Engineering and Design

Introduction

The Department of Engineering and Design offers Bachelor of Science degree programs that prepare graduates for technical and professional careers in industry. Each program offers a unique mix of theoretical course work and laboratory experiences where students apply theory to solve practical problems in engineering and design. Creativity is encouraged and emphasized. In addition, Western’s General University Requirements (GURs) provide graduates with a solid foundation in communication skills and contribute to a broad-based education.

The programs are:

Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Industrial Design

The department also maintains a dedicated First Year Program with faculty, facilities, peer support and a pre-major advisor focused on helping students succeed from their first quarter at Western.

Engineering and Design includes professions in which knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences, technical experience and practice are used to plan, design, create and enhance technologies that benefit humanity. Graduates are employed by major technology companies, such as Boeing, PACCAR, Alpha Technologies, Cypress Semiconductor, Nike, and Microsoft, and by firms such as TEAGUE and Ziba Design, although career opportunities range across the spectrum due to the broad nature of the programs.

Engineering & Design programs include foundational coursework in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, so students benefit from building and strengthening skills in these areas early. Students interested in Industrial Design should also expect coursework in art and design foundations.

Note that Western Washington University also offers a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, which is now found in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

Faculty

SURA K. ALQUDAH (2014) Chair and Professor. BS (Electronics Engineering), Yarmouk University; MS, PhD (Industrial and Systems Engineering), State University of New York at Binghamton.
TAREK AL-GEDDAWY (2018) Associate Professor. BSc (Mechanical Engineering) Cairo University; MSc (Industrial Engineering) Cairo University; PhD (Industrial and Manufacturing Systems), University of Windsor.
JILL DAVISHAHL (2018) Professor. BS (Mechanical Engineering), Union College; MS (Mechanical Engineering), University of Washington.
MOHAMED EL-SHARO (2026) Associate Professor, BS (Computer Engineering), Yarmouk University; MS, PhD (Industrial and Systems Engineering), State University of New York at Binghamton.
PENG GAO (2023) Assistant Professor. BS (Mechanical Engineering), Tsinghau University; MS (Mechanical Engineering), Lehigh University; PhD (Mechanical Engineering), Lehigh University.
DAVID D. GILL (2014) Associate Professor. BS (Mechanical Engineering), Texas Tech University; MS (Mechanical Engineering), Purdue University; PhD (Mechanical Engineering), North Carolina State University.
DEBORAH GLOSSER (2020) Associate Professor. BA (Computational Linguistics) Ohio State University; JD, Duquesne University; MS (Geophysics), University of Pittsburgh; PhD (Materials Science), Oregon State University. Joint appointment with the Institute of Energy Studies (ISE).
NIPUN GOEL (2016) Associate Professor. B.Tech. (Power Engineering), Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India. MS, PhD (Mechanical Engineering) Lehigh University, PA. Joint appointment with the Institute of Energy Studies (ISE)
NICOLE M. LARSON (2005) Professor. BS (Mechanical Engineering), Bradley University; MS (Mechanical Engineering), University of Washington.
ERIC C. LEONHARDT (2002) Associate Professor. BA, Whitman College; BS (Industrial Technology-Vehicle Design), Western Washington University; MS (Automotive Systems Engineering), University of Michigan.
JUSTIN LUND (2023), Assistant Professor. BS (Industrial Design), Western Washington University; MDes (Design), University of Washington
JOHN MISASI (2015) Professor. BS (Plastics Engineering Technology), Western Washington University; PhD (Polymer Science and Engineering), University of Southern Mississippi.
JASON A. MORRIS (2004) Professor. BS (Mechanical Engineering), West Virginia University; Master of Industrial Design, Pratt Institute.
DAVID RIDER (2010) Associate Professor. BS (Chemistry), Simon Fraser University; PhD (Chemistry), University of Toronto. Joint appointment with Chemistry Department.
DEREK M. YIP-HOI (2007) Professor. BS (Mechanical Engineering), University of the West Indies; MS (Mechanical Engineering), State University of New York-Buffalo; PhD (Mechanical Engineering), University of Michigan.

Instructors

MATTHEW HOOGESTRAT (2019) Instructor. BS (Industrial Design), Western Washington University.
PAUL D. KEARSLEY (2012). Senior Instructor. BS (Industrial Design), Western Washington University.

Other Departmental Information

Advising and Declaration of Major

Engineering & Design are strongly encouraged to meet with the department’s pre-major advisor during their first year at Western. The advisor can help students declare their pre-major, develop a plan of study, and identify the math and science courses needed to begin their program.

Early advising is especially important in Engineering & Design, as our programs follow a sequenced curriculum where each course builds on the last. Starting on the right path early helps students stay on track and avoid delays in completing their degree. The pre-major advisor/program coordinator for the department is located in ET 206, 360-650-7964.

Academic Standards

Students are required to follow all prerequisite requirements for courses and seek early departmental advisement. A grade of C- or higher is required to pass all engineering and design program requirements and all prerequisites for those courses. Students are required to drop any major class if they receive a K grade or a D+ or lower grade in the prerequisite class.

Students may request a program course exception (any grade lower than a C- in a required program course is always considered a program exception). To make a request, a student must submit an Exception Request Form for consideration by the Engineering and Design Curriculum Committee. The form can be found in the student resources section of the Engineering and Design Department website. In the exception request, a student must clearly and thoroughly state their request and provide a detailed explanation of why the exception is being requested and why it is appropriate. The form is then submitted to their department faculty advisor who must add their comments and recommendation before forwarding the form to the committee. Students should expect that the Curriculum Committee will need ample time to consider the request; deadlines are listed on the form.

Students who do not make sufficient progress towards their major may be removed. For details, please see the department’s Forms, Policies, and Procedures.

First Year Program

The department has a dedicated First Year Program that supports students as they begin their engineering and design education. Full-time faculty teach introductory courses designed specifically for first year students, including ENGR 101 and ENGR 115, which emphasize hands-on, project based learning and foundational skills in engineering design, technical communication, teamwork, CAD, ethics, and professional development. Students are also connected to campus resources and academic support to help them navigate their first year at Western. First year students receive training on tools and equipment in the department’s project lab and Makerspace, both fabrication and prototyping facilities that support their technical skill development through hands-on learning A peer mentoring program provides additional support through study sessions, events, and accessible peer contacts who help first-year students navigate the department and university. Together, these dedicated faculty, facilities, and support structures help students build confidence and community from their first quarter at Western.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor