MAE Curriculum Plans and Degree Check
Specific course requirements for each major program are outlined in tables below. In addition to the required technical courses specifically indicated, a suggested scheduling of humanities and social science courses (HSS) are distributed in the curricula for students to use to meet college general-education requirements. To graduate, students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0, and the department requires at least a C- grade in each course required for the major.
Deviations from these programs of study must be approved by the Undergraduate Affairs Committee prior to taking alternative courses. In addition, technical elective (TE) course selections must have departmental approval prior to taking the courses if they are not selected from the pre-approved list. A complete list of technical electives for each major is available in the MAE Student Affairs lobby (EBU II, first floor). In the accredited programs, TE courses are restricted to meet ABET standards. Courses such as MAE 195, 197, and 198 are not allowed as technical electives in meeting the upper-division major requirements. MAE 199 can be used as a technical elective only under special circumstances. Policy regarding these conditions may be obtained from the department's Student Affairs Office.
Students are encouraged to complete lower and upper-division courses as suggested in the curriculum tables in a timely fashion and in the sequences outlined. Deviation in scheduling of MAE upper-division courses is strongly discouraged. Lower-division courses are offered more than once each year to permit students some flexibility in their program scheduling. However, many MAE upper-division courses are taught only once per year, and the courses are scheduled to be consistent with the curricula as shown in the tables. Students taking upper-division courses in a different order than that shown in the tables may experience conflicts as the schedules of different courses may overlap. A tentative schedule of course offerings is available from the department each spring for the following academic year.
Degree CheckIt is a good idea to request a departmental degree check during your junior year to be sure that you are on track for graduation. Please come in and speak to Gerri Johnson. Allow up to 3 weeks for the degree check to be complete.
MAE students will not graduate with more than one D grade in any course within their major. This includes the required math, physics and chemistry courses.
Four-year PlansB.S. Aerospace Engineering
B.S. Chemical Engineering
B.S. Engineering Science
B.S. Environmental Engineering
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
Aerospace engineering is a four-year curriculum that begins with fundamental engineering courses in mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Additional courses are required in aerospace structures, aerodynamics, flight mechanics, propulsion, controls, and aerospace design. Graduates of this program normally enter the aerospace industry to develop aircraft and spacecraft, but also find employment in other areas that use similar technologies, such as mechanical and energy-related fields. Examples include automobile, naval, and sporting equipment manufacturing. This program received ABET accreditation in 2002.
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| Math 20A | Math 20B | Math 20C |
| MAE 2 | Phys 2A | Phys 2B and 2BL |
| Chem 6A | HSS | Strucutural Engineering (SE) 2 |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Math 20D | Math 20F | Math 20E |
| Phys 2C and 2CL | MAE 9 | MAE 131A |
| MAE 3 | MAE 130A | MAE 130B |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Junior Year | ||
| MAE 105 | MAE 101A | MAE 101B |
| MAE 110A | MAE 143A | MAE 143B |
| MAE 140 | MAE 130C | MAE 170 |
| MAE 107C | HSS | SE 160A |
| Senior Year | ||
| MAE 101C | MAE 155A | MAE 155B |
| MAE 150 | MAE 175A | HSS |
| MAE 104 | MAE 142 | HSS |
| SE 160B | MAE 113 | TE |
- Chem. 6AH may be taken in place of Chem. 6.
- In fulfilling the humanities and social science requirements (HSS), students must take a total of at least twenty-four units in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, not including subjects such as accounting, industrial management, finance, or personnel administration. Ten HSS courses are listed here; individual college requirements may be higher.
- Technical Elective (TE) courses must be upper-division or graduate courses in the engineering sciences, natural sciences or mathematics selected with prior approval of the department. See the MAE Student Affairs office for a complete list of approved Technical Electives.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
The Chemical Engineering Program has affiliated faculty from both the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and the Bioengineering Department. The program is administered by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE, formerly AMES). The curricula at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are designed to support and foster chemical engineering as a profession that interfaces engineering and all aspects of basic sciences (physics, chemistry and biology).
Unless otherwise stated, the requirements and policies follow those of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Only features unique to Chemical Engineering are provided in this section.
