Department of Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate Studies

The Department of Mechanical Engineering currently has 24 full-time faculty, 10 postdoctoral research fellows, and 7 adjunct faculty.  There are approximately 550 undergraduate students and 150 graduate students. The undergraduate curriculum incorporates mathematics, physical science, engineering science, design and manufacturing, systems engineering, and the humanities and social sciences. Courses in these areas are interwoven throughout the curriculum to provide a balanced education in the fundamentals of the profession.

There are two options available within the Mechanical Engineering degree program. Successful completion of an option will be recognized with a certificate awarded by the Department and a designation on the transcript. Students can elect to pursue the Environmental Option. Air pollution control, environmental aspects of energy conversion, and pollution prevention through product and manufacturing process design are important areas in which mechanical engineers contribute to environmental protection. Students taking the Environmental Option will satisfy the requirements for a Mechanical Engineering degree, but focus their technical elective courses on environmental engineering and science. Information is available in the Department office listing detailed course requirements, recommended technical electives, and a suggested sequence of courses for students interested in pursuing the Environmental Option. For more information, contact Prof. Jana Milford.

Another possibility is the Biomedical Engineering Option. Students substitute a biological science course for Physics 3, and take four technical electives in biomedical areas such as biomechanics, neural systems, biomaterials, organic chemistry, cardiovascular fluid dynamics, etc. The faculty advisor for the Biomedical Engineering Option is Prof. Virginia Ferguson.

Minors in Mechanical Engineering are not available at this time.

Students have excellent opportunities to become involved in discipline-related activities outside of the classroom. The department has active chapters in a number of major student societies.

Undergraduates can participate in ongoing research through independent study projects, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), and as research assistants in sponsored projects. Undergraduate research may involve participation in one of the mechanical engineering department research centers. The best way to become involved in research is to find ME faculty members whose research interests you, and ask them about opportunities.

Application for admission is made to the University of Colorado at Boulder. Minimum admission criteria are available from the Office of Admissions. Upon admission to the department, each student is assigned a mechanical engineering faculty advisor. Students transferring from another university meet with the department transfer advisor who evaluates previous courses for their applicability to the mechanical engineering curriculum.