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
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
Center for Faculty Excellence New Faculty Member Spotlight: Meet Sumedh Sharma
Purdue University Northwest’s Center for Faculty Excellence proudly welcomes Sumedh Sharma, assistant professor of Civil Engineering, to the university’s 2025–26 faculty cohort.
Engineering a Legacy: PNW alumnus Stewart McMillan
PNW alumnus Stewart McMillan (B.S.,’77) has dedicated his life to making a difference. A passion for service, which fueled his career, now inspires McMillan’s support for PNW and its current students.
PNW students turn summer internships into a competitive edge
As the job market grows increasingly competitive, employers are looking for more than classroom knowledge for a candidate to stand out.
Upcoming Mechanical and Civil Engineering Events
Mar 16
Spring Break – No Classes but Campus Offices are OpenEnjoy your Spring Break! Classes resume Monday, March 23.
Mar 23
Fall 2026 Priority Registration BeginsRegister for classes during Priority Registration to get the best selection of class days and times!
Apr 10
Last Day to Drop a full-term Spring 2026 ClassThe last day to drop a Full-Term Spring 2026 Course is Friday, April 10, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Apr 16
Days of Discovery 2026Celebrate research, scholarship and creative activities during the 2026 PNW Days of Discovery.
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.