Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Science: Mechanical Engineering

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Science: Engineering (Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway))
Tidewater Community College
Tidewater Community College
Program description

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design and analyze machines of all types including automobiles, airplanes, rockets, submarines, power generation systems, biomedical instrumentation, robots, manufacturing systems, household appliances and many, many more. In addition to well-known areas such as nuclear energy, nuclear propulsion and nuclear medicine, nuclear engineers are involved in many other applications of nuclear science and technology in fields as diverse as agriculture, industry, homeland security, forensics, environmental protection and even art.  Current areas of research within the department include but are not limited to energy conversion systems, smart materials, corrosion, medical devices, aerosol science, sensors, radiation detection and measurement, nuclear reactor design, robotics, fluid mechanics, nanotechnology, and biomechanics.

Career opportunities

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material-handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Some mechanical engineers design tools that other engineers need for their work.The key characteristics of the profession are its breadth, flexibility, and individuality. The career paths of mechanical engineers are largely determined by individual choices, a decided advantage in a changing world.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Automation Engineer
  • Automotive Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Maintenance Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Product Development Engineer
  • Robotics Engineer
  • Sales Engineer
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • College Professor
  • Lead Research Scientist
  • Project Lead Engineer
  • Research & Development Engineer
  • Research Engineer
  • Simulation & Modeling Engineer
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Review requirements of Engineering Admission Agreement
Completion of associate degree (A.S. in Engineering or A.S. in Science) 
Minimum GPA of 3.0 
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
Earn a minimum grade of "B" in all your math, science and engineering classes

Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 201 or higher
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Science: Mechanical Engineering

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Engineering)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Attend New Student Orientation.
  • Register for SDV 101.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor at the beginning of each semester.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Start your math sequence (preferably Calculus) and pass ENG 111-112 during your first year.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Browse careers related to mechanical engineering through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
Experience Year 2
  • Meet with your academic advisor at the beginning of each semester to review your academic progress.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Mechanical Engineering department-related events.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Plan to complete ENGR 395 Professional Development your first semester at VCU.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to your TCC career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Learn about VCU REAL.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend New Student Orientation.
  • Register for SDV 101.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor at the beginning of each semester.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Start your math sequence (preferably Calculus) and pass ENG 111-112 during your first year.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Browse careers related to mechanical engineering through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Meet with your academic advisor at the beginning of each semester to review your academic progress.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Mechanical Engineering department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Plan to complete ENGR 395 Professional Development your first semester at VCU.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to your TCC career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Learn about VCU REAL.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Bachelor of Science: Mechanical Engineering

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Engineering)

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 101 Orientation to Engineering and Technologies UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
MTH 263 Calculus I (earn minimum grade of "B") MATH 200 4 General education
CHM 111 General Chemistry I (earn minimum grade of "B") CHEM/Z 101 4 Major
EGR 120 Introduction to Engineering (earn minimum grade of "B") EGMN 190 + EGMN 103 2 Major
Humanities elective PHI 220 Ethics PHIL 201 3 Major
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
CHM 112 General Chemistry II (earn minimum grade of "B") CHEM/Z 102 4 Elective
EGR 110 + EGR 125 Engineering Graphics (3 credits) + Introduction to Engineering Methods (4 credits) - earn minimum grade of "B" EGMN 215 7 Major
MTH 267 Differential Equations (earn minimum grade of "B") MATh 301 3 Major
PHY 241 University Physics I (earn minimum grade of "B") PHYS 207 4 Major
Engineering elective EGR 140 Engineering Mechanics - Statics (earn minimum grade of "B") EGMN 102 3 Major
History elective Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
Social Science elective Select 1: PSY 200, SOC 200, 211, PLS 211, 241 VCU equivalent 3 General education
MTH 265 Calculus III (earn minimum grade of "B") MATH 307 4 Major
PHY 242 University Physics II (earn minimum grade of "B") PHYS 208 4 Major
Engineering elective EGR 245 Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics (earn minimum grade of "B") EGMN 201 3 Major
Engineering elective EGR 246 Mechanics of Materials (earn minimum grade of "B") EGMN 202 3 Major
Humanities elective Select 1: ENG 200-level literature; PHI 101, 111; ART 101, 102; MUS 121; CST 151; REL 230 VCU equivalent 3 General education
Tidewater credits transferred to VCU 68
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
MGMT 310 Managing People in Organizations 3 Major
STAT 441 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists 3 Major
ECON 205 The Economics of Product Development and Marketing 3 Major
EGMN 203 Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Practicum II 1 Major
EGMN 204 Thermodynamics Note: consider taking this class or the community college equivalent - EGR 248 - in the summer before enrolling at VCU 3 Major
EGMN 300 Mechanical Systems Design 3 Major
EGMN 301 Fluid Mechanics 3 Major
EGMN 302 Heat Transfer 3 Major
EGMN 303 Thermal Systems Design 3 Major
EGMN 309 Material Science for Engineers 3 Major
EGMN 311 Solid Mechanics Lab 1.5 Major
EGMN 312 Thermal Science Lab 15 to 1.5 Major
EGMN 315 Process and Systems Dynamics 3 Major
EGMN 321 Numerical Methods 3 Major
EGMN 402 Senior Design Studio (Laboratory/Project Time) 2 Major
EGMN 403 Senior Design Studio (Laboratory/Project Time) 2 Major
EGMN 416 Mechatronics 3 Major
EGMN 420 CAE Design 3 Major
EGMN 421 CAE Analysis 3 Major
EGRE 206 Electric Circuits 4 Major
ENGR 395 Professional Development 1 Major
ENGR 402 Senior Design Studio (seminar) 1 Major
ENGR 403 Senior Design Studio (seminar) 1 Major
ENGR Approved internship or cooperative education experience (select 1): ENGR 296, ENGR 396, ENGR 398 0 Major
ENGR Approved internship or cooperative education experience (select 1): ENGR 496, ENGR 498 0 Major
Approved engineering electives (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
Approved engineering or professional electives (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
Credits completed at VCU 69
Bachelor's degree total 137