Mechanical Engineering Four-Year Plan

Revised 03/2023

Bold: only offered in indicated semester
Italic: course prerequisites and corequisites (designated by &)
UD: must be admitted to the major prior to enrollment
◊: courses required for admission to this major
•: biological science with lab must be taken A-F to fulfill Natural Science requirement
±: Students who need to enroll in ME 2011 in junior year can enroll concurrently with ME 3221 with departmental permission.

Note: CSE prefers these math courses: Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2373, Math 2374. However, these alternative courses will also fulfill the same requirements, respectively: Math 1271, Math 1272, Math 2243, Math 2263. 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course (Biol 1009 recommended) [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
  • CSE 1001 First Year Experience [1cr]

Spring Semester

  • ◊ Math 1372 Calculus II (1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1302W Intro Physics II (1301W, &Math 1372) [4cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1065 Chem Principles Lab I (&1061) [1cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1061 Chem Principles I (placement or 1015, &1065) [3cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 2374 Multivariable Calculus (1372) [4cr]
  • ◊ AEM 2021 Statics & Dynamics (Phys 1301W, &Math 2374) [4cr]
  • ◊ MatS 2001 Intro to Engineering Materials (CSE, Chem 1061/65, Math 1372, Phys 1301W) [3cr]
  • MatS 2002 Engineering Materials Lab (&MatS 2001, ME majors only) [1cr]
  • ME 2011 Intro to Engineering (CSE pre-major) [4cr]

Spring Semester

  • Math 2373 Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (1372) [4cr]
  • AEM 3031 Deformable Body Mechanics (2021, Math 2374, &Math 2373) [3cr]
  • ◊ ME 3331 Thermodynamics (Chem 1061/65, Phys 1301W) [3cr]
  • CHOOSE ONE:
    • ME 2021 Intro to Prog & Computations (&Math 1372) [4cr]
    • CSci 1113 Intro to C/C++ (Math 1371) [4cr]
    • EE 1301 Intro to Computing Systems [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Junior Year

Fall Semester

  • ME 3221 Fundamentals of Design & Manufacturing (UD, 2011, AEM 3031, MatS 2001) [4cr]
  • ME 3332 Fluid Mechanics (UD, 3331, Math 2373) [3cr]
  • IE 3521 Stats, Quality, & Reliability (Math 1372) [4cr]
  • EE 3005 Fundamentals of EE (Phys 1302W, Math 2373) [4cr]
  • EE 3006 Fundamentals of EE Lab (&3005) [1cr]

Spring Semester

  • ME 3222 Mechanisms & Machine Design (UD, &3221, ME 2021 or CSci 1113 or EE 1301) [4cr]
  • ME 3333 Heat Transfer (UD, 3332) [3cr]
  • ME 3281 System Dynamics & Control (UD, AEM 2021, Math 2373) [4cr]
  • ME 4031W Basic Measurements Lab (UD, 3331, IE 3521) [4cr]

Senior Year

Fall Semester

  • ME 4x3x Senior Lab (4031W) [4cr]
  • ME 4053 Mechanical Engineering Modeling (3222, 3281, 3333) [4cr]
  • Technical Elective I [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • ME 4054W Design Projects (UD, 4031W, &4053, EE 3005) [4cr]
  • Technical Elective II [4cr]
  • Specialization Elective [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Total Credits Needed for Degree: 125

Additional Information

The APAS is the official method for tracking completion of your specific degree requirements. This plan is not a contract and curriculum can change.

Applying to a major: z.umn.edu/csemajorapp

Courses required for admission to this major: Phys 1301W, Phys 1302W, Chem 1061/65, Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2374, AEM 2021, (ME 3331 or MatS 2001)

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Department Contact Information

Website: cse.umn.edu/me
Main Phone: 612-625-5842 | Main Office: Mechanical Engineering 1120
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Matt Anderson
Departmental Advising: Jillian Moldestad, meundergrad@umn.edu

Learn how to add study abroad to your degree planning!

What can I do with a major in Mechanical Engineering?

University Degree Requirements

All students must complete the following requirements. Requirements with an (*) will be fulfilled by taking courses at UM-TC required for this major.

Writing Requirements

University Writing:

  • Writ 1301/1401 or equivalent

Writing Intensive (WI):

  • One: Any level*
  • One: Any level*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (in major)*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (any dept.)*

Liberal Education

Cores:

  • Biological Sciences w/Lab
  • Physical Sciences w/Lab*
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts/Humanities
  • Literature
  • Mathematical Thinking*

Themes (choose 4 of 5):

  • Race, Power, and Justice in the US (required)
  • Civic Life and Ethics
  • The Environment
  • Global Perspectives
  • Technology and Society