Is making a difference important to you? Do you like putting ideas and designs to work? Are you interested in collaborating and working in teams with others? Would you enjoy the challenge of inventing sustainable energy devices, leading computer-aided product design, or biomedical research? Does creating new designs for the hybrid electric vehicle industry, or new airplanes in the fields of aeronautics and aerospace sound interesting? Would designing or doing research and development in a wide range of industrial and governmental enterprises appeal to you? Does studying thermal sciences and the integration of electronic and mechanical devices interest you? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then a major in Mechanical Engineering may be for you.

Mechanical engineers are creative problem solvers who design, develop, and manufacture the machines and instrumentation that run energy, building, environmental, and transportation systems. Examples include biomedical devices, ground/air/space vehicles, robots, environmental control equipment, and power plants.

In Mechanical Engineering, students take basic science and mathematics courses while beginning their engineering studies in design and computing. A broad spectrum of classes is designed to sharpen problem-solving skills. The senior year focuses on a year-long capstone design course to help students in the transition from college to an engineering career. Students also choose technical electives from the energy, automotive, material science, manufacturing, dynamic systems, robotics and controls, simulation and modeling, and biomedical engineering areas. Participation in labs provides an active learning environment and further develops design, modeling, and analytical skills.

Mechanical Engineering at CSU is dedicated to graduating ethical mechanical engineers who:

  • Make an impact on society’s global, grand engineering challenges
  • Act as innovative and creative engineering designers who identify, analyze, and solve complex problems
  • Function as accomplished thinkers with hands-on practical skills
  • Serve as local, regional, and global collaborators and communicators
  • Commit to life-long learning
  • Uphold the CSU Principles of Community which encompass inclusion, integrity, respect, service, and social justice

Program Educational Objectives

Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science graduates will be able to accomplish the following within the first few years after graduation:

  • Identify, analyze, formulate, and solve engineering problems associated with their professional position, both independently and in a team environment
  • Manage multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary projects with significant legal, ethical, regulatory, social, environmental, and economic considerations using a broad systems perspective
  • Communicate effectively with colleagues, professional clients, and the public
  • Demonstrate commitment and progress in lifelong learning, professional development, and leadership

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering program will be prepared 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 

Potential Occupations

Graduates from the Department of Mechanical Engineering are expected to have the fundamental knowledge required for the successful practice of mechanical engineering. CSU engineering graduates are well prepared for a professional career. The Department boasts a 100% pass rate on the Fundamentals of Engineering professional examination. Participating in internships, co-curricular and volunteer activities, and cooperative education opportunities is highly recommended to enhance practical training and development. Students who continue on to pursue a graduate education can attain more responsible positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels.

Concentrations

Effective Fall 2023

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CHEM 111General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)3A4
CHEM 112General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)3A1
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
MATH 160Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)1B4
MATH 161Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)1B4
MECH 103Introduction to Mechanical Engineering 3
MECH 105Mechanical Engineering Problem Solving 3
PH 141Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)3A5
Arts and Humanities3B3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
 Total Credits 33
Sophomore
 
CIVE 260Engineering Mechanics-Statics 3
CIVE 261Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics 3
ECE 204Introduction to Electrical Engineering 3
MATH 261Calculus for Physical Scientists III 4
MATH 340Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations 4
Select one group from the following: 3
Group A:
  
Introduction to Manufacturing Processes  
Group B:
  
Introduction to Manufacturing Processes: Lecture  
Introduction to Manufacturing Processes : Laboratory  
MECH 201Engineering Design I 2
MECH 202Engineering Design II 3
MECH 231Engineering Experimentation 3
PH 142Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)3A5
 Total Credits 33
Junior
 
CIVE 360Mechanics of Solids 3
MECH 301AEngineering Design III: Finite Element Analysis 1
MECH 301BEngineering Design III: Computational Fluid Dynamics 1
MECH 307Mechatronics and Measurement Systems 4
MECH 324Dynamics of Machines 4
MECH 325Machine Design 3
Select one group from the following: 4
Group A:
  
Introduction to Engineering Materials  
Group B:
  
Introduction to Engineering Materials: Lecture  
Introduction to Engineering Materials : Lab  
MECH 337Thermodynamics 4
MECH 338Thermal/Fluid Sciences Laboratory 1
MECH 342Fluid Mechanics for Mechanical Engineers 3
MECH 344Heat and Mass Transfer4B3
Advanced Writing23
 Total Credits 34
Senior
 
Select one group from the following: 8
Group A:
  
Engineering Design Practicum: I4A,4C 
Engineering Design Practicum: II4C 
Group B:
  
Engineering Research Practicum: I4A,4C 
Engineering Research Practicum: II4C 
Arts and Humanities3B3
Historical Perspectives3D3
Social and Behavioral Sciences3C3
Technical Electives (See List below) 12
 Total Credits 29
 Program Total Credits: 129

Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives

Select 12 credits of any 400-level or 500-level MECH course except MECH 495, MECH 486A, MECH 486B, MECH 498A, and MECH 498B, or select 9 credits and an additional 3 credits from the Alternate Technical Electives list.

