Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University Catalog

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.


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(Major Code: 09101) (Academic Plan Code: 447001BSS)

This program requires 120 units to include general education. In addition, the total number of units specified in each elective category represents a minimum requirement.

All students in mechanical engineering pursue a common program of basic sciences, engineering, and mechanical engineering fundamentals. Students are provided with the opportunity to select a pattern of study to satisfy their areas of interest. This pattern of study is indicated in the sequence known as “professional electives” and may be selected from available courses in controls, energy conversion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, machine design, materials, mechanics, thermodynamics, vibrations, and other areas.

Students must complete all upper division courses in the major within seven years prior to graduation. Students who will have completed any of those courses more than seven years before the projected date of graduation must contact the department chair for information about ways to certify knowledge of current course content.

Impacted Program

The Mechanical  engineering major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the mechanical engineering major, students must meet the following impaction criteria:

  1. Complete with a grade of C (2.0) or better: M E 200  [or A E 200 ]; CHEM 202  (orCHEM 200 ); MATH 150 MATH 151 PHYS 195 PHYS 196 . These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC);
  2. Have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.7.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Restriction for Registration 

You must be in the Major (cleared impaction requirements) in order to take the upper level (300-400+) courses.   ME 304 is also open to Aerospace Engineering students and ME 350 to Environmental Engineering students who are in major status (cleared impaction requirements).

Preparation for the Major


(48-49 units)

General Education


Engineering majors automatically satisfy the Natural Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning and Lifelong Learning and Self-Development foundations GE areas by completion of preparation for the major. Engineering majors automatically satisfy the Natural Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences explorations GE areas by completion of the major.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


Complete M E 490W  with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Professional Electives


Six units of coursework to be selected from one of either mechanical systems or thermal systems areas, with at least three units at the 500-level; and six units of additional coursework selected from any of the 400- or 500-level mechanical engineering courses listed below. Students may select professional electives from other departments, with departmental approval.

Master Plan


The master plan provides an advising record and a roadmap toward graduation for mechanical engineering majors. The master plan must be filed electronically with the department advisers (https://mechanical.sdsu.edu/undergraduate/advising). All students transferring from another institution are required to file the master plan at the time of transfer. Current SDSU students are required to file the master plan as part of their course requirements in M E 190 . Students are encouraged to seek the guidance of their advisers when completing the master plan. If there is any change to the course sequence listed in the master plan that is already on file, it must be updated and refiled. All students must have an updated master plan on file in the department prior to enrollment in M E 350  and M E 490A . All course substitutions must be approved by the department chair prior to enrolling in the course.

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