College of Engineering & Applied Science | Viewbook

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIENCE

Engineer your future: Join our close-knit community

Engineers and computer scientists are in demand in the workforce, and industry leaders know the College of Engineering & Applied Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee provides graduates who work hard and work smart. At UWM, you’ll develop the skills to take on the world’s most challenging problems while developing relationships with inspiring professors, caring advisors and motivated students.

EXCELLENCE

Learn from internationally distinguished scientists and scholars; the work of our faculty is one reason UWM is recognized as one of America’s top research universities. You’ll also make important connections with our alumni, whose network spans the globe and includes CEOs, entrepreneurs and experts across many in-demand industries.

OPPORTUNITY

Land a paid co-op or internship with a Fortune 500 company – right in Milwaukee’s backyard. Over 600 companies recruit at UWM. Even as an undergraduate, you can work side by side with professors doing research in state-of-the-art labs. Design a Baja car or water filtration system as part of a student organization.

COMMUNITY

At UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, you’ll be part of a network that will foster your success. Your academic advisor will be by your side every step of the way. Career services staff will help you secure professional opportunities. Our faculty’s mentorship extends beyond the classroom. And you’ll develop close relationships with your classmates, who are dedicated students, creative entrepreneurs, published researchers and developing leaders.

70 Full-time faculty

IN-DEMAND UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS

• Biomedical Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Computer Engineering

• Computer Science (BS or BA)

19:1 Student-toinstructor ratio

• Electrical Engineering

• Environmental Engineering

• Industrial Engineering

• Materials Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

Your UW-Milwaukee home:

Live and learn in Wisconsin’s career capital

Milwaukee is a leading manufacturing city and global innovator in water tech, health care and biomedical engineering. Six Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in metro Milwaukee.

You’re hired

Many engineering and computer science students at UWM land a job before graduation day. While still in school, they gain real-world experience and earn paychecks in co-ops or internships; it’s not unusual to earn over $8,000 working full-time over the summer. Working with engineers and computer scientists at places like HarleyDavidson, Rockwell Automation or the Department of Transportation, you’ll build your skills and your confidence.

TOP-RANKED UNIVERSITY

UWM ranked in the top 3.1% of universities worldwide by the Center for World University Rankings.

A BEST MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY

– Princeton Review, 2023

$72,000*

Average starting salary for our college graduates

*2022 First Destination Survey

Lake Michigan

Downtown Milwaukee

Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Building

Downer Woods

Highly ranked, affordably priced

Real-world experience helps student resumes stand out from the crowd and can also help pay the bills. Student internships and research appointments can offer paid opportunities. Many lead to full-time work.

As a premier public research university, UWM is a unique value. Economical tuition rates and special out-of-state pricing for Midwestern students make us a destination university for students seeking both quality and affordability. See uwm.edu/cost-aid for current tuition, housing and meal plan costs.

“UWM tuition was more affordable than in-state tuition would have been if I stayed in Illinois, and I was still close to home. I have grown to love the many opportunities provided here. I traveled to Guatemala with Engineers Without Borders. It was a great chance to see how my studies make a difference in the lives of others.”

DORA RICHARDSON INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Joliet, Illinois • College of Engineering & Applied Science and UWM Honors College • Co-op – Modine Manufacturing Company

Updated curriculum benefits you

Our new and redesigned curriculum streamlines the credits needed for graduation, removing obstacles to on-time graduation for well-prepared students. You’ll also find flexibility in the electives available to customize your experience.

Gain experience before graduation

Many of our students participate in paid co-ops or internships while at our college. This allows them to get valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom and the opportunity to earn some extra money.

ERICK RICO-SANCHEZ MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Erick spent the summer of his senior year at Harley-Davidson Motor Co. where he participated in the Engineering IGNITE Co-op. He worked with the Rider Vehicle Interface (RVI) team helping the engineers with design work and other processes for RVI components, such as foot controls.

KALILA SCHUMACHER ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Kalila was hired for the Electrical Engineering co-op at Briggs & Stratton’s Research and Development Department and worked on their Alternative Power Systems team.

DENNIS KAESTNER INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Dennis interned at Kohler and Whirlpool and was hired full-time for the Whirlpool Leadership Development Program (LDP) upon graduation. LDP is a three-year rotational program with a specialization in manufacturing, engineering, and operations management.

Wisconsin’s top destination for transfer students

UWM attracts more transfer students per year than any other public university in the state. A dedicated academic advisor works with the student every step of the journey, simplifying the process and making the transition seamless.

EDGAR

Waukesha, Wisconsin • Transfer student from UWM at Waukesha • Internship

Dematic

“The college is in a good location, and there are a lot of opportunities in computer science. That’s a big plus. I also liked the program because the professors really cared and wanted you to learn.”

