With a degree in engineering mechanics, our graduates design, measure, and analyze complex structures in everything from networks of human cells and novel materials constructed at the nanoscale to roller coasters and spacecraft. Engineering mechanics is the home of aerospace engineering at UW–Madison. Our curriculum prepares students for careers in a wide variety of fields, including health, clean energy, space exploration, and many more.
Engineering mechanics is the study of forces and the resulting deformations, accelerations, motions, vibrations, and other responses they cause. It forms the foundation of aerospace, mechanical or civil engineering, and is fundamental to important parts of biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, and other engineering disciplines.
Graduates of engineering mechanics apply their expertise in a variety of areas.
Wind turbines, wave power systems, transmission towers, and pipelines all respond to their environments in different ways. The safety and performance of these systems depend on a detailed understanding of how the environmental forces lead to deformations and vibrations that might cause failure. Principles of aerospace engineering are important when wind and water are involved as their flows make the analysis even more challenging, requiring sophisticated mathematical and analytical tools.
At slightly smaller scales, engineering mechanics is fundamental to the design and innovation of vehicles of every type, from sports cars to tractors to aircraft and satellites. Understanding engineering mechanics principles can provide insight to expand the way these vehicles are used while making their operation more sustainable. For some vehicles, aerospace engineering sheds light on their aerodynamic interaction with their environment, as well as the propulsion systems and complexity of controlling vehicles in flight. Landing a rover on Mars requires engineering mechanics to design the rover itself as well as the delivery system.
Innovations in engineering mechanics allow many of the products in our everyday lives to be made lighter, stronger, or cheaper by carefully understanding how they perform and when they fail due to the forces from the outside. In addition to enabling new functionality and aesthetic design, these modifications open the door for improved energy efficiency, selection of green materials, and longer lifetimes, all with broader societal benefits.
Modern technology allows us to fabricate machines at the microscopic scale with moving parts that are only visible under a microscope. Understanding how these micromachines respond to forces from each other or their environment is important to ensure that they function correctly. At this same scale, we can build novel materials whose properties depend on the microscopic structures that define them rather than their chemical composition. Engineering mechanics allows us to design these materials with properties that are not found in nature.
Our curriculum starts with a rich physics and math base to prepare our graduates for advanced analytical and computational skills that they will apply to this range of technologies. We transition from these fundamentals to engineering problem-solving approaches that can be applied to increasingly complex systems, while students build skills in computational modeling and simulation.
As one of the smaller engineering majors, we focus on building a community that supports our students' success during their degree and as they launch their careers. Many students participate in undergraduate research across one of the biggest research portfolios in the College of Engineering. An alumni network across industry sectors — from John Deere to Tesla to Boeing to SpaceX — provides support for students to find internships and launch their careers.
How to Get in
Admission to the College as a First-Year Student
Students applying to UW–Madison need to indicate an engineering major as their first choice in order to be considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering. Direct admission means that students get to start their college career in the engineering program of their choice and have access to engineering-specific resources and facilities. Students who are directly admitted need to meet progression requirements at the end of the first year to guarantee advancement in that program.
Cross-Campus Transfer to Engineering
UW–Madison students in other schools and colleges on campus must meet minimum admission requirements for admission consideration to engineering degree programs. Cross-campus admission is competitive and selective, and academic performance expectations may increase as demand trends change. The student’s overall academic record at UW–Madison is also considered. Students apply to their intended engineering program by submitting the online application by stated deadlines for spring and fall. The College of Engineering offers an online information tutorial and advising for students to learn about the cross-campus transfer process.
Off-Campus Transfer to Engineering
With careful planning, students at other accredited institutions can transfer coursework that will apply toward engineering degree requirements at UW–Madison. Off-campus transfer applicants are considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering by applying to the Office of Admissions with an engineering major listed as their first choice. Those who are admitted to their intended engineering program must meet progression requirements at the point of transfer or within their first two semesters at UW–Madison to guarantee advancement in that program. A minimum of 30 credits in residence in the College of Engineering is required after transferring, and all students must meet all requirements for their engineering major. Transfer admission to the College of Engineering is competitive and selective, and students who have exceeded the 80 credit limit at the time of application are not eligible to apply.
The College of Engineering has dual degree programs with select four-year UW System campuses. Eligible dual degree applicants are not subject to the 80 credit limit.
