Mechanical engineering is a broad engineering discipline that incorporates skills and expertise in the areas of design, manufacturing, mechanics and thermal sciences that are essential to most sectors of industry.
Program Educational Objectives
Within the first three years after graduation, our alumni will have built on the educational foundation gained through our program by establishing themselves in professional careers and/or pursuing a graduate degree. In addition, within these three years, our alumni should have begun to generate new knowledge and/or exercise leadership in their positions.
Colorado Mesa University/University of Colorado Boulder Partnership Program
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) and CU Boulder have created a partnership to deliver specific engineering baccalaureate programs in their entirety in Grand Junction, Colorado. The first two years of coursework are taught by CMU faculty and the second two years of coursework are taught by CU Boulder faculty located in Grand Junction. Students completing the programs will be awarded a Bachelor of Science from CU Boulder.
Degrees are offered in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and electrical & computer engineering, with additional details on the partnership program website.
Coursework requirements and plans of study specific to this partnership can be found on the Colorado Mesa University mechanical engineering partnership website. Learn more about this program on the CU Boulder partnership website.
Western Colorado University/University of Colorado Boulder Partnership Program
Western Colorado University (Western) and CU Boulder have created a partnership to deliver specific engineering and computer science baccalaureate programs in their entirety in Gunnison, Colorado. The first two years of coursework are taught by Western faculty and the second two years of coursework are taught by CU Boulder faculty located in Gunnison. Students completing the programs will be awarded a Bachelor of Science from CU Boulder.
Degrees are offered in mechanical engineering and computer science, with additional details on the Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering partnership program websites.
Coursework requirements and plans of study specific to this partnership can be found on the Western Colorado University mechanical engineering partnership website. Learn more about this program on the CU Boulder partnership website.
Requirements
Program Requirements
In order to earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, students must complete the curriculum in the undergraduate major program, as outlined below. For up-to-date program requirements, visit the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering webpage.
Required courses in engineering, physical science and mathematics are interwoven throughout the curriculum to provide a balanced education in the fundamentals of the mechanical engineering profession. The core courses are complemented by technical electives, humanities and social sciences electives, free electives, and a writing course for a total of 128 credits required for the degree.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MCEN 1025 | Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication | 4 |
| MCEN 2000 | Mechanical Engineering as a Profession | 1 |
| MCEN 2023 | Statics and Structures | 3 |
| or GEEN 2851 | Statics for Engineers | |
| or CVEN 2121 | Analytical Mechanics 1 | |
| or ASEN 2001 | ||
| or ASEN 2701 | Introduction to Statics, Structures, and Materials | |
| or ASEN 2401 | Statics | |
| MCEN 2024 | Materials Science | 3 |
| or GEEN 3024 | Materials Science for Engineers | |
| or ASEN 1022 | Materials Science for Aerospace Engineers | |
| MCEN 2043 | Dynamics | 3 |
| or CVEN 3111 | Analytical Mechanics 2 | |
| or PHYS 3210 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Methods 2 | |
| or ASEN 2703 | Introduction to Dynamics and Systems | |
| or ASEN 2403 | Dynamics | |
| MCEN 2063 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
| or CVEN 3161 | Mechanics of Materials 1 | |
| or ASEN 3401 | Aerospace Structures | |
| MCEN 3012 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| or GEEN 3852 | Thermodynamics for Engineers | |
| or AREN 2110 | Thermodynamics | |
| or EVEN 3012 | Thermodynamics for Environmental Science and Engineering | |
| or ASEN 2402 | Thermodynamics | |
| MCEN 3017 | Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers | 3 |
| or ECEN 3010 | Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers | |
| or GEEN 3010 | Circuits for Engineers | |
| or ASEN 3503 | Aerospace Electronics | |
| MCEN 3021 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| or CHEN 3200 | Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics | |
