Mechanical Engineering (BS)

What is Mechanical Engineering? 

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and most versatile of the engineering disciplines. Students in the BSME program have abundant career opportunities, even if they choose not to pursue advanced degrees. With our emphasis on human-centered design as well as the multidisciplinary nature of the curriculum and the university-wide initiative on sustainability, Wayne State's ME program prepares graduates for evolving industry needs. 

What can I do with a Mechanical Engineering Degree? 

A mechanical engineering degree provides a solid technical foundation for careers in fields as diverse as automotive, autonomous vehicles, control and automation of manufacturing processes, nanotechnology, alternative energy, advanced materials, medical devices, aerospace, and patent law. A successful mechanical engineer is a creative problem-solver with a solid background in science and strong communication and teamwork skills. According to the United States Department of Labor, the median annual wage for mechanical engineers was $90,160 in May 2020.

    Course planning

Choose an area of study (associate degree), earn Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and complete pathway courses. The below pathway outlines the required Henry Ford College courses.  Courses not taken or transferred from Henry Ford College can be completed at Wayne State University.

Choose an area of study

Associate Degree
Pre-Engineering: General -Associate in Science (AS)
*Pre-Engineering: Mechanical/Industrial (AAS)
Associate in Science (AS)
Associate in General Studies (AGS)

*Due to the requirements associated with these programs the total amount of credit earned will likely exceed the minimum bachelor's degree requirement.

Earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)

MTA Requirement/Specific Course Credit Hours Notes
*ENG 131 Intro to College Writing (ENG 1020) 3  
*ENG 135 Business & Technical Writing/Research (ENG 3010)                  3  
*MATH 180 Calculus I (MAT 2010) 5  
*CHEM 141 General & Inorganic Chemistry I (CHM 1225) 5  
*PHY 231 Engineering Physics I (PHY 2175) 5  
**BEC 151 Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 2020) 3 BEC 152 is also acceptable
Approved Social Science (see MTA) 3 Second Social Science must be from different discipline
*SPC 131 Fundamentals of Speech (COM 1010) 3  
Approved Humanities/Fine Arts (see MTA) 4 Second Humanities/Art must be from different discipline
Total                                                    34 credits (minimum)  

*Meets MTA requirements and/or satisfies Wayne State degree requirement (prerequisites may be required, see HFC Academic Advisor).               

**Required if pursuing the business minor or Operations Management Leadership Program.

Complete pathway courses

Course Credit Hours
ENGR 125 Intro Computation for Engineering (BE 1500) 3
ENGR 130 Intro to Engineering (BE 1200) 3
MATH 183 Calculus II (MAT 2020) 5
MATH 280 Calculus III (MAT 2030) 5
MATH 288 Differential Equations (MAT 2350) 5
PHY 232 Engineering Physics II (PHY 2185) 5
ENGR 201 Science of Materials (BE 1300) 3
ENGR 232 Statics (ME 2410) 3
ENGR 233 Dynamics (ME 3400) 3
ENGR 235 Mechanics of Materials (ME 2420) 2
Total 37 credits

**Required if pursuing the business minor or Operations Management Leadership Program.

   Course planning 

The following courses are required to finish the degree requirements.  Any pathway course(s) not completed at the community college can be completed at Wayne State University. 

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering 

Course Credit Hours
BE 1310 Materials Science Lab  1
BE 2100 Basic Engineering III: Prob & Stats 3
ENG 3060 Technical Writing II: Presentation 3
ME 2500 Numerical Methods 2
ECE 3300 Intro to Electrical Circuits 4
ME 2200 Thermodynamics        3
ME 3300 Fluid Mechanics: Theory and Lab  4
ME 3450 Manufacturing Processes I 3
ME 4210 Heat Transfer: Theory and Lab   4
ME 4150 Design of Machine Elements 4
ME 4410 Vibrations: Theory and Lab   4
ME 4300 or 5330 4
ME 4420 Dynamic Modeling and Control  4
ME Tech Elective (ME 5XXX)   8
ME 4500 or 5500   4
PHI 1120 Professional Ethics 3
Total 58 credits

 Transfer credit summary

Transfer credit summary Credits
Henry Ford College transferrable credits 70 credits

Required Wayne State University Major credits

58 credits (minimum)

Total credits required to complete bachelor's degree

128 Credits (123 credits min.)

  • WSU requires a minimum of 30 hours in residency. 
  • You can review how courses transfer using the course equivalency tool for other acceptable equivalences.

How do I get started?

  • Join Wayne State Transfer Pathways
  • Schedule a WSU Transfer Success Appointment         
  • Meet with your academic advisors and track your academic progress 

Notes

  • The pathway allows multiple associate degree options with the flexibility to customize your degree path. The minimum eligibility to participate in the Wayne State Transfer Pathways is a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and an associate degree (earned or Reverse Transfer).  
  • All college-level (non-developmental), non-duplicated courses with a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) or above will be considered for transfer credit.  Earned credit will transfer as 1) direct course equivalency, 2) major/department credit, or 3) elective credit. Credits not earned at the community college will need to be taken at WSU.  
  • These pathways do not replace the importance of community college and Wayne State academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion. 
  • Career tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles. 

Primary contacts

    Henry Ford College
    Academic Advising
    313-317-6845 | advising@hfcc.edu                                     

             Transfer Student Success Center 
             313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
             Mechanical Engineering Department
             313-577-3843 | Academic Advising              

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.