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
- Credits for Degree: 128
- Minor: Biomechanics
- Dual Degree: Mechanical Engineering / Aerospace Engineering available
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Academic Learning Compact
- Website
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.
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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 B.S./M.S. 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.
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Department Requirements
Minimum grades of C are required for EGM 2511, EML 3100 and EML 3401. The minimum C grade is part of the prerequisite requirement for courses listing EGM 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 advisor. 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 advisor before graduating.
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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.
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Educational Objectives
The objective of the mechanical engineering program at UF is to prepare students to attain the following goals within a few years of graduation:
- Graduates will meet the expectations of employers of mechanical engineers.
- Qualified graduates will pursue advanced study if they so desire.
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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.
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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.
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Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 1 of 8 critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts: CHM 2045 or CHM 2095, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049, approved science elective
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C in each course within two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
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Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 or
CHM 2095 Chemistry for Engineers 1 (both GE-P) |
3 |
| CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| EML 2920 Department and Professional Orientation |
1 |
| IUF 1000 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (State Core GE-M) |
4 |
| English composition (GE-C; E6) (ACT/SAT placement scores do not exempt this requirement) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| EML 2023 Computer Aided Graphics and Design |
3 |
| ENC 3246 Professional Communication for Engineers (State Core GE-C; E6) |
3 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) |
4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (State Core GE-B/P) |
3 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| COP 2271 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-B/P) |
3 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| EEL 3003 Elements of Electrical Engineering 2 |
3 |
| EGM 3344 Introduction to 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 |
Science elective
(AST 3018 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1, BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1, CHM 2046, General Chemistry 2, CHM 2096 Chemistry for Engineers 2 or PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (State Core GE-S) 3 |
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; E6) 3 |
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 (State Core GE-H) 3 |
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; E6) 3 or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S; E6) 3 |
3 |
| Technical electives (see approved list) |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
* Completed with a minimum grade of C.
1 Can substitute COP 2271 Computer Programming Using FORTRAN, COP 3502 Programming Fundamentals 1 or other programming courses approved by the department.
2 Can substitute EEL 3111C.
3 Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE- D) requirements. This is often done concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
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