The Undergraduate Program
The B.S. program in chemical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET/EAC). The curriculum is tailored to provide breadth and flexibility by taking advantage of the strength of basic sciences and other engineering disciplines at UCSD. The intention is to graduate chemical engineers who are multidisciplinary and can work in a broad spectrum of industries rather than solely traditional chemical and petrochemical industries.
Areas of specialization are available whereby a graduate can be in a position for a career in environmental technology, microelectronic device fabrication, materials and polymer processing, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, biomedical engineering, energy and thermal systems, dynamic systems and controls, and so forth. For students who aspire to pursue a graduate degree and a career in research and development, the units in an area of specialization can be allocated to more fundamental science and engineering courses. These students are also encouraged to perform independent projects in one of the faculty research laboratories or groups.
Whether the career goal is industry, or graduate or professional school, the curriculum has a strong emphasis on developing problem solving skills and the ability to think and learn on one's own. The capstone courses in this respect are the two senior design courses and the two very unique senior process laboratory courses where the environment is not unlike product development in either an industrial or academic setting. In each process development lab, students work in groups of three on one project where they carry through the entire stages of project planning, experimental design and setup, execution, analysis, modification and improvement, and final project evaluation.
Major Requirements
For policies in general education requirements, professional licensing, academic advising, and application for admission to the major, please refer to the section under Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. To receive a B.S. in chemical engineering, students must complete 194 units for graduation, which includes 44 units of general education (humanities and social sciences) requirements. The balance consists of basic sciences (53 units), chemistry core (24 units), chemical engineering core (32 units), process laboratory and design (16 units), general engineering (12 units), and an area of specialization (12 units). Beyond the 53 units of basic sciences, the science and engineering courses total to 96 units. A one-unit introductory seminar (CENG 1) is required of all incoming freshmen. The specific breakdown is as follows:
Basic sciences (53 units): This lower division requirement includes 24 units of mathematics (Math 20A-F), 14 units of physics (Phy 2A-C, 2CL), and 15 units of chemistry (Chem 6A-C, 6BL or 6CL*).
*Chem 6CL is recommended for students who completed chemistry plus lab in high school.
Chemistry core (24 units): This requirement must include two physical and one organic chemistry courses (Chem 131, 132, 140A). To fulfill ABET requirement, three additional advanced chemistry courses must be chosen among biochemistry, physical, organic, and inorganic chemistries. Two courses must be selected among Chem 133, 135, 140B, 114AB, and 120AB, and the third course must be selected among Chem 105 (must have completed Chem 6CL), 106, and 143A.
Chemical engineering core (32 units): This requirement covers chemical process modeling, transport phenomena, solution thermodynamics, unit operations, chemical reaction engineering, and process control (CENG 100, 102, 103A-C, 113, 122, 120).
Process laboratory and design (16 units): This requirement is crucial to fulfill the ABET design content (CENG 124AB, 176AB).
General engineering (12 units): This requirement covers basics in computer programming, probability and statistics, and instrumentation. The computer programming requirement can be satisfied with a course in C/C++ (MAE 9), or Java (CSE 8AB or 11). Probability and statistics can be satisfied with ECE 109 or a course with equivalent content. Instrumentation is satisfied with MAE 170.
Electives in an area of specialization (12 units): Electives are intended to broaden and enhance professional goals. They may be chosen to achieve either breadth or depth in one's education. These electives must be upper division courses in either science or engineering. If one chooses to use the electives as depth in an area of specialization, the pre-approved courses listed below may be used. A complete list of TE's can be found in the MAE Student Affairs Office lobby, EBU II.
Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering: Both Chem 114AB (or BIBC 100,102) must be taken as part of the advanced chemistry requirement. These two classes are prerequisites to the following courses: BIMM 100, BIMM 120, BIBC 110, CHEM 115, BENG 160ABC
Electronic Materials: Chem 133 must be taken as part of the advanced chemistry requirement. This course is a prerequisite to the following courses: ECE 103, 134, 135A, 136, 136L.
Engineering Mechanics: MAE 130AB, 131A, 160
Engineering Science: MAE 105, 107; Chem 135, 136; Phy 152 (requires Chem 133).
