New B.S. Mechanical Engineering Curriculum (2022 / 2023) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Transition Guide

 

A major curriculum revision was undertaken during the 2021/2022 academic year to update and modernize the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree. The overall result was a reduction in the number of required credits from 131 credits to 124 credits (a 7-credit reduction).

Read the email that was sent out on March 21, 2022 to Mechanical Engineering (ME) students.

When do the new program requirements go into effect?

The new program requirements go into effect for the 2022/2023 catalog year. If you are currently on an earlier catalog, you will have the option to graduate under the new program. As part of the curriculum update, certain courses will be phased out, while others, have undergone substantial changes (including prerequisites). As such, even if you plan to graduate on an older catalog, the changes may affect your path to graduation. Read on to find out how.

I plan on graduating on a catalog PRIOR to 2022/2023, will the changes affect me?

I am considering switching to the 2022/2023 catalog.

I have Alaska Middle College Credit. How will this change affect me?

I plan on graduating on a catalog PRIOR to 2022/2023, will the changes affect me?

Maybe. The following courses will be impacted by the curriculum changes:

• ME A280 (3 cr.)

  Impact: This course will be immediately discontinued, so you aren’t going to be able to take it.

  Action: ME A280 is being replaced by an equivalent course, ME A203. A permanent equivalency will be programmed by the Registrar, so you don’t need to do anything. If you took ME A280, it will count. If you haven’t taken ME A280 yet, take ME A203, and it’ll automatically satisfy your degree requirement for ME A280.

• ME 441L (1 cr.)

  Impact: This course will be phased out after Spring 2023.

  Action: You have two options: (1) Take the course in Fall 2022 prior to it being discontinued, Or (2) see an advisor for options.

• ES A302 (3 cr.)

  Impact: This course has been replaced by STAT A307 (4 cr.).

  Action: If you have not taken ES A302 (3 cr.), take STAT A307 (4 cr.).

• ME A313 (3 cr.)

  Impact: This course will be phased out after Spring 2023. 

  Action: If you have not already taken ME A403, take ME A303 (see note on changes to ME A403 below).

  If you have already taken ME A403, then either: (1) take ME A313 before it is discontinued, OR (2) speak with an advisor about taking an additional ME-prefix Advanced Engineering Elective (AEE) (400-level) to count for ME A313. (Note: Your advisor will help you fill out a pre-petition form for the AEE.)

• ME A403 (3 cr.)

  Impact: The prerequisites were changed on this course and now require ME A303. While ME A303 is not required of catalog years prior to 2022-2023, this course will satisfy either an Advanced Engineering Elective (AEE) or the ME A313 requirement. ME A403 and ME A303 may be taken concurrently with instructor approval to not delay graduation.

  Action: If you have already taken ME A403 (and earned a C or better), this will not affect you. If you have not already taken ME A403, you may register for ME A403 and ME A303 concurrently (instructor override required). Upon completion of ME A303 you may submit a petition to substitute ME A303 for either: (1)  an ME-prefix AEE, OR (2) ME A313 (being discontinued).

  NOTE: You can do either, (1) or (2), not both. Please see an advisor for assistance with all petitions.

IMPORTANT: Any modification to your degree requirements not specifically listed in the table above, MUST be petitioned and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Talk to an advisor before submitting a petition for consideration.

I was planning on graduating on a catalog year PRIOR to 2022/2023, but I am considering switching to the 2022/2023 catalog (including UAA students switching majors). What should I do?

The ME faculty and professional advising staff have developed a roadmap for making this transition. Before switching your catalog year, please speak with an advisor so that correct paperwork can be filed. The following courses may be impacted by the curriculum changes:

• ME A280 (3 cr.)

  Impact: This course will be immediately discontinued, so you are not going to be able to take it.

  Action: This course is being replaced by an equivalent course, ME A203. A permanent equivalency will be entered by the Registrar, so you don’t need to do anything. If you took ME A280, it will count. If you haven’t taken ME A280 yet, take ME A203.

• ES A302 (3 cr.)

  Impact: In the 2022/2023 ME catalog, this course has been replaced by STAT A307 (4 cr.).

  Action: If you haven’t taken ES A302 by Summer 2023 you MUST take STAT A307. If you completed ES A302 before Fall 2023, you should speak with your advisor to petition ES A302 plus a 1 credit science lab to replace STAT A307. If you have taken CHEM 106/L already, you can use 1 credit from this course.  If you are unsure if you can use a particular science credit, talk to an advisor.

• ME A313 (3 cr.)

  Impact: This course will be phased out after Spring 2023. 

  Action: If you took ME A313 during or before Spring 2023, then speak with an advisor to fill out and submit a petition to substitute it for an Advanced Engineering Elective. 

• Advanced Math Elective (3 cr.)

  Impact: This requirement was removed from the 2022/2023 catalog degree requirements.

  Action: If you’ve taken a course to satisfy the Advanced Math Elective by Spring 2023, then speak to an advisor to fill out and submit a petition to substitute it for an Advanced Engineering Elective.

• ES A341L (1 cr.)

  Impact: An ME-specific Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (ME A 341L, 1 cr.) is required for the 2022/2023 catalog. The general Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (ES A341L, 1 cr.) is no longer required, but will still be taught for Civil Engineering majors.

  Action: If you took ES A341L during or before Spring 2023, then speak to your advisor to fill out and submit a petition to have it satisfy the ME A341L requirement. If you have not taken ES A341L during or before Spring 2023, you must take ME A341L. 

• ME A441L (1 cr.)

  Impact: This course is not required under the 2022/2023 catalog.

  Action: If you have taken this course, and update to the 2022/2023 catalog, it will not count toward your degree. Keep in mind that the 2022/2023 catalog requires 7 less credits than previous catalogs, so switching may still be advantageous.

• CHEM 106/L (3 cr. + 1 cr.)

  Impact: These courses are not required under the 2022/2023 catalog.

  Action: If you have taken these courses, and update to the 2022/2023 catalog, they will not count towards your degree. Keep in mind that the 2022/2023 catalog requires 7 less credits than previous catalogs, so switching may still be advantageous.

   You may be able to use the 1 credit lab to help satisfy the STAT A307 requirement (see ES A302 entry above).

 IMPORTANT: Any modification to your degree requirements not specifically listed in the table above, MUST be petitioned and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Talk to an advisor before submitting a petition for consideration.

I started taking courses at UAA before enrolling (i.e. through Alaska Middle College). Now that I am officially applying, I will be following the 2022/2023 (or later) catalog requirements. How will this affect me?

The following courses may be impacted by the curriculum changes:

• CHEM 106/L (3 cr. + 1 cr.)

  Impact: These courses are not required under the 2022/2023 catalog.

  Action: CHEM A106/L are no longer required under the 2022/2023 catalog, however these courses may be applied in conjunction with ES A302 to receive credit via petition for STAT A307 if you completed CHEM A106/L as part of the Middle College program. Please talk with an advisor for details.

 IMPORTANT: If you have completed coursework at the 200-level or above, make an appointment to meet with an advisor to discuss additional impacts and opportunities for petitions.