2020-2021 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Undergraduate Study

The Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering majors are designated capstone majors. Within their capstone courses, Aerospace Engineering students are exposed to the conceptual and design phases for aircraft development and produce a structural design of a component, such as a lightweight aircraft wing. Mechanical Engineering students work in teams in their capstone courses to propose, design, analyze, and build a mechanical or electromechanical device. Graduates of both programs should be able to apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering in technical systems; design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs; function as productive members of a team; identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Aerospace Engineering B.S.

Capstone Major

The aerospace engineering program is concerned with the design and construction of various types of fixed-wing and rotary-wing (helicopters) aircraft used for air transportation and national defense. It is also concerned with the design and construction of spacecraft, the exploration and utilization of space, and related technological fields.

Aerospace engineering is characterized by a very high level of technology. The aerospace engineer is likely to operate at the forefront of scientific discoveries, often stimulating these discoveries and providing the inspiration for the creation of new scientific concepts. Meeting these demands requires the imaginative use of many disciplines, including fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, structural mechanics, materials and aeroelasticity, dynamics, control and guidance, propulsion, and energy conversion.

Learning Outcomes

The Aerospace Engineering major has the following learning outcomes:

Preparation for the Major

Required: Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20 (or Computer Science 31), 82; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL.

The Major

Required: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 1, 101, 102, 103, 105A, 105D, 107, 150A, 157, 166A, 171A; two departmental breadth courses (Electrical and Computer Engineering 100 and Materials Science and Engineering 104—if one or both of these courses are taken as part of the technical breadth requirement, students must select a replacement upper-division course or courses from the department—except for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 156A—or, by petition, from outside the department); one of the following two tracks (16 units): aeronautics (150B, C150P, 154A, 154S) or space (C150R, 161A, 161B, 161C); three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; one capstone design course (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 157A); one major field elective course (4 units) from the track not chosen (150B or C150P; C150R or 161A) and one major field elective course (4 units) from Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 150B, C150R, 154S, 161A, 161B, 161C (unless taken as a required course), or from 94, 131A, C131G, 133A, 135, 136, C137, C138, CM140, 150C, C150G, 154B, 155, C156B, 162A, C162B, C163A, C163B, C163C, 166C, M168, 169A, 171B, 172, 174, C175A, 181A, 182B, 182C, 183A, M183B, C183C, 185, C186, C187L.

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for B.S. Degrees on page 22 or the GE Requirement web page.

Mechanical Engineering B.S.

Capstone Major

The mechanical engineering program is designed to provide basic knowledge in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, solid mechanics, mechanical design, dynamics, control, mechanical systems, manufacturing, and materials. The program includes fundamental subjects important to all mechanical engineers.

Learning Outcomes

The Mechanical Engineering major has the following learning outcomes:

Preparation for the Major

Required: Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20 (or Computer Science 31), 82, 94; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL.

The Major

Required: Electrical and Computer Engineering 110L, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 101, 102, 103, 105A, 105D, 107, 131A or 133A, 156A, 157, 162A, 171A, 183A (or M183B); two departmental breadth courses (Electrical and Computer Engineering 100 and Materials Science and Engineering 104—if one or both of these courses are taken as part of the technical breadth requirement, students must select a replacement upper-division course or courses from the department—except for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 166A—or, by petition, from outside the department); three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; two capstone design courses (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 162D, 162E); and two major field elective courses (8 units) from Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 131A (unless taken as a required course), C131G, 133A (unless taken as a required course), 135, 136, C137, C138, CM140, 150A, 150B, 150C, C150G, C150P, C150R, 154B, 154S, 155, C156B, 157A, 161A through 161C, C162B, C163A, C163B, C163C, 166C, M168, 169A, 171B, 172, 174, C175A, 181A, 182B, 182C, 183A (unless taken as a required course), M183B (unless taken as a required course), C183C, 185, C186, C187L.

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for B.S. Degrees on page 22 or the GE Requirement web page.

aerospace engineering student rocket team

A student team from the Aerospace Design Laboratory (course 157A) design-build-launch competition shows off its winning rocket. The Space Queen beat other contenders by ascending nearly 2,000 feet, before landing safely with its egg payload undamaged.