Professor and student working on an engineering project

Engineering Major

Your path to becoming an engineer

BC’s bachelor of science in engineering prepares you for a challenging and rewarding career in mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace, electrical systems and technology, and manufacturing. You will graduate with career-ready skills in 3D modeling, mathematics, computer-aided design and fabrication, electronics and control systems, and mechanical design.

The program is designed for maximum flexibility, giving you the opportunity to explore different aspects of engineering through your upper-level engineering courses. The engineering major at BC is designed to meet accreditation standards set by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

What to Expect

Extensive coursework in mathematics, science and engineering.

Choose an optional concentration in mechanical engineering or mechatronics.

Small classes that provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty and classmates.

The program is designed for maximum flexibility, giving you the opportunity to explore different aspects of engineering through your upper-level engineering courses.

Courses

BC’s engineering program allows you to start practicing engineering skills in a hands-on environment right away. In your first year, you will take a two-semester Foundations of Engineering course sequence that introduces you to professional tools in computer-aided design and is centered around 3D printing and fabrication.  

student working on engineering project that is on a table with two Bridgewater engineering stickers
  • Courses in electronics (analog and digital), control systems, signals, mechatronics
  • Lab courses in mechanical engineering: materials, mechanical design
  • Upper-level theory courses appropriate for mechanical engineering: statics, dynamics, vibrations, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics
  • An integrative senior capstone experience featuring hands-on projects guided by engineering faculty

Required Courses Meet the Faculty

Engineering Lab Manager

Gene Stainback

Gene Stainback is the Engineering Laboratory Manager dedicated to enhancing student learning through practical experience. He plays a pivotal role in:

  • Guiding student capstone projects
  • Facilitating hands-on learning in project-based courses such as Foundations in Engineering I and II
  • Helping students develop skills in design and fabrication in our engineering lab spaces

Connecting you to your future

The bachelor of science in engineering blends experiential and theoretical learning to give you the skills needed for your future career. You will be using professional tools and practices used in the discipline throughout the four years. By the time you graduate, you will have a strong foundation of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities as well as technical skills.

Within a few years of graduating, our graduates will have demonstrated the ability to:
  • Extend their broad foundation of knowledge and skills practiced throughout Bridgewater College’s liberal arts curriculum to succeed in engineering graduate study or industry.
  • Apply and build upon their engineering coursework to solve current and future challenges in industry, government, and academia.
  • Make ethical decisions within their technical expertise that holistically consider environmental, social, and economic impacts.
  • Collaborate and communicate in an interdisciplinary team environment with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  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.

Through rigorous coursework in mathematics, science, and engineering, our students are prepared for the challenge of practicing engineering in a world that needs highly qualified professionals with a commitment to social responsibility and ethical practices. Our program emphasizes professional responsibility, mastery of foundational knowledge and professional tools, and experiential learning. Students will gain practice in design thinking, fabrication and prototyping, and collaboration through hands-on projects.

Student working with a piece of equipment in an engineering class

Careers

BC prepares you to be a better critical thinker, professional and engineer. The environment and hands-on experience at Bridgewater provide you with the skills employers want.

  • Mechanical engineering
  • Automation engineering / mechatronics
  • Nuclear engineering
  • Aerospace engineering
  • Automotive design
  • Computer-aided design and 3D modeling
  • Experience with computer-aided manufacturing
  • Electronics skills with digital and analog circuit design
  • Additive fabrication (3D printing)
  • MATLAB
  • Computer programming
  • Leidos
  • Boeing
  • Northrup Grumman
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Dewberry
  • Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

Questions? Contact Us!

Dr. Deva O’Neil, Department Chair
540-828-8004
doneil@bridgewater.edu