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Undergraduate program that emphasizes development of physical systems
Mechanical Engineers play a critical role in interdisciplinary teams that develop and build new technologies for alternative energy and the environment, healthcare, electric cars, robotics, material science and nano-technology, and manufacturing
The new Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is designed to equip students with the skills and experience to apply principles of engineering, basic science, and mathematics in order to model, analyze, design, and realize physical systems. Graduates will be prepared to work professionally in either thermal or mechanical systems or pursue graduate study.
The demand for Mechanical Engineers is very high at the national, state, and regional level. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts robust growth in the number of jobs for mechanical engineers (9% per year) in WA State and in the Tacoma area between 2016-2026. The mean wage for mechanical engineers in WA State is also very high at $93,070.
Questions? Connect with SET prospective student advising to schedule an appointment, ask quick questions during drop-in advising, check out our event calendar, and join our email list.
Application Process Overview
| Required to Apply | Application Opens | Application Deadline | Students Notified |
| Prerequisite courses in progress; see application for conditional admission requirements. | Late December | July 1 FINAL DEADLINE FOR 2024 | Rolling decisions after application opens or until program is full |
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Engineering Something Amazing
Heather Dillon, Associate Dean Academic Affairs and Inclusion, Professor & Program Chair for B.S. ME
“I can’t wait to see what they build and design, and ultimately who they become as they move through this program," says Heather Dillon, Associate Dean Academic Affairs and Inclusion, Professor & Program Chair for Mechanical Engineering at the School of Engineering and Technology.
Students who enroll in the ME program at UW Tacoma can expect a robust education. “Mechanical Engineering is often described as the most general of engineering degrees because you can launch into a lot of different industries,” said Dillon. “We have technical electives that will allow students to specialize in fields as diverse as bioengineering, energy, manufacturing, aerospace and robotics."
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Questions?
Schedule an appointment with one of our Academic Advisors!
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How to Apply
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Admission to the major is competitive. Please review the following prerequisites and application process carefully.
Prerequisites
Students may be conditionally admitted into the ME program with prerequisites in progress, but all prerequisites must be completed in order to enroll. To qualify for admission to the ME program, you must first be admitted to UWT and be on track to complete the following by the end of summer quarter before starting the major:
- Calculus I (TMATH 124), Calculus II (TMATH 125), Calculus III (TMATH 126)
- Differential Equations (TMATH 207)
- Multivariable Calculus (TMATH 324 or UWS: MATH 224)
- Physics I (TPHYS 121), Physics II (TPHYS 122), Physics III (TPHYS 123). If Physics I, II and III are completed and 18 quarter credits are not achieved, the remaining credits may be satisfied by any additional lab-based science course (besides General Chemistry I).
- General Chemistry I (TCHEM 142)
- Statics (TME 221or UWS: AA 210)
- Mechanics of Materials (TME 222 or UWS: CEE 220)
- Dynamics - (TME 223 or UWS: ME 230)
- 5 credits of computer programming (Courses in Python, Java, C, C++, or the equivalent of AMATH 301: Beginning Scientific Computing will meet this requirement. If you are not sure if the course you plan to take will count, please check with a SET advisor.)
*Matrix Algebra (TMATH 208) is recommended, but not required
*Electrical Circuits (TCES 215 or UWS: EE 215) is recommended, but not required at the time of admission
**All pre-requisite courses must be completed in the last seven years
GPA Requirements
- Cumulative prerequisite GPA of at least 2.5, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each individual prerequisite course
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework
Before starting the application, make sure you're ready to apply:
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You've been admitted to UW Tacoma and met the requirements to apply to the major.
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You have completed at least 45 college-level credits.
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You will complete the prerequisite courses listed in the Admission Requirements tab by the end of summer quarter.
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You've earned a minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course completed and maintain a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5.
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You're meeting the July 1 priority application deadline. The application may close at any time after the priority deadline once the program reaches capacity.
Notes for Transfer Students:
- Transfer students at Washington State community colleges are encouraged to pursue the Associate of Science – Mechanical/Civil/Aero Major Related Program (MRP) or Associate in Science - Transfer Track 2 to meet the admission requirements. Use the UW Course Equivalency Guide to determine the equivalent prerequisites at your school.
- UW Seattle and UW Bothell students seeking to transfer to UW Tacoma also need to have a transfer application on file to be considered for admission.
- If you are not admitted to UWT, you cannot be admitted to the major, but you may hold off on accepting your offer of admission to UWT until you have your program admissions decision.
Strong applicants typically have grades of 3.0 and higher in prerequisite math, science, engineering and programming courses, as well as a solid cumulative GPA.
Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- Grades in prerequisite courses -- individually and cumulatively (competitive applicants will have earned at least a 2.5 in each prerequisite course)
- Overall previous academic performance
- Content and form of personal statement and resume
- Completion of at least 45 college-level credits
Admission Review
The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis with decisions taking 2-3 weeks. Students will be notified of decisions by email.
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Curriculum
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A total of 180 quarter credits are required to complete the BSME program. Follow the ME Schedule Planning Grid (4 year- planning grid or 5-year planning grid) to make sure you complete all courses required to graduate.
- At least 45 of the final 60 credits must be taken in residence at UW Tacoma.
- A minimum of 30 credits of required courses for the BSME must also be taken in residence at the UW Tacoma.
- At least 84 credits must be taken from the ME required courses below and ME Senior Electives lists.
- A minimum 2.0 grade for each course applied to the major.
- Complete all Mechanical Engineering pre-requisite and required course work with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in coursework applied to the major.
Required Prerequisite Courses
- Calculus I (TMATH 124), Calculus II (TMATH 125), Calculus III (TMATH 126)
- Differential Equations (TMATH 307)
- Multivariable Calculus (TMATH 324)
- Physics I (TPHYS 121), Physics II (TPHYS 122), Physics III (TPHYS 123). If Physics I, II and III are completed and 18 quarter credits are not achieved, the remaining credits may be satisfied by any additional lab-based science course.
- General Chemistry I (TCHEM 142)
- Statics (TME 221 or the equivalent of AA 210)
- Mechanics of Materials (TME 222 or the equivalent of CEE 220)
- Dynamics (TME 223 or the equivalent of ME 230)
- 5 credits of computer programming coursework (Courses in Python, Java, C, C++, or the equivalent of AMATH 301: Beginning Scientific Computing will meet this requirement. If you are not sure if the course you plan to take will count, please check with a SET adviser.)
Mechanical Engineering Required Courses
- Electrical Circuits (TCES 215 or the equivalent of EE 215)
- TEE 225 Engineering Ethics (5)
- TME 310 Introduction to Computer Modeling I (2)
- TME 311 Introduction to Computer Modeling II (2)
- TME 315 Intro to 3D Modeling, Design, and Analysis (4)
- TME 320 Fundamentals of Material Science (4)
- TME 331 Thermodynamics (5)
- TME 332 Fluid Mechanics (5)
- TME 341 Mechanical Design I (5)
- TME 342 Mechanical Design II (5)
- TME 345 Machining Fundamentals (5)
- TME 351 Engineering Probability and Statistics (3)
- TME 373 System Dynamics and Controls (5)
- TME 403 Engineering Economy (2)
- TME 433 Heat Transfer (5)
- TME 435 Thermal System Design (4)
- TME 441 Mechatronics (5)
- TME 480 Senior Project I (2)
- TME 481 Senior Project II (3)
- TME 482 Senior Project III (4)
- TME Senior Electives (15 credits total)
The ME 4-year schedule planning grid shows a sample pathway to complete the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering degree. Work with your advisor to make sure you are completing required courses for the program and electives for your area of interest.
The ME 5-year schedule planning grid shows a sample pathway to complete the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering degree. Work with your advisor to make sure you are completing required courses for the program and electives for your area of interest.
2024-2025 Mechanical Engineering Electives
- TME 411 Transport Phenomena for Biomedical Engineering
- TME 412 Introduction to Cryo-Biomedical Engineering
- TME 415 Sustainable Engineering and Design
- TME 416 Life-Cycle Assessment
- TME 425 Energy Efficiency in Buildings
- TME 426 Renewable Energy Systems
- TME 444 Mechanical Vibrations
- TME 445 Manufacturing Processes
- TME 447 Advanced Mechatronics
- TME 449 Robotics
- TME 478 Finite Element Analysis
- TME 479 Computational Fluid Dynamics
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ABET Accreditation
The B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
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The mission of Mechanical Engineering at UW Tacoma is to provide access to transformative engineering education in scientific principles, professional skills, and technical innovation to equip graduates who can collaborate to solve challenging problems and serve the community and society in an ethical and meaningful way.
The faculty of the University of Washington Tacoma Mechanical Engineering program strive to serve our students and other constituents by continuously improving our educational program. We envision that:
- Our graduates will thrive in careers that utilize specific principles, professional skills, and technical innovation.
- Our graduates will be prepared to advance their studies through professional development, certifications, or post-graduate degrees.
- Our graduates will pursue excellence in collaboration and leadership with an emphasis on the importance of transformational diversity/ equity, integrity, and respect as they create work of value of their communities and society.
Prior to graduation, we have assessed and evaluated that each ME student has:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- 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.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
| Year | Enrollment | Degrees Conferred |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 - 2022 | 15 | - |
| 2022 - 2023 | 46 | 16 |
| 2023 - 2024 | 67 | 24 |
| 2024 - 2025 | 80 | - |
