2026-2027

Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Steve Sanghi College of Engineering

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.

The BS in Mechanical Engineering at Northern Arizona University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

  • 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 general studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's general studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

     

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

  • 60 units of engineering requirements.

  • 43 units of mechanical engineering requirements.

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy General Studies Requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • For this major the General studies prefix is ME.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 125 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 125
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 362
University Honors Program Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S Recommended
Progression Plan Link Not Available

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

  • Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  • Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  • Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  • Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  • Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  • Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Major Requirements

  • This major requires 103 units distributed as follows:

    • Engineering Requirements: 60 units
      • Mathematics and Science: 27 units
      • Computer Science and Engineering: 33 units
    • Mechanical Engineering Course Requirements: 31 units
    • Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives:12 units


    Take the following 103 units:

  • Engineering Requirements (60 units)

  • Mechanical Engineering Course Requirements (31 units)

    Take the following 31 units, which provide an overview of the two branches of mechanical engineering - solid mechanics and thermal and fluid sciences - and give you background for further specialization:

  • *Prerequisites and/or corequisites to Engineering coursework which must be completed with grades of "C" or better. In addition, ENG 105 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

  • Mechanical engineering undergraduate students who have completed all required foundational courses with a "C" or better but have a GPA in those courses that are below the acceptable GPA for enrollment in upper divisional courses may repeat up to two of the foundational courses in which they earned a "C" to meet the minimum GPA requirement. Students may only repeat a required course in which they earned a grade of "C" one time for it to count toward the foundational coursework GPA.

  • Any ME course required for the Mechanical Engineering major may only be repeated one time. Petitions for second repeats presented to the ME department will typically be denied and may be considered only in very rare and exceptional cases such as a death in the family or extended illness.

  • You cannot have more than two grades of "D" in your computer science and engineering courses. Furthermore, all prerequisite and corequisite courses for your engineering courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better in each.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

    • Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and start a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at NAU.

      A total of 12 units will be shared between the plans selected from:

      • 400-level coursework (6 units)
      • 500-level coursework (6 units)
    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan 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 the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

    • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

    • Major Requirements

      This major requires 103 units distributed as follows:

      • Engineering Requirements: 60 units
        • Mathematics and Science: 27 units
        • Computer Science and Engineering: 33 units
      • Mechanical Engineering Course Requirements: 31 units
      • Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives:12 units


      Take the following 103 units:

    • Engineering Requirements (60 units)

    • Mechanical Engineering Course Requirements (31 units)

      Take the following 31 units, which provide an overview of the two branches of mechanical engineering - solid mechanics and thermal and fluid sciences - and give you background for further specialization:

    • *Prerequisites and/or corequisites to Engineering coursework which must be completed with grades of "C" or better. In addition, ENG 105 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

    • Mechanical engineering undergraduate students who have completed all required foundational courses with a "C" or better but have a GPA in those courses that are below the acceptable GPA for enrollment in upper divisional courses may repeat up to two of the foundational courses in which they earned a "C" to meet the minimum GPA requirement. Students may only repeat a required course in which they earned a grade of "C" one time for it to count toward the foundational coursework GPA.

    • Any ME course required for the Mechanical Engineering major may only be repeated one time. Petitions for second repeats presented to the ME department will typically be denied and may be considered only in very rare and exceptional cases such as a death in the family or extended illness.

    • You cannot have more than two grades of "D" in your computer science and engineering courses. Furthermore, all prerequisite and corequisite courses for your engineering courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better in each.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 125 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. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or General studies requirements.

Additional Information

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.