine and the NSBE Bridge), an internal newsletter, resume books, career fairs, awards, banquets, regional conferences and an annual national convention.

SWE - Society of Women Engineers

The Society of Women Engineers is a professional nonprofit educational service organization. The University of Rochester chapter consists of approximately 50 students. Some of our objectives include:

Informing young women, their parents, counselors, and the general public of the qualifications and achievements of women engineers and the opportunities open to them. For the past 3 years the student SWE group has organized an outreach program for girls scouts. The participants earn a badge by participating in a variety of technical activities.
Aiding students in obtaining both summer internships and permanent positions after graduation by, for example, offering resume writing and interviewing workshops. They also organize meetings and activities with the local professional section and trips to the regional SWE conferences.
Providing other supportive and social activities throughout the academic year. These include a mentor/mentee program for Freshmen and Sophomores and study breaks during reading period.

SHPE - Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers attempts to promote and increase the number of Hispanic students in the field of engineering and science, to aid Hispanic students in fulfilling their academic obligations, and to provide a fraternal spirit among Hispanics while increasing their representation at the University of Rochester.