BS in Mechanical Engineering

Units required for Pre-Major: 42 plus GE/GR courses
Units required for Major: 50 plus GE/GR courses
Total units required for BS: 122

Program Description

Sequence of Study: Courses taken in the Freshman and Sophomore years, either at Sacramento State, or at a Community College or transfer college, directly contribute to the upper division (Junior-Senior) program. For example, upper division work in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) develops skills introduced in freshman graphics and CAD courses; upper division analytical courses depend on the freshman and sophomore calculus and physics courses. Communication skills learned in the lower division are developed through the writing of reports and oral presentations.

Mechanical Engineering design involves far more than solving the types of problems found in chemistry, physics, and calculus courses; design work involves a large measure of analytical and creative work. The principles of mathematics and science are extremely useful when developing a detailed design solution but contribute little to the critical issues of correctly defining the problem, specifying the solution, and locating and organizing needed information. In addition, the design cannot violate fundamental physical laws and must be built from real materials using real manufacturing methods at a reasonable cost while satisfying safety and environmental factors.

The work in the four semester design-project sequence and other courses addresses these issues by including the study of design methods, procedures for developing a design solution from concept through a fully-developed design, and construction of a prototype. The courses in mechanics, thermodynamics, manufacturing, and materials complement the design sequence. The design work includes a mixture of problem and project work in individual courses; some of the course-level projects are team projects to help the student develop the ability to efficiently and effectively work with other engineers making decisions, use the abilities of different colleagues, and distribute the work of large projects. The design sequence includes classical as well as computer aided design and analysis techniques. The work in the two-semester, capstone and senior project sequence involves team effort on a significant design problem. Students interested in furthering their skills in analysis, including finite element analysis, and dynamic modeling of systems, can choose from a number of elective courses which rely heavily on computer methods.

Advising: Each student has a faculty advisor who meets with him/her at least once a semester to discuss academic progress, plan the following semester, explain University requirements, and answer questions about the Mechanical Engineering program.

Note: Students graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering will not be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement. Students who change major may be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.

Minimum Grade Requirement

A grade of "C-" or better is required in all courses applied to a Mechanical Engineering major.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Courses (Pre-Major) (62 Units) 1
First Semester Freshman Year
CHEM 1EGeneral Chemistry for Engineering4
ENGR 6Engineering Graphics and CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) 23
MATH 30Calculus I 24
Select one General Education course3
Second Semester Freshman Year
MATH 31Calculus II 24
ME 37Manufacturing Processes3
PHYS 11AGeneral Physics: Mechanics 24
Select one General Education course3
First Semester Sophomore Year
ENGR 45Engineering Materials3
MATH 32Calculus III4
PHYS 11CGeneral Physics: Electricity and Magnetism 24
Select one General Education course3
Select one General Education/Graduation Requirement Course3
Second Semester Sophomore Year
ENGR 17Introductory Circuit Analysis3
ENGR 30Analytic Mechanics: Statics3
MATH 45Differential Equations for Science and Engineering3
ME 76Programming and Problem Solving in Engineering2
Select two General Education courses6
Required Upper Division Courses (Major) (60 Units) 3
First Semester Junior Year
ENGR 110Analytic Mechanics - Dynamics3
ENGR 112Mechanics Of Materials3
ENGR 124Thermodynamics3
ME 106Applications of Programming in Mechanical Engineering1
ME 108Professional Topics for Mechanical Engineers2
ME 116Machinery Design I2
ME 120Fluid Mechanics for Mechanical Engineers3
Second Semester Junior Year
ME 117Machinery Design II2
ME 138Concurrent Product and Process Design3
ME 171Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronics and Control Systems3
ME 180Mechanical Properties of Materials3
Select one General Education Course3
First Semester Senior Year
ME 126Heat Transfer3
ME 128Thermal-Fluid Systems3
ME 172Control System Design3
ME 190Project Engineering I 23
Select one General Education course3
Second Semester Senior Year
ME 191Project Engineering II 22
Select two General Education courses6
Select two of the following: 46
Vibrations
Dynamics of Machinery and Multi-Body Systems
Solar Thermal and Energy Storage Systems
Geothermal and Bioenergy Systems
Wind, Hydro and Ocean Energy
Numerical Control Programming
Product Design for Manufacturing and Automation
Introduction to Motors and Actuators
Introduction to Tolerance Analysis
Vehicle Dynamics and Design
Fundamentals of Combustion
Turbomachinery Design
Thermodynamics of Combustion Engines
Alternative Energy Systems
Gas Dynamics
Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
Solar Energy Engineering
High Efficiency HVAC
Introduction to Test Automation
Introduction To Robotics
Applications of Finite Element Analysis
Product Design & CAD
Product Design and 3D Parametric Solid Modeling
Introduction to Composite Materials
Corrosion and Wear
Fracture Mechanics in Engineering Design
Total Units122

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (3 Units)
B1 - Physical Science 20
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5 20
B4 - Math Concepts 20
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 20
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area Course C3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development
Area E Course 20
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units36

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI)3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (6 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 20