Mechanical Engineering, BS
Introduction
Please click here to see the Mechanical Engineering department information.
The mechanical engineer is concerned with satisfying the needs of society using a combination of material, human, and economic resources. Mechanical engineering covers a wide spectrum of activities in the engineering profession. Generally, it uses design, analysis, and experimentation of mechanical systems to ensure safe, efficient, and productive operation. These activities include energy conversion and transmission and associated power processes; dynamic, strength, and wear considerations. In addition, economic aspects of the development, design, and use of materials, machines, and processes are investigated. Furthermore, the analysis, synthesis, and control of entire engineering systems are topics that mechanical engineers address.
Program Educational Objectives.
The program offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Colorado Denver can predominately be completed in the afternoon and evening hours to accommodate both working and traditional students. The department seeks to graduate a diverse population of students with bachelor's degrees who within a few years of graduation able to:
- Be employed by a diverse group of industries, research laboratories, and educational institutions.
- Pursue careers in engineering, interdisciplinary areas, research, and education.
- Pursue postgraduate education and advanced degrees.
The mechanical engineering curriculum begins with a strong emphasis on mathematics and physics. It continues with a concentration in engineering sciences, including solid and fluid mechanics; thermodynamics, heat, and mass transport; materials; and systems analysis and control. It also incorporates laboratory and design courses that demonstrate how scientific knowledge is applied in the design and development of valuable devices and manufacturing processes.
The mechanical engineering program has a two-course senior-year capstone design sequence where students design and build, either virtually or physically, a project requiring many of the techniques learned in the program. In the last two years, the curriculum emphasizes engineering science and design and provides technical electives in the following areas:
- thermodynamics
- heat transfer
- fluid mechanics
- solid mechanics
- biomechanics
- dynamics and controls
- computer-aided design and manufacturing
- composite materials
- outdoor recreational gear
- additive manufacturing
- material science
- computational solid and fluid mechanics
- design engineering and science
Program Delivery
- This is an on-campus program.
Declaring This Major
- Click here to go to information about declaring a major.
General Requirements
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.
- CU Denver General Graduation Requirements
- CU Denver Core Curriculum
- College of Engineering, Design and Computing Graduation Requirements
- Click here for information about Academic Policies
Program Requirements
- CVEN 3111 Analytical Mechanics II may be substituted for MECH 2033 Dynamics.
- Not all courses may be offered every semester.
- Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all courses applying to major requirements.
- Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all MECH courses attempted.
- Students must complete a minimum of 128 semester hours of coursework.
- The last 30 hours must be earned as a degree-seeking student in the College of Engineering Design and Computing at CU Denver.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MECH 1025 | CAD and Graphics for Mechanical Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 1045 | Manufacturing Processes Design | 3 |
| MECH 1100 | Fundamentals of Computational Innovation | 3 |
| MECH 1200 | Fundamentals of Engineering Design Innovation | 3 |
| MECH 2023 | Statics | 3 |
| MECH 2033 | Dynamics | 3 |
| or CVEN 3111 | Analytical Mechanics II | |
| ELEC 3030 | Electric Circuits and Systems | 3 |
| MECH 2024 | Introduction to Materials Science | 3 |
| MECH 2034 | Properties of Engineering Materials | 1 |
| MECH 3010 | Elementary Numerical Methods and Programming | 3 |
| MECH 3012 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MECH 3021 | Introduction to Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MECH 3027 | Measurements | 3 |
| MECH 3028 | Laboratory of Mechanical Measurements | 1 |
| MECH 3031 | Fluids/Thermal Laboratory | 1 |
| MECH 3032 | Electric Circuits and Systems Lab | 1 |
| MECH 3035 | Design of Mechanical Elements | 3 |
| MECH 3042 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| MECH 3043 | Strength of Materials | 3 |
| MECH 4023 | System Dynamics | 3 |
| MECH 4035 | Senior Design I | 3 |
| MECH 4045 | Senior Design II | 3 |
| MECH 4142 | Thermal Energy Systems | 3 |
| Technical Electives | ||
| Select 12 semester hours of the following: | 9 | |
| Special Topics | ||
| Principles of Additive Manufacturing | ||
| Internship | ||
| Biomechanics | ||
| Advanced Biomechanics | ||
| Numerical Methods for Engineers | ||
| Designing with Composites | ||
| Robotics | ||
| Methods of Engineering Analysis | ||
| Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Engineering Economy | ||
| Rigid-Body Dynamics | ||
| Finite Element Analysis in Machine Design | ||
| Solar Engineering | ||
| Special Topics (Special Topics) 2 | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1401 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 2411 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 2421 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 3195 | Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 4 |
| Science | ||
| ENGR 1130 | Chemistry for Engineers | 5 |
| PHYS 2311 | General Physics I: Calculus-Based | 4 |
| PHYS 2321 | Intro Experimental Phys Lab I | 1 |
| PHYS 2331 | General Physics II: Calculus-Based | 4 |
| PHYS 2341 | Intro Experimental Phys Lab II | 1 |
| Total Hours | 101 | |
- 1
Intro to Comp Fluid Dynamics, Buckling & Stability, Prototyping, Thermal Systems Design, Cellular Bioengineering, Cellular Biomechanics, Advanced Biomechanics, Low Speed Aerodynamics, Feedback and Optimal Control, Tribology, Intermediate Controls, Intermediate Vibrations, IC Engines, Experimental Mechanics, Vehicle Instrumentation, LA Green Roof, Introduction to Aerodynamics, Polymer Viscoelasticity, Liquid Crystal Materials, Computational Design, Wind Energy.
- 2
Mobile Robotics, Road Vehicle Dynamics, Linear Optimal Control, Intermediate Vibrations, Linear Systems & Control. Autonomous Vehicle Design, Renewable Energy.
To review the Degree Map for this program, please visit our website.