Off-campus transfer students are encouraged to discuss their interests, academic background, and admission options with the Transfer & Academic Program Manager in the College of Engineering: ugtransfer@engr.wisc.edu or 608-262-2473.
Second Bachelor's Degree
The College of Engineering does not accept second undergraduate degree applications. Second degree students might explore the Biological Systems Engineering program at UW–Madison, an undergraduate engineering degree elsewhere, or a graduate program in the College of Engineering.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
Engineering Mechanics Curriculum
The following curriculum applies to students admitted to the engineering mechanics degree program.
Summary of Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics 1 | 22 | |
| Science 1 | 10 | |
| Engineering Science | 28 | |
| Engineering Mechanics Core | 31 | |
| EMA Electives | 9 | |
| Technical Electives | 5 | |
| Communication Skills | 8 | |
| Liberal Studies | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 128 | |
- 1
If the Mathematics and Statistics and the Science requirements are fulfilled with fewer than 30 credits combined, additional math/science credits will be needed to meet the math/science auxiliary credit condition.
Mathematics and Statistics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 221 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 | 5 |
| MATH 222 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 | 4 |
| MATH 234 | Calculus--Functions of Several Variables | 4 |
| MATH 320 | Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 321 | Applied Mathematical Analysis 1: Vector and Complex Calculus | 3 |
| STAT 324 | Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering | 3 |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 5-9 | |
| Advanced General Chemistry 1 | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| PHYSICS 202 | General Physics | 5 |
| Total Credits | 10-14 | |
- 1
It is recommended that students take CHEM 109 Advanced General Chemistry (5 cr). However, depending on their high school chemistry experience, students may substitute this with CHEM 103 General Chemistry I and CHEM 104 General Chemistry II for a total of 9 credits.
Engineering Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| E M A 200 | Introduction to Mechanics and Aerospace 1 | 3 |
| or M E 201 | Introduction to Mechanical Engineering | |
| M E 231 | Geometric Modeling for Design and Manufacturing | 3 |
| COMP SCI 220 | Data Science Programming I 2 | 4 |
| M S & E 350 | Introduction to Materials Science | 3 |
| M E 361 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| M E 363 | Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| or CIV ENGR 310 | Fluid Mechanics | |
| M E 364 | Elementary Heat Transfer | 3 |
| E C E 376 | Electrical and Electronic Circuits | 3-4 |
| or PHYSICS 321 | Electric Circuits and Electronics | |
| or E C E 230 | Circuit Analysis | |
| Computing Elective (Select One) | 3 | |
| Intermediate Problem Solving for Engineers (preferred, only available in the Spring) | ||
or COMP SCI 412 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | |
or M E 459 | Computing Concepts for Applications in Engineering | |
or COMP SCI 320 | Data Science Programming II | |
| Introduction to Scientific Computing for Engineering Physics | ||
| Total Credits | 28-29 | |
- 1
E M A 200 or M E 201 are preferred introduction to engineering options. E M A 200 is offered in the fall only. M E 201 can be taken in the first or second semester. If a student begins in another engineering major, other introduction to engineering courses can count for the introduction to engineering requirement.
- 2
COMP SCI 220 Data Science Programming I is the preferred required computer science course. If a student needs to take COMP SCI 300 Programming II to satisfy requirements for another major or certificate, COMP SCI 300 Programming II can count for this computer science requirement.
Engineering Mechanics Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| E M A 201 | Statics (with a grade of C or better) 1 | 3 |
| E M A 202 | Dynamics | 3 |
| E M A 303 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| E M A/M E 307 | Mechanics of Materials Lab | 1 |
| E M A 405 | Practicum in Finite Elements | 3 |
| E M A 469 | Design Problems in Engineering | 3 |
| E M A 506 | Advanced Mechanics of Materials I | 3 |
| Experimental Mechanics Elective (Select One) | 3 | |
| Experimental Vibration and Dynamic System Analysis | ||
| Advanced Mechanical Testing of Materials | ||
| Aerodynamics Lab | ||
| E M A 521 | Aerodynamics | 3 |
| or M E 563 | Intermediate Fluid Dynamics | |
| E M A 542 | Advanced Dynamics | 3 |
| or E M A 545 | Mechanical Vibrations | |
| E M A 569 | Senior Design Project | 3 |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
- 1
Students may substitute PHYSICS 201 General PhysicsGeneral Physics, 5 credits, for E M A 201 Statics, 3 credits, with the approval of their advisor.
