Mechanical Engineering Program

2023-24 Mechanical Engineering UG Program

Mechanical engineers create products, machines, and technological systems for the benefit of society. Building on a foundation of physical science, mathematics, and an understanding of societal needs and responsibilities, they develop solutions across a wide range of fields from energy to medical devices, manufacturing to transportation, consumer products to environmental compatibility.

The undergraduate program in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford exposes each student to theoretical and practical experiences that form a foundation from which to develop solutions, and provides an environment that allows for the accumulation of knowledge and self discovery so as to extend the domain within which solutions can be formulated. Graduates of the program have many professional options and opportunities, from entry-level work as mechanical engineers to graduate studies in either an engineering discipline or other fields where a broad engineering background is useful. Regardless of the ultimate career choice, graduates leave the program with a solid grounding in the principals and practice of mechanical engineering, equipped to embark upon a lifetime of learning, while employing new concepts, technologies and methodologies.

Student Services: Alyssa Cicat, ajcicat@stanford.edu, Bldg 530-125,
UG Director: Prof Steve Collins, Bldg 520-202 stevecollins@stanford.edu

For instructions on how to declare the ME major, jump to the bottom of this page.

Research Experience for Undergraduates

The Mechanical Engineering department offers a Summer Undergraduate Research Institute. The 2023-24 SURI program will include student research training in team settings (e.g., students working together on larger projects directed by staff and faculty), and in individually-directed research settings (e.g., the student will work closely with a faculty advisor or senior graduate student). Students who are accepted into SURI will receive a summer fellowship stipend sufficient to cover on-campus housing or the equivalent.

The program is open only to Stanford undergraduate students but students do not necessarily have to be declared ME majors. The application process includes completing a form online, with submissions due by the end of March. Students are strongly encouraged to seek out and obtain a commitment from a faculty advisor before completing the online application. Students should note that SURI enrollment is capped due to funding limitations and preference is given to students with faculty commitments. Students can also contact ME Student Services  directly for more information.

Professional Licensing

Professional licensing is an important aspect of professional responsibility. Although civil engineers may find professional registration more important in securing employment, mechanical engineers should seriously consider pursuing licensing as well. A professional license can be important if you work as a consultant or at a small start-up. An engineer working for a start-up or small technical company must fill a much wider spectrum of professional roles than would be the case working for a larger company. Those roles would typically include certifying drawings and other technical materials that require a license as a professional engineer.

In addition to certifying the accuracy of technical materials produced by yourself or your company, a professional license is important if you have to testify as an expert witness or perform other functions related to the legal system. In many states, including California, you cannot legally use the title “engineer” unless you are a licensed Professional Engineer. In fact the California law requires that “…only a person appropriately licensed with the Board may practice or offer to practice mechanical engineering.”

To attain a professional license you must take the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) examination administered by the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors or equivalent body in the state in which you plan to practice. The examination may be taken at any time, but most people find it easier to pass when completing their undergraduate work and more difficult later on. After passing the F.E. examination you will be eligible to receive an Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) certificate. At least two more years of practical experience and a further examination are required for a full license.

Objectives and Outcomes for Mechanical Engineering

These outcomes are operationalized through learning objectives, which students are expected to demonstrate:

1. Graduates of the program will have the scientific and technical background for successful careers in diverse organizations.
2. Graduates of the program will be leaders, and effective communicators, both in the profession and in the community.
3. Graduates of the program will be motivated and equipped to successfully pursue postgraduate study whether in engineering, or in other fields.
4. Graduates of the program will have a professional and ethical approach to their careers with a strong awareness of the social contexts in which they work.

Learning Outcomes (Undergraduate)

The department expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

1.  an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2.  an ability to 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
3.  an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4.  an ability to 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
5.  an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6.  an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7.  an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

4-Year Plans and Flowchart

ME Program Sheets

Requirements

Mathematics

 Core Concentrations and Concentration Electives

In addition to completing the core requirements, students must choose one of the concentration paths below. Each concentration has 2 or 3 required courses, and students select additional elective courses such that the combination adds up to a minimum of 18 units. If the chosen concentration has 2 required courses (the "Dynamic Systems and Controls" and “Materials and Structures” concentrations), then 2 of the elective courses must come from that concentration.  If the chosen concentration has 3 required courses (the “Product Realization” and “Thermo, Fluids, and Heat Transfer” concentrations), then 1 of the elective courses must come from that concentration. The other elective courses can come from either electives in the student’s chosen concentration or the required courses or electives in any other concentration. Up to 3 units of ME 191 (Independent Study) may be petitioned as one of these electives.

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Notes:

1. PETITIONS: The Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Student Services Office must approve any deviation from the Engineering Depth (ME) requirements, and must give initial approval for any Petitions to deviate from School of Engineering requirements (i.e., math, science, Engineering Fundamentals, TIS). Such petitions must be prepared on the School of Engineering petition forms (see the Petitions page on this site), approved by the advisor, and submitted by the third week of the quarter before the expected graduation quarter. For example, for a June graduation, a student must submit the petition by 3rd week of Winter quarter. SoE deviation petitions must also be approved by the Dean’s office in 135 Huang Engineering Center; the ME department will forward any petitions approved by the department.
2. It is recommended that students review prerequisites for all courses before planning their course sequence.
3. Senior students who have completed the capstone course (170A/B) may enroll in ME 191 for up to 3-units to continue work on their capstone project and petition those units to count towards their technical electives.

Coterm Application Information

Instructions for Declaring Mechanical Engineering (ME-BS)

1. Download and complete an ME program sheet from the Plans & Programs webpage. Please include courses you plan to take as well as those you have already taken. If you plan on applying AP or IB credit to your program, review the School of Engineering Transfers-Ap-Exceptions webpage. Credits must be approved prior to declaration. ).
2. Complete the “ME Declaration: Advisor Assignment” Google Form if you have not already identified an advisor and need one assigned to you. 
3. Arrange a meeting with your Major Advisor to discuss your program and have them approve/sign your completed Program Sheet and ME Declaration form.
4. Complete the “ME Declaration” Google Form. The following documents must be uploaded: Signed Program Sheet, Signed Declaration Form, Unofficial Transcript. >>Students can find the ME Declaration form and updated links to the necessary Google Forms on the Mechanical Engineering Student Intranet at Declaring Mechanical Engineering site.