Mechanical Engineering BSE
The mechanical engineering degree program is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines as it takes the basic laws of physical nature (force, motion, and energy) and applies them to machines.
Students who pursue the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering major at UWM learn core concepts of thermal fluid science, dynamics, and material science and have the option of diving deeper into specific areas through electives and concentrations.
Program Type
Program Format
Career Outlook
A mechanical engineering degree is versatile with many different applications. Careers in mechanical engineering are found in the following industries:
- Aerospace
- Architecture
- Automotive
- Biomedical
- Manufacturing
- Power Generation
- Transportation
2021 median pay was $95,300/year*
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What to Expect
Increased speed to graduation
Our new and redesigned curriculum makes it easier and faster for you to complete your degree. You’ll also find greater flexibility in the electives available to customize your experience.
What makes our program stand out
Mechanical Engineering is one of the largest majors at UWM because it covers a broad spectrum of material. The major also offers a great deal of flexibility, which appeals to many students who are interested in engineering as it relates to machines, but may not know exactly where their path leads.
The foundation of mechanical engineering degree has a core curriculum of:
- Thermal Fluid Science (including thermodynamics and fluid mechanics)
- Dynamics (machine design and controls)
- Material Science (including metallurgy, continuum mechanics and solid mechanics)
You’ll also choose electives based on your area of interest. They allow you to have a broad or more specific spectrum of study. Our electives are flexible, enabling you to change course as you need.
If you want to explore an area of study in more depth, choose a minor or one of the following concentrations, both of which will have required courses listed in the academic catalog.
Optional Concentrations:
- General Mechanical Engineering
- Thermal Sciences
- Mechanical Systems
Honors
You will be eligible for these honors in the major during your studies and upon completing your mechanical engineering degree.
Students at UWM have many opportunities to earn honors recognition.
UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science program provides many opportunities to pair classroom learning with hands-on experiences outside the classroom. The college’s location in Wisconsin’s largest city, with a broad network of industry partnerships, gives you easy access to well-paid internships and co-ops, as well as other important opportunities to enhance your resume.
Did you know?
- 95.1 percent of our graduates launch their careers or continue their education upon graduation.
- SOURCE: UWM First Destination Survey for the College of Engineering & Applied Science, December 2021
We’re here to help
We have a dedicated Career Services Department at the College of Engineering & Applied Science who works exclusively with our students to prepare them for a career after graduation.
What you’ll do
- Analyze problems to see how mechanical and thermal devices might help solve a particular problem
- Design or redesign mechanical and thermal devices or subsystems, using analysis and computer-aided design
- Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and to recommend remedies
- Develop and test prototypes of devices they design
- Analyze the test results and change the design or system as needed
- Oversee the manufacturing process for the device
Student Stories

My Co-op at Harley-Davidson provided me with the opportunity to work on a virtual team and develop foundational skills in Supply Management. This established my leadership and project management skills and increased my communication effectiveness. I also experienced the launch of a new motorcycle that is aiming to enhance the company’s position as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world!
Advising
- Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
- Students with last names M-R
- wisnowsk@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5368
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences 386
- Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
- Students with last names A-E
- brandonc@uwm.edu
- 414-251-9253
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences E386
- Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
- Students with last names beginning F-L
- Prospective Transfer Student Liaison
- currentt@uwm.edu
- 414-229-2203
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences E385B
- Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
- Students with last names beginning S-Z
- Prospective Student Liaison
- klumpp@uwm.edu
- 414-229-5193
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences E385C
Tutoring
- Retention Coordinator, Tutoring
- Student Support Center Coordinator
- Freshmen Orientation Instructor
- Ander675@uwm.edu
- 414-229-3882
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences 386B
Faculty & Staff
- Richard and Joanne Grigg Faculty Fellowship
- Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Director, Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)
- amano@uwm.edu
- 414-229-2345
- University Services and Research 201L
- Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- bsra@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6916
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences 990A
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Founder and Director, Advanced Manufacturing and Design Laboratory
- Co-Founder and Executive Director, UWM Student Startup Challenge
- Director (PI), Milwaukee Regional Energy Education Initiative
- avdeev@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6949
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences 1181
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- wjchang@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6614
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences 1113
- Alan D. Kulwicki '77 Faculty Fellowship
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- dsouza@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6952
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences E326
- CEAS Lab Manager
- Lab Manager, Makerspace
- judes@uwm.edu
- 414-229-5192
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences W149
- Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering
- musinski@uwm.edu
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences EMS 910D
- Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- nosonovs@uwm.edu
- 414-229-2816
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences 1125
- Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- krishna@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6535
- Northwest Quadrant 4521 SFS 3021
- Research Associate, Mechanical Engineering
- Assistant Director, Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)
- mdqandil@uwm.edu
- 414-229-9371
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences
- Johnson Controls Endowed Professor in Energy Storage Research
- Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering
- UWM Distinguished Professor
- qud@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5817
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences E308
- Richard and Joanne Grigg Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Chair, Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program Committee
- Affiliate Professor, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering
- Switzer Research Distinguished Fellow
- rahmanmh@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8406
- University Services & Research Building (USRB) 201D
- Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Secretary of the University
- reisel@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4671
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences 1213| LUB 451
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- renken@uwm.edu
- 414-229-5755
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences 1007
- Distinguished Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department
- Distinguished Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Distinguished Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Director, Center for Advanced Manufacture of Materials
- prohatgi@uwm.edu
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences 574
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Founder, Advanced Structures Laboratory
- salowitz@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8030
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences 1155
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- EMS Office 755
- slavens@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6933
- Accelerator Building, Innovation Campus 135, Lab 140
- Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Professor, Art & Design
- Director, Student Startup Challenge
- sternn@uwm.edu
- 414-477-9602
- Engineering and Mathematical Sciences 755
- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- ysung4@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8147
- Physics 333
- Teaching Faculty 3, Mechanical Engineering
- yahiaoui@uwm.edu
- 414-229-7181
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences E275