Bachelor of Science (BS) in
Mechanical Engineering
Primarily Online
Program Overview
The University of Alabama’s primarily online Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering gives you the opportunity to obtain your degree with minimal travel or job disruption.
This BSME degree program is rigorous and identical to the degree earned by campus students at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. You’ll receive the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to excel in a career that promises many challenges and great rewards!
-
Program Format
Primarily Online -
Credit Hours
126 -
Tuition Per Hour
$385
A Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering is considered one of the broadest and most versatile engineering degrees available.
Not only will this program prepare you to design complex machines, but you will also be prepared for involvement in all aspects of product manufacturing.
As a student you can train in the science of designing a component, a machine or a system in a process. BSME students pursue careers in many industries, such as automotive, power generation, bioengineering, textiles, robotics, manufacturing, research and development, pulp and paper, steel and materials, petro-chemical and aerospace. Also, BSME graduates may pursue post-graduate learning in business, law, medicine, dentistry and other professions.
Live, in-person proctoring is required to complete exams. Additionally, the BSME distance learning program requires proctored testing to be conducted within the US or within testing centers located on US military installations for US military personnel stationed abroad.
- Application DeadlineApplications accepted year round. Newly admitted students must begin in Fall or Spring semesters
- AccreditationAccreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Other Program SpecificsThree courses require weekend labs at locations in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Live, in-person proctoring is required to complete exams
- Are test scores required?ACT and SAT scores are not required through the Fall 2024 entry term
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering requires the completion of 126 credit hours. The BSME’s unique and blended format allows students to experience the same lectures and discussions as traditional campus students, through online and video courses.
Coursework is completed primarily online with the exception of three lab courses that require an occasional face-to-face component. Students can complete these labs during the weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Please note that courses are subject to change.
Program Requirements
(C- required in each course)
- EN 101 English (FC)
- EN 102 English (FC)
- MATH 125 Calculus I (M)
- MATH 126 Calculus II (M)
- MATH 227 Calculus III (M)
- MATH 238 Applied Differential Equations I**
- CH 101 General Chemistry I (N)**
- PH 105 General Physics w/ Cal I (N)**
- PH 106 General Physics w/ Cal II (N)**
- Approved Natural Science Elective
** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.
(C- required in ME 349)
- ME 349 Engineering Analysis (C) (3 Hrs)
- ME 372 Dynamic Systems (C) (3 Hrs)
Each student may select any two ME electives to satisfy the requirements of ME elective courses. The technical elective requirement may be satisfied with an additional ME elective or a 300 – 400 level engineering, math, or science course by prior petition.
Students are required to take 18 hours of Humanities/Social and Behavioral Sciences electives. This includes 9 semester hours of humanities (HU), literature (L) and arts (FA) courses. There are also 9 semester hours required in history (HI) and social and behavioral sciences (SB). Six of the 18 semester hours must be from a single discipline (Depth Study).
Humanities (HU) offered only by UA Online
- CHI 101
- CHI 102
- EN 205
- EN 206
- EN 209
- EN 210
- JA 101
- JA 102
- JA 201
- JN 200
- PHL 100
- PHL 223
- REL 100
- REL 110
- REL 112
- SOC 390
- SP 101
- SP 102
- WS 200
Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB) offered by UA Online
- AAST 201
- ANT 100
- ANT 102
- COM 220
- EC 110
- EC 111
- GY 105
- GY 110
- HD 101
- PSC 101
- SOC 101
- SW 210
(C- required in ME 360)
- ME 360 Control and Instrumentation Comp. (LAB) (W) (3 Hrs)*
- ME 460 Thermal Systems Instrumentation (LAB) (W) (4 Hrs)*
* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.
