The Bachelor of Science in Mechatronic Engineering
Mechatronic Engineering is a new discipline that combines many of the skills of a mechanical engineer with those of a computer engineer and an electrical engineer. The mechatronic engineering graduate is prepared to design "intelligent" products such as cars that drive themselves, laser printers, self assembling machines and robots.
The Mechatronic Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 415 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, telephone: (410) 347-7700.
Mechatronic Engineering Program Mission
The mechatronic engineering program has the primary mission of providing students a high-quality undergraduate engineering education with
- a curriculum that is firmly grounded in engineering fundamentals.
- a faculty that provides superior teaching and mentoring both in and out of the classroom.
- a faculty whose focus is undergraduate education.
- class sizes that encourage student participation.
- project experiences that build on fundamentals and develop team skills.
- facilities and equipment that are readily accessible.
- an environment that is conducive to learning and encourages students from different genders and backgrounds.
The faculty is committed to offering a broad undergraduate experience that will promote professional growth and prepare students for a variety of engineering careers, graduate studies, and continuing education
Mechatronic Engineering Program Educational Objectives
The Mechatronic Engineering Program’s Educational Objectives are goals for its graduates to achieve a few years after graduation. Mechatronic engineering graduates will:
Mechatronic Engineering Program Outcomes
Mechatronic Engineering Program graduates must have:
- an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
- an ability to design experiments to evaluate the performance of a mechatronic system or component with respect to specifications.
- an ability to conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data.
- an ability to design a mechatronic system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints.
- an ability to function effectively as members of multidisciplinary teams.
- an ability to define engineering problems.
- an ability to solve engineering problems.
- an understanding of professional ethical responsibility.
- an ability to communicate technical matters effectively in oral form.
- an ability to communicate technical matters effectively in written form.
- an ability to communicate technical matters effectively in graphical form.
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
- a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning.
- a knowledge of contemporary issues.
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern mechatronic engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Mechatronic Engineering Design Experience
The design experience for mechatronic engineers is integrated throughout the curriculum. The courses which include design experiences are:
CSCI 111 - Programming and Algorithms I
EECE 144 - Logic Design Fundamentals
EECE 315 - Electronics I
EECE 237 - Embedded Systems Development
EECE 344 - Digital Systems Design
MECA 140 - Introduction to Engineering Design and Automation
MECA 440AW- Capstone Design Project I
MECA 440B- Capstone Design II
MECH 340 - Mechanical Engineering Design
At the freshman level, students learn about the design process and are introduced to designing automated systems in MECA 140 and logic networks are designed in EECE 144. At the sophomore level, software design experience teaches students to think logically in developing efficient, structured computer programs in CSCI 111. At the junior level, there is an opportunity to learn about safety, failure, reliability, codes and standards, and economic considerations, while carrying out detailed design of mechanical components in MECH 340, and electrical circuits and systems in EECE 237, EECE 315, and EECE 344. In the final senior project (MECA 440AW and MECA 440B), students are expected to exercise what they learned throughout the preceding design courses in a final project that includes assembly and testing, as well as the more global aspects of design including product realization, economic factors, environmental issues, and social impact. Together, these experiences prepare graduates to be successful practitioners with an awareness of the multitude of issues involved.
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 128 units
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.
General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units
See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.
This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).
- Take CMST 131 or CMST 132 for Oral Communication (A1)
- Critical Thinking (A3) is waived.
- Take only one course in either Arts (C1) or Humanities (C2). The other is waived.
- MECH 340 is an approved major course substitution for either Individual & Society (D1) or Societal Institutions (D2). You must complete one additional D1 or D2 course.
- MECA 440B is an approved major course substitution for Learning for Life (E).
- EECE 311 fulfills Upper-Division Natural Sciences.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .
Both courses must also satisfy one of the General Education Requirements in order for 127 units to fulfill all requirements for the Mechatronic Engineering degree.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement:
Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
- Any upper-division GE Writing Course (W).
