Mechanical Engineering

Roll up your sleeves and learn how to make the objects and systems we use every day work. Gain the real-world experience and practical skills you'll need for a rewarding career with a mechanical engineering degree from Wilkes.

Program Snapshot

Program Type Format Credits
Major On Campus 130

Why Study Mechanical Engineering at Wilkes?

Our program combines a rigorous, modern curriculum with the real-world projects and communication skills employers look for. You'll study traditional disciplines such as fluid mechanics, thermal sciences and mechanical design, as well as cutting-edge fields like additive manufacturing, robotics and nanotechnology. You'll “learn by doing,” with many opportunities to participate in research with experienced faculty. Accreditation assures that the program meets the profession's quality standards.

The BS in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET external website.

What Will You Learn as a Mechanical Engineering Major?

  • You'll learn to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
  • Your study will follow three main tracks: solid mechanics/mechanical design, robotics/mechatronics and thermal sciences/fluid mechanics.
  • You'll learn 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.
  • Starting in your first year, you'll develop skills with computer-based tools such as AutoCAD, Solidworks and Matlab.
  • You may choose to select electives across a range of mechanical engineering disciplines or specialize in one area of interest. Choices include traditional fields such as thermal/fluids sciences, mechanical design or materials. Classes in emerging fields such as nanomaterials, additive manufacturing, robotics and automation, and advanced CADD are also offered.
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Program Highlights

Faculty Mentoring

Our faculty members take an active interest in your progress, working closely with you in the classroom and laboratories. Faculty members know you as a person and are available to answer your questions. Labs are taught by our faculty, not graduate teaching assistants.

Real-World Connections

You'll work on a business-sponsored project or produce a solution to a design problem identified by your team. Our close connection with industry provides many opportunities for internships, which often lead to full-time jobs upon graduation.

Senior Capstone

Senior projects give you real-world team experience designing and producing a solution for a team-identified design problem or a business-sponsored project. Some projects have been so innovative and marketable that students have turned them into successful businesses. It’s not unusual for these experiences to lead to job offers.

Student Testimonials

A lot of the professors have industry experience. Having that and bringing it back to the classroom really shows you how real everything we’re doing is.Ethan Schwartz '20 - Mechanical Engineering
The professors have been excellent in allowing me to take whatever classes I have wanted, and allowing me to test my limits.Spencer Yacuboski '21 - Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering
11

teaching laboratories where Wilkes students gain hands-on experience

6

research laboratories led by faculty experts working on real-world problems

100%

of students complete a senior capstone project, and most complete cooperative learning experiences

Careers & Outcomes

Mechanical engineers are in demand around the world, with an average U.S. salary of more than $88,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mechanical engineers are employed in many fields, including research and development, manufacturing, defense, process management, project management and sales. Below are selected employers for our graduates, as well as examples of graduate schools our alumni attend.

Employers

  • Procter & Gamble
  • Hexcel Corporation
  • Lockhead Martin MFC
  • BAE Systems Inc.
  • ON Semiconductor
  • Talen Energy
  • PCC Aerostructures
  • Tobyhanna Army Depot

Graduate Schools

  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Lehigh University
  • Purdue University
  • University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Penn State
  • Wilkes University

Wilkes Snake Robot

Students Dan Whitman and Jacob Smith designed this snake robot as a mentoring project with Associate Professor Yong Zhu as a summer project. More features will be added in the future.

Mechanical Engineering Labs

You'll gain hands-on experience and conduct graduate-level research in state-of-the-art laboratories, including:

Explore the Mechanical Engineering Labs

ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) logo

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.

Accreditation Standards