Program Overview

Introduction to the Mechanical Engineering Program

The Mechanical Engineering program at the Zhejiang University - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI) is a joint dual-degree engineering program. Upon successful completion of the program, students will obtain bachelor’s degrees separately from Zhejiang University (ZJU) and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

Overview of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the most diverse of the engineering fields, embracing many sub-fields and affecting all aspects of our lives. Mechanical engineers work on new machines, products, and processes that hold the promise of better lives for all of us. They are concerned with both technological and economic aspects in the design, development, and use of their products.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UIUC requires 128 hours and is organized into required courses and elective courses.

Required Courses

• Orientation and Professional Development: These courses introduce the opportunities and resources our institute and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals.
  • ENG 100: Engineering Orientation
  • ME 290: Seminar
• Foundational Mathematics and Science: These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.
  • CHEM 102: General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 103: General Chemistry Lab I
  • MATH 221: Calculus I
  • MATH 231: Calculus II
  • MATH 241: Calculus III
  • PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics
  • PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag
• Technical Core: These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of mechanical engineering.
  • CS 101: Intro Computing: Engineering & Science
  • ECE 205: Electrical and Electronic Circuits
  • ECE 206: Electrical and Electronic Circuits Lab
  • TAM 210: Introduction to Statics
  • TAM 212: Introductory Dynamics
  • TAM 251: Introductory Solid Mechanics
  • ME 170: Computer-Aided Design
  • ME 270: Design for Manufacturability
  • ME 200: Thermodynamics
  • ME 310: Fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics
  • ME 320: Heat Transfer
  • ME 330: Engineering Materials
  • ME 340: Dynamics of Mechanical Systems
  • ME 360: Signal Processing
  • ME 370: Mechanical Design I
  • ME 371: Mechanical Design II
  • ME 470: Senior Design Project
  • ME 498: Senior Design Supplement
• Composition: These courses teach the fundamentals of expository writing.
  • RHET 101: Principles of Writing
  • RHET 102: Principles of Research
• Advanced Composition: The Advanced Composition requirement is fulfilled by a writing-intensive course beyond basic composition.
  • ME 470: Senior Design Project
  • ME 498: Senior Design Supplement

Elective Courses

• Science Electives: The science electives augment the foundational science courses in an area of interest to the student and provide preparation for later courses.
  • CHEM 104: General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 105: General Chemistry II Lab
  • PHYS 213: Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
  • PHYS 214: Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
  • MCB 150: Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life
• Statistic Electives: One course chosen from:
  • IE 300: Analysis of Data
  • STAT 400/Math 463: Statistics and Probability I
  • ECE 313: Probability with Engineering Application
• MechSE Electives: MechSE electives include all 400 level ME courses, except 470 and potentially 497, 498 (As Approved); all 400 level TAM courses, except potentially 497, 498 (As Approved)
  • Choose 2 courses, 6 hours, from the list provided
• Technical Electives: Students can choose extra two technical electives from the list in section 4.3 and are also encouraged to build up their cross-disciplinary study by taking two non-MechSE technical courses shown below from Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and others at ZJUI or during exchange at UIUC.
  • List of approved technical electives provided
• Liberal Education: The liberal education courses develop students’ understanding of human culture and society, build skills of inquiry and critical thinking, and lay a foundation for civic engagement and lifelong learning.
  • Humanities & Arts: Two courses
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences: Two courses
  • Culture Studies: Western/Comparative Culture(s) (One course), Non-Western Culture(s) (One course), U.S. Minority Culture(s) (One course)
  • Aesthetic Education: One course
• Free Electives: These unrestricted electives give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest.
  • Total: 2-6 hours

ZJU Required Liberal Education

These courses introduce Chinese modern history, social development, government policies, etc., help students to improve their English and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Domestic Students: Must complete all courses below, which can be taught in Chinese, to fulfill the graduate requirement along with the above 128 credit hour courses towards the Bachelor of Engineering Degree at ZJU.
  • List of required courses provided
• International Students: Required to complete the following courses in Chinese language study and Chinese society to fulfill the graduation requirements along with the above 128 credit hours of courses towards the Bachelor of Engineering Degree at ZJU.
  • List of required courses provided

Sample Schedule by Semester

• First Year-First (Fall) Semester: List of courses provided
• First Year-Second (Spring) Semester: List of courses provided
• Second Year-First (Fall) Semester: List of courses provided
• Second Year-Second (Spring) Semester: List of courses provided
• Third Year-First (Fall) Semester: List of courses provided
• Third Year-Second (Spring) Semester: Juniors continue exchange to UIUC (dual degree only)
• Fourth Year-First (Fall) Semester: List of courses provided
• Fourth Year-Second (Spring) Semester: List of courses provided

Curriculum Flow Map

The following flow map offers a quick summary of the main features of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum.