This degree produces the thinkers and designers who are concerned with controlling the principles of motion, energy, and force through mechanical solutions. The program emphasizes solid mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid sciences, and energy systems. A solid core of other engineering, math, and computer science coursework ensures well-rounded graduates.
This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). (ABET / EAC).
More Information
Want to design the next generation of passenger jets? Bring wind power to a remote Southwestern village? Help land a space vehicle on Mars? If so, Northern Arizona University's Mechanical Engineering degree could help you take the first steps toward your dream. You will join a broad engineering field that's vital to countless industries. You'll learn to apply mathematics and physics to design and build mechanical components and systems like automobiles, power plants, robots, and spacecraft. In our innovative and award-winning Design4Practice Program, you'll gain a broad set of technical, managerial, and professional skills.
As a Mechanical Engineering major, you will have opportunities for extensive faculty-student interaction, undergraduate research, and hands-on experience through student projects like the Mini-Baja race car, unmanned aerial vehicle, human powered vehicle and urban concept car. In your last semester, you’ll have an opportunity to present the results of your senior capstone project in a professional conference setting on campus at our annual Undergraduate Research and Design Symposium.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 124 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 362 |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
Mechanical engineering is a diverse and broad discipline of engineering that applies the principles of mathematics, physics, and science for the analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools. It is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines. This exciting engineering field requires a solid understanding of core concepts including solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials science, and structural analysis to name a few. Mechanical engineers use these core principles along with tools like computer-aided engineering and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, automobiles, space vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, robotic devices, wind turbines, medical devices, and much more.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the degree, students will have the ability to:
Take the following 102 - 103 units
Engineering Requirements (59-60 units)
Mathematics and science courses (27 units):
Generally these courses have the ME prefix; the only exceptions allowed are the listed EE and CENE courses due to their significant ME content. You can also use ME 500-level courses as depth electives, as a qualified senior with departmental approval.
To gain breadth in fields related to mechanical engineering (6 units):
Select upper-division (300-400 level) courses in engineering (including any course listed above as a depth elective), natural sciences, business, or mathematics. No more than one lower division course (100-200 level) can be used as a breadth elective. You must get approval from your advisor and department for these courses. (6 units)
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 124 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Please note that you can't have more than two grades of "D" in your engineering and computer science courses. Furthermore, all prerequisite and corequisite courses for your engineering courses must be completed with grades of "C" or better.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $500 per year in students' Junior and Senior years has been approved for this program.