Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Undergraduate programs in Mechanical Engineering explore fundamental principles of mechanical engineering and their application to modern technological problems. Students collaborate on interdisciplinary work where they research and design creative, leading-edge solutions to these problems. Our curriculum focuses on the study of dynamics, controls, and robotics; manufacturing processes and advanced materials; energy and environmentally-friendly “green” engineering; engineering for health with biotechnologies and biomechanics.
Major category: Capacity-constrained
Curricular options: Mechatronics, Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering
Topic: Engineering
Applicant type
Freshman
Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).
Transfer
Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
- Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- UW college and school graduation requirements
Department admission information
- Departmental application deadline: April 5
- Please contact the department for details about the application process.
Major Profile: In the admission decision for this and every major, a wide range of factors are taken into consideration. The profile should not be used to overstate the importance of grades in the admission decision for academic majors but it may offer some guidance as you plan for transfer.
Application deadlines:
Autumn quarter
Apply to UW Admissions by: February 15
Apply to the Department by: April 5
To be eligible to apply, you must have a 2.0 (“C” grade) minimum GPA in each prerequisite course and a 2.5 cumulative GPA in all the prerequisites. These are minimums; the actual GPA of those admitted is much higher.
To plan your transfer, be sure to utilize the engineering transfer admission website and contact the department if you have additional questions. A separate departmental application is required in addition to the UW application for admission. For more information, please visit the department’s website.
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses required for the major:
- MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I 1
- MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II1
- MATH 126 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry III1
- CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry 1
- CHEM 152 NSc RSN – General Chemistry 2
- PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics1
- PHYS 122 NSc – Electromagnetism 1
- PHYS 123 NSc – Waves, Light, and Heat2
- A A 210 NSc – Engineering Statics1
- CEE 220 NSc – Introduction to Mechanics of Materials2
- M E 230 NSc – Kinematics and Dynamics2
- English composition C 1
Notes:
1 Application requirements (completed by application deadline)
2 Enrollment requirements (completed by the start of your first quarter in the major)
Completion of 60 credits by the April 5 department admission deadline is required.
Transfer applicants are encouraged to take three to four of the following courses before their junior year: MATH 207, MATH 208, AMATH 301, M E 123, MSE 170, EE 215, IND E 315. Those not completed may be taken the first quarter of the junior year or later.
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 511
Total from Washington community colleges: 64
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: 26
3.50 – 3.74: 16
3.25 – 3.49: 15
3.00 – 3.24: 7
2.75 – 2.99: 0
2.50 – 2.74: 0
2.49 and below: 0