All mechanical engineering students need 12 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.  (http://coursesub.psu.edu)
Courses in the College of Engineering
Course Prefix Accepted Courses Not Accepted
AERSP* 3XX, 4XX 308, 311
AE* 3XX, 4XX  
BE 3XX, 4XX  
BME* 3XX, 4XX  
CHE* 3XX, 4XX 330, 350
CE* 3XX, 4XX 360
CMPEN* 3XX, 4XX  
CMPSC* 3XX, 4XX  
EE 3XX, 4XX  
ENGR* 3XX, 4XX  
EDSGN* 4XX  
EMCH 3XX, 4XX 315, 416
ESC 3XX, 4XX  
IE* 3XX, 4XX  
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  
EGEE 4XX  
FSC 4XX  
ENVSE 4XX  
GEOSC 3XX, 4XX  
MATSE 4XX  
METEO 3XX, 4XX  
MN PR 3XX, 4XX  
MNG 3XX, 4XX  
PNG 4XX  
Courses in the Eberly College of Science
Course Prefix Accepted Courses Not Accepted
ASTRO 2XX, 3XX, 4XX  
BMB 2XX, 3XX, 4XX  
BIOL 2XX, 3XX, 4XX  
BIOTC 4XX  
CHEM 2XX, 3XX, 4XX  
ENT 3XX, 4XX  
MATH 3XX, 4XX  
MICRB 2XX, 3XX, 4XX  
PHYS 230, 237, 3XX, 4XX  
STAT 3XX, 4XX  

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.