Admissions
Acceptance into a selective engineering major is based on academic excellence demonstrated in high school. Acceptance will be granted to the maximum number of students in each selective major consistent with maintaining acceptable program quality. Admission is granted by the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools and not the individual departments.
Academic Policies
Each MAE major program has their own unique requirements. In addition, each college has their own unique requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to adhere to these policies and rules in order to meet the academic requirements for graduation.
Advising
Academic advisors are an essential resource for students in terms of course planning and staying on track to graduate. Advisors are available for advising to assist students with all matters related to academic performance. 'In-person' advising is only available upon request and with an appointment. There is no 'walk-in' in-person advising at this time.
Program Overview
The UC San Diego Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has been consistently ranked in the top 20 programs in the nation by US News and World Report. In the March 2020 rankings, mechanical engineering at UC San Diego was ranked 17th in the country, and aerospace engineering 18th in the nation.
The UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering was ranked #9 among all engineering schools in the country. The Jacobs School is first among all public engineering schools for research expenditures per faculty member, reflecting UC San Diego's leadership as a research university. Undergraduate students contribute to this research, working alongside graduate students and professors in world-class labs, breaking boundaries as they leverage engineering for the global good.
All MAE programs of study have strong components in laboratory experimentation, numerical computation, and engineering design. Design is covered throughout the curricula by open-ended homework problems and laboratory and computer courses which include student-initiated projects. This culminates in the senior design project courses, which involve teams of students working to solve real-world engineering design problems brought in from industry.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
Five to ten years after completing our program, our alumni are expected to:
- Enjoy successful careers where they utilize a strong technical foundation to excel as engineers, technology leaders, innovators, or other contributors to society.
- Keep pace with rapid technological change and further develop their knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines throughout their professional careers or in pursuit of advanced education.
- Lead local or global teams, where they will communicate effectively, interact ethically and knowledgeably, and take into account societal issues to provide a positive impact on society.
A Note about MAE Programs
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) offers programs leading to a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering.
The B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
The B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
MAE also offers a non-accredited engineering program leading to a B.S. degree in environmental engineering.
All MAE programs of study have strong components in laboratory experimentation, numerical computation, and engineering design. Design is emphasized throughout the curricula by open-ended homework problems, by laboratory and computer courses which include student-initiated projects, and finally by senior design project courses which often involve teams of students working to solve engineering design problems brought in from industry. The MAE programs are designed to prepare students receiving bachelor's degrees for professional careers or for graduate education in their area of specialization. In addition, the programs can also be taken by students who intend to use their undergraduate engineering education as preparation for postgraduate professional training in nontechnical fields such as business administration, law, or medicine.
NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION
B.S. Aerospace Engineering (Selective effective Fall 2009)
B.S. Environmental Engineering* (Selective Fall 2014)
B.S. Mechanical Engineering (Selective effective Fall 2009)
*The MAE Department is currently in the process of repurposing the Environmental Engineering major into a specialization within the Mechanical Engineering major. Current and prospective students can refer to the Disestablishment of the Environmental Engineering Major Information document for more information.
B.S. Engineering Science Engineering
The engineering science degree was discontinued in 2012. Continuing students will remain in the program until graduation. For academic advice on this major, please see the MAE Student Affairs Office (EBU II, first floor).
Engineering Sciences Four-year Curriculum Plan