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Mechanical EngineeringMajor

This broad-based discipline spans most industries, so you will have stable, rewarding employment opportunities across West Virginia, the U.S. and just about anywhere in the world. Unlock even more options with our dual degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Overview

What is Mechanical Engineering at WVU like?

Description

Mechanical engineers work individually and in multidisciplinary teams to design and manufacture a wide and diverse range of products that are available in the marketplace today. They use science and mathematics to effectively solve numerous real-life engineering problems to improve quality of life and preserve our environment.

Areas of specialty in mechanical engineering include:

  • energy conversion and combustion processes
  • mitigating environmental impacts
  • improving product function
  • developing smarter control systems
  • developing new materials

Mechanical Engineering program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Elective Focuses

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Pre-Medical
    Students who plan a career in medicine, dentistry or related area may substitute certain chemistry and biology courses to count as the technical elective requirement.

Fast Facts

What makes Mechanical Engineering at WVU unique?

Accelerated Master's Program

Mechanical Engineering offers the option to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated time frame.

Dual Major

This major offers the option to simultaneously complete a second bachelor's degree in:

Research and Academic Opportunities

Research If you're interested in conducting research, you can do paid work in research laboratories and/or earn academic credit through the course MAE 497: Undergraduate Research. You may also pursue undergraduate research with the NASA Space Grant Consortium.

Specific research opportunities are available in the areas of materials science, internal combustion engines, energy systems, autonomous robotics, computational modeling and simulations.

Academics Tailor your plan of study by specializing in areas such as material science, internal combustion engines, alternative fuels, bioengineering, acoustics, HVAC and fuel cell technologies.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Mechanical Engineering. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • ENGR 101: Engineering Problem-Solving 1
  • ENGR 102: Engineering Problem-Solving 2
  • ENGR 140: Engineering in History

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Recent graduates have gone on to work in the automotive, natural resource extraction, manufacturing, aviation and military-related industries. Some continue their education with advanced graduate degrees at the master's and doctorate levels. A few pursue medical, law or business post-graduate programs.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Mechanical Engineering major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Mechanical Engineering at WVU?

MAE 271:
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Design 1

Hands-on applications of concepts learned in other courses to meet specified performance or competition criteria of capstone design courses. Introductory concepts of an integrated sophomore-junior-senior design team.

MAE 371:
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Design 2

Continued applications of concepts learned in other courses to meet specified performance or competition criteria of capstone design courses. Intermediate concepts of an integrated sophomore-junior-senior design team.

MAE 425:
Internal Combustion Engines

IC engine operating characteristics; engine cycles; thermochemistry and fuels; air and fuel induction; fluid motion within combustion chamber; combustion; exhaust flow; emissions and air pollution; heat transfer in engines; friction and lubrication; advanced engine concepts.

MAE 427:
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

Air and humidity relations; comfort and indoor air quality; building heat transfer; design heating and cooling loads; air distribution; refrigeration; systems and equipment; system energy analysis; control systems.

Capstone Projects

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills.

Senior capstone experiences include the Projects With Industry section of MAE 471 - Principles of Engineering Design, as well as:

Cost and Aid

How much does Mechanical Engineering at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Mechanical Engineering. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • ENGR 101: Engineering Problem-Solving 1
  • ENGR 102: Engineering Problem-Solving 2
  • ENGR 140: Engineering in History

Learn About Our HS ACCESS Early College Program

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Mechanical Engineering can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Mechanical Engineering at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Mechanical Engineering major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Engineering Requirements:

  • ACT Math: 22
  • SAT Math: 540

Engineering Requirements for Test Optional Students:

  • GPA: 3.00

Requirements for Engineering Technology:

To be admitted to WVU's Engineering Technology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2025-26 academic year.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Mechanical Engineering major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

Apply Now

Request Information

Want to know more about Mechanical Engineering at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

Request Info

Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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