| or CVEN 3313 | Theoretical Fluid Mechanics | |
| or AREN 2120 | Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer | |
| MCEN 3022 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| or CHEN 3210 | Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer | |
| or ASEN 3402 | Aerospace Heat Transfer | |
| MCEN 3025 | Component Design | 3 |
| MCEN 3030 | Computational Methods | 3 |
| or APPM 4600 | Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing | |
| or CSCI 3656 | Numerical Computation | |
| or ASEN 3502 | Aerospace Computational Methods | |
| MCEN 3032 | Thermodynamics 2 | 3 |
| MCEN 3047 | Data Analysis and Experimental Methods | 4 |
| or GEEN 3853 | Data Analysis for Engineers | |
| MCEN 4026 | Manufacturing Processes and Systems | 3 |
| MCEN 4043 | System Dynamics | 3 |
| MCEN 4045 | Mechanical Engineering Design Project 1 | 3 |
| MCEN 4085 | Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Project 2 | 3 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) Technical Electives | ||
| Choose 6 credit hours of ME Technical Elective coursework. 1 | 6 | |
| General Technical Electives | ||
| Choose 6 credit hours of General Technical Elective coursework. 2 | 6 | |
| Math/Science Foundations | ||
| Choose at least 3 credit hours of approved Math/Science Foundations coursework. 3 | 3-6 | |
| Required Mathematics Courses | ||
| APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | 4-5 |
| or MATH 1300 | Calculus 1 | |
| or APPM 1345 | Calculus 1 with Algebra, Part B | |
| APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | 4-5 |
| or MATH 2300 | Calculus 2 | |
| APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers | 4-5 |
| or MATH 2400 | Calculus 3 | |
| APPM 2360 | Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4-6 |
| or MATH 2130 & MATH 3430 | Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors and Ordinary Differential Equations | |
| or MATH 2135 & MATH 3430 | Introduction to Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors and Ordinary Differential Equations | |
| Required Chemistry Course | ||
| MCEN 1024 | Chemistry for Energy and Materials Science | 3 |
| or CHEN 1201 | General Chemistry for Engineers 1 | |
| or CHEN 1203 | General Chemistry for Engineers 2 | |
| or CHEN 1211 | Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers | |
| or CHEM 1113 | General Chemistry 1 | |
| Required Physics Courses | ||
| PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 | 4 |
| or PHYS 1115 | General Physics 1 for Majors | |
| PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 | 4 |
| or PHYS 1125 | General Physics 2 for Majors | |
| PHYS 1140 | Experimental Physics 1 | 1 |
| Required Engineering Courses | ||
| MCEN 1030 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 4 |
| or CSCI 1300 | Computer Science 1: Starting Computing | |
| or ECEN 1310 | Introduction to C Programming | |
| or ASEN 1320 | Aerospace Computing and Engineering Applications | |
| GEEN 1400 | Engineering Projects | 3 |
| or GEEN 2400 | Engineering Projects for the Community | |
| or GEEN 3400 | Invention and Innovation | |
| or ASEN 1400 | Gateway to Space | |
| or ASEN 1403 | Introduction to Rocket Engineering | |
| or ECEN 1400 | Introduction to Digital and Analog Electronics | |
| Humanities, Social Sciences and Writing | ||
| Writing 4 | 3 | |
| Humanities & Social Sciences - at least 6 credits must be completed at the upper-division level (3000-level or higher). 4 | 15 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose at least 6 credit hours of free electives to meet the minimum 128 credit hours required for the BS degree. | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 128-136 | |
| 1 | Refer to the course options listed on the ME Technical Electives webpage. |
| 2 | Refer to the course options listed on the General Technical Electives webpage. |
| 3 | Refer to the course options listed on the Math/Science Foundations webpage. |
| 4 | Refer to the College's Humanities, Social Sciences, and Writing requirements webpage. |
Prerequisites and Passing Grades
The minimum passing grade for a course that is a prerequisite or corequisite for another required course is C-. If a grade of D+ or lower is received in a course which is a prerequisite to another, the student may not register for the subsequent course until the first grade has been raised to a C- or higher. If a grade of D+ or lower is received in a course which is a corequisite to another, the course must be repeated until a grade of C- or higher is achieved.
The minimum passing grade for a course that is not specifically a prerequisite or corequisite for another required course is D-.
