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.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
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 Herbert Wertheim 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
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
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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Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 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 |
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 4 |
Credits |
|---|
COP 2271 Computer Programming for Engineers
Take the matlab section |
2 |
EGM 2511 Engineering Mechanics: Statics
Minimum grade of C required |
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 Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2
GE-P |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
EGM 3344 Introduction to Numerical Methods of Engineering Analysis
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
EGM 3520 Mechanics of Materials
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
EML 3100 Thermodynamics
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations |
3 |
Humanities ♦
State Core GE-H |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
EEL 3003 Elements of Electrical Engineering
Can substitute EEL 3111C |
3 |
EGM 3401 Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics
Minimum grade of C required |
3 |
| EGN 3353C Fluid Mechanics |
3 |
EML 3301C Mechanics of Materials Laboratory
E6 |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences ♦
GE-S |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| EML 3005 Mechanical Engineering Design 1 |
3 |
| EML 4140 Heat Transfer |
3 |
| EML 4220 Vibrations |
3 |
| EML 4312 Control of Mechanical Engineering Systems |
3 |
Humanities ♦(GE-H; E6) or
Social and Behavioral Sciences ♦(GE-S; E6) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| EML 4147C Thermo-Heat Transfer Design and Laboratory |
3 |
EML 4501 Mechanical Engineering Design 2 or
EAS 4700 Aerospace Design 1or
EAS 4710 Aerospace Design 2 (Can substitute if dual ME/ASE student) |
3 |
| EML 4507 Finite Element Analysis and Design |
3 |
Technical electives
See approved list |
6
|
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 9 |
Credits |
|---|
| EML 4314C Dynamics and Controls System Design Laboratory |
3 |
| EML 4321 Manufacturing Engineering |
3 |
| EML4502 Mechanical Engineering Design 3 |
3 |
Specialization elective
See approved list |
3 |
Technical elective
See approved list |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
♦ 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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Science Elective
Critical tracking: choose one
| Course |
Credits |
|---|
| AST 3018 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 |
3 |
| BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 |
3 |
| CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 |
3 |
| CHM 2096 Chemistry for Engineers 2 |
3 |
| PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics |
3 |
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Related Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Programs
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