Orientation Resources
Welcome to the University of Utah Mechanical Engineering Department!
We are thrilled that you decided to pursue a degree at the University of Utah! We have created this page so that you can access any information you need for your first semester at the U. If you haven’t already, please make sure you have signed up for an University Orientation. You will be able to register as part of your orientation experience. As always, please reach out to your advisor if you have any questions.
- Pay Deposit to University of Utah
- Register for Orientation
- Attend Orientation and Register
If you’ve already completed your Orientation session and still have questions, schedule a meeting with your advisor by clicking here.
While any student can take any math class up to Calculus I, choosing the right math class for you is the best way to make sure you’re on the best path to graduation.
The best math placement is on the Math Placement website here.
For students ready to take Calculus 1, remember you can decide between Math 1210 – Traditional Calculus and Math 1310 – Engineering Calculus. Here is a helpful video to describe the difference between them:
Building your Schedule
Flowcharts
- Traditional & Engineering Calculus Flowcharts
- Pre-Mechanical First Semester
- Math 1010, Math 1050, Math 1060, & Math 1080
If you are taking a math refresher course or Math 980, please watch this video on how to add a non-credit career.
Navigating CIS
Regardless of what major you choose, you must complete a set of University-wide Graduation Requirements before receiving your Bachelor’s degree. Your advisor can help you understand these requirements and how to select appropriate courses to complete them. We can also help you understand the specific requirements for both the major and the university as well as inform you if any transfer or concurrent courses will fulfill these requirements.
- Check your “Degree Audit” on CIS & General Education Worksheet (linked above) to see which Gen Eds you may have fulfilled already and which are required for the Mechanical Engineering major
- AP Placement Gen Eds
- IB Placement Gen Eds
- Finding General Education Course
- AP Placement Gen Eds
- AP Physics C Exam – Score Needed: 4 or higher
- Mechanics – Waives PHYS 2210
- Electricity & Magnetism – Waives PHYS 2220
- Phys 1, 2, B – Will not fulfill any ME physics requirement
- AP Chemistry – Score Needed: 4 or Higher
- Chemistry – Waives CHEM 1210
- Lab notebook – Waives CHEM 1215 (Talk to your advisor in First Year Advising)
Associates Degrees
Associates of Science from a State of Utah College or University
- Clears all general education requirements
Associates of Pre-Engineering
- Will not clear all of your general education requirements
Associates of Science or Bachelor’s degree from Out of State
- May no clear the AI but should clear the rest of the general education requirements
Don’t have an associates degree but took general education courses? You will need to submit a General Education Exception form for each of these to be reviewed individually.
Concurrent Enrollment
If you took courses at a community college or university while in high school, some of those courses may transfer over as prerequisites or major courses. Below you will see a list of courses that will transfer directly to the major. If you have taken courses that aren’t on this chart, ask your advisor how those courses will transfer.
- Course Equivalents at Utah Institutions – Transfer Students
- Course Equivalents at Utah Institutions – First Year Students
Course Equivalents at Out-of-State Institutions – Talk to Advisor
Accuplacer
If it has been more than 2 years since you took an AP exam or ACT/SAT you will need to take a math accuplacer to renew your math placement score. This will place you into a math class as high as Calculus I.
*You will not need to take the Accuplacer if you received a 5 on the AP Math BC exam within 4 years
You will need a permission code to enroll in a course for which you completed a prerequisite during Spring or Summer 2020 or at an out-of-state institution. A form should be submitted to each department matching the course you want to take.
Academic Skills Course
We designed this course to support our sophomores, juniors, and seniors if they are struggling or want to improve their learning strategies. If you are a transfer student, this would be a great course for you to enroll in to help you transition to the U. We offer the first session for those who need the motivation to start the semester and offer a second session if you feel like you will need a boost mid-semester.
Success in Mechanical Engineering
This course was created to help first year students in their transition to college life at the University of Utah. In this course students will learn a lot about themselves, learning strategies, the major, and resources at the University. We will have 2 sections this fall. One section will be reserved for students participating in the learning community and the second section is available to any student, including pre-mechanical students.
Learning Community
A Learning Community is a way for you to connect to an immediate group of students who are learning the same material and in the same classes. You will attend the same labs, lecture, and first year seminar with a group of Mechanical Engineering students by enrolling in the same sections of ME EN 1000, MATH 1310, and ME EN 1800. It is a great opportunity to learn about the major and create study groups right away. There are a limited number of students who can participate. You may only sign up for this learning community if you are eligible for Math 1310 – Engineering Calculus 1 (see above for qualifications needed for Calculus 1).
Are you interested? If you’ve already attended an orientation session, reach out to your advisor!
The University of Utah has so much to offer you and several resources to support you during your time here at the university.
Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty Information – A lot of our students get involved in research and learning about each faculty member’s research is a good place to start.
- Career & Future Opportunities
- Emphases
- Outside of Major Technical Elective Options
Housing
- Explore on campus housing options here, the priority deadlines are early March.
- Explore off campus housing options (including finding a fellow student roommate!) here.
UCard
Your Ucard will give you access to public transportation (for free), building/lab access, and several other things while on campus. You won’t need your UCard until you are on campus, but this website will help you navigate the steps to receive your UCard when you come to campus.
Student Organizations
Student Organizations are a great way to meet people and get involved right away at the University of Utah. There are over 300 clubs at the U centered around anything from the outdoors, ethnicity, hobbies, and major and you can pick any club that interests you! Use this link to filter by interest and find a club that you want to join! When the semester starts, look for information on the engineering club rush and university club fair.
Campus Recreation
You can rent outdoor equipment, attend fitness courses, climb, and go to the gym all in one spot on campus!
Tutoring
There are many ways to get support in your coursework here at the U. Check out all the links below that you can use to help you transition into college life.
- ME Tutoring – Free
- Math Center – Free
- Learning Center Tutoring – Free
- E-tutoring – Free
- Physics Tutoring – Free
- Chemistry – Free
Supporting Office on Campus
The University of Utah has many offices that are purely here to help you be successful and guide you in your journey.
- Know Before You Go – Transfer Resources
- Center of Disability & Access
- Did you have a 504 or an IEP in High School? This office will help you receive any accommodations you may need.
- Feed U Pantry—Check website for hours.
- Student Health Center—Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Student Success Advocates
- Center for Student Wellness