Student riding an engineered bicycle

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 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

Major, Minor

Program Format

On Campus

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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

2023 median pay was $99,510/year*

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Student in front of robot
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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.

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? 

  • 97 percent of our graduates launch their careers or continue their education upon graduation.
  • $78,000 average starting salary
  • SOURCE: UWM First Destination Survey for the College of Engineering & Applied Science, 2021-2023

Internships & Co-ops

You’ll have many hands-on opportunities to develop your skills and determine what type of career experience you would like after graduation, with opportunities to earn a significant paycheck in nearby internships and co-ops over summer breaks and even during the academic year.

Here are some of the businesses where our Mechanical Engineering degree students have had internships, co-ops or launched their careers:

  • Briggs & Stratton Corporation
  • Caterpillar, Inc.
  • GE Healthcare
  • Generac Power Systems, Inc.
  • General Motors
  • Harley-Davidson Motor Company
  • HUSCO International, Inc.
  • Milwaukee Tool
  • Rexnord
  • Rockwell Automation
  • STRATTEC Security
Capstones / Senior Design Projects

In your senior year, you’ll team up with other students to complete a Capstone Project, during which you’ll use what you’ve learned in class to complete an experience similar to a real-world employer project.

View senior design projects here.

Student Organizations

American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics

AIAA is the largest aerospace professional society in the world, and its members help make the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME promotes knowledge of the theory and practice of mechanical engineering, and offers the opportunity to participate in activities that promote a professional awareness of mechanical engineering.

Prototyping Club

PC provides students the tools, knowledge, and support to develop an idea into an invention.

Society of Automotive Engineers

SAE provides members an opportunity to gain insight into the engineering profession by offering hands on engineering experience through student design competitions like the BAJA vehicle challenge, monthly meetings with engineering professionals, and local industry tours.

For full descriptions and contact information for all Mechanical Engineering and other engineering-related student organizations and clubs, click here.

Resource Rooms & Teaching Labs

UWM students have a wealth of additional resources available to them within the College of Engineering & Applied Science. From computer labs and tutoring resources to teaching labs and spaces to create or collaborate. Details here.

Research Opportunities

A benefit of attending a top tier R1 research university is the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in cutting-edge research and to participate in the Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program. The SURF program helps you to improve your professional preparation through research by closely working with our faculty to explore, discover, and transform ideas into reality.

SURF students also receive funding for their efforts: from 2012-2023 almost $1.5M was awarded to over 700 students from our college.

Graduate and undergraduate students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Research Poster Competition & Experiential Learning Expo, providing them with excellent opportunities to share their work with judges from industry.

Project Realization Course

This course is co-taught by an engineering professor and an art professor. As part of an interdisciplinary student project team of engineers, artists and designers, you will learn how to work in teams, present ideas professionally, deliver presentations and take an idea from concept to design to prototype. Your team will be sponsored by an industry member, who will provide engineering a mentor to the team. More detail here.

Student Startup Challenge

Directed by the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, the UWM Student Startup Challenge is an optional, co-curricular program that fosters our students’ innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. You can work alone or as part of a team as you gain the skills that come from entrepreneurial experience. More detail here..

We’re here to help

Our dedicated Center for Student Experience & Talent (SET) works 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!


Grace (paid co-op at Harley-Davidson)Junior, Mechanical Engineering

Advising

Megan Wisnowski
  • Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names M-R
Brandon Clark
  • Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names A-E
Tina Current
  • Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names beginning F-L
  • Prospective Transfer Student Liaison
Jennie Klumpp
  • Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names beginning S-Z
  • Prospective Student Liaison

Tutoring

Steven Anderson
  • Retention Coordinator, Tutoring
  • Student Support Center Coordinator
  • Freshmen Orientation Instructor

Faculty & Staff

Mohamed Abousabae
  • Research Associate, Mechanical Engineering Department
  • Assistant Director, Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC)
Saif Al Hamad
  • Research Associate, Mechanical Engineering Department
  • Assistant Director, Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC)
Ryo Amano
  • Alan D. Kulwicki Faculty Fellow in Mechanical Engineering
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Director, Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)
Brian Armstrong
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Ilya Avdeev
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Director, Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC)
  • Co-Founder and Executive Director, UWM Student Startup Challenge
  • Director (PI), Milwaukee Regional Energy Education Initiative
Woo Jin Chang
  • Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Roshan D'Souza
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professorship
  • Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Avie Judes
  • CEAS Lab Manager
  • Lab Manager, Makerspace
Saniel Lim
  • Teaching Faculty II, Mechanical Engineering Department
William Musinski
  • Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering
Michael Nosonovsky
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Krishna Pillai
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Mohammad Qandil
  • Research Associate, Mechanical Engineering
  • Assistant Director, Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)
Deyang Qu
  • Johnson Controls Endowed Professor in Energy Storage Research
  • Department Chair, Biomedical Engineering
  • UWM Distinguished Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Mohammad Rahman
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering
  • Affiliate Professor, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering
  • Switzer Research Distinguished Fellow
John Reisel
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Secretary of the University
Pradeep Rohatgi
  • Distinguished Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department
  • Distinguished Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Distinguished Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Director, Center for Advanced Manufacture of Materials
Nathan Salawitz
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Faculty Fellowship
  • Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Founder, Advanced Structures Laboratory
Alyssa Schnoreberg
  • Scientist I, Mechanical Engineering Department
  • Associate Director, Mobility Lab
Brooke Slavens
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professor of Mechanical Engineering, EMS Office 1080
  • Affiliate Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science & Technology
Nathaniel Stern
  • Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Professor, Art & Design
  • Director, Student Startup Challenge
Yongjin Sung
  • Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Mohamed Yahiaoui
  • Teaching Faculty 3, Mechanical Engineering
Xiaoxiao Zhang
  • Scientist I, Mechanical Engineering Department
Dong Zheng
  • Scientist III, Mechanical Engineering Department
Accreditation
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Mechanical Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. http://www.abet.org.
Contact
Mechanical Engineering
Contact Info: ceas-me@uwm.edu

Street Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
3200 North Cramer Street
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Mailing Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
P.O. Box 784
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0784