In the past seven years, the UDM robotics team has placed first three times and third twice in the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), fourth in the ASME Student Design Competition (a robotic window washer), and third in the ASME Innovation Show (a robotic assistive device) . . . all national competitions involving well over 100 engineering colleges. 

UDM’s Student Member Chapter of the American Chemical Society has been recognized with 18 awards in the last 18 years, 11 of them "Outstanding." This reflects the students who are very active in classrooms and lab, and outside of the classroom, propelling them to leadership in research and medical professions.

Each year students in UDM’s pre-med and pre-dent programs are admitted to medical and dental schools at rates far above the national average. UDM offers one of the widest variety of pre-med/pre-dent majors in the nation, allowing future physicians to build foundations in science (biology, biochemistry or chemistry), technology (engineering) or information systems (math/computer science) . . . preparing themselves to employ emerging scientific discoveries, medical technologies and health informatics of the future.

In the past two years, several new E&S degree program options have been added:

• Architectural Engineering (new in 2011)
• Robotics and Mechatronic Systems Engineering – one of only five programs in the nation
• New Bachelor of Engineering program with focus in Environmental Engineering for international students from China
• Advanced Electric Vehicle Certificate program, now available online
• Master’s Program in Mathematics Education (MATM) now available online.

In April 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama praised the efforts of UDM engineering and nursing students in their design of assistive devices for people with disabilities, “At the University of Detroit Mercy School of Nursing, nursing students are working with engineering students to design devices that will help veterans with disabilities return to the activities they love.  And they recently worked with a veteran who had trouble grasping objects and holding his arms steady.  With the device they built for him, he's been able to resume his favorite hobbies -- hunting and photography.  And that’s so important.“   

This project was one of many where UDM mechanical engineering and nursing students worked together to provide assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.  Work recognized at the highest levels and in the press.  One student-led project dubbed the SOUP Spoon was recognized as a finalist in the Accelerate Michigan competition. Another student-led team recently filed a patent application for their project dubbed the HELP. Spoon was recognized as a finalist in the Accelerate Michigan competition

In June 2012, the UDM robotics team won the Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS) competition at the IGVC, beating many “big name” engineering schools like Georgia Tech, the US Naval Academy, the Universities of Illinois and Wisconsin, and top ranked schools from India, Mexico and Canada.

Students in most UDM engineering programs complete one full year of real professional experience before graduation, earning real industrial salaries (averaging over $10,900 per term or $15.80/hour).  Last year 100% of students in these programs secured valuable experience through this co-op program.

Many UDM science students are deeply involved in undergraduate research, personally guided by award-winning faculty.  One undergraduate, Danielle Garshott, has even co-edited a book, the American Chemical Society Symposium Series, titled, "It's All in the Water: Studies of Materials and Conditions in Fresh and Salt Water Bodies"

UDM’s accelerated programs in Physician Assistant and Dentistry directly admit top-level high school students allowing them to shorten the time to become medical professionals.