Program: Mechanical Engineering, Emphasis in Bioengineering, B.S. - San Diego State University

Apr 10, 2025

2019/2020 University Catalog

This program requires 140 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, gas dynamics, heat transfer, machine design, materials, 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.

Preparation for the Major

(53 units)

M E 101 - Solid Modeling I Units: 2
M E 102 - Solid Modeling II Units: 2
M E 200 - Statics Units: 3 also listed as must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
A E 200 - Statics Units: 3 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
M E 202 - Computer Programming and Applications Units: 3
M E 220 - Dynamics Units: 3 also listed as
A E 220 - Dynamics Units: 3
M E 240 - Introduction to Engineering Materials Units: 3
M E 241 - Materials Laboratory Units: 1
A E 280 - Methods of Analysis Units: 3
BIOL 100 - General Biology Units: 3
or
BIOL 101 - World of Animals Units: 3 But not both.
CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Engineers Units: 4 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
or
CHEM 200 - General Chemistry Units: 5 But not both must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
E E 204 - Principles of Electrical Engineering Units: 3
MATH 150 - Calculus I Units: 4 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
MATH 151 - Calculus II Units: 4 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
MATH 252 - Calculus III Units: 4
PHYS 195 - Principles of Physics Units: 3 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
PHYS 195L - Principles of Physics Laboratory Units: 1
PHYS 196 - Principles of Physics Units: 3 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).
PHYS 196L - Principles of Physics Laboratory Units: 1
PHYS 197 - Principles of Physics Units: 3

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Passing the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 10 or completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 48 upper division units to include

M E 304 - Mechanics of Materials Units: 3
or
CIV E 301 - Introduction to Solid Mechanics Units: 3 But not both.
M E 310 - Engineering Design: Introduction Units: 3
M E 314 - Engineering Design: Mechanical Components Units: 3
M E 330 - Control Systems Laboratory Units: 3
M E 350 - Thermodynamics Units: 3
M E 351 - Engineering Thermodynamics Units: 3
M E 452 - Principles of Heat Transfer Units: 3
M E 490A - Engineering Design: Senior Project Units: 3
M E 490B - Engineering Design: Senior Project Units: 3
M E 495 - Mechanical and Thermal Systems Laboratory Units: 2
M E 520 - Introduction to Mechanical Vibrations Units: 3
M E 555 - Energy and Thermal Systems Analysis and Design Units: 3
A E 340 - Fluid Mechanics Units: 3
A E 341 - Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Units: 1

Professional Electives

Nine units of additional coursework may be selected from

Any 400- or 500-level mechanical engineering course
A E 515 - Methods of Analysis Units: 3
A E 535 - Mechanics of Composite Structures Units: 3 also listed as
M E 535 - Mechanics of Composite Structures Units: 3
Or approved courses from other departments.

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 mechanical engineering office (me@engineering.sdsu.edu). All students transferring to mechanical engineering 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 102 . Students are encouraged to seek the guidance of their faculty advisers when completing the master plan. If there is any change to the course sequence listed in a 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 310 . All course substitutions must be approved by the department chair prior to enrolling in such courses.

Emphasis in Bioengineering

This program requires 140 units to include general education. In addition, the total number of units specified in each elective category represents a minimum requirement.

Preparation for the Major

(53-56 units)

M E 101 - Solid Modeling I Units: 2
M E 102 - Solid Modeling II Units: 2
M E 200 - Statics Units: 3 also listed as must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
A E 200 - Statics Units: 3 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
M E 202 - Computer Programming and Applications Units: 3
M E 220 - Dynamics Units: 3 also listed as
A E 220 - Dynamics Units: 3
M E 240 - Introduction to Engineering Materials Units: 3
M E 241 - Materials Laboratory Units: 1
A E 280 - Methods of Analysis Units: 3
BIOL 203 - Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Units: 3
CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Engineers Units: 4 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
or
CHEM 200 - General Chemistry Units: 5 But not both. must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
E E 204 - Principles of Electrical Engineering Units: 3
MATH 150 - Calculus I Units: 4 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
MATH 151 - Calculus II Units: 4 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
MATH 252 - Calculus III Units: 4
PHYS 195 - Principles of Physics Units: 3 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
PHYS 195L - Principles of Physics Laboratory Units: 1
PHYS 196 - Principles of Physics Units: 3 must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/ NC).
PHYS 196L - Principles of Physics Laboratory Units: 1

Three to Five Units Selected from

BIOL 212 - Human Anatomy Units: 4
CHEM 201 - General Chemistry Units: 5
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry Units: 3 and
CHEM 232L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Units: 1
PHYS 197 - Principles of Physics Units: 3

General Education

Students with this emphasis are required to take BIOL 336 to satisfy three units of upper division Natural Sciences, IV.A.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Passing the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 10 or above or completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 51 upper division units to include

M E 304 - Mechanics of Materials Units: 3
or
CIV E 301 - Introduction to Solid Mechanics Units: 3 But not both.
M E 310 - Engineering Design: Introduction Units: 3
M E 314 - Engineering Design: Mechanical Components Units: 3
M E 330 - Control Systems Laboratory Units: 3
M E 350 - Thermodynamics Units: 3
M E 351 - Engineering Thermodynamics Units: 3
M E 452 - Principles of Heat Transfer Units: 3
M E 490A - Engineering Design: Senior Project Units: 3
M E 490B - Engineering Design: Senior Project Units: 3
M E 499 - Special Study Units: 1-3 (three units)
M E 520 - Introduction to Mechanical Vibrations Units: 3
M E 555 - Energy and Thermal Systems Analysis and Design Units: 3
M E 580 - Biomechanics Units: 3
M E 585 - Fundamentals of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Units: 3
A E 340 - Fluid Mechanics Units: 3
A E 341 - Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Units: 1
BIOL 336 - Principles of Human Physiology Units: 3 will also satisfy three units of the General Education requirement in IV.A.
BIOL 436 - Human Physiology Laboratory Units: 2
or
M E 496 - Advanced Mechanical Engineering Topics Units: 1-3 But not both. (two units)