Environmental Engineering: Chem 149AB, 173; MAE 120, 121, 122, 123
Materials Science: Chem 133 must be taken as part of the advanced chemistry requirement. This course is a prerequisite to the following courses: Chem 107; Phy 152; ECE 137; MS 201ABC, 205A, 227.
Process Control: MAE 140, 143; MAE 143BC or ECE 171AB.
Thermal Engineering and Systems: MAE 118ABC, 113.
Independent Research: CENG 199 as equivalent to a "senior thesis" can be approved as equivalent to two elective courses (8 units). Consult department Student Affairs Office for details.
Chemical Engineering has a traditional ABET accredited curriculum encompassing studies concerned with fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, separation processes, and reactor and plant design. Chemical engineers find employment in the traditional petrochemical, food, and polymers industries but also in high-technology industries, such as biotechnology, electronics, and aerospace, and emerging fields such as environmental engineering.
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| Math 20A | Math 20B | Math 20C |
| MAE 9 or 10 | Phys 2A | Phys 2B |
| Chem 6A | Chem 6B | Chem 6C/6BL |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| CENG 1 | ||
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Math 20D | Math 20F | Math 20E |
| Phys 2C/2CL | CENG 100 | Chem 140A |
| Chem 131 | Chem 132 | CENG 102 |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Junior Year | ||
| CENG 101A | CENG 101B | CENG 101C |
| ADV CHEM TE | ADV CHEM TE | ADV CHEM TE |
| MAE 170 | CENG 113 | ECE 109 or BIEB 100 |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Senior Year | ||
| CENG 120 | CENG 124A | CENG 124B |
| CENG 122 | CENG 176A | CENG 176B |
| TE-AS | TE-AS | TE-AS |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
- MAE 9 or 10 can be replaced with CSE 8AB or CSE 11.
- Individual Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) college requirements may be greater or lesser than what is listed here. Students who need only 9 or 10 HSS for their college requirements are still required to graduate with 194 units. In this case, they have the option to replace extra HSS slots with a course in their area of specialization or any course in science and engineering, including lower division courses such as Phys 2D, MAE 20 or MAE 03.
- Two advanced chemistry Technical Electives (TE) must be selected from among CHEM 133, 135, 140B/141B, 114AB, and 120AB, and the third laboratory elective must be selected from among CHEM 100B, 105, and 143A.
- The technical electives in an Area of Specialization (AS) must be upper-division or graduate courses in engineering, natural sciences or mathematics based on the pre-approved sequences. Otherwise, the selections must receive prior approval of the department. If a student chooses process control as the area of specialization, CENG 120 can be replaced by a relevant course within the approved set of courses for specialization in this area.
ENGINEERING SCIENCE
The Engineering Science Program resembles the mechanical engineering program, except that the course load of mechanical design is reduced, and control theory is not required. In addition to core courses in dynamics, vibrations structures, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and laboratory experimentation, a large number of technical electives are scheduled. This aspect of the curriculum allows flexibility, permitting specialization and in-depth study in one area of the engineering sciences or development of a sequence of courses emerging from the current research interests of the faculty of MAE and/or other departments, e.g., sequences in the earth sciences, transportation, or energy-related studies. Students intending to pursue postgraduate professional careers in non-technical fields such as business administration, law, or medicine may develop an appropriate sequence of courses. Although a sequence in the non-sciences may be permitted, the faculty adviser may insist on a substantial number of MAE or other science courses as technical electives. Students must consult their advisers to develop a balanced course of study to fulfill the technical elective requirements of this program. This curriculum also allows the highest number of humanities and social science courses (HSS) to meet college general-education requirements.
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| Math 20A | Math 20B | Math 20C |
| MAE 1 | Phys 2A | Phys 2B and 2BL |
| Chem 6A | Chem 6B | MAE 3 |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Math 20D | Math 20F | Math 20E |
| Phys 2C and 2CL | MAE 9 or 10 | MAE 130B |
| MAE 20 | MAE 130A | MAE 131A |
| HSS | HSs | HSS |
| Junior Year | ||
| MAE 105 | MAE 101A | MAE 101B |
| MAE 107 | MAE 130C | MAE 170 |
| MAE 110A | MAE 160 | HSS |
| MAE 140 | HSS | HSS |
| Senior Year | ||
| MAE 150 | MAE 171A | MAE 171B |
| MAE 101C | TE | TE |
| TE | TE | HSS |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
- Chem 6AH - 6BH sequence may be taken in place of Chem 6A-B.
