Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a broad field with applications in almost all areas of industry including aviation and aerospace, alternative energy, automotive, automated manufacturing and robotics, chemical, computer, electronics, petroleum, nanotechnology, materials, textiles, and heavy equipment and machinery. The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree that is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
This degree provides a broad, solid education in engineering fundamentals as well as the opportunity for in-depth study in specialized topics. Students completing the program will have rigorous foundation for engineering practice in industry as well as for graduate studies in engineering and other disciplines. The program has well-equipped, accessible laboratories and extensive experimental and computing facilities.
Note: For a PDF version of the degree requirements for this program go to the Undergraduate Programs page on the UTRGV website.
Core Curriculum Requirements – 42 Hours
Students must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements. The courses listed below satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements.
Mathematics – 3 hours
Three credits hours from MATH 2413 and MATH 2487 will be applied here; the remaining one credit hour will be applied in the mathematics requirement of the support courses.
Life and Physical Science – 6 hours
| PHYS 2425 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I | 4 |
| PHYS 2426 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II | 4 |
Three credit hours from the lecture component of PHYS 2425 and PHYS 2426 will be applied towards this requirement.
Language, Philosophy, and Culture – 3 hours
Choose one:
Students must complete the engineering/computer science section of PHIL 1310.
Integrative and Experiential Learning – 6 hours
ENGL Requirement
Complete an additional three-credit hour ENGL course from the core curriculum.
Science Labs
Complete the one-credit hour chemistry lab that corresponds with the chemistry course taken in the support courses and the one-credit hour labs component of
PHYS 2425 and PHYS 2426.
Major Requirements – 79 Hours (54 advanced)
Mechanical Engineering Core – 64 hours (39 advanced)
Required
Senior Design – 6 hours (6 advanced)
Required
Technical Electives – 9 hours (9 advanced)
Students may choose MECE 3100, 33XX, or 43XX course. Students may only receive a maximum of 3 hours of technical elective credit from MECE 3100, MECE 3300, or any other approved non-MECE advanced science or math course. In addition, to receive technical elective credit for MECE 3300, the student must complete 2 terms of internship/co-op and submit a formal report to the department, and to receive technical elective credit for MECE 3100, the student must complete 3 terms/enrollments performing research in the same technical area.
Support Courses – 8 Hours
Choose one:
Required
One credit hour from MATH 2413 or MATH 2487 completed in the core curriculum will be applied to the mathematics requirement in the support courses.
Total Credit Hours: 54
Total Credit Hours: 129
Admission, Progression, and Graduation Requirements, if applicable:
Admission requirements
Admission into the Lower Division of the Mechanical Engineering Major
Admission to the university, and a 3.0 or better composite GPA in the foundation courses MATH 2413, MATH 2414, CHEM 1309 (or CHEM 1311), CHEM 1109 (or CHEM 1111), PHYS 2425, MECE 1101, and MECE 1221, or a 2.5 or better composite GPA in the foundation courses and a passing score of 70 or above in an exam covering the essential student outcomes of the above listed foundation courses.
Note that while MECE 2340 and MECE 2140 are considered lower division Major courses they can be taken before entrance to the Major is granted.
Progression requirements
Admission into the Upper Division of the Mechanical Engineering Major
Admission to the Lower Division of the Mechanical Engineering Major, and a 3.0 or better composite GPA in MECE 2140, MECE 2340, MECE 2350, MECE 3449, MECE 2301, MECE 2302, and MECE 2335, or a 2.5 or better composite GPA and a passing score of 70 or above in an exam covering the essential student outcomes of the above listed group of lower division courses.
Note that while MECE 3336 and MECE 3450 are considered upper division Major courses they can be taken before entrance to the upper division of the Major is granted.
Graduation requirements
A composite GPA of 2.5 or better in Mechanical Engineering coursework is required. Also, all Mechanical Engineering coursework must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better.