Mechanical Engineering Website

Cal Poly Catalog

Mechanical Engineering

About Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is a versatile and interdisciplinary field that includes everything from design at the molecular level to system integration of large-scale manufacturing machinery. As a student, you can find more information below that pertains directly to your major.

Faculty Advisors

For additional information on assigned Faculty Advisors please see the bottom of the ME Undergraduate Information Page.

Declaring / Switching Your Concentration

It is important to declare your concentration to ensure your Degree Progress Report and Academic Progress Level is up to date for registration.  

In order to declare your concentration, please:

In order to switch your concentration, please:

Please Note: A change of concentration will appear on your transcript. 

Course Substitutions

As curriculum changes between different catalog years, you may question what courses automatically transfer between catalogs. The following changes below apply to ME majors only and a petition will not be required.

All ME Students:

Your catalog You may use: To substitute for:
2015-17 through 2020-21 ME 448 (4) ME 420 (4)
2015-17 through 2020-21 ME 343 (4) ME 350 (4)
2015-17 through 2020-21 Any GE Area B2 Life Science Course (4) BIO 213 + BMED/BRAE 213 (4 total)
2015-17 through 2020-21 Any GE Area A3 Course (4) ENGL 149 (4)
2015-17 through 2020-21 ME 403  General Concentration Approved Technical Elective
2013-15 through 2017-19 CE 208 (5 units) CE 204 (3 units) + CE 207 (2 units)
2015-17 through 2017-19 ME 440 (4 units) ME 420 (4 units)
2019-20 through 2020-21 IME 143 (2 units) IME 145 (1 unit) + IME 146 (1 unit)
2019-20 through 2020-21 ME 229 (2 units) ME 263 (1 unit) + ME 264 (1 unit)
2013-15 through 2017-19 ME 263 (1 unit) + ME 264 (1 unit)

ME 229 (2 units)
2013-15 through 2017-19 IME 145 (1 unit) + IME 146 (1 unit) IME 143 (2 units)
2013-15 through 2020-21

ME 409

 Technical Elective in General Concentration
2015-17 through 2017-19 ME 506 OR ME 507 ME 423 in Mechatronics Concentration
2011-13 through 2015-17

ME 428 (2 units) + ME 429 (2 units) + ME 430 (2 units)

OR ME 428 (3 units) + ME 429 ( 2 units) + ME 471 "Senior Project Design III" (1 unit)

 ME 428 (3 units) + ME 429 (2 units) + ME 430 (1 unit) in General, Mechatronics, and Manufacturing Concentrations
2013-15 through 2017-19 ENGR 459 + ENGR 460 + ENGR 461 ME 428 + ME 429 + ME 430 in General, Mechatronics, and Manufacturing Concentrations
2005-07 through 2017-19 BIO 111 BIO 213 + ENGR/BMED 213

Students Who Have Changed Their Major Into ME:

Your catalog you may use: to substitute for:
2013-15 through 2020-21
  • CE 111 + CE 112
 ME 263 + 264
2019-20 through 2022-23
  • BMED 101
  • CE 111
  • CPE 100
  • EE 111
  • IME 101
  • MATE 110
 ME 263
2019-20 through 2022-23
  • AERO 121
  • BMED 101 + BMED 102
  • CE 111 (1) + CE 112 (2)
  • EE 111 + EE 151
  • ENGR 110
  • MATE 110 + MATE 120
 ME 263 + ME 264
2013-15 through 2017-19
  • AERO 121
  • BMED 101 + BMED 102
  • EE 111 + EE 151
  • ENGR 110
  • MATE 110 + MATE 120
 ME 229
2013-15 through 2022-23 CPE 101 (or transfer equivalent) or CSC 232 CSC 231/234

ME Transfer Students:

Your catalog you may use: to substitute for:
2001-03 through 2022-23

3.5 excess units from a CHEM 124 equivalent course +

0.5 excess unit from a PHYS 131 or 141 or 132 or 133 equivalent course

 CHEM 125
2013-15 through 2022-23 CPE 101 (or transfer equivalent) or CSC 232 (or transfer equivalent) CSC 231/234

Proposed Course Offerings

Flowcharts

Department flowcharts provide an example of an academic plan. The flowcharts serve as a guide for planning purposes.  

Curriculum Sheets

Curriculum sheets provide an outline of all the requirements needed to complete a degree.

Related Content

Multicultural Engineering Program

MEP

International Exchange Program - Study Abroad

IEP

Tutoring - Writing and Learning Center

Tutoring

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