- Humanities and Social Science (HSS) courses should be selected to meet general-education requirements of the colleges. Individual college requirements may be higher or lower than what is listed here.
- Four Technical Elective (TE) courses must be upper-division or graduate courses in the engineering sciences, natural sciences or mathematics selected with prior approval of the department. A sequence of non-science courses may also be selected with prior approval (see program description).
- See the Student Affairs Office for a complete list of Technical Electives.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
The Environmental Engineering program resembles the Chemical Engineering program for the first two years. In the third and fourth year, the programs diverge: an environmental engineering sequence is offered, as well as further specialization in fluid mechanics, and a wide choice of Technical Elective (TE) courses, both from within MAE and in other departments. This major builds on the strong education that UCSD undergraduate engineers receive in physics, chemistry and mathematics and introduces topics which are of concern to industry operating in today's world where environmental stewardship is increasingly seen as an important aspect of business. Both locally and internationally it is recognized that industry must operate within increasingly restrictive environmental regulations, and that societies' sensitivity to environment and sustainability continues to grow.
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| Math 20A | Math 20B | Math 20C |
| MAE 9 or 10 | Phys 2A | Phys 2B |
| Chem 6A | Chem 6B | Chem 6C/6BL |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Math 20D | Math 20F | Math 20E |
| Phys 2C/2CL | CENG 100 | CENG 102 |
| Chem 126 or 131 | Chem 127 or 132 | Chem 140A |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Junior Year | ||
| MAE 105 | MAE 101A | MAE 101B |
| CENG 120 | TE | MAE 170 |
| MAE 107 | TE | MAE 124 |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Senior Year | ||
| MAE 101C | MAE 126A | MAE 126B |
| MAE 125A | MAE 125B | TE |
| TE | TE | TE |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
- Humanities and Social Science (HSS) courses should be selected to meet general education requirements of the colleges. Individual college requirements may be higher or lower than what is listed here.
- Technical electives (6): at least 2 must be from MAE and 2 must be upper division courses.
- See MAE Student Affairs for a complete list of approved Technical Electives.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
The Mechanical Engineering Program has a traditional ABET accredited four-year curriculum involving mechanics, vibrations, thermodynamics, fluid flow, heat transfer, materials, control theory, and mechanical design. Graduates of this program find employment in the high-technology electro-mechanical industry, as well as in the mechanical and aerospace industry.
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| Math 20A | Math 20B | Math 20C |
| MAE 1 | Phys 2A | Phys 2B and 2BL |
| Chem 6A | Chem 6B | MAE 3 |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Math 20D | Math 20F | Math 20E |
| Phys 2C/2CL | MAE 9 or 10 | MAE 130B |
| MAE 20 | MAE 130A | MAE 131A |
| HSS | HSS | HSS |
| Junior Year | ||
| MAE 110A | MAE 101A | MAE 101B |
| MAE 105 | MAE 143A | MAE 143B |
| MAE 140 | MAE 130C | MAE 170 |
| MAE 107 | MAE 160 | HSS |
| Senior Year | ||
| MAE 101C | MAE 171A | MAE 171B |
| MAE 156A | MAE 156B | TE |
| MAE 150 | TE | HSS |
| TE | HSS | HSS |
- Chem 6AH - 6BH sequence may be taken in place of Chem 6A-B.
- In fulfilling the Humanities and Social Science requirements (HSS), students must take a total of at least twenty-four units in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, not including subjects such as accounting, industrial management, finance, or personnel administration. Ten HSS courses are listed in the above grid; individual college requirements may be higher.
- Technical electives (TE) must be upper-division or graduate course in the engineering sciences, natural sciences or mathematics.
- See the MAE Student Affairs Office for a complete list of Technical Electives.
