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!

Primarily Online Program Format

130 Credit Hours

$399 Tuition Per Hour

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 Deadline	Applications for this program are accepted year round. Preferred deadlines are July 1 for fall admission and Nov. 1 for spring admission. Newly admitted students must enroll in a fall or spring term.
Accreditation	The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program at The University of Alabama is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and similarly named Engineering Programs.
Practicum and Skills Lab	Three courses have an in-person lab requirement totaling 6 visits to Tuscaloosa, AL: AEM 311 (3 visits), ME 360 (2 visits) and ME 460 (1 visit).
Other Program Specifics	Live, in-person proctoring is required to complete exams
Are test scores required?	ACT and SAT scores are not required through the Fall 2026 entry term
Scholarships and Grants Available	Discover a range of scholarships and grants to support your educational journey

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering requires the completion of 130 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 complete these labs during the weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Please note that courses are subject to change.

Program Requirements

General Education Courses

Many general education courses are built into the Mechanical Engineering major course offerings. Additional general education requirements include:

UA 101/201 UA Legends (FYCC): 1 hour
EN 103 Advanced English Composition (FC): 3 – 6 hours
World Language Proficiency: 0 – 8 hours
History (HI) and Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB): 9 hours
Humanities (HU), Literature (L), Fine Arts (FA), and World Language (WL): 9 hours
US and Global Citizenship: 3 hours

Ancillary Courses (31 Hours)

CH 101 General Chemistry (N)**
MATH 125 Calculus I (M)
MATH 126 Calculus II
MATH 227 Calculus III
MATH 238 Applied Differential Equations I
PH 105 General Physics W/Cal I**
PH 106 General Physics W/Cal II**
Approved Science Elective (N)

Mechanical Engineering Major Requirements (77 Hours)

ENGR 101 The World of Engineering (FYCC)
ENGR 104 Fundamentals of Engineering
ENGR 161 Small-Scale Engineering Graphics
AEM 201 Statics
AEM 250 Mechanics of Materials I
AEM 251 Mechanics of Materials Lab*
AEM 264 Dynamics
AEM 311 Fluid Mechanics
ECE 320 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
ME 215 Thermodynamics I
ME 305 Thermodynamics II
ME 309 Heat Transfer
ME 349 Engineering Analysis
ME 350 Static Machine Components
ME 351 Finite Element Lab
ME 360 Control Instrument Components*
ME 383 Modern Manufacturing Practices
ME 410 Engineering in Social & Global Context (W)
ME 450 Dynamic Machine Components
ME 460 Energy Systems: Analysis and Measurement*
ME 489 Mechanical Engineering Design I
ME 490 Mechanical Engineering Design II
MFE 290 Capstone Experience: Foundations of Programming
MTE 271 Engineering Materials I
ME Elective (2)
ME Technical Elective

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.

* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.
** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.

Courses by Semester

Freshman Year Fall Semester (16 Hours)

Courses

CH 101 General Chemistry I (N)**
MATH 125 Calculus I (M)
ENGR 101 The World of Engineering (FYCC)
ENGR 104 Fundamentals of Engineering
EN 103 Advanced English Composition (FC)
UA 101/201 UA Legends (FYCC)

** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.

Freshman Year Spring Semester (18 Hours)

Courses

PH 105 General Physics w/ Cal I (N)**
MATH 126 Calculus II (M)
MTE 271 Engineering Materials I
ENGR 161 Small-Scale Engineering Graphics
Literature Elective (L)
History Elective (HI)

** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.

Sophomore Year Fall Semester (18 Hours)

Courses

PH 106 General Physics w/ Cal II (N)**
MATH 227 Calculus III (M)
AEM 201 Statics
ME 215 Thermodynamics I
Approved Science Elective (N)

** Not offered by UA Distance. An equivalent must be completed at another institution and transferred to UA.

Sophomore Year Spring Semester (15 Hours)

Courses

MFE 290 Foundations of Programming
MATH 238 Applied Differential Equations
AEM 264 Dynamics
AEM 311 Fluid Mechanics
ME 305 Thermodynamics II

Junior Year Fall Semester (16 Hours)

Courses

AEM 250 Mechanics of Materials I
AEM 251 Mechanics of Materials (Lab)*
ECE 320 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
ME 349 Engineering Analysis
ME 309 Heat Transfer
Humanities (HU), Literature (L), Fine arts (FA) or World Language (WL) Elective

* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.

Junior Year Spring Semester (16 Hours)

Courses

ME 350 Static Machine Components
ME 351 Finite Element Lab
ME 360 Control & Instrumentation Comp. with lab*
ME 372 Dynamic Systems
ME 383 Modern Manufacturing Practices
Approved Mechanical Engineering elective

* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.

Senior Year Fall Semester (16 Hours)

Courses

ME 489 Mechanical Engineering Design I
ME 460 Thermal Systems Instrumentation with lab*
ME 450 Dynamic Machine Components
ME 410 Engineering in a Social and Global Context (W)
History (HI) or Social Behavioral Sciences (SB) elective

* Lab requires visits to Tuscaloosa.

Senior Year Spring Semester (15 Hours)

Courses

ME 490 Mechanical Engineering Design II
Approved Mechanical Engineering elective
Approved Mechanical Engineering or Technical elective
Humanities (HU), Literature (L), Fine arts (FA) or World Language (WL) Elective
History (HI) or Social Behavioral Sciences (SB) elective

Admission

The primarily online Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is open to U.S. students as well as international students residing in the U.S. 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 Styslinger College of Engineering’s residency requirements.

Applicants must meet one of the following admission requirements:

If you have earned 24 transferable semester hours or 36 transferable quarter hours (excludes technical, remedial and vocational courses) or more at the time of your application to the University of Alabama, you will need to meet the Transfer Students Admission Requirement of a minimum 2.0 overall college GPA.
If you have earned fewer than the required transferable credits at the time of your application to the University of Alabama, you will need to meet both the 2.0 overall college GPA required for transfer students, as well as Admission Requirements for Freshmen Students.

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 secondary credit evaluation is separate from University Admissions, and the Styslinger 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

All newly admitted students must begin in Fall or Spring semesters.

Find more information and learn about restrictions related to this degree program that may exist regarding licensure in the state in which you reside.

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