Business Minor
Advantages
Elevate your impact as a business-minded engineer with well-rounded business, accounting, and marketing skills.
Outcome
Engineering Consultant at Boeing
Undergraduate Major
Mechanical Engineering Major (BS) Degree
Take the inside track to a career in mechanical engineering where you will contribute to the advancement of modern technology.
At a Glance
Click to Open
Offered as
Major & Minor
Format
On Campus
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Mechanical Engineering Major
Mechanical engineering is an exciting and dynamic field that contributes to every area of modern technology; application areas range from pollution control and renewable energy to manufacturing electronic chips and medical devices.
Why Earn a Mechanical Engineering Degree?
Mechanical engineering is a critical subdivision of engineering that centers on creating technologies to meet society's needs. Without it, many of our most-used technologies like cars, airplanes, and even refrigerators wouldn't exist. From design to the marketplace, mechanical engineers play a key role in the entire manufacturing process of a product. Using problem-solving techniques, mechanical engineers analyze their work to ensure designs function safely and efficiently.
As a Widener student, you'll not only study the fundamentals of mechanical engineering such as strength of materials, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, design of machinery, and vibration and control, but also participate in application-oriented labs and project experiences. Here, you'll benefit from a supportive environment that encourages analytical and creative thinking while being exposed to the industry through real-world applications.
The mechanical engineering program is accredited by ABET. See recent enrollment and graduation data.
Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering Program Options
Mechanical engineering is a highly progressive field and our curriculum is designed to give you a broad, application-oriented education.
Program Details
- Full-time, 4-year program (transfer students may complete their degree in 2-3 years, depending on accepted credits)
- Completed in-person at our Chester, PA campus
You'll be exposed to all core areas of mechanical engineering including mechanical design, dynamics and controls, and the fluid/thermal sciences. Your coursework will include classes in materials, kinematics, thermodynamics, vibrations, heat transfer, and design.
You'll have the option for advanced study in areas such as biomechanics, advanced materials, aerospace, or robotics through technical electives, course projects, and undergraduate research. During your senior year, you'll participate in a year-long project that simulates both the technical and business aspects of professional engineering.
For educational objectives, student outcomes, and curriculum sequence, view our Loading....
Complete up to 1 year of professional work experience through the School of Engineering's optional cooperative education (co-op) program and still graduate within 4 years.
Our engineering co-op program allows you to start your professional career 1 year earlier than students in typical 5-year co-op programs. This means you'll get a head start on your career—not only by earning an income as a co-op student, but also by earning an additional year of salary compared to engineering students from other universities. You may also have the opportunity to receive full-time employment from your co-op or internship employers upon graduation.
How It Works
As a co-op student, you'll spend your first year in the classroom, but in your sophomore year you'll spend 4 months working in the industry. Your third year can contain up to 8 months of work experience. You'll finish your final year on campus.
Learn more about our co-op program and our co-op requirements for engineering students.
As a mechanical engineering student, you can pursue a dual degree in another field of engineering or physics. This enables you to earn a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and another discipline within 4 years.
To learn more about dual degree options, contact the chairs of both departments to arrange your schedule accordingly.
Interested in mechanical engineering and experienced with the French language? The global engineering industry demands global engineers. Through Widener’s international engineering program, you’ll gain the real-world experience you need to meet the demand. As you simultaneously study mechanical engineering and French, you’ll establish an international perspective that will put you on the inside track to a global engineering career.
Pair Your Mechanical Engineering Major with a Minor or Certificate
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Mechanical Engineering Majors
Why Study Mechanical Engineering at Widener?
Participate in Innovative Research
You'll partner with industry-shaping faculty on cutting-edge research from developing new atomic force microscopy experimental methods to better understanding the physical and mechanical factors that play a role in treatment for swallowing disorders.
Specific areas of mechanical engineering faculty research include:
- Atomic force microscopy
- Computational and experimental analysis of physiological systems and therapeutic strategies
- Composite materials
- Design and fabrication of mechanical systems
- Kinetic energy storage devices
- Nanotechnology
- Rehabilitation machines
- Thermal management and energy simulation
- Turbomachinery
Expand Your Network & Engage on Campus
The Engineering Living Learn Community (LLC) provides first-year engineering students a unique opportunity to live and learn together through a variety of co-curricular activities and social events. This peer support system eases the transition to college.
Mechanical engineering majors also have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations across campus and beyond to expand their network, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Tau Beta Pi - Engineering Honor Society, and many more.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
Learn in State-of-the-Art Labs & Facilities
As an engineering major, we know that laboratory experiences play a central role in your education. That's why we take great pride in making sure that our labs and facilities are as up-to-date as possible. Not only will you be absorbing knowledge in the classroom, but in the labs, you will be developing hands-on skills and bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Student Stories
Major in Mechanical Engineering Program Highlights
Our Faculty
My goal is to provide students with the same tools, skills, professionalism, and academic integrity that was instilled upon me nearly a decade ago as a student at Widener. I want students to have the highest chance of success for both their current academic career and their future professional career.
"I believe that being a "teacher" is an integral part of my vocation. That is why I consider my contributions to the education of students not merely as a duty or a job to be done, but as a part of my life."
Recent News
For Engineering Students, this I-95 Project Brings Construction Management to Life
With Widener's new construction management major set to launch in the fall 2024, engineering students visited the rebuilt I-95 bridge site after its collapse in June 2023 for a lesson on the transformational power of construction management and engineering.
Meet a Pair of SMART Engineering Students
Engineering majors Sean Crook and Nick Lambert are the latest recipients of the Department of Defense’s SMART scholarship, which puts them on track to join the department’s civilian workforce after graduation where they’ll advance the science and engineering technology behind some of the country’s service branches.
Turning Up the Heat: Annual Summertime Program Helps Widener Students Apply Classroom Knowledge to Real-World Issues
The Summer Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities program, or SURCA, saw a record number of participants this year from across academic disciplines. Included in this group were several students taking part for the first time.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions
Financial Aid
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Earn an Income with a Paid Co-Op & Still Graduate On-Time
Tap into our wide network of Philly-area employers and experience a full-time, paid co-op. In addition to earning an income, you do not pay tuition while on co-op. You can also choose to live on campus, at home, or even travel for your co-op.
ROTC Cadets Eligible for Up to 100% Tuition Coverage
Cadets in the ROTC program are given the opportunity to have a significant portion of their education paid for through scholarships—as high as 100% full-tuition coverage. If eligible, the scholarship program has numerous benefits for cadets including room and board, a monthly stipend, and more.
After graduation, cadets also have a direct pathway to a paid career with the option to advance into the military as a commissioned officer.
Have a question? Want to talk with us more about your options? Give us a call, or send an email today!
Undergraduate Admissions Office
-
Muller Hall
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
Kamran Fouladi
Associate Dean of School of Engineering
-
Kirkbride Hall
Room 107 - (610) 499-1292
- kfouladi@widener.edu
Mark A. Nicosia
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Strategy
-
Old Main
Room 8 - (610) 499-4192
- manicosia@widener.edu