UW-Stout's Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (ME) prepares you to be involved in the design and manufacture of nearly everything from micro-scale objects to medical devices and airplanes. Mechanical engineers research the latest technology, design new machines, and work in teams with other professionals to convert ideas into real products.
You'll learn all aspects of the engineering design process. How to combine logical thinking skills with creativity. The Mechanical Engineering curriculum includes mechanics, kinematics, thermal and fluid sciences, materials science, structural analysis, and electronics.
Program Overview
We offer a dynamic and practical polytechnic hands-on learning environment with state-of-the-art labs and facilities. You'll work closely with faculty in preparation for your required co-op or internship with an approved employer. After graduation, you'll be ready for advanced degree work that many UW-Stout engineering graduates have pursued.
"The professors are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We learn the critical thinking skills that will enable us to overcome any challenges we will face in our careers. The hands-on labs prepared us to deal with real problems and we will be able to apply those skills in industry."
-- Jamison NoyeB.S. Mechanical Engineering
UW-Stout's Mechanical Engineering program offers one of the most highly-sought engineering degrees in the region. As Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, UW-Stout continues to fill the demand for highly trained and experienced engineers.
Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Request Information
Differential Tuition Fee
Students enrolled in the B.S. Mechanical Engineering program will be charged a special program fee in differential tuition once the student has earned at least 30 credits and has enrolled in ENGR-292.
Go to Tuition, Fees & Payments page for Differential Tuition Fee schedule >>
As a student in the Mechanical Engineering program, you must have an aptitude for science and mathematics. We encourage you to take as many upper-level math and science courses in high school as possible, including mathematics through algebra and trigonometry, plus physics and chemistry. Early development of computer skills is also very helpful.
Starting Out
Industry's mechanical engineering problems are not only technical in nature. They're also social and economic. As a mechanical engineer, you must, therefore, have a broad education. The first two years of your program will include English composition, communication, and other general education offerings, as well as mathematics, physics and engineering fundamentals.
As You Progress
Science and mathematics classes form the foundation for engineering science courses, and their application to analysis, synthesis and creative design. As you work through the program, the courses will emphasize fundamental tools for creating solutions to problems found in industry, including thermal & fluid sciences, structural mechanics & machine design, and controls & instrumentation. You'll receive extensive laboratory experience in those and related areas, getting hands-on learning opportunities with engines, wind tunnels, simulation software, and heating/cooling/air conditioning systems.
The following requirements are only for these four Engineering programs:
- B.S. Computer and Electrical Engineering
- B.S. Manufacturing Engineering
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering
- B.S. Plastics Engineering
New First-Year Students
All first-year students will be admitted as Pre-Engineering students to their specific program. For example, B.S. Computer and Electrical Engineering applicants will be admitted as Pre-Computer and Electrical Engineering students. Students will then follow the major change request process once they meet the criteria to be accepted into their intended Engineering program.
Major Change Criteria:
You have earned college credit while in high school or while attending UW-Stout for either of the following Calculus courses with a grade of "B" or better (note: a grade of "B-" is not sufficient):
- MATH-153: Calculus I or MATH-156: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
OR
You have earned college credit while in high school or while attending UW-Stout for the following sequence of courses with an earned cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale:
- MATH-153: Calculus I or MATH-156: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
- MATH-154: Calculus II or MATH-157: Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
- PHYS-291: Statics or PHYS-281: University Physics I
- CHEM-135: College Chemistry I
Transfer Students
Only ONE of the following three need be met:
1. Both "Test A" and "Test B" below must be satisfied:
- Test A
- have a minimum ACT composite score of 22 (or SAT equivalent)
or - rank in the top 40 percent of your high school graduating class (or for high schools that do not rank, earn a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
- have a minimum ACT composite score of 22 (or SAT equivalent)
- Test B
- have a minimum ACT math score of 22
2. You have transferred either of the following Calculus courses with a grade of "B" or better (note: a grade of "B-" is not sufficient):
- MATH-153: Calculus I or MATH-156: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
3. You have transferred the following sequence of courses with an earned cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale:
- MATH-153: Calculus I or MATH-156: Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
- MATH-154: Calculus II or MATH-157: Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
- PHYS-291: Statics or PHYS-281: University Physics I
- CHEM-135: College Chemistry I
If you do not meet any of the academic requirements above, but do meet the requirements for general admission to the university, you will be admitted to the university as Pre-Engineering. You may qualify for the engineering major by meeting either requirement 2 or 3 once at UW-Stout.