GUERRERO COMPUTER SCIENCE GRADUATE

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Milwaukee: A city in the heart of it all

The city and college are destinations on the MilwaukeeMadison-Chicago business corridor, where innovative thinkers, big employers and emerging industries reshape the U.S. economy. Our hometown is economically powerful and remarkably livable. Entertainment amenities and the natural beauty of our lakefront, urban forests and recreational trails make Milwaukee an exciting place to spend your college years and jump-start your career.

A global experience

UWM has amazing study abroad opportunities with a dedicated staff to assist students as they explore their options. Our students have access to engineering experiences abroad that help them to develop a more global perspective.

• Sustainable engineering was the focus of the study abroad experience in Germany.

• The Engineers Without Borders student chapter increased rural access to fresh water in Guatemala.

“Studying abroad in Germany and experiencing their energy-efficient public transportation systems piqued my interest in city planning and public transportation systems.”

•

1,000 International students at UWM hail from 80+ countries

KENDRA BYRUM

CIVIL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

West Bend, Wisconsin

Commencement honors student

Milwaukee named one of the best places to live

by U.S. News & World Report, 2023

Greater Milwaukee is a career capital and home to 1.5 million people, 750,000 jobs and more than 39,000 businesses.

*U.S. Census, 2021

Microsoft CEO is one proud alumnus

Satya Nadella was born in Hyderabad, India, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1988 to study in the College of Engineering & Applied Science. He earned a master’s degree in computer science in 1990. Over 30 years later as Microsoft’s third CEO, he thanks his UWM professors for instilling in him the confidence not to assume the easy path, but to take on some of the most challenging problems in computer science.

Top employers include:

• Amazon

• Apple

• Briggs & Stratton

• GE Healthcare

• Harley-Davidson Motor Company

• Johnson Controls

• Kohler

• Microsoft

• Northwestern Mutual

• Rockwell Automation

• Tesla

98%*

Of our graduates launch careers or continue their education within six months of graduation.

*UWM First Destination Survey, December 2022; as voluntarily reported by graduating students (undergraduate and graduate).

13,000+ Engineering alumni network

“When you look at Milwaukee, some of the most iconic landmarks — the Marquette Interchange, Milwaukee Art Museum, American Family Field — those are all projects that UWM engineers played a part in. That makes me proud to be a UWM graduate.”

ANDY KOWSKE

CIVIL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

VP at HNTB • Manager of Zoo Interchange project, WisDOT’s largest and most challenging infrastructure project

Majors

Our undergraduate programs respond to the diverse demands of our increasingly global economy. All of our Bachelor of Science programs meet international standards set by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; and Environmental Engineering is in the process of being accredited.

Biomedical Engineering

Enhance human health and well-being through the design of assistive, diagnostic and therapeutic devices including artificial limbs, organs and joints, and surgical lasers. Biomedical engineers collaborate with health care providers in research labs, hospitals and medical device manufacturers. Many launch startups in this fast-growing field.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Build orthotics and prosthetics

Create patient monitoring systems

Design assistive technology

“As a clinical researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin, there were aspects of my job that felt more complicated than they needed to be, and I believed an engineering degree could make them easier. That’s why I joined the first biomedical engineering program at UWM.”

Civil Engineering

Design and maintain the structures that societies worldwide rely on for health, safety and advancement: roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, buildings and utilities. The world depends on civil engineers to ensure infrastructure projects meet regulatory and safety standards, assess environmental impacts and implement cost-effective design and construction practices for public benefit.

DID

YOU KNOW?

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Design bridges, roads and other transportation systems

Oversee and manage infrastructure projects

Plan and implement public water-supply systems

As a student you can compete in the ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition or the AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition — gain valuable hands-on experience and leadership skills.

JENN KOVAC, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE Racine, Wisconsin • President, UWM Biomedical Engineering Society

Computer Engineering

Expertly merge hardware and software design and apply your technical knowledge of computer operations and engineering principles to design networks and construct computerized equipment. Computer engineers are sought after in the automotive, aerospace, automation and robotics, health care and security fields, in addition to information technology and network operations.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Embedded system designer

Network engineer

Telecom software developer

“I wanted to learn everything about how computers work. No other school I was accepted to had the right combination of my chosen major and affordability like UWM.”

JOSH SHARKEY, COMPUTER ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Milwaukee, Wisconsin • Internship – Aurora Health Care

• Studied engineering in Taiwan

• Foxconn International Engineering Co-op

Computer Science (BS or BA)

Computer science is fundamental to everyday work, life and play. Computer scientists write the software that brings computers to life, including programs for social networks, computer games and data analytics. They use dozens of programming languages. They also make “the cloud” safe.

