Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Concentration in Nuclear Engineering 

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for ENGINEERING

Complete at Virginia Commonwealth University

TRANSFER GUIDANCE

Guaranteed Program Admission Agreement for VCU Engineering

• Earn a transfer associate degree (AS or AA&S in Engineering).

• Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for your associate degree. VCU will recognize the cumulative GPA as recorded on the VCCS transcript and not recalculate based on multiple course attempts.

• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at VCCS institution.

• Earn grades of "B" or higher in all your EGR, MTH, and science courses.

• Earn grades of "C" or higher in all other community college courses.

IMPORTANT LINKS & DATES

• University Transfer Center: https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

• Register Intent to Transfer: https://ugradadmissions.vcu.edu/register/letterofinterest.

• Admission Application: By March 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/.

• Financial Aid: https://semss.vcu.edu/our-services/financial-resources-and-guidance/.

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 1 for fall semester at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING COURSES?

• Complete your English courses and any math prerequisites in your first year.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and the VCU Transfer Center within your first semester through your account at www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Contact VCU advisor about summer course options prior to enrollment at VCU.

IS THIS DEGREE RIGHT FOR ME?

• 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.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON MY DEGREE OF WORK I HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of a transfer associate degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met when you transfer to VCU.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an associate degree concurrent with high school results in 60 credits of coursework applied towards your degree and VCU's general education courses satisfied. High school students must apply to VCU as freshman applicants for orientation and engagement purposes.

• Credit for Prior Learning: VCU accepts AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP, DANTES, and military credits.

• Catalog Year: VCU will honor the degree requirements of the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin in effect at the time of the student's first post-high school enrollment into an appropriate associate degree at the two-year institution. Students must stay enrolled at their community college and take no more than four years to complete their associate degree. Students must also enroll at VCU within one year of completing their associate degree.

IS THIS COLLEGE RIGHT FOR ME?

• Located in downtown Richmond, within two hours of the beach, the mountains and Washington DC, VCU provides top-ranked academic programs, research opportunities and an urban setting so students can live and learn in the real world.

• VCU is a large, public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of students and the Richmond community.

• Diversity, inclusion and equity are deeply ingrained core values of VCU.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

• Completing your associate transfer degree satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the likelihood you will complete your bachelor's degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college could exhaust your financial aid there and reduce your future financial aid at VCU?

WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS DEGREE?

Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

PROGRAM SUCCESSES & HIGHLIGHTS

• College of Engineering Teaching and Research Centers:

• The Maker Garage is a newly renovated facility providing faculty and students with state-of-the-art traditional and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

• Nanomaterials Core Characterization Facility (NCC) is a research core facility of the Office of Research. NCC is located at the Institute for Engineering and Medicine and allows access to sophisticated materials characterization equipment and analytical services unique to the mid-Atlantic region.

• Students within the College of Engineering have access to computer labs conveniently located in both the East and West Hall Engineering buildings. These labs offer a highly integrated environment where students conduct engineering course-related instructional work on desktop computers.

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES FOR GETTING ACCEPTED?

• If you apply through general application instead of through the Guaranteed Program Admission Agreement, you will be considered for admission with all other transfer applicants.

• Learn more about applying to VCU at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer/.

DO MORE WITH YOUR DEGREE!

• The accelerated B.S. and M.S. programs allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. and a M.S. in Computer Science or Engineering in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program.

OTHER THAN CLASSES, ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS?

• All students must complete at least one VCU "REAL" experiential learning activity in order to graduate from VCU. Examples of REAL activities include: internships, research, and service learning. This requirement may be satisfied by completing a 300-level (or higher) REAL course or through an approved REAL co-curricular experience.

• Learn more at https://real.vcu.edu/.