<p>Can a mechanical engineering degree be earned in less than 5 years? Thanks</p>
<p>Are you feeling lucky? That, and can you hold 16 units/quarter? If your luck holds out, and you hold that many units, it’s theoretically possible. It’s hard though, ME has a long chain of classes you need:
Calc I, Calc II & PHYS 141, Calc III, Calc IV & Statics, Dynamics, Thermo, Fluids, Dynamics II… That’s two solid years that have to be taken in sequence (and I’m probably forgetting some stuff, It’s been a while since I seriously considered switching to ME). Now, if you get a lousy rotation and can’t get the class you need, that delays you a quarter. If you fail a class, that delays you a quarter. If the department decides not to offer one of those classes, it delays you a quarter. </p>
<p>Also, [College</a> Of Engineering Advising Center and International Exchange Program](<a href=“http://eadvise.calpoly.edu/]College”>http://eadvise.calpoly.edu/) is very useful. Take a look at the flowchart (as confusing as it is). It gives you a good idea of what you need to take, but I would take it’s recommendations with regards GEs and support classes with a grain of salt. Take all support and GEs in prerequisite order, as your schedule allows.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I’m trying to decide between Rose-Hulman and CalPoly. Rose graduates most everyone in 4-4 1/2 years but I would really like to get out of the midwest for college. Not sure if I want to spend 5 to 6 years on a bachelor’s degree though.
Tough choice.</p>
<p>But at least you don’t have to go to grad school, so if you graduate in 5 years, you’re still ahead of the game. My daughter still 2 and half years of grad school and she has to study and sit for the state board exam before to getting her license. </p>
<p>Today she got a letter from the Dean of Science and Math stressing that she takes enough units each quarter so she CAN graduate on time. I realize that Engineering is different in that it’s often a 5 year program. But you’ll be employable upon graduation.</p>
<p>It can be done in less that 5 years. My son is on track to graduate in Materials Engineering (191 units) in just 4 years. Mechanical Engineering is a few more total units (199), but if you have some AP or CC credits and take 15-16 units per quarter (and pass everything), you could still finish in 4 years. It’s an ambitious undertaking, but could certainly be done in less than 5 years. My son has a friend who recently graduated from CP Mech Engr in 4 years plus 2 quarters, and he had a GPA over 3.0.</p>
<p>Plan on 5 yrears the way things are now. As “bjornredtail” stated , you need to be REALLY lucky with registration rotations , AP credit, classes offered, and carry a big load with no repeats to do it in 4 years. Best of luck…but plan on 5 years to be safe !</p>
<p>I just re-read my post and now I know why I don’t reply on my iPod Touch a lot! Typos galore. :)</p>