Ratliff Relays involving mechanical engineering majors at The University of Texas at Tyler

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Innovative Engineering That Makes a Difference

Mechanical engineers impact almost every aspect of modern society, including solving today's problems and creating future solutions in healthcare, energy, transportation, hunger, space exploration, climate change and more. With the rapid advancement of technology, the future of mechanical engineering looks promising, with many opportunities for growth and innovation.

The Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering serves as an entryway into the industry and provides a solid foundation for graduate studies through a comprehensive curriculum and multiple hands-on experiences.

Our Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Why Major in Mechanical Engineering at UT Tyler?

Mechanical engineers make a difference by creating technologies to meet human needs. A mechanical engineer has likely touched nearly every modern product or service to help or improve society. At the same time, breakthroughs in materials and analytical tools open new frontiers for potential advancements.

Due to increasing demand for innovation, graduates of UT Tyler’s Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering program find work, as well as competitive salaries, in virtually every industry.

Our program’s strengths include:

  • Expert Faculty: Receive individual attention from faculty with extensive field and research experience. Our faculty conduct and publish studies on such topics as engineering education advanced techniques, the design and fabrication of rehabilitation and biomedical robotics, renewable energy generation, storage and optimized utilization using smart machine-learning methods, and advanced wave propagation and computational methods for sensory and scanning enhancement.
  • Choice of Locations: Choose to study at our main campus in Tyler or through our satellite program at the Houston Engineering Center, located on the Houston Community College campus.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: Develop critical skills for your career in advanced facilities, such as the The Energy Heating and Cooling Lab, biomaterials lab and advanced fabrication lab.
  • National Agencies and Foundations’ Funding: Study in a department that received funding from the National Science Foundation, USDA, American Heart Association and NASA to develop excellent educational materials and facilities. UT Tyler serves as a model to other institutions developing mechanical engineering programs.
  • Undergraduate Research: Work on projects alongside world-class faculty members, immersing yourself in computational intelligence, biomechanics, biomaterials, alternative energy systems and machinery dynamics research.
  • Practical Experience: Highlight the applications of mechanical engineering and work on real industry sponsored projects before you enter the workforce. Recent student projects include developing a hand controller model for NASA’s Orion spacecraft, designing heating and air-conditioning sensors and building an all-terrain Baja vehicle.
  • NASA Design Challenge: Competitors work alongside NASA engineers at the Johnson Space Center, where they engage in the research, design, manufacturing and testing of their prototypes during a yearlong project.
  • Nationally Ranked: U.S. News & World Report named UT Tyler’s College of Engineering one of the top 50 engineering programs in the country. For the second consecutive year, UT Tyler ranked the highest of all Texas public institutions on the publication’s Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (no doctorate) list.
  • Nationally Accredited: ​​The University of Texas at Tyler’s mechanical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET accreditation signifies that a program meets the quality standards that produce graduates prepared to enter a global workforce.
  • Student Community: Network through membership in student chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Curriculum

From prerequisite through core and other requirements, undergraduate students receive instruction in both mechanical engineering theory and practice, learning to think critically and creatively. They prepare to formulate strategies to solve complex practical and theoretical engineering problems while considering business objectives and social, economic and ethical issues.

Through this sequence, students acquire a number of marketable skills and a broader understanding of the field’s foundational concepts, including computer-aided design, heat transfer, thermodynamics, product development, mechanical systems design and project management and delivery.

Core Requirements

Take courses in materials science and manufacturing, mechanics of materials, mechanical systems design and system dynamics and control. Coursework exposes you to probability and statistics for engineers, experimental measurements and techniques, and provides a strong foundation in chemistry, physics and calculus.

Select five specialized senior-year technical electives after consulting your academic advisor.

Mechanical Engineering Major Requirements

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering graduates leave UT Tyler ready to apply the principles of engineering, science and mathematics to model, analyze, design and realize physical systems.
 
Our graduates go on to careers in countless industries and pursue positions with top organizations including Air Rover, Carrier, Trane Inc., General Dynamics, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Schlumberger and Texas Instruments.

As of May 2021, mechanical engineers earn a median annual wage of $95,300, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How to Apply

The University of Texas at Tyler offers a streamlined admissions process for all undergraduate students. Have questions or concerns? Our admissions team can guide you through all requirements and answer any questions you may have. Reflecting our reputation as one of the most affordable colleges in the state, our financial aid team helps you explore all scholarships, grants and other forms of assistance.

For admissions decisions in general:

  • UT Tyler automatically accepts students from the Top 25% of graduating classes in Texas.
  • Students from the 2nd to 4th quartiles must have a 2.75 or higher GPA.

Ready to apply? Review all undergraduate requirements to get started.

Start Your Application

UT Tyler has established partnerships with community colleges across Texas, allowing for a seamless transfer of your credits. Our relationships let you stick with your degree plan and graduate on time, right on your schedule.

Learn More About Transfer Pathways

Admissions Requirements for Transfer Students

Students with an associate degree in engineering from an ANSAC/ABET-accredited program at a participating Texas community college with no grade lower than a “C” are eligible to pursue the Mechanical Engineering Completion Program to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at UT Tyler. This pathway enables students to begin their engineering education at a participating community college and complete their bachelor’s at UT Tyler. Learn more about this pathway to a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.

Through UT Tyler’s partnership with Houston Community College, students have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering at the UT Tyler Houston Engineering Center, located on the second floor of the HCC Alief Hayes Campus in Houston.

Students begin coursework at HCC and earn an associate degree before transferring to UT Tyler. As a student considering this pathway, you then select from majors in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering or construction management to finish your bachelor’s at the HEC.

Learn More About the Houston Engineering Center

Undergraduate students majoring in mechanical engineering may choose to complete a master’s degree in one additional year. Students admitted into the program take nine credits of graduate coursework during their senior year, plus one credit of undergraduate research seminar, and must obtain a grade of B or higher in all graduate courses attempted during their senior year to continue on to the master’s program. Those taking this pathway receive two credentials in five years.

Learn About the 4+1 BS/MS Program

July 1

ApplyTexas application opens for incoming first-year students.

October 1

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens for the upcoming academic year.

December 1

Application deadline to be eligible for scholarships.

May 1

Deadline for Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Transfer Presidential Scholarships.

August 1

Deadline for Patriot Promise Scholarship.

Spotlight

Fatima-Antonia Delgado, a 2022 UT Tyler graduate with a BS in Mechanical Engineering
I loved coming together with other engineering majors to study and find ways to broaden our knowledge. I cherished my time as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. I am beyond grateful to Dr. (Andres) Garcia for ensuring that students had every resource to be successful. Professor Aws Al-Shalash was always encouraging and pushing me to new levels. Another favorite memory is when I decided to pursue a career in aerospace. I told Mr. (Mark) Stark (career success coach), and he fully believed in me and helped me to go into the field.

Fátima-Antonia Delgado, ‘22

Next Steps

Prepare for a successful career. Discover all the places a mechanical engineering degree from UT Tyler can take you.