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Welding Engineering

Degree: BS

Campus: Columbus

College: Engineering

To be considered for this major, freshmen applying to the Columbus campus are strongly encouraged to submit their complete admission application by November 1. 

Welding engineering employs science and engineering in joining components made of metals, ceramics, plastics and other materials. Welding engineering includes design of the joints to be welded, development of the detailed joining procedures to be used, selection of the materials incorporated in the joint, joint inspection and quality control for the final product. Welding engineering can also involve research in these areas, such as developing new welding processes or procedures for new materials. Welding engineers work with design engineers to develop efficient welding designs and fabrication procedures.

Prospective students interested in pursuing engineering at Ohio State must indicate their engineering major of interest on their application. Applicants are reviewed holistically by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Some engineering majors have available capacity and can direct enroll students into the major without an additional application process. Other engineering majors have a pre-major component and require an additional application process.

To learn about admission to specific engineering majors, visit: https://engineering.osu.edu/undergraduate/future-students/admissions

All engineering students have a similar first-year plan of study, the college core, that provides fundamental courses in math, science and engineering.

Welding engineering students take course work in structural transformations, materials and processing lab, physical principles in welding engineering, welding processes and applications, welding engineering design, non-destructive evaluation, welding metallurgy, and various labs.

All engineering students also take additional select core courses and general education courses.

Engineering students have several opportunities for global education, including service learningsemester abroad, international internships, engineering-specific study abroad programs or the Global Option in Engineering program

Whether it be installing solar panels on Haitian schools, researching biomedical optics in China, devising solutions for sustainable food production in Honduras, or setting speed records on the Isle of Man, Ohio State engineering students venture beyond classrooms and labs to find success in every corner of the globe. 

Students work with Engineering Career Services to find both paid internships and co-op jobs across the United States and around the world. About 75% of engineering students participate in a co-op or internship before they graduate. 

Honors and Scholars offer students an opportunity to pursue academic rigor (Honors) or foster passion through community (Scholars). Engineering students can enhance their experience by getting involved with one of the following engineering-based programs.

Engineering Honors

The Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors (FEH) Program is an optional course sequence that is offered to University Honors-designated engineering students. This accelerated program is designed to challenge students and provide them with a foundation in engineering principles that are necessary for success throughout their academic careers.

Engineering Scholars

Engineering Scholars contemplate the adoption of socially responsible practices within engineering as a means to minimize health risks and environmental impact and maximize efficiency, feasibility and sustainability.

Humanitarian Engineering Scholars learn about and engage in engineering activities that impact underserved areas by addressing pressing problems. 

At Ohio State, engineering students conduct research alongside top faculty from across the university—doctors, physicists, designers, artists and experts in many other fields—to advance our knowledge and improve the world around us. Students enjoy multiple outlets to share their work, including Ohio State's annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum each spring. Learn more about engineering research.

Research within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering:

  • biomaterials
  • computational modeling
  • corrosion
  • electronic, optical and magnetic materials
  • materials performance
  • materials processing and manufacturing
  • mechanical properties
  • microstructure and property relationships
  • superconductors
  • welding engineering

Welding engineering students choose from more than 80 engineering student organizations, including American Welding Society and Welding Engineering MoonBuggy Team.

Welding engineers are involved in research and development, production, construction, and inspection functions involving welded fabrication. They also work in consulting, teaching, management, sales and service functions. There are also opportunities to be owners or partners in private sector businesses. 

As the world becomes more conscious of the environment and the need for conservation of natural resources, many new opportunities are available for welding engineers. These opportunities include the design and manufacture of automobiles, trucks and airplanes that are lighter, safer and more fuel efficient, with improved environment control systems. The exploration of space brings the opportunity of designing and manufacturing space probes and space shuttles.

Some employers of welding engineering students include Babcock & Wilcox Co., Boeing, Caterpillar Inc., Edison Welding Institute (EWI), John Deere, Lincoln Electric Co., and Wolf Robotics.

Many graduates work with Engineering Career Services to find their first job.

Beginning annual salaries for recent welding engineering graduates average $67,913.