Introduction
Embark on a transformative journey with Western’s Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, where innovation meets real-world application! Dive into the heart of how products shaping our future are brought to life, from personalized prosthetic devices to advanced jet airliners. As a student in Western’s Manufacturing Engineering program, you’ll not just learn about manufacturing; you’ll be at the forefront of designing and creating the products that define our modern world.
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll transform ideas into reality through a creative and thorough process of design, production, and continuous improvement. You’ll become a critical thinker and a hands-on learner, mastering a diverse array of technologies from metal fabrication to robotics and quality assurance. Your journey will be rich with challenges, learning, and new skills, preparing you to manage and improve the facilities and processes that drive successful organizations.
Western’s Manufacturing Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org.
Why Consider a Manufacturing Engineering Major?
At Western’s Manufacturing Engineering program, we don’t just teach engineering; we prepare you to make an impact. Our program is built on the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Engineering’s Four Pillars, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field of Manufacturing Engineering. With intensive fascinating laboratory experiences utilizing state-of-the-art equipment integrated into our courses, you’ll bridge the gap between theory and practice, solving real manufacturing problems for industry and applying classroom knowledge to real-world projects.
Specialize in areas that fascinate you by choosing an emphasis in CAD/CAM, Robotics/Automation, Manufacturing & Systems Management, or Composites Manufacturing enriched with elective courses that hone your expertise. Our curriculum, crafted in collaboration with industry leaders, ensures you’re not just ready for the job market but poised to lead it. Step into Western’s Manufacturing Engineering program and start shaping the future, one innovative solution at a time. Join us in crafting the next generation of products and processes that will revolutionize our world!
Student Resources
Department website: Engineering and Design
Department advising:
- Program Director: Tarek Algeddawy, Engineering Technology 313, algeddt@wwu.edu
Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
Career Services Center:
Sample Careers:
Manufacturing engineers work across a wide range of industries to turn ideas into real, high-quality products. Graduates pursue careers such as:
- Product Design & Advanced Fabrication: creating innovative products and designing how they are built.
- Tooling & Equipment Design: designing jigs, fixtures, molds, dies, and other specialized manufacturing equipment.
- Automation & Smart Manufacturing: programming and operating industrial robots, PLC, CNC machines, and automated inspection systems (including CMMs).
- Modeling & Simulation: using CAD/CAM/CAE tools to analyze designs, operations, and manufacturing performance.
- Quality Engineering: ensuring products meet customer needs through testing, data analysis, and root-cause investigation.
- Process Engineering: improving how things are made to increase efficiency, safety, sustainability, and quality.
- Technical Leadership: supervising or working alongside technicians, technologists, analysts, and engineers in multidisciplinary teams.
Manufacturing engineers are in demand in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, electronics, outdoor equipment, clean energy, and virtually any industry that builds physical products.
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Category of Major : Capacity-constrained major
Program Admissions
Admission to the Manufacturing Engineering major is a two-phase process. When students initially declare, they are designated as pre-majors. Students must complete the courses listed below in order to apply for the major. Admission to full major status is determined by academic performance as a pre-major and other factors. Admission to the major is competitive. Neither completion of the prerequisites nor attainment of any specific GPA guarantees admission.
Major Prerequisite Courses (a total of 15 courses), as follows:
13 courses, including a maximum of one in-progress course during the time of application:
- MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 204, MATH 224
- CHEM 161
- PHYS 161, PHYS 162
- ENGR 101, ENGR 114, ENGR 115, ENGR 170, ENGR 214
- CSCI 141
In addition, you must complete, or have in-progress, at least two courses from the following four courses; the other two are allowed to be completed any time before the beginning of the senior year:
- MATH 331, MATH 341
- PHYS 163
- ENGR 225
Final acceptance decisions may be delayed until all current courses are completed and final grades are received. To qualify, students must earn at least a C- in each course and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher in these courses.
AP scores are converted to GPA as follows: 5 = A, 4 = B, 3 = C.
While the cumulative GPA in these prerequisite courses is a primary consideration, the review also factors in the successful completion of other required Major courses, GPA within the Major, overall GPA, and the student’s rationale for choosing Manufacturing Engineering. Students should include their motivation in short-answer responses submitted as part of the application.
Declaration Process
Admission is based on both academic performance and responses to short-answer questions explaining your motivation to pursue a Manufacturing Engineering degree. Applications are due on the first Friday of Spring Quarter. Only complete, timely applications will be considered, and applicants will be notified of decisions by the end of the following week.
Accepted students must register for the following courses in the Fall quarter of their major year, in addition to any remaining pre-major courses, before the end of Phase II registration:
- MFGE 231, MFGE 250
- ENGR 351
Failure to register by the end of Phase II may result in losing your major status.
If additional spaces become available, all pre-Majors will be notified by email that applications are being accepted, including the application deadline.
Transfer Students
Transfer students entering Western Washington University will be admitted as pre-majors and must apply to the Manufacturing Engineering (MFGE) major during the standard application period. Students who plan to apply to the major are strongly encouraged to connect with the pre-major advisor/program coordinator for advising in the quarter prior to their first term at Western. This helps ensure they are on track with prerequisite coursework and prepared for the application process. The pre-major advisor/program coordinator for the department is located in ET 206, 360-650-7964.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
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