Mechanical Engineering, Western - University of Colorado Boulder Partnership

The Mechanical Engineering program requires a minimum of 128 cumulative credits applied to the degree, which includes courses from Western Colorado University and the University of Colorado Boulder. 

This program provides a seamless transfer of coursework from the Gunnison residential campus for a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering awarded by CU Boulder.   A student must meet the requirements for the CU Boulder College of Engineering & Applied Science and may apply for admission when they have established a successful collegiate record as a Western student.  This is demonstrated through academic requirements outlined at https://western.edu/program/mechanical-engineering-university-colorado-partnership/transition-to-cu-boulder/  

Students are expected to follow the Academic Policies of the respective University/Universities at which they are registered.  

Planned Western coursework is outlined below in red font and course numbers are all three digits, while CU Boulder coursework is outlined below in black font and course numbers are all four digits.  Students must complete 45 credits of CU Boulder coursework. 

Degree Requirements - Courses

College Writing Requirement (total of 3 credit hours)
ENG 302Technical Writing3
Computer Science (total of 3 credit hours)
CS 191Computer Science II3
Mathematics & Basic Sciences (total of 30 credit hours)
MATH 151Calculus I (GT-MA1)4
MATH 251Calculus II4
MATH 252Calculus III4
MATH 358Introduction to Differential Equations and Linear Algebra4
CHEM 121General Chemistry for Engineers3-4
or CHEM 111
CHEM 112
General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)
and General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1)
PHYS 190
PHYS 185
General Physics I (GT-SC2)
and Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1)
4
PHYS 191
PHYS 186
General Physics II (GT-SC2)
and Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1)
4
Math/Science Foundations (can be satisfied with any of the following courses)3-4
Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1)
Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory)
Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with laboratory)
General Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
Statistics for Business and Economics
Physical Geology (GT-SC2)
Historical Geology (with laboratory)
Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1)
Introduction to Advanced Mathematics
Introduction to Cryptography
Abstract Algebra I
Introductory Astronomy (GT-SC2)
Modern Physics
General Engineering (total of 15 credit hours)
ENGR 131Introduction to Engineering Design3
ENGR 224Materials Science3
PHYS 250Statics3
ENGR 251Dynamics3
or PHYS 251 Dynamics
ENGR 363Mechanics of Solids3
Mechanical Engineering (total of 43 credit hours)
ENGR 161COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN3
ENGR 162FABRICATION1
ENGR 265Engineering as a Profession1
ENGR 335Fluid Mechanics3
or PHYS 335 Fluid Mechanics
MCEN 3012: Thermodynamics3
MCEN 3017: Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers3
MCEN 3022: Heat Transfer3
MCEN 3025: Component Design3
MCEN 3030: Computational Methods3
MCEN 3032: Thermodynamics 23
MCEN 3047: Data Analysis and Experimental Methods4
MCEN 4026: Manufacturing Processes and Systems3
MCEN 4043: System Dynamics3
MCEN 4045: Mechanical Engineering Design Project 13
MCEN 4085: Mechanical Engineering Design Project 23
MCEN 4086: Writing for Design1
Mechanical Technical Electives (total of 6 credit hours)
MCEN coursework 3000-level or higher not already in degree.
General Technical Electives (total of 6 credit hours)
Engineering, science, math, computer science, or engineering management courses at 3000-level or higher not already in degree (subject to departmental approval).
Humanities & Social Sciences
Complete 15 credits of approved humanities and social science coursework, 6 credits of which must be upper-division.
Free Electives
Complete enough electives to bring the total credit hours toward the degree to 128. Normally this is 12 credit hours but could vary (for example due to transfer credits). Please consult with your academic advisor or Partnership Program Director with questions.

The following plan lists all the specific course requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in partnership with Western Colorado University.  The order in which these courses are taken may vary with course availability. Students are responsible for completing all course prerequisites. Please note that this is a suggested degree program; your program may vary. 

Planned Western coursework is outlined below in red font and course numbers are all three digits, while CU Boulder coursework is outlined below in black font and course numbers are all four digits.  Students must complete 45 credits at CU Boulder. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CS 190 Computer Science I 3
CHEM 121
General Chemistry for Engineers
or General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1)
3-4
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
MATH 151 Calculus I (GT-MA1) 4
PHYS 185 Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) 1
PHYS 190 General Physics I (GT-SC2) 3
 Credits18-19
Spring
CS 191 Computer Science II 3
ENGR 131 Introduction to Engineering Design 3
H&SS lower-division 3
MATH 251 Calculus II 4
PHYS 186 Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) 1
PHYS 191 General Physics II (GT-SC2) 3
 Credits17
Year Two
Fall
MATH 252 Calculus III 4
ENGR 161 COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN 3
ENGR 162 FABRICATION 1
ENGR 224 Materials Science 3
PHYS 250 Statics 3
PHYS 320 Modern Physics 3
 Credits17
Spring
ENG 302 Technical Writing 3
ENGR 251
Dynamics
or Dynamics
3
ENGR 265 Engineering as a Profession 1
ENGR 335
Fluid Mechanics
or Fluid Mechanics
3
ENGR 363 Mechanics of Solids 3
MATH 358 Introduction to Differential Equations and Linear Algebra 4
 Credits17
Year Three
Fall
MCEN 3012 Thermodynamics 3
MCEN 3017 Circuits & Electronics for Mechanical Engineers 3
MCEN 3025 Component Design 3
MCEN 3030 Computational Methods 3
MCEN Technical Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
MCEN 3032 Thermodynamics II 3
MCEN 3047 Data Analysis & Experimental Methods 4
MCEN 4026 Manufacturing Processes & Systems 3
MCEN Technical Elective 3
H&SS lower-division 3
 Credits16
Year Four
Fall
MCEN 3022 Heat Transfer 3
MCEN 4043 System Dynamics 3
MCEN 4045 Mechanical Engineering Design Project I 3
MCEN 4086 Writing for Design 1
General Technical Elective 3
H&SS lower-division 3
 Credits16
Spring
MCEN 4085 Mechanical Engineering Design Project II 3
General Technical Elective 3
H&SS upper-division 6
 Credits12
 Total Credits128-129