Your options include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, for those who want deep and broad skills, and the new Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, which enables you to pair another major with your CS degree.

DID YOU KNOW?

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Cybersecurity expert

Game developer

Software developer

The demand for computer scientists is excellent — projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. The places where our computer science graduates land confirm just how in-demand this major is: Google, Amazon, Intel, Aurora Health Care, Kohl’s and Robert W. Baird & Co. — to name just a few.

• Earn your graduate degree in a shorter time

• Save on tuition by taking some graduate classes while an undergraduate, double counting them for your bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the undergraduate rate

• No GRE required

High achievers: Consider the Accelerated Master’s Program

Electrical Engineering

Design and manage systems that ensure a supply of electrical power whenever we need it, including power stations, solar generation farms, grids and batteries to make renewable energy feasible. Electrical engineers design computer chips, networks for telephones and the internet, radar, intelligent vehicle control, advanced medical devices and many other systems.

Environmental Engineering

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Improve hybrid car battery storage

Autonomous vehicle control systems

Focus on robotics and machine learning

“My internship has been an amazing experience so far. I applied to a ton of internships, but I think it was my engineering advisor putting in a good word for me at Generac that really helped.”

ERIC TUTKOWSKI, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING STUDENT

New Berlin, Wisconsin • First-generation college student

• Electronics intern at Generac

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Design projects that lead to environmental protection

Demand is strong for environmental engineers who develop and implement solutions to manage the quality of air, surface and groundwater systems and the impact of industrial effluents on the environment. Graduates of this interdisciplinary program will be prepared for careers in air and water pollution monitoring and mitigation, creation and maintenance of recycling and waste disposal methods, public health, and development and maintenance of efficient fuel methods.

Industrial Engineering

Prepare for a broad range of engineering opportunities in the public and private sectors. Industrial engineers help companies of all sizes improve productivity, reduce waste, maximize profits and minimize injuries. Students in the college prepare for this career by studying the design, control, operation, evaluation and implementation of industrial systems and processes.

Inspect industrial and municipal facilities

Conduct hazardous waste management studies

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Manufacturing engineer

Supply chain manager

Ergonomist

Materials Engineering

Develop new materials and improve existing ones, from aircraft wings to biomedical devices, using metals, ceramics, polymers, composites and biomaterials. The work of materials engineers has many applications, meaning abundant career opportunities in aerospace, electronics, transportation, communication, construction, manufacturing, R&D, environmental, energy, entertainment and sustainability industries.

DID YOU KNOW?

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Design, develop and test advanced materials

Focus on product/ quality engineering

Analyze product/ material failures and identify improvements

Our Foundry Education Foundation (FEF) Program helps ensure great talent enters the profession and offers students—starting as soon as their freshmen year—annual, renewable scholarships and industry connections. More than 50% of students in this program receive scholarships ranging from $500-$2,000 each year. Graduates have consistently and readily found jobs with companies including General Motors, Tesla, Kohler, Signicast, and Waupaca Foundry.

Mechanical Engineering

Convert energy, design construction equipment, analyze the efficiency of manufacturing machinery. Mechanical engineers develop diverse specialties from machine design to the analysis of sophisticated technologies like thermal devices and sensors. Architecture and aerospace, transportation and medicine are among the fields that require mechanical engineers’ innovation and precision.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES:

Aerospace structural engineer

Mechanical design engineer

Product development engineer

“It took time to adapt to being a mechanical engineering major, but the professors here are very open and willing to talk to students. Once I learned how the mechanical engineering major worked, how you really have to pay attention, ask the questions, once I started to do well in classes, then I just really started to love it.”

SILAS PETRIE, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Brillion, Wisconsin • Patent Engineer • Student Startup Challenge winner • Horizon League discus champion

• As a senior, he spent four months at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The Kulwicki Garage is a thinker space that pays homage to UWM alumnus and NASCAR Hall of Fame member Alan Kulwicki (Class of ’77), who became the first university graduate to earn NASCAR’s coveted Winston Cup. He considered his engineering background key to his legendary racing success.

Pictured in front of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower at his Rockwell Automation internship in China.

Looks like your future, feels like your home

The College of Engineering & Applied Science is a close-knit community within the wider university. We make it easy for students to find the support they need, from academic advising and networking to student organizations

Academic advisors are the first line of support, helping you consider academic options and choose courses. Professors and instructors help you gain core knowledge of theories and practices while developing new skills.

The Engineering House Living Learning Community brings together first-year engineering and computer science students in one UWM residence. They live together, study together and have access to special events such as the CEAS Alumni Dinner and Engineering Olympics.

