Automotive Engineering Concentration

Why Choose ONU's Automotive Engineering Concentration?

Automotive engineers design, build, and refine the vehicles that power our world — and you can become one of them at ONU. Offered exclusively to our mechanical engineering majors, the concentration equips you with technical expertise, real-world experience, and creative problem-solving skills. Through our exploratory, hands-on approach, you develop the solution-oriented mindset and confidence to innovate and improve our transportation.

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Your journey to becoming an automotive engineer is formed by experiences that empower you to explore, create, and apply your knowledge. Along with the transformative education you receive, our Automotive Engineering program prepares you through:
●    Personalized guidance from expert faculty who invest in your academic and professional development.
●    Hands-on learning to build your technical skills in CAD modeling, testing, problem-solving, and more.
●    Extracurricular opportunities that challenge your critical thinking and foster connection and collaboration.
●    Internships and co-ops that offer essential real-world experience and create direct career pathways into the automotive industry.

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Exploration Through Practical Application

At ONU, learning extends well beyond the classroom. When you get involved, you step outside your comfort zone, test your ideas through trial and error, and grow alongside classmates. Join teams like SAE Baja to design and build an off-road vehicle from the ground up, or participate in NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge and create a human-powered exploration vehicle to push your imagination and engineering skills further.

Get Career-Ready With Real-World Experience

ONU prepares you for the evolving workforce with immersive opportunities like co-ops, internships, and research projects. These experiences strengthen your competencies, expand your professional network, and connect you directly to Ohio’s thriving automotive industry, so you graduate ready to excel.

Co-op Program

Turn Competition Into Innovation

Ignite your imagination by getting involved at ONU. Our competition teams connect you with other engineering students who share your drive to excel. As you compete against top schools across the U.S., you’ll generate groundbreaking innovations, strengthen your teamwork and leadership skills, and demonstrate true Polar Bear ingenuity.

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Automotive Engineering Program Courses and Curriculum

Reimagine the future of transportation by gaining specialized expertise. Your automotive engineering concentration courses build on the mechanical engineering major, giving you a strong foundation in vehicle systems, design, and modeling. You’ll also explore the materials, safety considerations, and aerodynamics influencing how vehicles are developed, tested, and improved to ensure optimal performance.

ONU’s signature classes include Automotive Design, which introduces the principles and practice of designing vehicles and components, and 3D Modeling. Through this course, you can earn Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate and Professional certifications, sharpening your competitive edge. Along the way, you master skills in dynamics, CAD modeling, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Upon graduation, you’re ready to make lasting contributions to traditional and next-generation vehicles.

To earn your bachelor’s degree with a concentration in automotive engineering, you must complete 128 credit hours of coursework.

Your training to become an automotive engineer culminates in a senior capstone project. Guided by a faculty mentor, you turn the knowledge and technical skills you acquired in the classroom into real-world applications. This project not only demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and creativity but also empowers you to launch a thriving career in the automotive industry.
Learn from faculty who bring real-world automotive engineering experience into every class and lab. From vehicle dynamics to innovative design, ONU’s professors challenge you to think critically and solve problems that matter. Encouraged by their guidance, you gain the insight, technical skills, and curiosity to drive progress in the automotive industry.

Meet ONU's Faculty

Become an Automotive Engineer: Career Paths

With your specialized expertise in automotive engineering, you’re ready to step directly into Ohio’s thriving automotive industry — or take your skills anywhere innovation is happening. Our graduates have launched careers at respected companies and organizations, including Honda, General Motors, the Transportation Research Center, and Goodyear Tires, in roles like lifecycle engineer, manufacturing engineer, and test engineer.

Earn Your BS in Automotive Engineering at ONU

Prepare for a thriving career in the evolving world of automotive engineering. With
personalized mentorship, hands-on experiences, and direct pathways to Ohio’s top
automotive employers, ONU’s Automotive Engineering concentration gives you the
tools to make innovation happen.

Take the first step toward your potential. Apply to Ohio Northern University today.

Automotive Engineering