Program Contact: Lynn Byers  203-582-5028

Mechanical engineers are employed in the research, design, development and manufacturing of a broad range of tools, engines, machines and other mechanical devices and components. Through exposure to the University Curriculum, foundational coursework in science, mathematics, major field courses, and extracurricular activities, students graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering achieve intellectual proficiencies in critical thinking and reasoning, scientific literacy, quantitative reasoning, information fluency, creative thinking and visual literacy. They are prepared to enter the profession or to pursue graduate studies with a solid foundation in the breadth of mechanical engineering. They also achieve interpersonal proficiencies in written and oral communication, responsible citizenship, diversity awareness and sensitivity and social intelligence.

The BS in Mechanical Engineering program requires a minimum of 122 credits for degree completion.

Within the policies of the School of Computing & Engineering, the Mechanical Engineering program enforces credit limits during the academic terms. Exceeding 18 credits in the Fall or Spring semester, 4 credits in the January term, or 10 credits in each Summer term requires the approval of the dean's office.

Please see footnotes for additional information. 

University Curriculum49
Required program courses for the University Curriculum
EC 111
Principles of Microeconomics
MER 110
3D Solid Modeling and Printing for Innovators 1
Foundational Courses for Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science Course
CSC 105Computing: Multidisciplinary Approach3
or CSC 106 Introduction to Programming for Engineers
Math and Science Requirement (30 total credits counted in program and university curriculum)
MA 151
Calculus I 2
MA 153Calculus II: Part A2
MA 154Calculus II: Part B2
MA 251Calculus III4
MA 265Matrix Algebra and Differential Equations4
MA 285
Applied Statistics 2
CHE 110
& 110L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab 2
PHY 121
University Physics 2
PHY 122
University Physics II 2
Common Engineering Curriculum
ENR 210Engineering Economics and Project Management3
ENR 395Professional Development Seminar1
Mechanical Engineering Courses
MER 210Statics3
MER 240Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design1
MER 220
& 220L		Mechanics of Materials
and Mechanics of Materials Lab		4
MER 221Dynamics3
MER 230
& 230L		Engineering Materials
and Engineering Materials Lab		4
MER 250Computer Aided Design3
MER 310Fluid Mechanics3
MER 320Thermodynamics3
MER 330
& 330L		Introduction to Circuits
and Introduction to Circuits Lab		4
MER 340
& 340L		Manufacturing/Machine Component Design
and Manufacturing/Machine Component Design Lab		4
MER 350Mechanical Engineering Design3
MER 360Heat Transfer3
MER 470
& 470L		Dynamic Modeling and Control
and Dynamic Modeling and Controls Lab		4
MER 490Engineering Professional Experience0
MER 498ME Major Design Experience 33
Directed Study Electives9
Select one of the following options:
Three technical electives (any MER elective or 200-level or higher CER, IER, SER, MA, BIO, CHE course)
Three graduate courses toward 3+1 or 4+1 ME/MBA
Three graduate courses toward 4+1 ME/Masters in Cybersecurity
Three electives used toward completion of a minor
Other options as approved by the ME program director
Total Credits122
1

Students may substitute ENR 110 and MER 111

2

Course is required for the Engineering program. The credits are accounted for in the University Curriculum. 

3

Course is defined as the Integrative Capstone.

Course plans are subject to change. Course availability, potential transfer credits, and course prerequisite completion may influence the final course schedule for each program. 

For students who begin their program taking MA 140, the first 4 semesters are slightly different than what is outlined below, but can still achieve the BS in Mechanical Engineering in 122 credits.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
CSC 106 Introduction to Programming for Engineers 3
EN 101 Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC Writing 1) 3
FYS 101 First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) 3
MA 151 Calculus I (UC Personal Inquiry 2) 4
MER 110 3D Solid Modeling and Printing for Innovators (UC Personal Inquiry 2) 3
 Credits16
Spring Semester
EN 102 Academic Writing and Research (UC Writing 2) 3
MA 153 Calculus II: Part A 2
MA 154 Calculus II: Part B 2
MER 210 Statics 3
PHY 121 University Physics (UC Personal Inquiry 1 Natural Sciences) 4
 Credits14
Second Year
Fall Semester
CHE 110
& 110L		 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab (UC Natural Science with Lab)		 4
MA 251 Calculus III 4
MER 220
& 220L		 Mechanics of Materials
and Mechanics of Materials Lab		 4
MER 250 Computer Aided Design 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
EC 111 Principles of Microeconomics (UC Social Science) 3
ENR 210 Engineering Economics and Project Management 3
MA 265 Matrix Algebra and Differential Equations 4
MA 285 Applied Statistics (UC Math) 3
University Curriculum course 3
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall Semester
ENR 395 Professional Development Seminar 1
MER 221 Dynamics 3
MER 310 Fluid Mechanics 3
PHY 122 University Physics II (UC Personal Inquiry 2) 4
University Curriculum course 3
 Credits14
Spring Semester
MER 240 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design 1
MER 320 Thermodynamics 3
MER 330
& 330L		 Introduction to Circuits
and Introduction to Circuits Lab		 4
MER 340
& 340L		 Manufacturing/Machine Component Design
and Manufacturing/Machine Component Design Lab		 4
University Curriculum course 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
MER 230
& 230L		 Engineering Materials
and Engineering Materials Lab		 4
MER 350 Mechanical Engineering Design 3
MER 360 Heat Transfer 3
Technical Elective 3
University Curriculum course 3
MER 490 Engineering Professional Experience 0
 Credits16
Spring Semester
MER 470
& 470L		 Dynamic Modeling and Control
and Dynamic Modeling and Controls Lab		 4
MER 498 ME Major Design Experience 3
Technical Elective 3
Technical Elective 3
University Curriculum course 3
 Credits16
 Total Credits122

Student Outcomes

Attainment of the following outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering:

  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

Within four to seven years after graduation, mechanical engineering program alumni are expected to:

  1. Attain multiple positions of responsibility in which they:
    a. contribute to teams
    b. manage resources
    c. solve complex problems
    d. communicate information 
    e. influence decisions
    f.  act ethically
    g. balance constraints
  2. Continue self-development through formal and informal learning opportunities.
  3. Obtain sustained employment and/or further education in a technical/professional field.
  4. Develop a capacity to engage independently in meaningful creative endeavors.

Admission Requirements: School of Computing & Engineering

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate School of Computing & Engineering programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science and computer science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Mechanical Engineering

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Mechanical Engineering program. Below is a sample plan of study for the first two years.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
Calculus I 4
General Chemistry I with Lab 4
Introduction to Engineering 3
Elective 3
 Credits17
Spring Semester
English II 3
Calculus-Based Physics 4
Calculus II 4
General Chemistry II with Lab 4
 Credits15
Second Year
Fall Semester
Calculus-Based Physics II 4
Calculus III - Multivariable 4
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits14
Spring Semester
Differential Equations 3
Engineering Statics 3
Microeconomics 3
Engineering Dynamics 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits61