Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is concerned with motion and the processes whereby other energy forms are converted into motion. Mechanical engineers are responsible for conceiving, designing, manufacturing, testing and marketing devices and systems that alter, transfer, transform and utilize the energy forms that cause motion.
About This Major
- College: Engineering
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- Hours for the Degree: 128
- Minor: Biomechanics
- Dual Degree: Mechanical Engineering / Aerospace Engineering available
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: www.mae.ufl.edu
Overview
The baccalaureate program in mechanical engineering is fully accredited and provides a broad education with a strong foundation in mathematics, science and basic engineering sciences. Advanced courses are available to develop specialized interests in the engineering aspects of manufacturing, robotics, solid mechanics, thermal and fluid systems, dynamics and controls, and biomechanics. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of industries or to pursue graduate study.
Students considering a career in biomedical engineering should be aware that graduate education is often required. The College of Engineering offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biomedical engineering.
Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program
The mechanical engineering professional often benefits from an advanced degree to meet the challenging needs of industry and government. Accordingly, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering actively participates in the combined BS/MS degree program that allows students to double-count graduate courses toward both degrees. The combined-degree program reduces the cost for both degrees and enhances the student’s marketability for career advancement. Interested students should contact the MAE department or its website for more information.
Department Requirements
A minimum grade of C or higher is required for EML 2511, EML 3100 and EML3401. The grade of C or better is considered a part of the prerequisite requirement for courses listing EML 2511, EML 3100 or EML 3401 as a prerequisite. The prerequisite course and subsequent course cannot be taken in the same term, even if the prerequisite is being repeated.
An aerospace or mechanical engineering student whose cumulative, upper-division or department grade point average falls below a 2.0 or whose critical-tracking grades do not meet department requirements will be placed on academic probation and required to complete a probation contract with an MAE academic adviser. Students normally are allowed a maximum of two terms (consecutive or non-consecutive) on academic probation. Students who do not satisfy the conditions of the first term on probation may be dismissed from the department.
All graduating seniors must complete an exit interview with their adviser before graduating.
Dual-Degree Programs
There is much overlap between the aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering curriculum. The first six semesters are identical for both programs. Through proper selection of electives, students can earn a dual mechanical engineering/aerospace engineering degree with one semester of additional work. Contact the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or visit the website for more information.
Educational Objectives
Within three to five years of obtaining a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Florida, a graduate is expected to achieve one or more of the following milestones:
- Advance professionally as a result of his/her ability to solve complex technical problems and to work in multidisciplinary teams on problems whose solutions lead to significant societal benefits;
- Demonstrate professional engineering competence via promotions and/or positions of increasing responsibility, or successfully transition from the traditional mechanical engineering career path into business, government or education;
- Make scholarly contributions to knowledge as demonstrated by publishing papers and/or technical reports, applying for patents, delivering effective conference presentations, and/or contributing to innovative leadership articles;
- Demonstrate a commitment to the community and the profession through involvement with community and/or professional organizations and/or make contributions towards society's greater good and prosperity; and
- Demonstrate an understanding of the need for life-long learning via progress toward, or successful completion of an advanced degree, professional development and/or industrial training course(s), and/or engineering certification.
Mission
The mission of the undergraduate program is to serve the state of Florida, the United States and the engineering profession by providing quality educational programs in mechanical engineering; conduct a nationally recognized research program; and foster ongoing professional development of students and faculty.
Research Programs
The department's active research programs are sponsored by private industry, the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, NASA, National Institutes of Health and other agencies.
These programs keep faculty at the leading edge of technology and provides opportunities for students to participate in research through classroom assignments, individual studies, undergraduate research scholarships and employment as research assistants.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
- Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts: CHM 2045 or CHM 2095, approved science elective, MAC 2311, MAC 2312,
MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
Semester 5
- Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C in each course within two attempts
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 (GE-P) or CHM 2095 Chemistry for Engineers 1 (GE-P) | 3 |
| CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE-P) | 1 |
| EML 2920 Department and Professional Orientation | 1 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) | 4 |
| English composition (GE-C, WR) (ACT/SAT placement scores do not exempt this requirement) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| EML 2023 Computer Aided Graphics and Design | 3 |
| ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) | 4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE-P) | 3 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE-P) | 1 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| CGS 2421 Computer Programming for Engineers 1 | 2 |
| EGM 2511 Engineering Mechanics - Statics * | 3 |
| EML 2322L Design and Manufacturing Laboratory | 2 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE-M) | 4 |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE-P) | 3 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (GE-P) | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| EEL 3003 Elements of Electrical Engineering and Circuits 2 | 3 |
| EGM 3344 Numerical Methods of Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGM 3520 Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| EML 3100 Thermodynamics * | 3 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| EMA 3010 Materials | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Science elective (AST 3018, BSC 2010, CHM 2046, CHM 2096 or PHY 3101) | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| EGM 3401 Engineering Mechanics – Dynamics * | 3 |
| EGM 4313 Intermediate Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| EML 3301C Mechanics of Materials Laboratory | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| EML 3005 Mechanical Design | 3 |
| EML 4140 Heat Transfer | 3 |
| EML 4220 Vibrations | 3 |
| EML 4304C Thermo/Fluid Design and Laboratory | 3 |
| EML 4312 Control of Mechanical Engineering Systems | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| EML 4147C Thermo-Heat Transfer Design and Laboratory | 3 |
| EML 4314C Dynamics and Controls System Design Laboratory | 3 |
| EML 4507 Finite Element Analysis and Design | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Technical elective (see approved list) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 9 | Credits |
| EML 4321 Manufacturing Engineering | 3 |
| EML 4501 Mechanical System Design or EAS 4710 Aerospace Design 2 (can substitute if dual ME/ASE student) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Technical electives (see approved list) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
* Completed with a grade of C or better.
1 May substitute CGS 2420 Computer Programming Using FORTRAN, CIS 3022 Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors 1, EEL 4834 C++ Programming for Electrical Engineers or other programming courses approved by the department.
2 May substitute EEL 3111C.