Mechanical Engineering Degree Worksheet (2024 to 2025)

Last updated: 04-22-2024

Program overview

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, obtained through the engineering partnership program, is conferred by the University of Colorado Boulder. Lower-division coursework is completed through Western Colorado University before applying for admission to the University of Colorado Boulder. The entire program is completed on the campus of Western Colorado University.

Admission to the Western–CU Boulder Partnership Program

A student may apply for admission to the Western–CU Boulder Partnership Program when they have satisfied
all criteria of one of the following scenarios.

Student outcomes

Graduates of this program will have:

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

Program educational objectives

The Mechanical Engineering program is designed to prepare students for successful careers having positive societal impact in
industry, academia, government, and consulting. Our alumni are expected to:

• Apply their engineering and computer science knowledge, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving skills with integrity and inclusivity in a professional practice or in non-engineering or technical fields, such as law, medicine, or business.
• Continue their intellectual development through graduate education, professional development courses, self-directed investigation, and/or on-the-job training and experience.
• Embrace leadership and collaborative roles in their careers.

Degree requirements

• The official transfer of all coursework listed on the plan of study to the University of Colorado Boulder
• At least 45 credits earned from the University of Colorado Boulder (residency requirement)
• A minimum of 128 cumulative credits earned to the degree program
• Student knowledge and adherence to course prerequisites as listed in the course catalog
• A cumulative and major GPA of at least 2.00 (from entirely CU Boulder coursework, as a student’s Western GPA will not continue in the CU Boulder portion of the program)
• Satisfactory completion of all HEAR requirement deficiencies related to high school coursework
• Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam

AP and IB credit

Partnership students are to adhere to CU Boulder standards for AP and IB scores (not Western standards). These scores are often higher
than the score required for credit from Western (particularly those listed below).

Required courses (total program credits: 128)

The worksheet distinguishes Western coursework and CU Boulder coursework. For accessibility, courses are labeled below by institution.

Additional degree information

Acceptable course substitutions

• CHEM 111 + 112 (General Chemistry I with lab, 4 credits) may substitute for CHEM 121 (General Chemistry for Engineers, 3 credits).

To investigate additional course substitutions from Western or another institution, check Transferology and discuss options with an academic advisor.

Approved Humanities and Social Sciences

At least 15 credit hours in humanities and social sciences are required in order to graduate. A list of acceptable humanities and social sciences with Western
can be found on the “Humanities and Social Science Requirements” PDF.

Approved Math/Science Foundations (Western courses)

Undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at CU Boulder are required to complete a Math/Science Foundations course.
The following Western courses are approved to fulfill that requirement:

Students may also choose to take a pre-approved CU Boulder Math/Science Foundations course. Refer to the Math/Science Foundations list
for the complete CU Boulder options.

General Technical Electives

CU Boulder 3000- and 4000-level courses in the following subjects are considered General Technical Electives:
MCEN (offered in Gunnison), CSCI (offered in Gunnison), and EMEN (offered remotely).
Partnership students are also eligible for General Technical Electives via offerings in Boulder or remote as indicated on the Full List of General Technical Electives.

Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives

3000- or 4000-level MCEN courses not otherwise required for the major are considered ME Technical Electives.
One EMEN 3000-level or higher course, or CSCI 3302, can also apply to this category provided the second ME Technical Elective is completed within MCEN.

Senior capstone

A two-semester senior capstone is required for 6 credit hours. This sequence must be taken contiguously and may not be taken before senior year.
Prerequisites include successful completion of all ME degree foundations and core MCEN courses, other than those listed as being taken concurrently with MCEN 4045
in the plan of study, including MCEN 4086 Writing for Design.

Grade requirements

• The minimum passing grade for a course that is a prerequisite for another course is C-.
• The minimum passing grade for standalone classes is D-.
• If the minimum required grade in a prerequisite course is not achieved, the course must be repeated until the minimum acceptable grade is earned (maximum of 3 graded attempts total).
• Taking an advanced (post-requisite) course does not remove the obligation to meet the prerequisite minimum grade requirement.
• To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a cumulative CU Boulder GPA of 2.00.
• To graduate from the CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science, students need a cumulative and major GPA of at least 2.00.

Free electives

College-level coursework accepted by CU Boulder not used otherwise to satisfy degree requirements will apply as free electives toward the total 128 credits.
Mechanical Engineering does allow some free elective courses to be taken pass/fail (college limits: 6 per semester and 16 cumulative).
Students must submit a petition prior to choosing the pass/fail option.

Use Transferology to verify that courses will transfer to CU Boulder as appropriate equivalencies.

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination

Taking the FE Examination in the fall or spring of the student’s senior year is required (including the general portion in the morning and the Mechanical Engineering subject-specific section in the afternoon).
Graduation is not contingent upon passing, but passing is beneficial because the FE is the first step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Coursework not accepted for transfer credit

All courses undergo a transfer evaluation and credit is transferred to CU Boulder as applicable. The following coursework will not be accepted for transfer credit
and will not count toward a CU Boulder degree, as described in the Campus Transfer Credit Policy:

• Any courses in which the grade earned is below a C- (1.70)
• Courses identified by CU Boulder as remedial, such as remedial English, mathematics, science, and developmental reading
• Vocational-technical courses offered at two-year and proprietary institutions (exceptions may be granted only by the CU Boulder dean responsible for the student’s curriculum)
• Courses in religion that constitute specialized religious training or are doctrinal in nature
• Credits earned for work experience or through a cooperative education program
• Outdoor leadership education coursework
• Credits earned in physical education activity courses
• Courses or programs identified as college orientation

Credit hours required for graduation earned more than ten years prior to transferring into an undergraduate degree program at CU Boulder may not apply to graduation requirements.

Students are responsible for making up any difference in credit hours between transfer credit received and the CU Boulder course. This can occur with quarter-system transfers.
Academic advisor approval is required for how any credit shortfall is made up. Students must complete a minimum of 128 unique, non-duplicative, degree-applicable credits and meet all specified course and other requirements per CEAS Transfer Credit Policy.

Academic standing

To remain in good academic standing with the College of Engineering and Applied Science, a student must maintain satisfactory performance as measured by GPA and progress toward completion.
Failure to meet requirements (including the 2.00 GPA) may result in Academic Alert, Academic Recovery, and/or Academic Suspension. Students should consult their academic advisor and review Academic Standing Policies.

Academic calendar

Western partnership students follow the same calendar as Western students for holiday breaks. Add, drop, and withdrawal dates for coursework may differ and can be found on the CU Boulder Registrar’s website.

Petition process

Students seeking an exception to a policy or practice (including transfer coursework policies) should first talk to their academic advisor and then submit a petition.

Internship for credit

Students may receive up to 3 credits of free electives (COEN 3930) for an internship or co-op experience. Students must secure the position before applying and must have (and maintain) a 2.00 GPA.
All internships for credit must be full-time (40 hours per week) with a minimum of 300 contact hours to receive the 3 credits. Students can apply online.
Questions can be directed to an academic advisor or Sharon Anderson (CEAS Director of Active Learning).

Recommended sequence of coursework

Students are responsible for knowing and following course prerequisites as listed in the course catalog. Certain courses may only be offered in fall or spring.