The Mechanical Engineering Department reserves the right to drop students enrolled in MCEN courses who have not met the minimum prerequisite requirements. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with the department if summer coursework and/or transfer credit will be used to meet the prerequisite requirement.
Professional Exam
Completion of a professional exam is required for graduation. Most mechanical engineering students take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam. The GRE, MCAT, LSAT and GMAT are also approved options Students interested in completing an exam not on the approved list may submit a petition for consideration.
Senior Survey
Graduating students are also required to complete the Senior Survey, administered by the College of Engineering & Applied Science, in their final semester.
Sample Four-Year Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| APPM 1350 | Calculus 1 for Engineers | 4 |
| MCEN 1030 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 4 |
| PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 | 4 |
| GEEN 1400 | Engineering Projects | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| APPM 1360 | Calculus 2 for Engineers | 4 |
| MCEN 1024 | Chemistry for Energy and Materials Science | 3 |
| MCEN 1025 | Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication | 4 |
| PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 1140 | Experimental Physics 1 | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers | 4 |
| MCEN 2000 | Mechanical Engineering as a Profession | 1 |
| MCEN 2023 | Statics and Structures | 3 |
| MCEN 2024 | Materials Science | 3 |
| Math/Science Foundations 1 | 3 | |
| Humanities & Social Sciences Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| APPM 2360 | Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| MCEN 2043 | Dynamics | 3 |
| MCEN 2063 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
| MCEN 3012 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Humanities & Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MCEN 3017 | Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers | 3 |
| MCEN 3021 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MCEN 3025 | Component Design | 3 |
| MCEN 3030 | Computational Methods | 3 |
| Humanities & Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MCEN 3022 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| MCEN 4026 | Manufacturing Processes and Systems | 3 |
| MCEN 4043 | System Dynamics | 3 |
| College-Approved Writing Course 2 | 3 | |
| General Technical Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MCEN 3032 | Thermodynamics 2 | 3 |
| MCEN 3047 | Data Analysis and Experimental Methods | 4 |
| MCEN 4045 | Mechanical Engineering Design Project 1 | 3 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences Elective 2 | 3 | |
| ME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MCEN 4085 | Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Project 2 | 3 |
| Humanities & Social Sciences Elective 2 | 3 | |
| General Technical Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 128 | |
| 1 | Refer to the course options listed on the Math/Science Foundations webpage. |
| 2 | Refer to the College's Humanities, Social Sciences, and Writing requirements webpage. |
| 3 | Refer to the course options listed on the General Technical Electives webpage. |
| 4 | Refer to the course options listed on the ME Technical Electives webpage. |
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, each graduate of the mechanical engineering program is expected to possess the ability to:
- Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)
The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).
Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.
BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering
Admissions Requirements
In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.250 or higher
- Have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework
- Have completed at least four of the following six courses with a grade of C or higher: MCEN 3012, MCEN 3021, MCEN 3022, MCEN 3025, MCEN 3030 and MCEN 3032
Program Requirements
Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credits may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.
Students can refer to the Mechanical Engineering BAM degree program webpage for more information.
BS in Mechanical Engineering, Professional MS in Materials Science
Admissions Requirements
In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher
- Students with a GPA below 3.25 (but above 3.0, the university minimum standard) may submit a petition with a letter of recommendation from a professor and a one-page statement of purpose. The statement should briefly describe the student’s past work in the field, including any non-course educational experiences or other relevant employment, and the student’s plans for graduate study and a professional career.
- Have completed at least four of the following six courses with a grade of C or higher: MCEN 3012, MCEN 3021, MCEN 3022, MCEN 3025, MCEN 3030 and MCEN 3032
Program Requirements
Students must declare a track in which to specialize. Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program that satisfy the specialized track courses and/or the breadth elective courses, which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credit hours may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.
Students can refer to the Materials Science & Engineering Program BAM webpage for more information.
BS in Mechanical Engineering, Professional ME in Engineering Management
Admission Requirements
In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher
- Have at least junior class standing
Program Requirements
Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credits may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.
Students can refer to the Engineering Management BAMwebpage for more information.