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
Grading Requirement:
All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.
A grade of C- or higher is required in MECH 340.
Enrollment in any mathematics course requires a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses or their transfer equivalents.
Course Requirements for the Major: 101 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.
Enrollment in any mathematics course requires a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses or their transfer equivalents.
Lower-Division Requirements: 59 units
20 courses required:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 211 | Statics | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A. | |||||
CHEM 111 | General Chemistry | 4.0 | FS | GE | |
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.) | |||||
CSCI 111 | Programming and Algorithms I | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisite: MATH 119 (or high school equivalent). | |||||
EECE 144 | Logic Design Fundamentals | 4.0 | FS | ||
EECE 211 | Linear Circuits I | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204B. | |||||
EECE 211L | Linear Circuits I Activity | 1.0 | FS | ||
Corequisites: EECE 211. | |||||
EECE 237 | Embedded Systems Development | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisite: CSCI 111. | |||||
MATH 120 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS | GE | |
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or college equivalent); first-year freshmen who successfully completed trigonometry and precalculus in high school can meet this prerequisite by achieving a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam. | |||||
MATH 121 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 120. | |||||
MATH 260 | Elementary Differential Equations | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121. | |||||
MECA 140 | Introduction to Engineering Design and Automation | 2.0 | FS | ||
Corequisite: PHYS 204A. This course is also offered as MECH 140. | |||||
MECH 100 | Graphics I | 1.0 | FS | ||
Corequisites: MECH 100L. | |||||
MECH 100L | Graphics I Laboratory | 1.0 | FS | ||
Corequisites: MECH 100. | |||||
MECH 200 | Graphics II | 2.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MECH 100 and MECH 100L. | |||||
MECH 210 | Materials Science and Engineering | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A; CHEM 111. | |||||
MECH 210L | Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory | 1.0 | FS | ||
Corequisite: MECH 210. | |||||
PHYS 204A | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Mechanics | 4.0 | FS | GE | |
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 121 (second semester of calculus) or equivalent. | |||||
PHYS 204B | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
PHYS 204C | Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Heat, Wave Motion, Sound, Light, and Modern Topics | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
SMFG 160 | Manufacturing Processes | 3.0 | FS | ||
Upper-Division Requirements: 42 units
11 courses required:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 311 | Strength of Materials | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher; MATH 260 (may be taken concurrently); CIVL 212 or MECH 210 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
EECE 311 | Linear Circuits II | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211; MATH 260 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
EECE 315 | Electronics I | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211, EECE 211L; EECE 311 and MATH 260 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
EECE 344 | Digital Systems Design | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 144, EECE 237; either EECE 110 or both EECE 211 and EECE 211L. | |||||
MECA 380 | Measurements and Instrumentation | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211, EECE 211L; either CSCI 111 or MECH 208. Recommended: CIVL 302. | |||||
MECA 482 | Control System Design | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211, MATH 260. Recommended: MECA 380, MECH 320; either CSCI 111 or MECH 208. | |||||
MECA 486 | Motion and Machine Automation | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211L, MECH 340; EECE 482 or MECA 482 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
MECA 440AW | Capstone Design I (W) | 3.0 | FS | GW W | |
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, EECE 237, MECH 200, MECH 340. Recommended: CIVL 302, MECA 380. | |||||
MECA 440B | Capstone Design II | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MECA 440A. Recommended: CIVL 302, MECA 380. | |||||
MECH 320 | Dynamics | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher, MATH 260. | |||||
MECH 340 | Mechanical Engineering Design | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 311 with a grade of C- or higher, MECH 100, MECH 100L, MECH 140, MECH 210, SMFG 160. Recommended: MECH 320. |
3 units selected from:
SUBJ NUM | Title | Sustainable | Units | Semester Offered | Course Flags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIVL 302 | Engineering Sustainability and Economic Analysis | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 121, junior standing. | |||||
