Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, BSE

Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics is the study of forces, deformation, and motions of solid bodies and fluids (liquids and air), heat & energy generation and transport. Mechanical engineers are equipped with knowledge to design and develop everything you think of as a device, mechanism, or machine, including wind turbines, rocket engines, robots, 3D printers, micro-engines, nanomotors, and more. We assure safety in systems people use day to day, from transportation to appliances to medical devices.

For more information: https://www.seas.upenn.edu/prospective-students/undergrad/majors/mechanical-engineering-and-applied-mechanics/

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Curriculum 

Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) Major Requirements

MEAM Core
MEAM 2020Introduction to Thermal-Fluids Engineering1
MEAM 2030Thermodynamics1
MEAM 2100Statics and Strength of Materials1
MEAM 2110Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics1
MEAM 2470Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I0.5
MEAM 2480Mechanical Engineering Lab I0.5
MEAM 3470Mechanical Engineering Design Laboratory1
MEAM 3480Mechanical Engineering Design Laboratory1
MEAM 4450Mechanical Engineering Design Projects1
MEAM 4460Mechanical Engineering Design Projects1
Concentration
Select only one track from the options below in the Concentration area. You must formally declare a concentration by submitting the "Declare/Update Field of Study" form. Students who do not declare a concentration will default into the General Concentration.4
Math and Natural Science
MATH 1400Calculus, Part I1
MATH 1410Calculus, Part II1
ESE/ENM 2030Linear Algebra with Applications to Engineering and AI1
ENM 2510Analytical Methods for Engineering1
MEAM 1100
& MEAM 1470		Introduction to Mechanics
and Introduction to Mechanics Lab		1.5
or PHYS 0150 Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion
PHYS 0151Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation1.5
or ESE 1120 Engineering Electromagnetics
CHEM 1012General Chemistry I1
or BIOL 1121 Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life
SEAS Math (EUMA)1
SEAS Math (EUMA) or SEAS Natural Science (EUNS)1
Attribute EUMA
Attribute EUNS
Professional Electives 1
ENGR 1050Introduction to Scientific Computing1
or CIS 1100 Introduction to Computer Programming
or CIS 1200 Programming Languages and Techniques I
MEAM Upper Level 22
Technical Electives: SEAS Math (EUMA), SEAS Natural Science (EUNS) or SEAS Engineering (EUNG) 34
Attribute EUMA
Attribute EUNS
Attribute EUNG
General Electives 4, 5
EAS 2030Engineering Ethics1
Select 1 Social Science course1
Social Science (EUSS)
Select 2 Humanities courses2
Humanities (EUHS)
Select 1 Social Science or Humanities course1
Social Science (EUSS)
Humanities (EUHS)
Select 2 Social Science or Humanities or Technology in Business & Society courses2
Social Science (EUSS)
Humanities (EUHS)
Technology in Business and Society (EUTB)
Total Course Units37
1

Maximum of three 1000-level courses permitted.

2

MEAM Upper Level courses include all MEAM 5000-level courses except MEAM 5990

3

Technical Electives include courses from the SEAS Math (EUMA), SEAS Natural Science (EUNS) and SEAS Engineering (EUNG) categories. One Technical Elective may be satisfied with advanced dual degree requirements (with approval). If following the General Concentration, one of these Technical Electives should be a MEAM 5000-level course, resulting in a total of three MEAM Upper Level courses and three Technical Electives.