Program Educational Objectives
The Mechanical Engineering program develops mechanical engineers who are:
- In demand by engineering employers as contributors of innovative solutions to complex problems
- Recognized for their ability to apply engineering expertise with an understanding of design and manufacturing
- Recognized for their teamwork and communication skills, leadership, and initiative
- Committed to high ethical standards, global perspectives, and principles of social responsibility and social justice
- Continuing to develop professionally as engineers through formal and informal education
Student Learning Outcomes
The mechanical engineering program at UW-Stout will prepare graduates for successful careers in mechanical engineering related professions and other career paths. The program will prepare students to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, administrated by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Upon completing the degree program at UW-Stout, students will have attained the following outcomes as defined by the ABET-EAC accreditation requirements:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- 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.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
Mechanical Engineering at UW-Stout produces in-demand, well-compensated graduates. Since the first graduates left the program in 2017, the program boasts a placement rate of 97% and a median starting salary of $61,000. Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline allowing graduates to work in many different roles. Examples of starting job titles include:
- R&D Mechanical Engineer
- Product Development Engineer
- Field Engineer
- Facilities Engineer
- Automotive Manufacturing Program Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Fire Protection Designer
- Payload Systems Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Integration Engineer
- Project Engineer/Manager
- Quality Engineer
- Building Performance & Systems Engineer
- Value Analysis Productivity Engineer
Our graduates work in diverse industries ranging and help companies make medical devices, outfit buildings with heating and cooling systems, streamline their manufacturing processes and much more. Employers include:
- Andersen Corporation
- Blattner Energy, Inc.
- Boston Scientific
- Cool Air Mechanical
- Daikin Applied
- Delkor Systems, Inc.
- Egan Company
- Generac Power Systems
- Global Finishing Solutions
- Graco Inc.
- Henry Repeating Arms
- HUSCO International
- JF Ahern
- Mitsubishi Electric Automation
- Parker Hannifin Corporation
- Pentair
- Phillips-Medisize Corporation
- Prent Corporation
- ProMed Molded Products
- Rockwell Automation
- Seagrave Fire Apparatus
- Sonoco
- Specialty Coating System
- Trane Technologies
- TSI Incorporated
- Waupaca Foundry
2022 ME Advisory Committee
| Chris | Bendel | STEMM College Assoc. Dean | UW-Stout |
| Devin | Berg | Associate Professor | CSTEMM, Engineering and Technology Dept. |
| Joel | Beskar | Engineering Manager | SMC Ltd. |
| Glenn | Bushendorf | Senior Lecturer | CSTEMM, Engineering and Technology Dept. |
| David | Ding | STEMM College Assoc. Dean | UW-Stout |
| Jason | Eccles | Operations Manager | Bending Branches LLC |
| Cody | Gadzinski | Maintenance Reliability Engineer | Kohler |
| Christian | Gausman | Director of Engineering | OEM Fabrictors, Inc. |
| Abhimanyu | Ghosh | Assistant Professor | CSTEMM, Engineering and Technology Dept. |
| Oai | Ha | Assistant Professor | Engineering & Technology Dept |
| Deslyn | Hart | Mechanical Engineer, Operations Leadership | Andersen Corporation |
| Tom | Lacksonen | Professor | CSTEMM, Engineering and Technology Dept. |
| Kevin | Larson | Manufacturing Engineer | DCA Manufacturing |
| Chris | Luebke | Senior Quality Engineer | Advanced Molding Technologies |
| Michelle | Luu | Mechanical Engineering Student | UW-Stout |
| Marc | McEllistrem | Director, Materials Science and Engineering | UW-Eau Claire |
| Gindy | Neidermyer | STEMM College Interim Dean | UW-Stout |
| Garrett | Norsten | Mechanical Engineering Student | UW-Stout |
| Laura | Reimer | Value Analysis Productivity Engineer | Trane Technologies |
| Isaac | Remer | Applications Engineer | Minco |
| Jason | Richardson | Mechanical Engineering Student | UW-Stout |
| Vivek | Singhal | Assistant Professor | |
| Nathan | Spike | Assistant Professor | Engineering & Technology Dept |
| Ron | Thomas | Senior Management Engineer | Manufacturing Outreach Center |
| Todd | Treichel | Program Manager and Business Development | Sierra Nevada Corporation |
| Abhishek | Verma | Assistant Professor | CSTEMM, Engineering and Technology Dept. |
| Vincent | Wheeler | Assistant Professor | CSTEMM, Engineering and Technology Dept. |
