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Current students

ABET accreditation

The BSME program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. In accordance with ABET, all graduates must meet certain specific distribution requirements.

ABET Inc. is a federation of 28 professional engineering and technical societies. Since 1932, ABET has provided quality assurance of education through accreditation. ABET accredits more than 2700 engineering, engineering technology, computing and applied science programs at over 550 colleges and universities nationally. ABET is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Undergraduate enrollment and degrees awarded

Year Enrollment Degrees
2022-2023 511 167
2021-2022 456 153
2020-2021 401 156
2019–2020 409 157
2018–2019 413 160
2017–2018 408 142
2016–2017 396 146
2015–2016 415 138
2014–2015 372 119
2013–2014 348 132

Enrollment data is calculated from Autumn term. Degree data is calculated using graduates from Autumn 2019, Winter 2020, Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 for example. 

Program educational objectives

The faculty of the University of Washington Mechanical Engineering Department strive to serve our students and other constituents by continuously improving our educational program. To do so, we ensure that our objectives reflect the needs of our constituents, and that these objectives have been reviewed by, among others, our External Advisory Board, the faculty, and the students. We envision that:

  1. Our graduates will thrive in careers that leverage the problem-solving, analytical and scientific skills learned at the UW. Their love of learning and collaborating will continue to flourish throughout their careers, and will propel them to solve local and global challenges, creating impact far beyond expectations.
  2. Our graduates will continue their professional development through continuing education credits, professional registration or certifications, or post-graduate studies or degrees.
  3. Our graduates will be global collaborators that hold themselves and their teams to the highest standards, working in professional areas, such as other engineering disciplines, business, law, or medicine. They will serve their communities, act as mentors, and conduct themselves with the highest integrity.

UW ABET learning outcomes

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to 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.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to 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.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Code of ethics of engineers

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:

  1. Using their knowledge and skill for the advancement of human welfare.
  2. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and clients.
  3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.
  4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

The Fundamental Canons:

  1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties.
  2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
  3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
  4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
  5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
  6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity and dignity of the profession.
  7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.