Mechanical Engineering (BS) (Solano Campus)

Offered at: Solano Campus

The Mechanical Engineering program at the Solano Campus offers a unique educational approach by combining hands-on experiences and math and science-intensive coursework. The mission of the program is to produce entry-level professionals capable of applying their knowledge of science and engineering in the design, analysis, operation, and production of engineering components, systems, and products. Students can choose one of two options under Mechanical Engineering program. The U.S. Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer License Concentration is for those seeking engineering careers in the maritime industry, both at sea and on land. The General Curriculum is for those interested in applying their maritime experience toward traditional engineering careers.

The Mechanical Engineering program provides a sound foundation for the practice of engineering through instruction in basic sciences and mathematics, computer applications, design, laboratory experiences, communication, humanities, and social sciences. All students, regardless of concentration, start with the same first year experience, which includes fundamental math, science, communications, and critical thinking courses. In addition, students are trained to be engineering cadets aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear before embarking on a summer sea term lasting over 60 days. In subsequent terms, the curriculum includes fundamental mechanical engineering courses such as statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, mechanics of materials, and heat transfer. In addition, students will have time in both lecture and the laboratory for circuits, instrumentation and measurements, electromechanical machinery, controls, materials/mechanical, manufacturing processes, and experimental design. Throughout the curriculum, core ideas about design, programming, and controls are introduced and reinforced. Through the selection of electives, students can choose to specialize in several different areas. The entire experience is incorporated into a two-semester senior capstone experience.

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering program at the Solano Campus is to produce graduates capable of applying their knowledge of science and engineering in the design, analysis, evaluation, and production of engineering devices and systems. The academic foundation provided to each graduate allows for further education and professional development going forward.

Mechanical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cal Poly Maritime Academy working in the engineering profession will:

1. Be well educated professionals who utilize their intellectual learning, applied technology experience, leadership skills and global awareness in successful careers, and continue to improve their skills through lifelong learning and advanced studies;
2. Effectively practice as professional engineers, managers, and leaders in the maritime and energy industries and a wide variety other fields, and as licensed engineers in the merchant marine;
3. Successfully combine fundamental engineering knowledge, core leadership skills and the practical experience gained at the Academy to turn ideas into reality for the benefit of society;
4. Be influential members of multidisciplinary teams, creatively and effectively contributing to the design, development, and objective evaluation of engineering components, systems, and products;
5. Personally assume and actively encourage peers to uphold the professional, ethical, social and environmental responsibilities as well as the safety practices of their profession;
6. Demonstrate professional and effective communication skills to varying audiences, including colleagues, customers, and the general public.

Concentrations

United States Coast Guard License

Offered at: Solano Campus

The U.S. Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer License Concentration is for those seeking engineering careers in the maritime industry, both at sea and on land.

Program Learning Objectives

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.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy requirements outlined in more detail in the Minimum Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog, including:

• 40 units of upper-division courses
• 2.0 GPA
• Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
• U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)

Note: No Major, Support or Concentration courses may be selected as credit/no credit. In addition, no more than 12 units of cooperative or internship courses can count towards your degree requirements.

¹

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

²

Swim assessments are required of all cadets during Orientation week. If PE 1101 is not passed with a grade CR, then enrollment in PE 1102 will be required.

 General Curriculum in Mechanical Engineering

Concentrations

United States Coast Guard License

General Education (GE) Requirements 

General Education (GE) Requirements

• 43 units required, 25 of which are specified in Major and/or Support.
• If any of the remaining 18 Units is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
• See the complete GE course listing.
• A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: 1A (English Composition), 1B (Critical Thinking), 1C (Oral Communication), and 2 (Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning). 

¹

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

General Curriculum in Mechanical Engineering - Division 1 & 2

General Curriculum in Mechanical Engineering - Division 1 & 2 - BS in Mechanical Engineering (Solano Campus) 
Suggested Four-Year Flowcharts are planning guides and do not represent a required course sequence. 
Courses may be completed in a different order, provided requisite requirements are satisfied.

¹

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

²

Swim assessments are required of all cadets during Orientation week. If PE 1101 is not passed with a grade CR, then enrollment in PE 1102 will be required.

General Curriculum in Mechanical Engineering - Division 3 & 4 

General Curriculum in Mechanical Engineering - Division 3 & 4 - BS in Mechanical Engineering (Solano Campus)
Suggested Four-Year Flowcharts are planning guides and do not represent a required course sequence. 
Courses may be completed in a different order, provided requisite requirements are satisfied.

¹

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

²

Swim assessments are required of all cadets during Orientation week. If PE 1101 is not passed with a grade CR, then enrollment in PE 1102 will be required.

U.S. Coast Guard License Concentration - Division 1 & 2

U.S. Coast Guard License Concentration - Division 1 & 2 - BS in Mechanical Engineering (Solano Campus) 
Suggested Four-Year Flowcharts are planning guides and do not represent a required course sequence. 
Courses may be completed in a different order, provided requisite requirements are satisfied.

¹

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

²

Swim assessments are required of all cadets during Orientation week. If PE 1101 is not passed with a grade CR, then enrollment in PE 1102 will be required.

U.S. Coast Guard License Concentration - Division 3 & 4

U.S. Coast Guard License Concentration - Division 3 & 4 - BS in Mechanical Engineering (Solano Campus) 
Suggested Four-Year Flowcharts are planning guides and do not represent a required course sequence. 
Courses may be completed in a different order, provided requisite requirements are satisfied.

¹

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

²

Swim assessments are required of all cadets during Orientation week. If PE 1101 is not passed with a grade CR, then enrollment in PE 1102 will be required.