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Mechanical Engineering (Energy and Environment) ,BSE

Mechanical Engineering (Energy and Environment), BSE

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Mechanical Engineering (Energy and Environment)

Energy, Engineering, Environment, Mechanical, Solar, approved for STEM-OPT extension, nuclear, renewable energy, wind power

Do you want to reshape how the world uses energy? You'll build the technical skills to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact and develop new technologies --- or enhance existing systems --- to help power a cleaner future.

Program description

The concentration in energy and environment within the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program in mechanical engineering prepares you to analyze technical problems in:

  • air pollution
  • climate change
  • energy efficiency
  • environmental sustainability
  • renewable energy
  • timely issues facing the global community

Although the primary focus of this program is technical, the general education courses in the areas of the humanities and social and behavioral sciences introduces you to the global, political and societal issues relating to energy and the environment. In the energy and environment concentration, you culminate your major study with a two-semester capstone design project that incorporates the multiple disciplines involved in mechanical engineering. Capstone courses MEE 445 and MEE 446 are taken in consecutive semesters.

You are able to:

  • acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
  • 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
  • communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
  • develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  • function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
  • identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
  • 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

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical Engineering Program Criteria.

STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
  • First required math course: MAT 265 - Calculus for Engineers I
  • Math intensity: Substantial program math intensity substantial

Curriculum

What If: See how your courses can be applied to another major and find out how to change your major.

Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:


Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Additional requirements:

The admission standards for majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, shown below, are higher than minimum university admission standards. International students must meet the same admission standards, with the possible additional requirement of a minimum English language proficiency test score. If the university requires an English proficiency test score from the applicant, then admission to engineering requires requires a minimum total TOEFL iBT® score of 4 with a minimum section score of 3.5 (Reading: 3.5, Writing: 3.5, Listening: 3.5, Speaking: 3.5), or a score of 79 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5; a minimum PTE score of 58; a minimum Duolingo English score of 105; or a minimum Cambridge English exam score of 176.

First-year admission:

  1. minimum 1210 SAT combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math score or minimum 24 ACT combined score, or a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.00 in ASU competency courses, or class ranking in top 25% of high school class, and
  2. no high school math or science competency deficiencies

Transfer admission requirements:

Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours:

  1. minimum transfer GPA of 3.00 for fewer than 24 transfer hours, and
  2. no high school math or science competency deficiencies, and
  3. minimum 1210 SAT combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math score (or 1140 if taken prior to March 5, 2016) or minimum 24 ACT combined score, or a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.00 in ASU competency courses, or class ranking in top 25% of high school class

Transfer students with 24 or more transferable college credit hours must meet EITHER the primary or the secondary criteria (not both):

Primary criteria

  1. minimum transfer GPA of 3.00 for 24 or more transfer hours, and
  2. no high school math or science competency deficiencies (if ASU Admission Services requires submission of a high school transcript)

Secondary criteria

  1. minimum transfer GPA of 2.75 for 24 or more transfer credit hours, and
  2. minimum GPA of 2.75 in all critical courses: MAE 201 Mechanics of Particles and Rigid Bodies I: Statics, MAE 202 Mechanics of Particles and Rigid Bodies II: Dynamics, MAE 213 Mechanics of Materials, and MAE 241 Introduction to Thermodynamics

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

Admission requirements for many majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering are higher than university admission standards.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

  • Apply principles of mathematics and science to solve complex engineering problems.
  • Apply engineering design with consideration of public welfare/other factors.
  • Develop and conduct engineering experiments, and analyze and interpret data.
Global opportunities
Global experience

Students gain valuable experience when studying abroad --- experience that can enhance their resumes. With more than 300 programs available, study abroad enables students to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Students focusing on energy and the environment are able to gain hands-on experience in a variety of countries around the world. In a competitive field, students stand out with the heightened cultural competency and strengthened leadership and critical thinking skills acquired through study abroad.

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering recommends these programs for students majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in energy and environment.

Career opportunities

Mechanical engineers are employed in virtually every kind of industry. They are involved in generating creative design and development; seeking new knowledge through research; and the production, control, management and sales of the devices and systems needed by society. Therefore, a major strength of a mechanical engineering education is the flexibility it provides for its graduates in future employment opportunities. Graduates who have completed this concentration have opportunities as environmental consultants; heating, ventilation and air conditioning engineers; and power plant designers.

The program's focus on issues such as air pollution, water scarcity and the lack of alternative transportation makes graduates attractive to employers in the greater Phoenix area and nationwide.

The mechanical engineering program has the following program educational objectives:

Through activities such as volunteering, entrepreneurial endeavors, community service, and their employment, graduates of the mechanical engineering program demonstrate commitment to the Sun Devil ideals of global engagement, social embeddedness, social transformation and sustainability.

Graduates of the program should attain one or more of the following objectives within a few years of degree completion:

  • admission to a graduate degree program in mechanical engineering or other technical field
  • admission to a professional degree program, such as law, business or medicine, in accordance with their specific interests and abilities
  • employment in engineering or other fields in a position that capitalizes on the skills and abilities gained through the degree program in mechanical engineering (holding positions of increasing responsibility and leadership within their organizations)

Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.


Career *Growth *Median salary
9.1%
$104,110
5.2%
$109,370
2.1%
$122,930
3.8%
$171,270
3.9%
$107,110
9.1%
$104,110
1.9%
$126,060
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Professional licensure

ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.

Students should note that not all programs within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering lead to professional licensure.

Contact information

Program term definitions

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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