All Mechanical Engineering students need twelve technical elective credits to complete their degree requirements. The credit breakdown is listed below:

  • 3 credits of Mechanical Engineering Technical Elective (METE)
  • 6 credits of Engineering Technical Elective (ETE)
  • 3 credits of General Technical Elective (GTE)

Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives (METE)

Mechanical Engineering students must take at least three METE credits, which can be any 400-level ME course excluding ME 410, ME 435, ME 441, ME 440, ME 442, ME 443, ME 450, ME 454, ME 494 and ME 496. The use of ME 497 as an METE must be petitioned for approval. A list of 400-level ME classes can be found in the University Bulletin. METE courses can also be taken to satisfy the ETE and GTE requirements.

Engineering Technical Electives (ETE)

To satisfy the ETE credit requirement, students can take any 400-level engineering courses not required for the major. On the chart below, courses in boldface type may be taken for ETE credit. A list of 400-level engineering classes can be found in the University Bulletin.

General Technical Electives (GTE)

The General Technical Elective (GTE) provides the opportunity for a student to enhance their technical education. To satisfy the GTE credit requirement, students can take a math, science or engineering course not required for their degree. The charts below provide a breakdown of accepted electives.

Please note the following:

  1. Some 397 and 497 (temporary) courses offered outside of ME are eligible but require pre-approval via a course substitution request. The course must have substantial technical content and the student must demonstrate how the topic adds value to their academic and/or career plans.
  2. Three co-op credits or internships (or combination of both) rotations (ENGR 195, 295, 395 and 495).
  3. Six credits of ROTC training are accepted (3 credits applied as GTE and 3 credits applied as GHW).
  4. A course substitution must be submitted for any course taken outside of ME.
Courses in the College of Engineering
Course Prefix Accepted Courses Not Accepted
AERSP* 3XX, 4XX 308, 311
AE* 3XX, 4XX N/A
BE 3XX, 4XX N/A
BME* 3XX, 4XX N/A
CHE* 3XX, 4XX 330, 350
CE* 3XX, 4XX 360
CMPEN* 3XX, 4XX N/A
CMPSC* 3XX, 4XX N/A
EE 3XX, 4XX N/A
ENGR* 3XX, 4XX N/A
EDSGN* 4XX N/A
EMCH 3XX, 4XX 315, 416
ESC 3XX, 4XX N/A
IE* 3XX, 4XX N/A
ME* 3XX, 4XX, 497x 410, 440-443, 450, 454
NucE* 3XX, 4XX, 497x 309
Courses in the College of Earth and Mineral Science
Course Prefix Accepted Courses Not Accepted
EARTH 4XX N/A
EGEE 4XX N/A
FSC 4XX N/A
ENVSE 4XX N/A
GEOSC 3XX, 4XX N/A
MATSE 4XX N/A
METEO 3XX, 4XX N/A
MN PR 3XX, 4XX N/A
MNG 3XX, 4XX N/A
PNG 4XX N/A
Courses in the Eberly College of Science
Course Prefix Accepted Courses Not Accepted
ASTRO 2XX, 3XX, 4XX N/A
BMB 2XX, 3XX, 4XX N/A
BIOL 2XX, 3XX, 4XX N/A
BIOTC 4XX N/A
CHEM 2XX, 3XX, 4XX N/A
ENT 3XX, 4XX N/A
MATH 3XX, 4XX N/A
MICRB 2XX, 3XX, 4XX N/A
PHYS 230, 237, 3XX, 4XX N/A
STAT 3XX, 4XX N/A

Notes:

  1. 400-level courses in bold-face type may also be taken for ETE credit.
  2. Departments with asterisk (*) may have controls on their course offerings. Students must contact the department to obtain permission to enroll if they cannot schedule the course in LionPath.