CIVL 313 | Structural Mechanics | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 205 or MECH 208 (may be taken concurrently); CIVL 311 with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
CIVL 321 | Fluid Mechanics | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher. Recommended: MATH 260, MECH 320 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
CIVL 411 | Soil Mechanics and Foundations | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 321 (may be taken concurrently); ENGL 130 or equivalent. | |||||
CIVL 431 | Environmental Engineering | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 175 (or equivalent), junior standing. | |||||
CIVL 461 | Water Resources Engineering | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 205 or MECH 208; CIVL 321 with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
CIVL 567 | Pipeline Hydraulics and Design | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 205; CIVL 302; CIVL 321 with a grade of C- or higher. | |||||
EECE 311 | Linear Circuits II | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211; MATH 260 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
EECE 316 | Electronics II | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 311, EECE 315. | |||||
EECE 320 | System Architecture and Performance | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CSCI 217 or MATH 217 or EECE 144, EECE 237. | |||||
EECE 343 | Advanced Logic Design | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisite: EECE 144. | |||||
EECE 365 | Signals, Systems, and Transforms | 4.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 311, MATH 260. | |||||
EECE 375 | Fields and Waves | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211, EECE 211L, MATH 260. | |||||
EECE 437 | Real-Time Embedded Systems | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisite: EECE 344. Recommended: EECE 320. | |||||
EECE 450 | Optics | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A, PHYS 204B, PHYS 204C. This course is also offered as PHYS 450. | |||||
EECE 451 | Lasers and Their Applications | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: PHYS 204C. Recommended: EECE 450 or PHYS 450. This course is also offered as PHYS 451. | |||||
EECE 481 | Electromechanical Conversion | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211. | |||||
EECE 484 | Power System Distribution and Analysis | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 311 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
EECE 544 | Embedded Systems Design | 4.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 144, EECE 211. | |||||
EECE 682 | Computer Control of Dynamic Systems | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 482 or MECA 482. | |||||
MECA 398 | Special Topic | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: To be established when course is formulated. | |||||
MECA 399 | Special Problems | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: Approval of supervising faculty member. | |||||
MECA 486 | Motion and Machine Automation | 4.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: EECE 211L, MECH 340; EECE 482 or MECA 482 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
MECA 498 | Special Topic | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: To be established when course is formulated. | |||||
MECA 499 | Special Problems | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: Approval of supervising faculty member. | |||||
MECH 308 | Finite Element Analysis | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 311 with a grade of C- or higher, MECH 306. | |||||
MECH 332 | Thermodynamics | 3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A. | |||||
MECH 389 | Industrial Internship | 1.0 -3.0 | FS | ||
Prerequisites: Approval of faculty internship coordinator prior to off-campus assignment. | |||||
MECH 398 | Special Topic | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: To be established when course is formulated. | |||||
MECH 399 | Special Problems | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: Approval of supervising faculty member. | |||||
MECH 408 | Modeling and Simulation | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 311, CIVL 321, MECH 200. Corequisites: MECH 338, MECH 340. | |||||
MECH 410 | Advanced Materials Science and Engineering | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: MATH 260, MECH 210. Recommended: CIVL 311. | |||||
MECH 424 | Mechanical Vibrations | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: MECH 320. | |||||
MECH 433 | Solar Energy Engineering | 3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: CIVL 321; EECE 211; MECH 338 (may be taken concurrently). | |||||
MECH 498 | Special Topic | 1.0 -3.0 | INQ | ||
Prerequisites: To be established when course is formulated. | |||||
SMFG 451 | Quality Management | 3.0 | SP | ||
Prerequisites: OSCM 306 or faculty permission. This course is also offered as OSCM 451. | |||||
SMFG 458 | Project Management | 3.0 | FA | ||
Prerequisites: Senior standing. |
Advising Requirement:
Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.
Honors in the Major:
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.