Apr 24, 2024

2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Mechanical Engineering, BS

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at San José State University is the major provider of engineering talent to Silicon Valley’s high-tech and cross-disciplinary industries. Our curriculum is designed to prepare our graduates for the future needs of society. The department is supported by its world class faculties, state-of-the-art laboratories–sponsored by industry–and an integrated network of professionals and alumni who provide opportunities for our students to prepare and succeed in their career. The Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Program Criteria and the Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

Program Learning Outcomes

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements	21
Major Preparation	33
Major Requirements	71
Total	125

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

All courses required in the major (all courses in preparation for the major, core, required, capstone, and technical electives) must be completed with a grade of “C- or better”. The following course in Major Requirements must be completed with a “C or better”: ENGR 100W . The following required courses must be completed with a C average or better to earn S and V credit: ME 195A , ME 195B , ENGR 195A , ENGR 195B .

University Requirements

Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements apply to this major.

Core Lower Division General Education (15 units)

Of the 39 units required by the university, 24 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Of the 39 units, the following 15 units are not satisfied by the major or the American Institutions courses outlined below:

GE Area A1 - Oral Communication 3 unit(s)
GE Area A2 - Written Communication I 3 unit(s)
GE Area C1 - Arts 3 unit(s)
GE Area C1 or C2 3 unit(s)
GE Area F - Ethnic Studies 3 unit(s)

Upper Division General Education

Of the 9 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

U.S. History and Government (6 units)

Complete One US1: US History Course

AMS 10 - Stories that Make America 3 unit(s) (C2+US1)
HIST 15 - Essentials of U.S. History 3 unit(s) (D+US1)
HIST 170S - Topics in American History: American Identities and Institutions 3 unit(s) (S+US1)

Complete One US23: US Constitution and California Government Course

AMS 11 - Visions of Democracy 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 15 - Essentials of U.S. & California Government 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 16 - Power and Ideas in American Politics 3 unit(s) (C2+US23)
POLS 170V - American Politics in Global Perspective 3 unit(s) (V+US23)

Physical Education

The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major. See the Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. For this major, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) is satisfied by a course in the major.

Major Preparation (33 units)

CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (B1+B3)
ENGL 1B - Argument and Analysis 3 unit(s) (C2) (or equivalent second semester composition course.)
MATH 30 - Calculus I 3 unit(s) (B4)
MATH 31 - Calculus II 4 unit(s) (B4)
MATH 32 - Calculus III 3 unit(s) (B4)
MATH 33A - Ordinary Differential Equations for SCI & ENGR 3 unit(s)
PHYS 50 - General Physics I: Mechanics 4 unit(s) (B1+B3)
PHYS 51 - General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 unit(s) (B1+B3)
PHYS 52 - General Physics III: Waves, Light, Heat 4 unit(s) (B1+B3)

Major Requirements (71 units)

Core Courses (18 units)

CE 95 - Theory and Application of Statics 3 unit(s)
EE 98 - Introduction to Circuit Analysis 3 unit(s)
ENGR 10 - Introduction to Engineering 3 unit(s) (E)
MATE 25 - Introduction to Materials 3 unit(s)
ME 20 - Design and Graphics 2 unit(s)
ME 30 - Computer Applications 3 unit(s)
ME 41 - Machine Shop Operations and Safety 1 unit(s)

Major Courses (44 units)

CE 112 - Mechanics of Materials 3 unit(s)
ENGR 100W - Engineering Reports 3 unit(s) (WID+R)
ME 101 - Dynamics
OR ME 101H - Honors Dynamics 3 unit(s)
ME 106 - Fundamentals of Mechatronics Engineering 4 unit(s)
ME 111 - Fluid Mechanics 3 unit(s)
ME 113 - Thermodynamics 4 unit(s)
ME 114 - Heat Transfer 3 unit(s)
ME 115 - Thermal Engineering Laboratory 1 unit(s)
ME 120 - Experimental Methods 2 unit(s)
ME 130 - Applied Engineering Analysis 3 unit(s)
ME 147 - Dynamic Systems Vibration and Control 3 unit(s)
ME 154 - Mechanical Engineering Design 4 unit(s)
ME 195A - Senior Design Project I 3 unit(s) (S)
ME 195B - Senior Design Project II 3 unit(s) (V)
ENGR 195A - Global and Social Issues in Engineering 1 unit(s) (S)
ENGR 195B - Global and Social Issues in Engineering 1 unit(s) (V)

Required Capstone Courses (3 units)

Complete one course from:

ME 157 - Mechanical System Design 3 unit(s)
ME 182 - Thermal Systems Design 3 unit(s)
ME 190 - Mechatronics System Design 3 unit(s)

Technical Electives (6 units)

Technical electives can be chosen from designated courses for breadth or focus in one of the three areas of mechanical design, mechatronics, or thermal/fluids, with advisor approval.

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