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DEGREE Mechanical Engineering, BS

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Major in mechanical engineering

As a mechanical engineering major, you’ll learn about manufacturing processes, energy generation and use, and how to design mechanical equipment and systems. But you’ll also have the opportunity to specialize in areas as wide-ranging as robotics, biomedical engineering, product design, computational mechanics, and many other areas. And the great thing about your education is that you’ll be able to apply it in virtually any field.

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At a glance

Mechanical engineering department

4th
largest program on campus
1400
undergraduate students
13
undergraduate ranking among public universities
Facts & stats

Program and degree information

View the Undergraduate Guide for information on requirements, four-year plans and more.

Determine what kind of student you will be and learn more about what information you need to apply.

Freshman A freshman includes anyone who is currently a student in high school or who has not taken college coursework since graduating from high school.
Transfer Student A transfer student is anyone who has attended another college or university after graduating from high school and wishes to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at UW–Madison.
Cross-campus Student Cross-campus transfer students are students who are currently enrolled in another school or college at UW-Madison who wish to transfer into the College of Engineering.
Reentry Student Students who previously attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison as an undergraduate and would like to complete their first undergraduate degree will need to apply for reentry admission. Reentry students are those who have not been enrolled in courses for a semester or more.

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

 

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The College of Engineering is committed to recognizing the potential and accomplishments of incoming and enrolled students by supporting their education through a variety of scholarships at the college and departmental level.

 

View scholarship information

 

Our Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. We have maintained this accreditation since 1936. 

Educational Objectives
We recognize that our graduates will choose to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their undergraduate years to pursue a wide variety of career and life goals, and we encourage this diversity of paths. Whatever path our graduates may choose, we expect them to be meeting the following objectives at least three to five years after graduation.

  1. They will exhibit a fundamental understanding of broader engineering disciplines with strong skills in mechanical engineering, problem solving, leadership, teamwork, and communication.
  2. They will use these skills to contribute to their organizations and communities.
  3. They will make thoughtful, well-informed decisions in their career and life.
  4. They will demonstrate a continuing commitment to and interest in their own and other’s education.

Learning Outcomes

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degrees

View the UW-Madison Guide for information on all mechanical engineering courses.

 

View all ME courses

A broad menu of courses means you can choose a mechanical engineering specialization—a resume-boosting opportunity to place greater emphasis on education in sustainable energy or biomechanics.

Certificate programs

In addition to our engineering majors, you also can choose from nine certificate programs that are designed to enhance your education, expand your skillset, and make you a more versatile, marketable engineer. When you successfully complete a certificate program, you’ll also see it reflected on your transcript.
Close up of putting liquid into tray of vials

Certificate for Biology in Engineering for Engineering Majors

People looking at drafting table

Certificate in Architecture

Data center with AR screens

Certificate in Engineering Data Analytics

Solar panel on blue sky background

Certificate in Engineering for Energy Sustainability

Green field, wind turbines and blue sky.

Certificate in Engineering Thermal Energy Systems

Global map with push pins in various locations

Certificate in International Engineering

CNC Laser cutting metal

Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering

atom orbit in space

Certificate in Nuclear Engineering Materials

Close up typing on Laptop

Certificate in Technical Communication

Fast track to a master’s degree

An accelerated engineering master’s program is a great choice if you’d like to earn your master’s degree by adding as little as a single year of study at UW-Madison. Here are three that are popular with other undergrads who are majoring in mechanical engineering. If one of these isn’t what you’re looking for, be sure to check out everything we offer!
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Mechanical Engineering: Accelerated Program, MS

As a master’s student in our accelerated mechanical engineering program, you’ll take courses that provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out advanced technical work in areas such as heat transfer, mechanics, controls, biomechanics, manufacturing, and more.

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Mechanical Engineering: Modeling and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering, MS

As a mechanical engineering master’s student in our accelerated modeling and simulation program, you’ll gain computational engineering literacy and a strong modeling and simulation skillset.

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Biomedical Engineering: Accelerated Program, MS

As a student in our accelerated, non-thesis program in biomedical engineering, you’ll take classes that deepen your knowledge of the engineering tools you need to solve problems in biology and medicine and further contribute in the workplace.

View Program

Research opportunities

You’re an undergrad at a university known for its world-changing research. As an undergrad, you can be part of that—whether in a lab in our department, elsewhere in engineering, or even in other schools or colleges across UW-Madison! And if you discover a passion for research, want to further specialize in your field, or simply enjoy the process of learning in an academic setting, you can get any of those through our advanced master’s and PhD degree programs, too!

For those keen on diving deeper into research, consider the Faustin Prinz Fellowship. This fellowship empowers you to collaborate with our esteemed faculty on pioneering projects. Each semester, two deserving students get the chance to access state-of-the-art labs and receive mentorship from a faculty project advisor. If you’re eyeing a future in research, this could be your stepping stone.

Research experience

As an undergrad, you can help pioneer new knowledge or technologies on your own or as a researcher in a professor’s lab.  It’s a great opportunity to apply what you’re learning in class, explore a field or topic that interests you, and gain insight into what it’s like to be a graduate student.

Undergraduate research

Mechanical Engineering: Research, MS

As a master’s student in mechanical engineering, you’ll develop your research capabilities under world-class faculty members.
View ME program

Engineering Mechanics: Research, MS

As a master’s student in our traditional engineering mechanics major, you’ll gain additional understanding of several areas within the mechanics of materials and astronautics.
View EM program

Recent mechanical engineering undergraduate news

Our students and department alumni are making impressive impacts and collaborations across Wisconsin and the world. These stories highlight a few of the many achievements made by Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students.
All mechanical engineering blog posts
H3X alumni forbes 30 under 30
December 4, 2023

UW Engineering Forbes 30 Under 30

Carter Schreiber at ME scholarship night 2023
November 6, 2023

Mechanical Engineering fall 2023 scholarship celebration

UW Crest with engineering background
August 28, 2023

Certificate of Architecture now available to UW-Madison undergraduate students

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