JOIN AND LEARN MORE

Once you’re accepted into the college, expect to be recruited – by your fellow students. Engineering and computer science students run more than 30 student clubs, competing in college-sponsored and nationwide competitions and making connections through events and activities across the university.

“I think my favorite part about UW-Milwaukee is the fact that it is a big school with a smallcampus feel. You can get across campus in 10 minutes or less while still meeting and seeing new people every day.”

CALEB ABEGGLEN

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ACCELERATED MASTER’S DEGREE GRADUATE

Krakow, Wisconsin • President, Tau Beta Pi honor society • Laboratory Manager, Energy Advancement Lab

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS

Academic support & career services

HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS

Admissions officers look at the big picture and examine the finer details to make sure every incoming student arrives at the college prepared for a remarkable education.

DIRECT PLACEMENT

Students with qualifying credentials are guaranteed direct placement in their preferred engineering or computer science program.

ADVISING

Academic advisors help students set schedules, register for courses and consider all their academic options. Advisors support students for the duration of their time in the college, working with other university departments and faculty advisors to give students full access to the university’s diverse learning opportunities.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

The college’s drop-in tutoring center provides support with engineering, computer science, math and science courses. The campus also provides help with writing, foreign languages and other academic skills.

PAID CO-OPS AND INTERNSHIPS

Sharpen your skill set. Earn a paycheck, and possibly college credit, working for one of the college’s hundreds of industry partners in southeastern Wisconsin.

DEDICATED CAREER SERVICES

Tap into a wealth of knowledge, experience and connections working with the college’s career services office. Services coordinated through the office include:

• Two annual engineering and computer science-related career fairs that bring 100+ prospective employers to meet our students

• Alumni speakers and networking events that connect our best grads and newest students

• Career-prep course that covers resume writing, interviewing, networking and more

“My professors were awesome – helpful and knowledgeable. Classes were challenging, but I always learned much more than I thought I would. Overall, UWM was an excellent experience.”

LIANNA HAWI MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Oshkosh, Wisconsin • Recipient, Avi Shaked and Babs Waldman, M.D., Engineering Scholarship

• Hired before graduation – Rockwell Automation

Research

When is a college more than a college?

When students are challenged to apply what they learn in the classroom as interns in their chosen field. When professors become research mentors, advancing scientific discovery with a team of student researchers. When alumni return to the college to inspire new students and recruit experienced ones.

Through these opportunities, the College of Engineering & Applied Science prepares our students to pursue excellence in coursework and in early engineering experiences. Real-world connections, camaraderie and competition, leadership development and innovative thinking create a graduating class of engineers who leave the university with degrees that prepare them for the world of work and with the potential to change the world.

IMPACTFUL RESEARCH

More than 30 laboratories are affiliated with the college. Students join professors in funded research to gain resume-sharpening experiences in data analysis, observation, research design and public speaking. Many of these appointments are paid positions.

STUDENT RESEARCH POSTER COMPETITION

The annual Student Research Poster Competition challenges students to present their best work to guest judges from top engineering and computer science firms.

Work on the cutting edge

Research facilities across the college inspire and empower students with top-of-the-line equipment, specialized tools, safety training and faculty mentorship. A partial list is below.

• Advanced Manufacturing Lab

• Biomedical Labs

• Foundry

• Energy Advancement Lab

• Machine Shop

• Structures Lab

• Concrete Lab

• Soil Mechanics Lab

“Before coming to UWM, I would not have believed that I would work on research to improve mobility for amputees and then research self-healing materials, followed by my first real job in the materials lab at Harley-Davidson. I got to work side by side with five materials engineers on a daily basis. And I did all this before I even began my sophomore year at UWM!”

AMERALYS CORREA MATERIALS ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Franklin, Wisconsin • President, Society of Women

Engineers at UWM

• Recipient, Avi Shaked and Babs Waldman, M.D., Engineering Scholarship

• Co-op – Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations Manufacturing Plant • First-generation university student

Think like a leader, plan like a CEO

UWM prides itself in fostering an entrepreneurial culture through interdisciplinary connections. Students and faculty tackle real-world problems by connecting with arts, math, business, health and other academic programs across the university. Our new Lubar Entrepreneurship Center is where students shape business ideas, gain leadership skills and solve problems by working together with peers and mentors across programs to bring ideas to life.

PRODUCT REALIZATION

Engineering, computer science and arts students work with mentors to assess need, market, cost and build a working prototype. Some concepts launched in this course become a reality. All students get connected to a sponsoring company.

STUDENT STARTUP CHALLENGE

Students who join this year-long, workshop-based program gain entrepreneurial skills that are applicable anywhere, through the process of starting up their own companies. They receive ongoing mentorship and various forms of support from across campus and the city, and present business models, pitches and prototypes at UWM’s yearly Innovation Expo.