Engineering Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 credits from any E M A course numbered 500 and above | 9 | |
Technical Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| Cooperative Education Program (no more than 3 credits) | ||
Courses numbered 300+ in the College of Engineering except for E P D/INTEREGR | ||
Up to 3 credits of independent study such as E M A 599; independent study from other engineering subjects may be approved on an individual basis | ||
Courses numbered 300+ MATH, PHYSICS, COMP SCI, STAT (except STAT 301), ASTRON, MED PHYS, and CHEM departments | ||
| Modern Physics for Engineers | ||
or PHYSICS 241 | Introduction to Modern Physics | |
Students may also propose any class that they feel will benefit their education path with pre-requisite of two physics or calculus classes. For these courses the advisor will review the request and if approved, recommend a DARS substitution. | ||
Communication Skills
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 100 | Introduction to College Composition | 3 |
| or COM ARTS 100 | Introduction to Speech Composition | |
| or LSC 100 | Science and Storytelling | |
| or ESL 118 | Academic Writing II | |
| INTEREGR 275 | Technical Presentations | 2 |
| INTEREGR 397 | Engineering Communication | 3 |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
Liberal Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| College of Engineering Liberal Studies Requirements | ||
| Complete Requirements 1 | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Students must take 15 credits that carry H, S, L, or Z breadth designators. These credits must fulfill the following sub-requirements:
- A minimum of two courses from the same subject area (the description before the course number). At least one of these two courses must be designated as above the elementary level (I, A, or D) in the course listing.
- A minimum of 6 credits designated as humanities (H, L, or Z in the course listing), and an additional minimum of 3 credits designated as social science (S or Z in the course listing). Foreign language courses count as H credits. Retroactive credits for language courses may not be used to meet the Liberal Studies credit requirement (they can be used for subrequirement 1 above).
- At least 3 credits in courses designated as ethnic studies (lower case “e” in the course listing). These courses may help satisfy subrequirements 1 and 2 above, but they count only once toward the total required. Note: Some courses may have “e” designation but not H, S, L, or Z designation; these courses do not count toward the Liberal Studies requirement.
Total Credits: 128
For information on credit load, adding or dropping courses, course substitutions, pass/fail, auditing courses, dean's honor list, repeating courses, probation, and graduation, see the College of Engineering Official Regulations.
Named Options in Engineering Mechanics
Students may elect to declare a named option under the Engineering Mechanics BS. The named option in Aerospace Engineering can be declared as of Fall 2020. The named option in Astronautics is suspended as of Summer 2020; the last term to earn the named option is Summer 2026.
Honors in Undergraduate Research Program
Qualified undergraduates may earn a Honors in Research designation on their transcript and diploma by completing 6 credits of undergraduate honors research, including a senior thesis. Further information is available in the department office.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Four-Year Plan
Sample Four-Year Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 1091 | 5 | E M A 2013 | 3 |
| MATH 221 | 5 | MATH 222 | 4 |
| Communications A | 3 | M E 231 | 3 |
| E M A 200 or M E 2012 | 3 | M S & E 350 | 3 |
or Liberal Studies Elective | Liberal Studies Elective or | 3 | |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 234 | 4 | MATH 320 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 202 | 5 | STAT 324 | 3 |
| E M A 2024 | 3 | M E 361 | 3 |
| COMP SCI 220 | 4 | E M A 3034 | 3 |
| INTEREGR 275 (was EPD 275) | 2 | E M A/M E 3074 | 1 |
| Liberal Studies Elective | 3 | ||
| 18 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| E M A 506 | 3 | E M A 405 | 3 |
| E M A 542 or 5455 | 3 | E C E 376, PHYSICS 321, or E C E 230 | 3 |
| MATH 321 | 3 | M E 363 or CIV ENGR 310 | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | E M A/E P 471 | 3 |
| INTEREGR 397 | 3 | Technical Elective | 2 |
| Liberal Elective | 3 | ||
| 18 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| E M A 469 | 3 | E M A 569 | 3 |
| E M A 5217 | 3 | EMA Elective | 3 |
| EMA Elective | 3 | EMA Elective | 3 |
| Experimental Mechanics Course6 | 3 | M E 364 | 3 |
| Liberal Studies Elective | 3 | Liberal Studies Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 128 | |||
- 1
It is recommended that students take CHEM 109 Advanced General Chemistry for 5 credits. However, depending on their high school chemistry experience, students may substitute this with CHEM 103 General Chemistry I and CHEM 104 General Chemistry II for a total of 9 credits.
