Technical Electives

All mechanical engineering students need 12 technical elective credits to complete their degree requirements.  The credit breakdown is listed below:

• 3 credits of Mechanical Engineering Technical Elective (METE)
• 6 credits of Engineering Technical Elective (ETE)
• 3 credits of General Technical Elective (GTE)

Mechanical Engineering Technical Electives (METE)

Mechanical engineering students must take at least three METE credits, which can be any 400-level ME course excluding ME 410, ME 435, ME 441, ME 440, ME 442, ME 443, ME 450, ME 454, ME 493, ME 494 and ME 496. The use of ME 497 or ME 499 as an METE must be petitioned for approval. A list of 400-level ME classes can be found in the University Bulletin. 

Engineering Technical Electives (ETE)

To satisfy the ETE credit requirement, students can take any 400-level engineering courses not required for the major. On the chart below, courses in boldface type may be taken for ETE credit. A list of 400-level engineering classes can be found in the University Bulletin.

General Technical Electives (GTE)

The General Technical Elective (GTE) provides the opportunity for a student to enhance their technical education. To satisfy the GTE credit requirement, students can take a math, science or engineering course not required for their degree. The charts below provide a breakdown of accepted electives.

Please note the following:

1. Some 397 and 497 (temporary) courses offered outside of ME are eligible but require pre-approval via a course substitution request.  The course must have substantial technical content and the student must demonstrate how the topic adds value to their academic and/or career plans.
2. Three co-op credits or internships (or a combination of both) rotations (ENGR 195, 295, 395, and 495). Visit the Career Resources & Employer Relations website to learn more. 
3. Six credits of ROTC training are accepted (3 credits applied as GTE and 3 credits applied as GHW).
4. A course substitution must be submitted for any course taken outside of ME.  (http://coursesub.psu.edu)

Notes:

1. 400-level courses in bold-face type may also be taken for ETE credit.
2. Departments with asterisk (*) may have controls on their course offerings. Students must contact the department to obtain permission to enroll if they cannot schedule the course in LionPath.
3. Students can use a maximum of six research-related credits towards degree requirements. These credits may only be used towards ETE and GTE credits. Research-related credits include ME 493, 496, ME 494H, honor thesis-related credits, and other department-approved X94/X96 credits received from the College Engineering, the College of Earth and Mineral Science, and the Eberly College of Science. Students must submit a course substitution to obtain department approval for research credits outside of ME.