4

Must include a Writing Seminar from the list below:
WRIT 0020 (H), WRIT 0021 (SS), WRIT 0100 (H),WRIT 0110 (H), WRIT 0120 (H), WRIT 0130 (H), WRIT 0140 (H), WRIT 0150 (H), WRIT 0160 (SS), WRIT 0170 (SS), WRIT 0220 (TBS), WRIT 0230 (H), WRIT 0250 (H), WRIT 0260 (H), WRIT 0270 (H), WRIT 0280 (SS),WRIT 0300 (H), WRIT 0310 (TBS), WRIT 0320 (-), WRIT 0330 (H), WRIT 0340 (SS), WRIT 0370 (SS), WRIT 0380 (SS), WRIT 0390 (H), WRIT 0400 (TBS), WRIT 0410 (H), WRIT 0480 (SS), WRIT 0490 (H), WRIT 0500 (SS), WRIT 0550 (SS), WRIT 0570 (H), WRIT 0580 (H), WRIT 0590 (SS),WRIT 0650 (TBS), WRIT 0670 (H), WRIT 0680 (H), WRIT 0730 (H), WRIT 0740 (TBS)

5

Penn Engineering undergraduates may not use courses on this list toward their degree:

Concentrations

Students may select one of the following concentrations. An approved list of MEAM Upper Level courses for each concentration can be found in the MEAM Undergraduate Handbook.

Dynamics, Controls, and Robotics

MEAM 3200Intro to Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems1
MEAM 3210Dynamic Systems and Control1
MEAM 3000-level breadth elective1
MEAM Upper Level1
Total Course Units4

Energy, Fluids and Thermal Systems

MEAM 3020Fluid Mechanics1
MEAM 3330Heat and Mass Transfer1
MEAM 3000-level breadth elective1
MEAM Upper Level1
Total Course Units4

Mechanics of Materials, Structures and Design

MEAM 3210Dynamic Systems and Control1
MEAM 3540Mechanics of Solids1
MEAM 3000-level breadth elective1
MEAM Upper Level1
Total Course Units4

General

MEAM 3020Fluid Mechanics1
MEAM 3210Dynamic Systems and Control1
MEAM 3330Heat and Mass Transfer1
MEAM 3540Mechanics of Solids1
Total Course Units4
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCourse Units
MEAM 1100 Introduction to Mechanics 1
MEAM 1470 Introduction to Mechanics Lab .5
MATH 1400 Calculus, Part I 1
CHEM 1012
or BIOL 1121
 General Chemistry I
or Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life
 1
General Elective: SS or S 1
 Course Units4.50
Spring
PHYS 0151
or ESE 1120
 Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation
or Engineering Electromagnetics
 1.5
MATH 1410 Calculus, Part II 1
Technical Elective 1
General Elective: WRIT 0001-0091 with SS (EUSS), H (EUHS), or TBS (EUTB) 1
 Course Units4.50
Second Year
Fall
MEAM 2020 Introduction to Thermal-Fluids Engineering 1
MEAM 2100 Statics and Strength of Materials 1
MEAM 2470 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I .5
ESE 2030 Linear Algebra with Applications to Engineering and AI 1
ENGR 1050 Introduction to Scientific Computing 1
 Course Units4.50
Spring
MEAM 2030 Thermodynamics 1
MEAM 2110 Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics 1
MEAM 2480 Mechanical Engineering Lab I .5
ENM 2510 Analytical Methods for Engineering 1
EAS 2030 Engineering Ethics 1
 Course Units4.50
Third Year
Fall
MEAM 3020 Fluid Mechanics 1
MEAM 3540 Mechanics of Solids 1
MEAM 3470 Mechanical Engineering Design Laboratory 1
Math Elective 1
General Elective: SS or H 1
 Course Units5.00
Spring
MEAM 3210 Dynamic Systems and Control 1
MEAM 3330 Heat and Mass Transfer 1
MEAM 3480 Mechanical Engineering Design Laboratory 1
Math or Natural Science Elective 1
General Elective: SS or H 1
 Course Units5.00
Fourth Year
Fall
MEAM 4450 Mechanical Engineering Design Projects 1
Upper-Level MEAM Course 1
Upper-Level MEAM Course 1
Technical Elective 1
General Elective: SS or H 1
 Course Units5.00
Spring
MEAM 4460 Mechanical Engineering Design Projects 1
Upper-Level MEAM Course 1
Technical Elective 1
General Elective: SS or H 1
 Course Units4.00
 Total Course Units37.00