Engineering Major

Undergraduate Admission

OVERVIEW

Today's complex, interconnected world needs engineers that can apply science, mathematics and design skills to finding solutions that connect with the human, cultural and environmental aspects of society.

Baldwin Wallace's Bachelor of Science engineering program is a broad-based study that combines the rigor of science, mathematics and computing with the communication and creative problem-solving skills of a liberal arts-focused education.

You'll learn to think critically, communicate effectively and gain a globally informed perspective you can apply to solving a wide range of engineering problems and more.

Small class sizes and individual attention are inherent to the program. Coupled with comprehensive coursework and extensive laboratory experiences, you'll receive outstanding preparation for employment or for postgraduate studies.

Independent research projects, off-campus experiences and internships allow you to customize your studies. Supportive faculty assist you in career preparation through mentoring, networking and more.

An engineering student draws mechanical components for a walker using 3D design software.
For a sensor research project, an engineering student and engineering lab technician use the CNC mill in BW’s fabrication laboratory to create parts for a prototype sensor enclosure.
BW's Knowlton Center provides students with innovative learning experiences in engineering, mathematics, computer science and physics that will enable them to explore cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, mathematical modeling and simulation, robotics and optics while connecting with industry leaders.

Starting engineering salaries are typically $60-70,000

In-Demand Profession

The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Ohio fifth for the number of engineers within general engineering. Starting salaries are typically $60,000 - $70,000. Sources include the STEM Career Outlook, Occupational Outlook Handbook and NACE.

Career Opportunities

This major prepares you for graduate school in a specialized area of engineering and immediate career opportunities, such as:

Automotive engineering
Computing
Energy technologies
General engineering
Project management
Robotics and automation
Systems engineering
Technical sales

Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology

ABET logo

The Baldwin Wallace Bachelor of Science program in engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technlogy (ABET), the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

CURRICULUM

BW's engineering curriculum provides a strong background in engineering fundamentals, with an emphasis in the underlying mathematics, computing and basic sciences. View the four-year curriculum plan for engineering students. Note that this four-year plan is based on students beginning their foundation courses within the major during their first semester at BW. Completion of an engineering degree in four years at BW depends upon placement into the following foundational courses: MTH 140 (precalculus) or higher the first semester of the student’s first year at BW.

During the onboarding process, students will have the option of submitting ACT/SAT test scores or taking an Accuplacer test for course placement. Placement into the aforementioned foundational courses requires an ACT math sub-score of 23 or higher, SAT math sub-score of 560 or higher, or an Accuplacer score of 70 or higher. Students who do not place into the engineering foundational courses will initially begin preparatory courses within the engineering major before qualifying to begin their foundational courses.

The curriculum includes a broad range of courses in engineering and related fields that focus on applying your technical knowledge to design challenges.

In the first semester, you'll work on a design project that immerses you in the practice of engineering. During senior year, you'll engage in a two-semester capstone project that provides you with real-world learning in identifying, formulating, solving and summarizing results for an engineering problem that has meaningful impact.

The curriculum's flexible format enables you to take a semester to study abroad, complete an internship, co-op or other work-related experience, or pursue other off-campus experiential learning opportunities.

You also can complete additional coursework in related areas of the science, mathematics and computing curriculum.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates from the Baldwin Wallace University engineering program will:

Apply problem-solving, critical-thinking and innovation in their professional careers or advanced education.
Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct in careers and as citizens.
Be effective communicators and contributors/collaborators with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through professional development.

Student Outcomes

BW engineering graduates will have an ability to:

Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
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.
Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
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.
Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Additional Paths for Careers in Engineering

In addition to the engineering major, BW offers other paths for a career in engineering:

Pre-engineering dual-degree program in chemistry or physics
Software engineering

An optional five-year BS/MBA program combines BW's engineering major with a minor in business administration and an MBA degree.

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

At BW, student success is a top priority. You'll be encouraged to work with a partner company for research and apply for internship and research positions.

Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through learning opportunities that include:

Research

BW students who wish to pursue research enjoy significant responsibility and can get exceptional access to laboratories, equipment and faculty.

Independent Study

Independent study offers enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom for individualized and advanced study. Students work one-on-one with a faculty member.

Laboratories and Facilities

Fabrication Laboratory

The fabrication lab allows engineering students to design, prototype and build real-world projects with regional industry and government partners.

Maker Space

The maker space is equipped with advanced design software, 3D-printers, a large-capacity printer-plotter and a laser cutter; it can serve as a design and prototyping space or as a building space for smaller projects.

Thermodynamics and Fluids Laboratory

The thermodynamics and fluids laboratory allows engineering students to study thermo-fluid phenomena including heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and mass transfer in complex systems.

Mechanics and Materials Laboratory

The mechanics and materials laboratory allows students to test and evaluate essential mechanical properties of a range of materials, including metals, plastics, composite and anatomical materials like bone.

Sensors and Controls Laboratory

The sensors and controls laboratory provides students the opportunity to design and fabricate smart technologies for a range of applications.

Internship Opportunities

BW's proximity to Cleveland puts you within a 20-minute drive to outstanding opportunities. Summer internships are available in local industries and research labs. National internships are also available.

Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program

The BW Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program is open to Ohio residents who are entering Baldwin Wallace in the fall as a first-year student or transfer student and are interested in engineering. Students are eligible to apply to the program which also offers the Choose Ohio First scholarship, awarding annual, renewable scholarships of up to $5,000.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Personally and professionally rewarding, student organizations and activities foster career skills, leadership and teamwork. Opportunities include:

Engineering Club

The Engineering Club promotes engineering among the student body and provides a common organization for engineering majors to interact, work on projects and extend their influence into the surrounding community.

American Chemical Society

The Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society helps chemistry majors explore opportunities in the field.

Problem Solving Club

This group hosts competitions and promotes the advancement of problem-solving skills at BW and in the community.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

At Baldwin Wallace, you'll experience personal and professional growth in a supportive community that challenges and inspires you to succeed. BW graduates are finding their success in industry, research, professional schools and graduate schools.

A number of BW graduates are employed in engineering jobs following graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in one of the other STEM fields, such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, or computing. Even more have gone on to graduate study in engineering, for which undergraduate study in a science field is excellent preparation.