First year or entering student information
To be registered as a Mechanical Engineering Major you need to be enrolled in or have passed MATH 1411 - Calculus I or an equivalent course. If you need assistance making this change please email MEadvising@utep.edu.
The advising staff in MECH will help all LDME and MECH students, however MECH advisors do not have official authority to act on behalf of LDME students. For this reason, it is to your advantage to move into MECH as soon as you can.
The tuition for university changes, and it is recommended that you go to the annual Cost of Attendance web page for the latest general tuition costs. The College of Engineering has a differential tuition that is above the general tuition cost. The tuition with differential tuition and estimates of room and board is in this pdf file. there is also a $150/ semester major fee for all engineering majors.
The Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department does not recommend taking the TSI Math placement exam because it does not allow you to place into Calculus I even with a perfect score. If you believe you are very weak in Mathematics then the TSI could help you determine what lower than Calculus I math class you should take. But other wise you should avoid the TSI.
What category best describes you?
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I took AP AB Calculus Exam and scored a 3.0 higher.
You should:
- Enroll in MATH 1312 - Calculus II.
- You do not need to take any math placement exam.
- You should immediately ask to move from Lower Division Mechanical Engineering to the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department. Use this form.
- Email MEadvising@utep.edu for further assistance.
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I took the AP BC Calculus Exam and scored a 3.0 or higher
You should:
- Enroll in MATH 1313 - Calculus III.
- You do not need to take any math placement exam.
- You should immediately ask to move from Lower Division Mechanical Engineering to the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department. Use this form.
- Email MEadvising@utep.edu for further assistance.
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I took the AP Calculus Exam and scored less than a 3.0
You should:
- Take the ACCUPLACER College-level MATH test to determine if you should take Math 1411 - (Calculus I) or MATH 1508 - (PreCalculus).
- If you place into Math 1411 immediately ask to move from Lower Division Mechanical Engineering to the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department. Use this form.
- If you place into MATH 1508 (or lower) you must remain in Lower Division until you are ready to enroll in MATH 1411.
- Email MEadvising@utep.edu for further assistance.
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I took and passed a Dual-Credit Pre-Calculus course in high school
You should:
- Enroll in MATH 1411 - Calculus I.
- You do not need to take any math placement exam.
- You should immediately ask to move from Lower Division Mechanical Engineering to Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department. Use this form.
- Email MEadvising@utep.edu for further assistance.
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None of the above apply to me
You should:
- Take the ACCUPLACER College-Level Math test.
- If you place into MATH 1411 immediately ask to move from Lower Division Mechanical Engineering to the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department. Use this form.
- If you place into MATH 1508 (or lower) you must remain in Lower Division until you ready to enroll in MATH 1411.
- Email MEadvising@utep.edu for further assistance.
Even if you are Lower Division Mechanical Engineering (LDME) you can still take the following classes that are in the Mechanical Engineering degree plan
- MECH 1305 - Graphic & Design Fundamentals
- CHEM 1305 - General Chemistry
- CHEM 1105 - General Chemistry Laboratory
- ENGR 1301 - Introduction to Engineering: An engineering section of University 1301. This is not required - you can take any section of UNIV 1301, but we recommend taking an engineering section if possible.
After the first semester there are other classes you take. Please email MEadvising@utep.edu for further assistance.
Things change and when they do the department might develop a new degree plan. At the present time you can select any degree plan that was in place while you are at UTEP. For example if you first enrolled at UTEP in 2020, you CANNOT be on a degree plan dated earlier than 2020 but you can move from a 2020 to a 2021 or newer.
There are several degree plans that are published by many different offices but the department recommends you use the plan we produce. You can find the most recent degree plan here. Notice that the plan is laid out in eight "semesters". We recommend you take the course in the order they are listed. For example, in the following figure, the Department recommends you take PHYS 2420 in the first semester and Chemistry in the second. Note that the prerequisites are shown in (). Look at PHYS 2420, the plan shows that you must have either passed MATH 1411 or be enrolled in it at the same time as PHYS 2420. The + signs indicate you need a C or better grade.
If you look at the complete degree plan (here) you will see we do NOT recommend you take all the English, History, Political Science early. Often students are told to get the basics out of the way. This is NOT wise. Most people need these basic classes to dilute the number of technical classes taken during a semester.
You can track your progress toward the degree by using Goldmine to create a Degree Evaluation. When you get within a year a graduation you need to contact the department so we can ensure you have completed all requirements.
There is a large number of holds that are handled in various ways. Carefully note the information you receive describing your hold then email MEadvising@utep.edu for assistance.
The department has a large number of student organizations and they change depending on student interest. The current list of Mechanical Engineering organizations can be found here.
Being active in organizations can help you find a rewarding job. However, keep in mind that it is not the most important thing. The department believes the following is priority order for securing a great job on graduation.
- Grade point ratio in Engineering/Math/Science
- Overall grade point ratio
- Internships/Research experience
- Organizations
If extracurricular actives cause your grades to drop, stop the activity and focus on your studies!
Research positions are coordinated either directly with faculty or with one of the research centers below:
If you interested in research please email tellME@utep.edu.
You may wish to look at the Mechanical Engineering Department Research Areas page so you are aware of the exciting things the faculty are doing.
You can find the presentation slides here.
Information on the appropriate laptop for engineering students can be found here.
Please visit the financial aid website for assistance.