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 (Mechanical Engineering)

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 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 (Mechanical Engineering)

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 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

Required Courses
MCEN 1025Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication4
MCEN 2000Mechanical Engineering as a Profession1
MCEN 2023Statics and Structures3
or GEEN 2851 Statics for Engineers
or CVEN 2121 Analytical Mechanics 1
or ASEN 2001 Aerospace 1: Introduction to Statics, Structures, and Materials
or ASEN 2701 Introduction to Statics, Structures, and Materials
MCEN 2024Materials Science3
or GEEN 3024 Materials Science for Engineers
or ASEN 1022 Materials Science for Aerospace Engineers
MCEN 2043Dynamics3
or CVEN 3111 Analytical Mechanics 2
or PHYS 3210 Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Methods 2
or ASEN 2703 Introduction to Dynamics and Systems
MCEN 2063Mechanics of Solids3
or CVEN 3161 Mechanics of Materials 1
MCEN 3012Thermodynamics3
or GEEN 3852 Thermodynamics for Engineers
or AREN 2110 Thermodynamics
or EVEN 3012 Thermodynamics for Environmental Science and Engineering
MCEN 3017Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers3
or ECEN 3010 Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers
or GEEN 3010 Circuits for Engineers
MCEN 3021Fluid Mechanics3
or CHEN 3200 Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics
or CVEN 3313 Theoretical Fluid Mechanics
or AREN 2120 Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
MCEN 3022Heat Transfer3
or CHEN 3210 Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer
MCEN 3025Component Design3
MCEN 3030Computational Methods3
or APPM 4650
or CSCI 3656 Numerical Computation
MCEN 3032Thermodynamics 23
MCEN 3047Data Analysis and Experimental Methods4
or GEEN 3853 Data Analysis for Engineers
MCEN 4026Manufacturing Processes and Systems3
MCEN 4043System Dynamics3
or ECEN 3300
ECEN 4138
Linear Systems
and Control Systems Analysis
MCEN 4045Mechanical Engineering Design Project 13
MCEN 4085Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Project 23
Mechanical Engineering (ME) Technical Electives
Choose 6 credit hours of ME Technical Elective coursework. 16
General Technical Electives
Choose 6 credit hours of General Technical Elective coursework. 26
Math/Science Foundations
Choose at least 3 credit hours of approved Math/Science Foundations coursework. 33-6
Required Mathematics Courses
APPM 1350Calculus 1 for Engineers4-5
or MATH 1300 Calculus 1
or APPM 1345 Calculus 1 with Algebra, Part B
APPM 1360Calculus 2 for Engineers4-5
or MATH 2300 Calculus 2
APPM 2350Calculus 3 for Engineers4-5
or MATH 2400 Calculus 3
APPM 2360Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra4-6
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 1024Chemistry for Energy and Materials Science3
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 1110General Physics 14
or PHYS 1115 General Physics 1 for Majors
PHYS 1120General Physics 24
or PHYS 1125 General Physics 2 for Majors
PHYS 1140Experimental Physics 11
Required Engineering Courses
CSCI 1300Computer Science 1: Starting Computing4
or ECEN 1310 C Programming for ECE
or ASEN 1320 Aerospace Computing and Engineering Applications
GEEN 1400Engineering Projects3
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 43
Humanities & Social Sciences - at least 6 credits must be completed at the upper-division level (3000-level or higher). 415
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 Hours128-136

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.

Design Your Career

Prior to graduation, students are required to complete a co-curricular professional development requirement, called Design Your Career (DYC), which includes activities tailored to each year of the curriculum. The requirement may be prorated for students who transfer into the department after their first year of study.

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
APPM 1350 Calculus 1 for Engineers 4
CSCI 1300 Computer Science 1: Starting Computing 4
PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 4
GEEN 1400 Engineering Projects 3
 Credit Hours15
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 Hours16
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 Hours17
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 Hours19
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 Hours15
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
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 Hours15
 Total Credit Hours128

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

  • Completion of all MAPS requirements and no deficiencies remaining (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only)
  • Have completed a minimum of 75 credit hours of coursework
  • Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at CU Boulder
  • Have completed four of the following six courses: Component Design, Computational Methods, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics 1, Thermodynamics 2

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.

Please see 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
  • Completion of all MAPS requirements (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only)
  • Completion of the following six courses with a minimum grade of C in each course: MCEN 3012, MCEN 3021, MCEN 3022, MCEN 3025, MCEN 3030 and MCEN 3032.
  • Be enrolled in CHEN 4440
  • Provide an unofficial transcript

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.

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.

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
  • Completion of all MAPS requirements (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only)

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.