- 2
E M A 200 or M E 201 are preferred introduction to engineering options. E M A 200 is offered in the fall only. M E 201 can be taken in the first or second semester. If a student begins in another engineering major, other introduction to engineering courses can count for the introduction to engineering requirement.
- 3
Students may substitute PHYSICS 201 General Physics, 5 credits, for E M A 201 Statics, 3 credits, with the approval of their advisor.
- 4
After completing E M A 201 Statics, students may take E M A 202 Dynamics and E M A 303 Mechanics of Materials/E M A/M E 307 Mechanics of Materials Lab in either order or concurrently.
- 5
Students electing E M A 545 Mechanical Vibrations instead of E M A 542 Advanced Dynamics should note that E M A 545 Mechanical Vibrations is typically offered in the spring semester only.
- 6
E M A 611 Advanced Mechanical Testing of Materials or E M A/M E 540 Experimental Vibration and Dynamic System Analysis or E M A 522 Aerodynamics Lab. Note that E M A/M E 540 is typically offered in the fall. E M A 611 and E M A 522 are typically offered in the spring.
- 7
M E 563 Intermediate Fluid Dynamics may be substituted for E M A 521 Aerodynamics. Note that M E 563 is typically offered in the spring semester only.
Advising and Careers
Advising
Every College of Engineering undergraduate has an assigned academic advisor. Academic advisors support and coach students through their transition to college and their academic program all the way through graduation.
Advisors help students navigate the highly structured engineering curricula and course sequencing, working with them to select courses each semester.
When facing a challenge or making a plan toward a goal, students can start with their academic advisor. There are many outstanding resources at UW–Madison, and academic advisors are trained to help students navigate these resources. Advisors not only inform students about the various resources, but they help reduce the barriers between students and campus resources to help students feel empowered to pursue their goals and communicate their needs.
Students can find their assigned advisor in their MyUW Student Center.
Engineering Career Services
Engineering Career Services (ECS) assists students in finding work-based learning experiences such as co-ops and summer internships, exploring and applying to graduate or professional school, and finding full-time professional employment.
ECS offers two large career fairs per year, assists students with resume building and developing interviewing skills, hosts skill-building workshops, and meets one-on-one with students to discuss offer negotiations.
Students are encouraged to engage with the ECS office early in their academic careers. For more information on ECS programs and workshops, visit: https://ecs.wisc.edu.
Resources and Scholarships
Facilities
Facilities available for instruction and research include:
Mechanics Holographic Lab
Viscoelasticity and Composites Lab
Wisconsin Laboratory for Structures and Materials Testing: Materials Testing Lab
Wind Tunnel Laboratory
Structural Mechanics Lab
Structural Dynamics and Vibrations Lab
Fatigue/Fracture Lab
Instructional Computing Lab (in Computer Aided Engineering)
Research Computing Lab
Scholarships
The College of Engineering has several types of scholarships available to incoming and current engineering students. Students should explore the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH), where you can apply to and find specific information on scholarships at UW–Madison. You can use WiSH to find engineering scholarships available through the College of Engineering; the Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity in Engineering Student Center; and other UW and external organizations. (Please note: students must be currently enrolled in, or have applied to, the College of Engineering to be considered for engineering scholarships.) To be matched with these available scholarship funds an application is required and the system is typically open to students in the spring of each year. Questions on the process can be directed to: coescholarships@engr.wisc.edu. Additional financial assistance may be awarded through the Office of Student Financial Aid (333 E. Campus Mall Room 9701, 608-262-3060).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Engineering Mechanics and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Program Educational Objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics
We recognize that our graduates will choose to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their undergraduate years to pursue a wide variety of career and life goals, and we encourage this diversity of paths. Whatever path our graduates may choose, we expect them to be meeting the following objectives at least three to five years after graduation:
- Exhibit strong performance and continuous development in problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and communication, initially applied to engineering mechanics, and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence.
- Demonstrate continuing commitment to, and interest in their training and education, as well as those of others.
- Transition seamlessly into a professional environment and make continuing, well-informed career choices.
- Contribute to their communities.
Note: Undergraduate Student Outcomes, number of degrees conferred, and enrollment data are made publicly available at the Engineering Mechanics Undergraduate Program website. (In this Guide, the program's Student Outcomes are available through the "Learning Outcomes" tab.)