Every day, mechanical engineers apply science, math and technology to solve complex issues. Their versatile skillset allows them to work in many in-demand industries, including the biomedical, aerospace, automotive and energy sectors. Mechanical engineers are projected to have the second-highest new job growth of all engineering fields from 2016 to 2026.
Program Overview
Become a University of Colorado Boulder Engineer—at Western.
Most businesses depend on mechanical engineers to innovate, test and build systems and devices that are essential to their existence. In our program, you’ll have an unparalleled opportunity to take advantage of our new partnership with the prestigious University of Colorado Boulder. You’ll complete your initial two years as a Western student, then transfer to University of Colorado Boulder to finish your final two years in the program—all while attending classes at Western’s campus in Gunnison. Graduates of the partnership program receive their Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Engineering & Applied Science.
The partnership program is housed in the new, state-of-the-art Paul M. School of Computer Science & Engineering at the heart of Western’s campus. The new labs and classrooms are designed to provide you with a hands-on learning experience, supported by faculty who are experts in their field. Through intensive coursework, labs and competitive internship opportunities, you’ll be well-prepared for exceptional career opportunities in many diverse fields.
To learn more about the application process and CU Boulder’s transition requirements, please visit our Partnership Admissions Process page.
The best of both worlds
Enjoy the small class sizes, know-your-name attention from faculty and the mountain-town grandeur of Gunnison—all while earning a prestigious degree from the University of Colorado Boulder’s renowned College of Engineering & Applied Science.
Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry for Engineers | 3 | View |
| CS 191 | Computer Science II | 3 | View |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 4 | View |
| MATH 251 | Calculus II | 4 | View |
| MATH 252 | Calculus III | 4 | View |
| PHYS 200 | General Physics I (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 | View |
| PHYS 201 | General Physics II (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 | View |
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Eligibility
- Declared a major in the Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering partnership programs
- Have a 3.5 GPA or higher
- Are eligible for Math 151 - Calculus 1 (via placement tests, credit transfer or a Math ACT/SAT score of 27/630)
- In the partnership program
- Eligible for transfer to CU Boulder by earning a B average or better in transfer coursework
Description
This is a two-year, full-tuition Western scholarship. The number of scholarships awarded is based on fund availability.Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student's GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
News & Research
Get Involved
Make your education a life changing experience.
A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Advising Night: Once a semester, the Academic Resource Center arranges a meeting between students and their Rady School Academic Advisor to plan classes for next semester and navigate the CU Boulder transfer process as a group.
- Annual CU Boulder STEM Career & Internship Fair: Students can connect with recruiters to learn about internships and job opportunities in the fields of computer science, robotics, math, statistics, technology and engineering. This is also an opportunity for Gunnison-based students to network with CU Boulder students, faculty and alumni.
- Peer Support: Mechanical Engineering freshmen who meet the prerequisites take Chemistry 121: General Chemistry for Engineers together their first semester. This brand-new course is designed specifically for engineering students.
- Residence Hall Community-Building: Most Rady School students live in Ute Hall during their first year at Western, allowing them to strengthen bonds with fellow students outside of class. Ute Hall houses designated study spaces and a computer lab for students. Staff host educational and community-building initiatives throughout the academic year.
- Study Group: The “Nerd Corner” is located in Leslie J. Savage Library. Students can dive deeper into STEM-related coursework in an informal, collaborative environment.
State-of-the-Art facilities
The partnership program will be housed in the new, state-of-the-art Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering at the heart of Western’s campus. The new school and partnership program were created with an astounding $80 million gift from an alumnus who is now the CEO of Antero Resources in Denver.
Additional Resources
Department Information
Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering
Department Chair
Robert A. Cohen, Ph.D.Professor of Mathematics, Chair of the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
Director, Partnership Program
Tim Brower, Ph.D.Director, Partnership Program
Campus Location
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81230