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
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 modern manufacturing techniques such as computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), robotics, and microprocessor control of manufacturing. You'll receive extensive laboratory experience in those and related areas, including computer-controlled manufacturing systems, statistical process control, electronic instrumentation, and materials processing and testing.
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
For the 2022-2023 academic year, 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 apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
- An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- An ability to communicate effectively
- The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
- A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- A knowledge of contemporary issues
- An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Entry Positions
The program will serve employers who seek an application-oriented program with an ability to closely collaborate with small to medium-sized businesses as demonstrated by the many successes of UW-Stout’s Discovery Center. As Wisconsin businesses embrace new technologies and diversify into new market spaces, mechanical engineers are needed to meet business opportunities and challenges in:
- manufacturing
- pharmaceuticals
- healthcare
- construction
- pulp and paper
- food processing
- microelectronics
- electronic and advanced materials
- polymers
- business services
- law
- environmental health and safety
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of mechanical engineers is expected to grow nine percent from 2010 to 2020.” The BeBold 2 Report indicates that manufacturing is one industry sector that is expected to see particularly high employment demand in Wisconsin in the coming years and mechanical engineers are a critical component of these job markets.
2021 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. |
| Chris | Conger | Director of Connected Health Technology | Phillips Medisize |
| 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. |
