Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Our nationally ranked engineering programs offer undergraduate, graduate, and 4+1 degree options that will prepare you for the 21st century.
Academic Programs
Our rigorous programs bring real-world experience to the classroom, building the knowledge you need to succeed.
Undergraduate
Mechanical or Civil Engineering: Sustainable Energy
BSME
Graduate
Find Your Place in Mechanical and Civil Engineering
The Shell Eco-Marathon and NASA Rover competitions allow students to design, build and test vehicles and rovers while while going head-to-head with students from around the world
Senior capstone students in mechanical and civil engineering transform bold concepts into detailed designs, supported every step of the way by dedicated faculty.
Want to lead a team, build amazing projects, or compete on a national scale? The Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department has a track that matches your passion!
At PNW, small class sizes help students connect deeply with mentors while solving real engineering challenges.
Joining professional societies like ASME and ASCE provide some of the best opportunities for students to network with professionals, and in turn earn an internship or job offer.
By participating in STEM on the Road, students can help make science and engineering exciting for the community around them.
Mechanical and civil engineering students work with a wide range of machines and tools to gain practical career skills.
Some of the software programs we learned in class were the same ones we used in my first internship. My classes at PNW gave me a solid foundation and helped me dive right into the projects.
PNW is a phenomenal choice with an outstanding location and great courses. Just be sure to join some clubs to make connections and memories.
Apart from the academics, you have clubs and organizations where you can interact and make friends. You also have professional opportunities to experience office culture and build personal development.
I believe having smaller class sizes at PNW compared to other big engineering universities really has allowed me to gain more hands-on experience (especially in labs) that I would not have been able to have at other schools.
I currently work as a structural engineer for Burns and McDonnell. PNW prepared me for this work by building my technical background and offering the experiential learning opportunities that got me planning, scheduling, budgeting, designing, constructing, with adherence to codes and standards.
PNW prepared me not only for my doctoral studies but also for my future career in the industry. I developed research skills and improved my ability to solve realistic problems that are faced by engineers and managers in the industry.
PNW Named Among 2026 Best Midwest Universities by U.S. News & World Report
PNW’s School of Engineering ranked 46 nationally among engineering schools whose highest awarded degrees are bachelor’s or master’s degrees in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 annual Best Colleges rankings
Resources
Admissions
Apply to one of our nationally ranked programs and prepare for your engineering future.
International Student Services
Here you’ll find opportunities to get involved, make new friends and feel at home while receiving an education that transforms students’ lives.
Faculty and Staff
Our talented professionals can give you a rewarding educational experience.
News
Purdue University Northwest’s Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) hosted U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan on July 17 to share updates on key initiatives spearheaded by the center.
Aiming for the Stars: Meet 2026 PNW graduate Angel Cuevas
Angel Cuevas (BSME’26) believes success is not a distant destination but something within arm’s reach.
Goal-den standard: Meet 2026 PNW graduate Cooper Olson
Meet PNW graduate Cooper Olson, BSME ‘26, who is kicking off a professional hockey career after earning a mechanical engineering degree in the classroom.
Upcoming Mechanical and Civil Engineering Events
Sep 22
Fall 2026 Career ExpoThe PNW 2026 Fall Career Expo is a career fair for students and alumni of Purdue University Northwest that are seeking full time employment and internships across all industries and academic majors.
Oct 12
Fall BreakPNW will observe Fall Break on Monday and Tuesday, October 12 and 13, 2026. There are no classes, but campus offices are open, with some exceptions.
Oct 26
Spring 2027 Priority Registration BeginsRegister for classes during Priority Registration to get the best selection of class days and times!
Nov 13
Last Day to Drop a Full-Term Fall 2026 CourseThe last day to drop a Full-Term Fall 2026 Course is Friday, November 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Accreditation
Purdue University Northwest’s Bachelor of Science program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Criteria.
Purdue University Northwest’s Bachelor of Science program in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Criteria.