Students in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering can participate in numerous organizations and honorary societies. Whether you are interested in building cars, airplanes, or biomedical devices, there's a club here for you -- many of which are affiliated with professional chapters in the Western New York area that will give you an opportunity to meet and talk with working engineers.

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

AIAA is a national organization whose goal is to serve the technical needs and to promote the professional development of engineers in the aerospace field. AIAA has a membership of approximately 27,000 and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1991. It publishes the topical magazine, Aerospace America, which is received by all members, and six journals in various technical areas. It also publishes a student journal which is received by all student members. Each year AIAA conducts numerous meetings and conferences throughout the country. The student chapter at UB serves the interests of both undergraduate and graduate students of aerospace engineering. The student section runs a variety of activities including field trips, guest speakers, and design projects. Students also participate in many of the activities of the Niagara Frontier Section of the AIAA. Each year a meeting is held for all the student chapters in the northeast region and many of UB's students have participated in thesee meetings. Dues provide the students with all the privileges of the parent society.

American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME)

ASME is a nationwide and international organization with approximately 100,000 members. ASME organizes meetings of researchers and designers throughout the country and publishes numerous reports, conference proceedings, and journals, as well as the monthly magazine Mechanical Engineering, which is received by all members. Here at UB, the student chapter coordinates, plans and runs a variety of student activities, including the invitation of guest speakers, organization of field trips, department open house for the Buffalo community, student paper contests, an annual picnic and banquet, and participation in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Student Conference. Dues guarantee all the privileges of the parent society.

Sigma Gamma Tau (SGT)

SGT is the National Honorary Society for Aeronautics, Astronautics, and Aerospace Engineering in the United States. This organization was established to recognize and honor those men and women in the field of Aeronautics who have, through scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement been a credit to their profession. Outstanding students are selected from among the juniors and seniors in the aerospace engineering program. A formal initiation coupled with a dinner takes place every spring.

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

The SAE student chapter is organized primarily to train students in hands-on engineering and design skills. To accomplish this, teams are formed to work on projects which will subsequently participate in national competitions. This not only improves applied engineering skills, but also involves teamwork, communications, and fund-raising. Typical projects include: Mini-Baja, Supermileage Vehicle, Formula Car, and Go-Karts (an introductory experience to involve underclassmen). The UB SAE student chapter has been large and well-motivated and has performed well in recent competitions. In 1995, SAE was the Student Association's 'Club-of-the-Year" - a rare honor for a technically oriented club.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

This organization exists to provide a means of increasing awareness of issues associated with being part of a minority body within the field of engineering. SWE encourages participation of all students in several extra-curricular activities including seminars, workshops, and regional meetings. UB was selected as the cite for the 1990 and 1995 Regional meetings of the SWE, with participation of hundreds of students.