Navigating the UCF Mechanical Engineering Flowchart: A Comprehensive Guide
The baccalaureate degree program in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is designed to prepare students for professional careers or graduate studies. Graduates are expected to excel in their early careers and advance in their chosen fields. Mechanical Engineering, a broad and established discipline, applies principles of engineering, materials science, thermal sciences, mechanics, mathematics, and physics to the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. The curriculum focuses on a solid core of foundation courses, with electives allowing students to specialize in specific areas. Mechanical engineers can work in various sectors, including aerospace, manufacturing, energy, environment, transportation, materials, and structures.
Program Overview
The Mechanical Engineering program at UCF is accredited by ABET, a respected organization for accrediting college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Students are required to have a laptop or tablet PC, and should consult the department for minimum hardware configurations. In addition to the University’s general requirements, students seeking the BSME must meet specific requirements, including a minimum course grade of "C-" or better in certain Engineering courses as well as all math, science, and engineering courses that serve as prerequisites to EGN, EGM, EML, and EEL prefixed courses and labs. The curriculum is designed to achieve specific outcomes, with each upper-division course contributing to at least one of these.
General Education and State Requirements
Students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With proper planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses that will satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites to minimize the number of courses required. For example, students can take MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I or MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II to complete the Mathematics requirement. The sciences listed in the Common Prerequisites section will also fulfill the General Education Natural Science requirement. One of the two General Education Electives should be taken in the Natural Sciences, specifically CHM 2045 General Chemistry I, PHY 2048 Calculus-Based Physics I, or PHY 2049 Calculus-Based Physics II to maximize the overlap.
Civic Literacy Requirement
The Florida Legislature has amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution:
- Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 - None
- Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 - Complete a course or Assessment.
- Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 - Course and Assessment.
- Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter - Course and Assessment.
Approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement for Cohorts 3 and 4, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
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Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete courses that align with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. Placement will be based on their mathematics placement. Courses include:
- MAC 1105 College Algebra
- MAC 1105C College Algebra with Lab
- MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra
- MAC 1114 Trigonometry
- MAC 1147 Precalculus with Trigonometry
- MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. A minimum grade of a "C" is required in the following courses:
- CHM 2045 & 2045L General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory
- MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
- MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
- MAP 2302 Differential Equations
- PHY 2048 & 2048L Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab
- PHY 2049 & 2049L Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab
Students may begin taking engineering courses prior to completing all math and science prerequisites, but they must complete those math and science courses (with a minimum of a "C-" grade) listed as prerequisites to any engineering classes they wish to take.
Core Mechanical Engineering Courses
The core curriculum comprises a comprehensive set of courses designed to provide a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles:
- EEL 3111 & 3111L Circuits I and Electrical Circuits Laboratory
- EGM 2500 Engineering Mechanics-Statics
- EEL 4834 Programming for Engineers
- EGN 3365 Engineering Materials
- EGM 3401 Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics
- EGM 3344 Numerical Methods
- EGN 2911L Sophomore Engineering Design I
- EGN 2912L Sophomore Engineering Design II
- EGN 3913L Junior Engineering Design I
- EGN 3914L Junior Engineering Design II
- EML 3022 Computer Aided Design and Modeling
- EML 3015 Thermal Fluid Systems I
- EML 3016 & 3016L Thermal Fluid Systems II and Thermal Fluid Systems II lab
- EML 3703 Thermal Systems
- EML 3500 Machine Design
- EML 3011 & EML 3172L Mechanics of Materials and Mechanics of Materials lab
- EML 4804 & 4804L Mechatronic Systems and Mechatronic Systems lab
- EML 4225 Dynamic Systems
- EGN 4950 Capstone Design I
- EGN 4952L Capstone Design II
- EGS 4032 Professional Ethics
Mechanical Engineering Electives
Students must complete 18 credit hours of Mechanical Engineering Electives. These electives allow students to delve deeper into specific areas of interest. Any 3000 level or higher EML, EGM, EEL, EEE course, as well as other courses (which must be preapproved by your advisor) can be chosen. At least 2 courses must be in either Thermal or Mechanical systems. Students are recommended to wait until junior spring to start electives.