Alternate Technical Electives

BMS 300Principles of Human Physiology4
CIVE 367Structural Analysis3
CIVE 438Fundamentals of Environmental Engr3
CIVE 560Advanced Mechanics of Materials3
CIVE 562Fundamentals of Vibrations3
CS 150ACulture and Coding: Java (GT-AH3)3
CS 150BCulture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3)3
CS 155Introduction to Unix1
CS 156Introduction to C Programming I1
CS 157Introduction to C Programming II1
CS 163CS1---No Prior Programming Experience4
CS 164CS1--Computational Thinking with Java4
ECE 411Control Systems3
ECE 465Electrical Energy Generation Technologies3
ENGR 422Technology Entrepreneurship3
HES 207Anatomical Kinesiology4
MATH 331Introduction to Mathematical Modeling3
MATH 332Partial Differential Equations3
MATH 369Linear Algebra I3
MGT 305Fundamentals of Management3
MGT 340Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship3
MKT 305Fundamentals of Marketing3
PH 314Introduction to Modern Physics4
PH 341Mechanics4
PH 353Optics and Waves4
PH 451Introductory Quantum Mechanics I3
STAT 315Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics3
SYSE 501Foundations of Systems Engineering3

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
TO DECLARE MAJOR: 
Competitive entry controls required and capped enrollment in place. Incoming students please see the Office of Admissions to declare. Current CSU students please see your assigned advisor for information about the waitlist.

TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:  The curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. 

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 111General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)X 3A4
CHEM 112General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)X 3A1
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2) X1A3
MATH 160Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)X 1B4
MECH 103Introduction to Mechanical EngineeringX  3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MATH 161Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)X 1B4
MECH 105Mechanical Engineering Problem SolvingX  3
PH 141Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)X 3A5
Arts and Humanities X3B3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  1C3
CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.X   
 Total Credits   18
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CIVE 260Engineering Mechanics-StaticsX  3
MATH 261Calculus for Physical Scientists IIIX  4
Select one group from the following:   3
Group A:
    
Introduction to Manufacturing ProcessesX   
Group B:
    
Introduction to Manufacturing Processes: LectureX   
Introduction to Manufacturing Processes : LaboratoryX   
MECH 201Engineering Design IX  2
PH 142Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)X 3A5
 Total Credits   17
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CIVE 261Engineering Mechanics-DynamicsX  3
ECE 204Introduction to Electrical EngineeringX  3
MATH 340Intro to Ordinary Differential EquationsX  4
MECH 202Engineering Design IIX  3
MECH 231Engineering ExperimentationX  3
 Total Credits   16
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CIVE 360Mechanics of SolidsX  3
MECH 307Mechatronics and Measurement SystemsX  4
MECH 324Dynamics of MachinesX  4
MECH 337ThermodynamicsX  4
MECH 342Fluid Mechanics for Mechanical EngineersX  3
 Total Credits   18
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MECH 301AEngineering Design III: Finite Element Analysis   1
MECH 301BEngineering Design III: Computational Fluid Dynamics   1
MECH 325Machine DesignX  3
Select one group from the following:   4
Group A:
    
Introduction to Engineering MaterialsX   
Group B:
    
Introduction to Engineering Materials: LectureX   
Introduction to Engineering Materials : LabX   
MECH 338Thermal/Fluid Sciences LaboratoryX  1
MECH 344Heat and Mass TransferX 4B3
Advanced Writing X23
 Total Credits   16
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
Select one course from the following:   4
Engineering Design Practicum: IX 4A,4C 
Engineering Research Practicum: IX 4A,4C 
Arts and Humanities X3B3
Social and Behavioral Sciences X3C3
Technical Elective (See List on Requirements Tab)   6
 Total Credits   16
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
Select one course from the following:   4
Engineering Design Practicum: IIX 4C 
Engineering Research Practicum: IIX 4C 
Historical PerspectivesX 3D3
Technical Electives (See List on Requirements Tab)X  6
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   13
 Program Total Credits:   129