Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

(Major Code: 09101) (SIMS Code: 447001)

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.

Preparation for the Major

(48 units)

M E 190 - Computer-Aided Design Units: 2
M 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).
also listed as
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
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 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

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

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 42 upper division units to include

M E 304 - Mechanics of Materials Units: 3
or
CIV E 301 - Introduction to Solid Mechanics Units: 3
M E 314 - Engineering Design: Mechanical Components Units: 3
M E 330 - Mechatronics Laboratory Units: 3
M E 350 - Thermodynamics Units: 3
M E 360 - Fluids Engineering 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
A E 341 - Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Units: 1

Professional Electives

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

Mechanical Systems

M E 420 - Fundamentals of Manufacturing Units: 3
M E 430 - System Modeling and Analysis Units: 3
M E 520 - Introduction to Mechanical Vibrations Units: 3
M E 530 - Automatic Control Systems Units: 3
M E 532 - Robot Modeling and Control Units: 3
A E 535 - Mechanics of Composite Structures Units: 3 also listed as
M E 535 - Mechanics of Composite Structures Units: 3
M E 540 - Mechanics of Polymers Units: 3
M E 543 - Powder-Based Manufacturing Units: 3
M E 580 - Biomechanics Units: 3
M E 585 - Fundamentals of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Units: 3

Thermal Systems

M E 450 - Applications of Thermodynamics Units: 3
M E 552 - Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Units: 3
M E 554 - Automotive Power Units: 3
M E 555 - Thermal Systems Analysis and Design Units: 3
M E 556 - Solar Energy Conversion Units: 3

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 (mech.engineering@sdsu.edu). 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 faculty 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.