Program Overview

Mechanical Engineering Program

The Mechanical Engineering program at the University of California, Berkeley, is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of mechanical engineering. The program is divided into two main tracks: the Freshman Undergraduate Program and the Transfer Undergraduate Program.

Freshman Undergraduate Program

The Freshman Undergraduate Program in Mechanical Engineering is a four-year program that provides students with a solid foundation in the principles of mechanical engineering. The program requires a minimum of 120 units for graduation.

• Course requirements:
  • Freshman Year:
    • CHEM 1A – General Chemistry, or CHEM 4A – General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
    • ENGIN 7 – Introduction to Computer Programming and Numerical Methods
    • ENGIN 26 – Three-Dimensional Modeling for Design
    • MATH 51 – Calculus I
    • MATH 52 – Calculus II
    • PHYSICS 7A – Physics for Scientists and Engineers
    • Reading & Composition Part A Course
    • Reading & Composition Part B Course
  • Sophomore Year:
    • ENGIN 29 – Manufacturing and Design Communication
    • MATH 53 – Multivariable Calculus
    • MATH 54 – Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
    • MECENG 40 – Thermodynamics
    • MECENG C85 – Introduction to Solid Mechanics
    • PHYSICS 7B – Physics for Scientists and Engineers
    • Humanities/Social Sciences Courses
  • Junior Year:
    • MECENG 100 – Electronics for the Internet of Things
    • MECENG 104 – Engineering Mechanics II
    • MECENG 106 – Fluid Mechanics
    • MECENG 108 – Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials
    • MECENG 109 – Heat Transfer
    • ENGIN 178 – Statistics and Data Science for Engineers
    • Humanities/Social Sciences Courses
    • Free Electives
  • Senior Year:
    • MECENG 103 – Experimentation and Measurements
    • MECENG 102B – Mechatronics Design
    • MECENG 132 – Dynamic Systems and Feedback
    • Technical Electives
    • Free Electives

Transfer Undergraduate Program

The Transfer Undergraduate Program in Mechanical Engineering is a two-year program designed for students who have completed their freshman and sophomore years at another institution. The program requires a minimum of 120 units for graduation.

• Course requirements:
  • 1st and 2nd Semesters:
    • ENGIN 7 – Introduction to Computer Programming and Numerical Methods
    • ENGIN 26 – Three-Dimensional Modeling for Design
    • ENGIN 29 – Manufacturing and Design Communication
    • MECENG C85 – Introduction to Solid Mechanics
    • MECENG 40 – Thermodynamics
    • MECENG 104 – Engineering Mechanics II
    • Humanities/Social Sciences Courses
  • 3rd and 4th Semesters:
    • MECENG 100 – Electronics for the Internet of Things
    • MECENG 106 – Fluid Mechanics
    • MECENG 108 – Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials
    • MECENG 109 – Heat Transfer
    • ENGIN 178 – Statistics and Data Science for Engineers
    • Technical Electives
    • Humanities/Social Sciences Course
  • 5th Semester:
    • MECENG 102B – Mechatronics Design
    • MECENG 103 – Experimentation and Measurements
    • MECENG 132 – Dynamic Systems and Feedback
    • Technical Elective

Technical Electives

Technical electives are required for both the Freshman and Transfer Undergraduate Programs. Students must choose from the approved technical elective list, which includes courses in design, quantitative science, and other areas.

• Design courses:
  • ENGIN 128 – Advanced Engineering Design Graphics
  • MECENG 101 – Introduction to Lean Manufacturing Systems
  • MECENG 110 – Introduction to Product Development
  • MECENG/BIOENG C117 – Structural Aspects of Biomaterials
  • MECENG 118 – Introduction to Nanotechnology and Nanoscience
  • MECENG 119 – Introduction to MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems)
  • MECENG 130 – Design of Planar Machinery
  • MECENG 133 – Mechanical Vibrations
  • MECENG C134/ELENG C128 – Feedback Control Systems
  • MECENG 135 – Design of Microprocessor-Based Mechanical Systems
  • MECENG 139 – Robotic Locomotion
  • MECENG 146 – Energy Conversion Principles
  • MECENG 151 – Advanced Heat Transfer
  • MECENG 165 – Ocean-Environment Mechanics
  • MECENG C176/BIOENG C119 – Orthopedic Biomechanics
  • MECENG C178/BIOENG C137 – Designing for the Human Body
  • MECENG 179 – Augmenting Human Dexterity
• Quantitative science courses:
  • ENGIN 117 – Methods of Engineering Analysis
  • ENGIN 150 – Basic Modeling and Simulation Tools for Industrial Research Applications
  • ENGIN 177 – Advanced Programming with MATLAB
  • MECENG 120 – Computational Biomechanics Across Multiple Scales
  • MECENG 131 – Vehicle Dynamics and Control
  • MECENG C134/ELENG C128 – Feedback Control Systems
  • MECENG 136 – Introduction to Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • MECENG 139 – Robotic Locomotion
  • MECENG C180/CIVENG C133 – Engineering Analysis Using the Finite Element Method
  • MECENG 193B – Feedback Control of Legged Robots

Aerospace Engineering Concentration

The Aerospace Engineering concentration is available for students who wish to specialize in this area. The technical electives required for this concentration are MECENG 127, MECENG 136, and MECENG 163.

Free Electives

Free electives can be any technical or non-technical course, and there are no restrictions. Free electives may be necessary in order to obtain the minimum 120 units required for graduation.