Program Overview

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Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

The Mechanical Engineering program at the University of California, Irvine is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of mechanical engineering. The program is accredited and aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to succeed as professional engineers or pursue graduate studies.

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives are to ensure that graduates have the professional and scientific education that allows them to be successful as career engineers and in graduate programs. Specifically, they will be able to:

• Function in professional environments in industry, government, and academia applying and building upon engineering science knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication skills.
• Function as members of teams and in leadership roles applying ethical and inclusive standards including the ASME code of ethics within and beyond traditional Mechanical Engineering disciplines.
• Remain current with technology and contemporary scientific, environmental, and societal issues, and consequently improve skills and knowledge through a lifelong process of learning.

Curriculum

The undergraduate Mechanical Engineering curriculum includes a foundation of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Engineering courses in fundamental areas constitute much of the remaining curriculum. A few technical electives allow undergraduate students to specialize in areas such as Aerospace Engineering, Energy Systems and Environmental Engineering, Flow Physics and Propulsion Systems, and Design of Mechanical Systems.

Admission Criteria

High school students should refer to the School Admissions information. Transfer students will be given preference if they are junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and have satisfactorily completed the required courses, including two years of approved calculus, one year of calculus-based physics with laboratories, completion of lower-division writing, one course in general chemistry, and one course in introductory programming.

Major Requirements

• Mathematics and Basic Science Courses:
  • CHEM 1A or ENGR 1A: General Chemistry
  • CHEM 1LE: Accelerated General Chemistry Lab
  • MATH 2A-2B: Single-Variable Calculus I and II
  • MATH 2D: Multivariable Calculus I
  • MATH 2E: Multivariable Calculus II
  • MATH 3A: Introduction to Linear Algebra
  • MATH 3D: Elementary Differential Equations
  • PHYSICS 7C: Classical Physics
  • PHYSICS 7LC: Classical Physics Laboratory
  • PHYSICS 7D-7E: Classical Physics
  • PHYSICS 7LD: Classical Physics Laboratory
  • PHYSICS 52A: Fundamentals of Experimental Physics
  • One additional General Education Category II course
• Engineering Topics Courses:
  • Core Courses:
    • ENGR 54: Principles of Materials Science and Engineering
    • ENGRMAE 10: Introduction to Engineering Computations
    • ENGRMAE 30: Statics
    • ENGRMAE 52: Computer-Aided Design
    • ENGRMAE 60: Electric Circuits
    • ENGRMAE 80: Dynamics
    • ENGRMAE 91: Introduction to Thermodynamics
    • ENGRMAE 106: Mechanical Systems Laboratory
    • ENGRMAE 107: Fluid Thermal Science Laboratory
    • ENGRMAE 112: Propulsion
    • ENGRMAE 120: Heat and Mass Transfer
    • ENGRMAE 130A: Fluid Dynamics I
    • ENGRMAE 130B: Fluid Dynamics II
    • ENGRMAE 145: Theory of Machines and Mechanisms
    • ENGRMAE 147: Vibrations
    • ENGRMAE 150: Mechanics of Structures
    • ENGRMAE 150L: Mechanics of Structures Laboratory
    • ENGRMAE 151A: Mechanical Engineering Design I
    • ENGRMAE 151B: Mechanical Engineering Design II
    • ENGRMAE 155: Composite Materials and Structures
    • ENGRMAE 170: Introduction to Control Systems
• Technical Elective Courses:
  • Students select a minimum of 12 units of technical electives.
  • At least 4 units of technical electives must come from ENGRMAE upper-division courses.
• Engineering Professional Topics Course:
  • ECON 20A: Basic Economics I
  • ECON 23: Basic Economics for Engineers
  • ENGR 190W: Communications in the Professional World

Specializations

The program offers specializations in:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Energy Systems and Environmental Engineering
• Flow Physics and Propulsion Systems
• Design of Mechanical Systems

Each specialization requires the completion of a Senior Design Project in the area and the selection of specific courses related to the specialization.

Sample Program of Study

A sample program of study is provided, outlining the typical course sequence for freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic counselor to structure their program of study.

Dual Major

Students can dual major in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering by satisfying the degree requirements for both majors.