Program Details
Mechanical Engineering with concentration in Nuclear Engineering, Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of ScienceVirginia Commonwealth University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
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, mechanical engineers design and analyze the energy sources that provide power to machines, fluids that interact with machines and the materials from which machines are constructed. Mechanical engineers also work in cutting-edge fields such as nanotechnology, alternative energy sources and environmentally friendly "green" manufacturing processes. Another important application of mechanical engineering is in medicine, where artificial organs, surgical tools and drug-delivery systems are vital to human well-being. Mechanical engineers are in continuous demand by virtually all industries and are also employed by state and federal governments and enjoy one of the highest starting salaries of all college majors. Mechanical engineering graduates can, if they wish, continue their studies and obtain advanced degrees in fields such as business, law, medicine and engineering. The VCU Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering is the largest in the College of Engineering and offers an accredited B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, including the option of obtaining a major concentration nuclear engineering. The curriculum for the freshman year is the same with or without the nuclear concentration. As part of the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, all students complete an approved internship or cooperative education experience.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will demonstrate: An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies An understanding of the hazards associated with physical, chemical and/or biological processes
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Students with an interest in one or more of the following should consider mechanical/nuclear engineering, a top choice of major- designing and analyzing 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, students should expect to be involved in hands-on learning each semester, with core labs associated with their major courses. Students are also required to complete an intensive senior design project and choose from a list of high-level STEM courses in order to satisfy the technical/engineering elective requirements. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all required engineering courses; in all courses used to satisfy nuclear engineering elective requirements; and in the following: MATH 200, MATH 201, MATH 301, MATH 307, and PHYS 207. Students must maintain a minimum major GPA of 2.0. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Transfer students planning on majoring in mechanical/nuclear engineering must complete Calculus I, General Chemistry I with lab, University Physics I and preferably University Physics II, with grades of A or B and a minimum GPA of 2.5 for immediate admission. Students can also take a combination of the following (Calculus II, Differential Equations, EGR 206, EGR 110, 123, 240, 245, 246, 248), and students who complete an AS degree and/or an AS degree with a mechanical engineering specialization can expect to receive credit for most courses for earned grades of C or above.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Students who choose mechanical engineering as their major may also choose to earn a concentration in nuclear engineering. Students who complete their mechanical/nuclear engineering degree can find successful careers in industry areas such as automobiles, airplanes, rockets, submarines, power generation systems, biomedical instrumentation, robots, manufacturing systems, household appliances and many, many more. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Students who complete their mechanical/nuclear engineering degree can find successful careers in industry areas such as automobiles, airplanes, rockets, submarines, power generation systems, biomedical instrumentation, robots, manufacturing systems, household appliances and many more with companies such as Dominion Energy, Newport News Ship Building/Huntington Ingalls Industries, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, BMW, Ford, GM, Hamilton Beach, WestRock and more. Students who excel academically, complete their required internship or Co-op, get involved in undergraduate research, and join an engineering-based student organization can expect to be hired at or before their graduation or soon thereafter. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Engineering is recommended for this major. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Engineering is recommended for this major. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Engineering - Mechanical/Aerospace Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Not Specified |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Engineering | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Engineering, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Engineering Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Engineering | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Engineering | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Engineering | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science with a Specialization in Engineering | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Mechanical Engineering, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Mechanical Engineering-BSME | Bachelor | BS in Mechanical Eng | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Marymount University | Mechanical Engineering (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Engineering Major- BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-2011.00 | Aerospace Engineers | Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
| 11-9041.00 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. | Management Occupations |
| 17-2141.02 | Automotive Engineers | Develop new or improved designs for vehicle structural members, engines, transmissions, or other vehicle systems, using computer-assisted design technology. Direct building, modification, or testing of vehicle or components. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
| 11-9041.01 | Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential. | Management Occupations |
| 13-1051.00 | Cost Estimators | Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 25-1032.00 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 17-2141.01 | Fuel Cell Engineers | Design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
| 17-2141.00 | Mechanical Engineers | Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
Cost To Complete