(C- required in all pre-requisite courses)
- ME 121 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
- ENGR 103 Engineering Foundations
- ENGR 161 Small-Scale Engineering Graphics
- AEM 201 Statics
- ME 215 Thermodynamics I
- MTE 271 Engineering Materials I
- AEM 264 Dynamics
- AEM 311 Fluid Mechanics
- ME 305 Thermodynamics II
- AEM 250 Mechanics of Materials I
- AEM 251 Mechanics of Materials Lab*
- ECE 320 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
- ME 309 Heat Transfer
- ME 350 Static Machine Components
- ME 351 Finite Element Lab
- ME 383 Modern Manufacturing Practices
- ME 450 Dynamic Machine Components
- ME 489 Mechanical Engineering Design I
- ME 490 Mechanical Engineering Design II
* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.
Courses by Semester
Courses
- CH 101 General Chemistry I (N)**
- MATH 125 Calculus I (M)
- ME 121 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
- EN 101 English (FC)
** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.
Courses
- PH 105 General Physics w/ Cal I (N)**
- MATH 126 Calculus II (M)
- ENGR 103 Engineering Foundations
- ENGR 161 Small-Scale Engineering Graphics
- EN 102 English (FC)
** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.
Courses
- AEM 201 Statics
- MATH 227 Calculus III (M)
- ME 215 Thermodynamics I
- PH 106 General Physics w/ Cal II (N)**
- Approved science elective
** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.
Courses
- AEM 264 Dynamics
- AEM 311 Fluid Mechanics
- MATH 238 Applied Differential Equations**
- ME 305 Thermodynamics II
- MTE 271 Engineering Materials I
** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.
Courses
- AEM 250 Mechanics of Materials I
- AEM 251 Mechanics of Materials (Lab)*
- ECE 320 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
- ME 309 Heat Transfer
- ME 349 Engineering Analysis (C)
- Humanities (HU), Literature (L), or Fine arts (FA) elective
* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.
Courses
- ME 350 Static Machine Components
- ME 351 Finite Element Lab
- ME 360 Control & Instrumentation Comp. with lab (W)*
- ME 372 Dynamic Systems (C)
- ME 383 Modern Manufacturing Practices
- Approved Mechanical Engineering elective
* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.
Courses
- ME 450 Dynamic Machine Components
- ME 460 Thermal Systems Instrumentation with lab (W)*
- ME 489 Mechanical Engineering Design I
- Humanities (HU), Literature (L), or Fine arts (FA) elective
- History (HI) or Social Behavioral Sciences (SB) elective
* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.
Courses
- ME 490 Mechanical Engineering Design II
- Humanities (HU), Literature (L), or Fine arts (FA) elective
- History (HI) or Social Behavioral Sciences (SB) elective
- Approved Mechanical Engineering elective
- Approved Mechanical Engineering or Technical elective
Contact us about taking courses not offered online from another institution.
Admission
Mechanical Engineering distance program is open to US students as well as international students residing in the US with appropriate visas. To apply for formal admission to any of the undergraduate degree programs offered through UA Online, you must complete an admissions application and submit transcripts from all colleges previously attended (and a high school transcript if you have less than 24 semester hours of college coursework). Transfer students considering admission should review UA’s transfer information and policies and the College of Engineering’s residency requirements.
Applicants must meet one of the following admission requirements:
If you have earned more than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet the transfer student admission requirement of a minimum 2.0 overall college GPA.
If you have earned less than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet both the 2.0 overall college GPA required for transfer students, as well as Admission Requirements for Freshmen Students. If high school graduation was more than four years ago, ACT/SAT scores are not required.
Applications are accepted year-round, but we recommend applying before the dates below to ensure you receive advising and transfer credit evaluation prior to enrolling in your required courses. This evaluation is separate from University Admissions, and the College of Engineering cannot guarantee you will be evaluated for your desired start term if you apply after these dates.
- July 1 for fall enrollment
- Nov. 1 for spring enrollment
*Newly admitted students must begin in Fall or Spring semesters.
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Contact Us
Program Information
Katie Nethery
Admissions Representative
800-467-0227
katelynn.bama@ua.edu
Admissions Information
UA Online
800-467-0227
online@ua.edu