Mechanical Engineering is the broadest area of study in engineering. In contrast to other engineering disciplines, mechanical engineers are employed in significant percentages in almost all industrial and governmental organizations that employ engineers.

The spectrum of activities in which mechanical engineers are engaged continues to expand. The curriculum has in turn become flexible to allow for the education of mechanical engineering students in many diverse and allied areas, or for graduate school preparation.

The educational objectives of the Department of Mechanical Engineering are as follows:

• Prepare graduates to solve open-ended problems and effectively communicate the solutions.
• Prepare graduates for the professional practice of mechanical engineering.
• Prepare graduates for independent learning.
• Instill in our graduates an understanding of professional ethics and the relationship between the engineering profession and society.

The undergraduate program includes a foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering sciences. The two key elements of the mechanical engineering undergraduate program are laboratory experience and design experience. The program is directed toward developing the student's design skill and experience, culminating in the senior design course sequence.

The mechanical engineering curriculum affords the student the flexibility to pursue specific professional goals within the discipline. Such an opportunity needs to be carefully considered by each student, so that courses are chosen with these goals in mind. During the junior and senior years, the student selects courses to make up an 18 semester-hour block of technical electives. Mechanical engineering students can, if they choose, select a curriculum with specific concentrations, such as the example areas listed below:

• Manufacturing and Design
• Materials and Solid Mechanics
• Aerodynamics
• Energy Systems.

The elective hours also represent the potential for students to consider a cross-college minor or a second (parallel) degree. The selection, however, must be approved by the student's adviser, and must be in accordance with an overall educational objective. Mechanical engineering degree candidates must meet the academic requirements of the college and in addition must have an average GPA of 2.0 (C) in mechanical engineering courses attempted at this university. A grade of (C) or better must be earned in all engineering science and required mathematics courses.

International Engineering Option

In today's global engineering environment, it is becoming quite clear that in order to compete in the global marketplace for products, services, and careers, one must be technically, culturally, and linguistically literate.

The International Engineering Option offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department provides students with an opportunity to spend one or two semesters abroad. They will have the benefit of studying the language and culture of another country while completing their engineering degree at UW. Students in the program may take classes at a number of foreign institutions or participate in an internship.

An international experience involves more than just international study or an internship. Integration and immersion into another society removes cultural and linguistic barriers. Once these barriers have been breached, engineers and other technical professionals can begin to understand the perspectives and viewpoints held by others around the world. With this understanding, our students will not only benefit from the newly gained knowledge of international issues, practices, and opportunities, but they will also enhance their understanding of domestic issues and challenges.

The study of a foreign language and the study-abroad experience satisfy the cultural context requirements of the University Studies Program. As a result, there is only a slight increase in the total number of required credits for the BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. For students without any prior knowledge of the relevant foreign language, the total number of credit hours is 134.