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Major-Related Courses
- EGS 3441 Engineering Statistics
- EGS 1006 Introduction to Engineering
Students who begin their Mechanical program as sophomores or higher may replace EGS 1006 with a professional development elective. Work with your academic advisor to choose an elective that will aid you in your career objectives. Typical courses for this elective include, but are not limited to, professional writing courses, courses from other STEM fields, and business courses.
Senior Design Project: Capstone Design I & II
The senior design sequence (EGN 4950 Capstone Design I and EGN 4952L Capstone Design II) is the culmination of the engineering education. This final project should be taken in the last two semesters of a student's program. Seniors must see their academic advisor in order to register for them.
Minor in Mechanical Engineering
The Minor in Mechanical Engineering provides an opportunity for students majoring in other areas to take a limited number of mechanical engineering courses to complement their majors. It is open to all UWF students with the exception of mechanical engineering majors. Students applying for the minor must have a declared major and may not take a course and its prerequisite during the same semester.
Students seeking the Minor in Mechanical Engineering must have a minimum course grade of “C” or better in EML 3022 Computer Aided Design and Modeling, EGM 2500 Engineering Mechanics-Statics, EGN 3365 Engineering Materials, and EML 3011 Mechanics of Materials. The courses in the minor require MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I, CHM 2045 General Chemistry I, and PHY 2048 Calculus-Based Physics I as prerequisites with a minimum grade of "C".
Engineering Professional Certificate
This certificate program is focused on engineering professional knowledge and prepares students to achieve licensure and other valued industry certifications. The certificate will help students learn engineering fundamentals as well as specific industry skills. All prerequisites must be met in order to enroll in these courses.
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Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Engineering Professional Certificate Program must meet the requirements at the time of application. The program selection criteria are based on the following:
- Completion of prerequisite courses.
- In lieu of prerequisite course completion:
- ABET accredited bachelor's degree in engineering OR related field.
- At least one year of professional experience as an Engineering Professional.
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) at UCF
The MS in Mechanical Engineering program at UCF is designed to advance your knowledge and skills in the areas of mechanical systems and thermofluids. Students can choose from a wide variety of courses that provide state-of-the-art research opportunities working with faculty mentors who are active in various sponsored research funded by local and national industry, as well as many federal agencies. Students gain knowledge and expertise in mechanical engineering-specific challenges, as well as understand engineered systems for many applications.
Tracks
- Aerospace Track: This track is designed to prepare you for a career as an engineer in the aerospace industry and focuses on topics such as the mechanics of materials, computational methods and engineering design.
- Thermofluids Track: This track includes topics such as fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and turbomachinery.
The accelerated BS to MSME track allows highly qualified undergraduate majors in mechanical engineering to begin taking graduate-level courses that will count toward a master’s degree while completing a baccalaureate degree program.
Program Details
Students in the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering will complete a total of 30 credit hours toward their master’s degree. While a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a related discipline is recommended, it is not required. Applications are accepted for the fall and spring semesters. All required materials must be submitted prior to the application deadline.
Deciphering the UCF Mechanical Engineering Flowchart
The UCF Mechanical Engineering flowchart can initially appear overwhelming, but understanding its structure is key to effective academic planning.
Understanding Prerequisite Chains
Understanding the prerequisite chains is crucial for successful planning. Creating a personalized version of the flowchart can help visualize the course sequences specific to individual situations. Strategic planning in the first year sets the tone for the entire degree.
Core ME Sequence
The core ME sequence is where your engineering identity truly forms. Junior year is where theory meets practice. Visualizing these complex relationships helps clarify how different course concepts interconnect.
Advanced Courses and Electives
Your choice of advanced courses and laboratory experiences will significantly shape your career trajectory. The 15 credit hours of technical electives represent the ultimate opportunity to customize your degree. It is recommended to wait until junior spring to start electives.
Supporting Requirements
Beyond the core engineering courses, several supporting requirements form the foundation of your technical education. Understanding material properties is essential for any design work, and even mechanical engineers need electrical knowledge.
Transitioning into the Program
If you're joining the ME program after starting elsewhere-whether from another major or institution-building personalized transition roadmaps is essential for success. Visual planning tools help identify bottlenecks before they become problems.
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