
WHAT IS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING?
This major is part of the Math and Engineering Exploration Group
Mechanical Engineering Major Website
The study of mechanical engineering encompasses a wide range of activity that includes researching, designing, developing, manufacturing, managing, and controlling engineering systems, subsystems, and their components. More specifically, individuals pursuing the study of mechanical engineering will learn about the use of energy from natural sources and its economical conversion into other useful energy; the design and fabrication of machines processing materials into useful products; and/or the creative planning, development, and operation of systems for using energy resources and machines.
Mechanical engineering is a creative profession with a heavy emphasis on problem-solving in diverse industries. Areas to which mechanical engineers make substantial contributions include transportation, power generation, energy conversion, machine design, manufacturing and automation, environmental control, and control of engineering systems.
Declaration, Major Requirements, and Courses
HOW TO DECLARE:
APPLICATION REQUIRED. As of July 2025, minimum admissions requirements for all College of Engineering majors has been updated. Internal Admission Process and Criteria can be found HERE.
To be considered for Spring admissions, application must be received by December 25th. To be considered for Fall admission, application must be received by May 25th. Apply HERE.
---
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:
---
HELPFUL INTRO COURSES:
Click here for full course description
ENGR 1166 - Foundations of Engineering (Major Requirement)
CSE 1010 - Introduction to Computing for Engineers (Major Requirement)
MATH 1131Q - Calculus 1 (Major Requirement)
Possible Career Opportunities
COMMON CAREER PATHS:
UConn students who major in Mechanical Engineering often pursue careers with a focus on the use of energy from natural sources and its economical conversion into other useful energy. Common examples include but are not limited to careers in:
- Aerospace engineering
- Automation
- Automotive engineering
- Environmental control systems
- Manufacturing engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Power/nuclear engineering
- Production planning
- Project engineering
- Quality assurance
- Structural engineering
COMMON AREAS OF GRADUATE STUDY:
Mechanical Engineering majors who go on to pursue graduate studies pursue a wide variety of master’s, and/or doctoral degrees based on their interests. Common examples include but are not limited to degrees in:
- Electrical engineering
- Energy engineering
- Mechanical engineering
ADDITIONAL CAREER RESOURCES:
For additional examples of careers and graduate studies that UConn alumni have pursued, visit the UConn alumni search on LinkedIn.
For further insight beyond the journeys of UConn alumni, visit Zippia or “What Can I do with this Major?”.
Related Majors
Get Involved
GET INVOLVED:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
International Engineering Club
National Society of Black Engineers
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Women in Math, Science, and Engineering Club
HELPFUL TOOLS:
