uc davis mechanical engineering degree requirements

Mechanical engineers build the world around us. From the tiniest nanotechnology, through to cars and buildings, to airplanes and space stations, mechanical engineers are responsible for the design and development of most things.

Studying mechanical engineering is a combination of science, maths, and computing. It’s the study of machinery, and how to manufacture and maintain it at all levels. It’s a limitless subject, which plays a role in everything from vehicles to cities, energy to artificial intelligence, military to healthcare, and everything in between.

Mechanical engineering course entry requirements

Mechanical engineering is considered to be one of the most challenging undergraduate degrees on offer, so you won’t be surprised to hear that entry requirements can be steep. Generally, you’ll need to have a qualification in maths and/or physics. But, just as importantly, you’ll need to show good grades in whichever subjects you’re studying.

Other subjects that will support an application for mechanical engineering include further maths, design technology, computing, product design, and the other sciences. When it comes to your skills and extracurricular activities, universities will be looking for practicality, attention to detail, proficiency with technology, computing, and numeracy.What you will need to do

Apply by 26 January
Attend an interview
Show work experience

What you won’t need to do

Submit a portfolio
Audition for a place

Can I still apply if I don’t have good grades in maths and physics?

Each university has its own entry requirements. Maths and physics are generally the most important subjects for mechanical engineering, but many students manage to get on a course without having studied them. Showing a strong personal profile can sometimes be just as important as an academic one. Always check with the university you’re applying to.

Find out what studying engineering is like

Chat now to Ismail who can tell you all about it.

Why study mechanical engineering at university?

Mechanical engineering is the broadest of the engineering subjects, giving you an insight into the others, and giving you the most wide-ranging career options. When you combine this with the fact that mechanical engineers are in demand in almost every sector, play your cards right and you may end up as one of the most employable graduates around.

If you’re looking for a future-proof skill, then remember that mechanical engineers are heavily involved in automation, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. The rapid development of technology also means that studying mechanical engineering is never going to be boring. You’ll be among the first to test emerging techniques and technologies, and much of your study will be practical and hands-on.

Some modules you may study are:

Structural materials
Engineering concepts
Solid mechanics
Thermodynamics
Thermofluids
Biomedical and bioengineering
Electromechanicals
Systems modelling

Even if you don’t decide to stay in engineering, the transferable skills you master will set you up for careers in a wide range of sectors.

What kind of work experience should I be able to show?

It’s unlikely you’ll have much experience with mechanical engineering at 17 or 18. Universities will be looking for personal or professional experience in something related – working with cars, or in maintenance, or something technical. Universities are looking for commitment to the type of skills an engineer has, not just engineering itself.

Entry requirements

A levels – Entry requirements range from CCC to A*AA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for AAB.

Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from ABBB to AAAAB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring AABBB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for AA.

Vocational courses – Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, or an SCQF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A levels/Highers by some providers. It’s essential that you check alternative entry requirements with universities or colleges.

What can you do with a mechanical engineering degree?

Most mechanical engineering graduates will remain in engineering, as:

mechanical engineer
structural engineer
aerospace engineer
civil engineer

But some engineering graduates use their diverse skillset to move into other sectors, as:

auto electrician
transport planner
model maker
CNC machinist

What’s it like to study mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineering is challenging, but that’s because it’s also rewarding. Don’t expect to be sitting in lectures and seminars for the entirety of your degree, which will generally last three or four years. During that time, you’ll be involved in lots of practical and demonstration sessions, as well as laboratory and workshop lessons. Engineering graduates are awarded a BEng, rather than the more common BA or BSc.

As the broadest of the engineering subjects, mechanical engineering gives you an overall grounding in the discipline, before allowing you to specialise from your third year onwards. You might decide to branch into aerospace, medical, structural, or robotic, by taking specific modules. To support this, some universities offer placement years which allow you to spend time in industry, with a company that relates to your passion or specialism.

While studying mechanical engineering, you’ll be:

writing reports and essays
attending lectures, seminars, and laboratory lessons
going to design workshops and practical sessions
completing group and project assignments
completing design and computer-based assignments

Mechanical engineering requires a lot of study, theory, and practice. For some universities, this means up to 24 hours per week with tutors. For others, it means lots of self-study and, therefore. high levels of motivation. Whichever it is, you’ll be spending your time in many different environments: classrooms, laboratories, and workshops.

Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate course in two years rather than three.

Important Qualities

Creativity. Mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery. A creative mind is essential for this kind of work.

Listening skills. Mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists. They must listen to and analyze different approaches made by other experts to complete the task at hand.

Math skills. Mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.

Mechanical skills. Mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems.

Problem-solving skills. Mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products.

Apprenticeships

If you want to combine work and study while earning a salary, you could consider an apprenticeship. Which apprenticeships are available, and how you apply, depends on where you live.

Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK.

There are approximately 90 apprenticeships in the engineering sector available in England, with more in development.

Each apprenticeship sets out occupational standards for specific job roles, designed by employers. The standards outline the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to demonstrate that an apprentice is fully competent in the job role.

Higher apprenticeships (Level 4)

Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5 – 7)

Major requirements for the College of Engineering

student showing off an engineering project of a LED lighted board.

Students applying for transfer admission to selective majors must meet additional course and GPA requirements. All courses must be taken for a letter grade with no grade less than C. All major preparatory course requirements must be completed by the end of spring term before fall enrollment.

All majors in the College of Engineering are selective and have additional transfer requirements. Overall UC-transferable coursework must meet a minimum 3.10 GPA and a technical 3.20 GPA.Applicants applying for a TAG must meet higher GPA requirements: Both overall UC-transferable coursework and major preparation GPAs must meet a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Students are expected to take courses comparable to the UC Davis course requirements as long as they are offered at the California Community College (CCC) they attend. When the ASSIST website indicates “no comparable course” or “not articulated,” the selective major course requirement will be waived for UC Davis admission/TAG, but must be completed after enrolling at UC Davis. You can find CCC courses that are comparable to UC Davis courses using the ASSIST website.

Mechanical Engineering

Requirements in addition to general admission requirements and TAG criteria:

Complete the following coursework and maintain a 3.20 GPA in the entire group of courses
- Chemistry 2A/B
- Engineering 4, 17, 35
- Engineering 6
  OR Engineering Computer Science (ENG CS) 36A*
- Mathematics 21A/B/C/D
- Mathematics 22A/B
- Physics 9A/B/C

*For F’23 applicants, ENG CS 36A will no longer be an option.

Additional Recommendations:

Communication 1 or 3 or Engineering 3
Engineering 45
English 3 OR University Writing Program 1

TAG applicants for fall 2022 and later must achieve a minimum overall 3.50 GPA in UC-transferable coursework and a 3.50 in their major preparation GPA.

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