The Bachelor of Science in Mechatronic Engineering

Mechatronic Engineering

Mechatronic Engineering is a new discipline that combines many of the skills of a mechanical engineer with those of a computer engineer and an electrical engineer. The mechatronic engineering graduate is prepared to design "intelligent" products such as "jitter-free" camcorders, active vehicle suspension systems that adjust to road conditions, anti-lock braking systems, and laser printers.

Mechatronic Engineering Program Mission

The mechatronic engineering program has the primary mission of providing students a high-quality undergraduate engineering education with:

  • A curriculum that is firmly grounded in engineering fundamentals
  • A faculty that provides superior teaching and mentoring both in and out of the classroom
  • A faculty whose focus is undergraduate education
  • Class sizes that encourage student participation
  • Project experiences that build on fundamentals and develop team skills
  • Facilities and equipment that are readily accessible
  • An environment that is conducive to learning and encourages students from different genders and backgrounds.

We are committed to offer a broad undergraduate experience that will promote professional growth and prepare students for a variety of engineering careers, graduate studies, and continuing education

Mechatronic Engineering Program Educational Objectives

The program's educational objectives are best framed in terms of goals for its graduates. Mechatronic engineering graduates will:

  • Be effective interdisciplinary engineers and problem solvers.
  • Be well educated in the basic engineering sciences and fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.
  • Be able to use engineering tools that will enhance their productivity.
  • Be able to design, analyze, and test "intelligent" products and processes that incorporate suitable computers, sensors, and actuators.
  • Be effective oral, written, and graphical communicators.
  • Be able to function effectively as members of multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Have an appreciation for the individual, society, and human heritage, and be aware of the impact of their designs on human-kind and the environment.
  • Be prepared for a variety of engineering careers, graduate studies, and continuing education.

Mechatronic Engineering Design Experience

The design experience for mechatronic engineers is integrated throughout the curriculum. The courses which include design experiences are:

  • EECE 144--Logic Design Fundamentals
  • EECE 221--Processor Architecture and Assembly Language Programming
  • EECE 315--Electronics I
  • EECE 344--Digital Systems Design
  • EECE 343--Computer Interface Circuits
  • MECA 440A--Mechatronic Engineering Design Project I
  • MECA 440B--Mechatronic Engineering Design Project II
  • MECH 340--Mechanical Engineering Design

At the freshman level, logic networks are designed in EECE 144. At the sophomore level, software design experience teaches students to think logically in developing efficient, structured computer programs in EECE 221. At the junior level, there is an opportunity to learn about safety, failure, reliability, codes and standards, and economic considerations, while carrying out detailed design of mechanical components in MECH 340, and electrical circuits and systems in EECE 315, EECE 343, and EECE 344. In the final senior project (MECA 440A and MECA 440B), students are expected to exercise what they learned throughout the preceding design courses in a final project that includes assembly and testing, as well as the more global aspects of design including product realization, economic factors, environmental issues, and social impact. Together, these experiences prepare graduates to be successful practitioners with an awareness of the multitude of issues involved.

Bachelor Degree Requirements

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 132 units

See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor or view it and other current advising information on the CSU, Chico Web.

General Education Requirement

Mechatronic Engineering is a major with modifications to the University's General Education Requirements. The following courses, together with the approved General Education courses required for the Mechatronic Engineering major marked with an * below, fulfill the General Education Requrement. 1. Select two courses, one from each of the Core Areas A1 and A2. 2. Select one course from Breadth Area B2. 3. Select one course from Breadth Area C1 or C2 or C3. 4. Select one course from Breadth Area D1 or D2 or D3. 5. Upper-division theme modification has been approved for this major. See the General Education chapter in the University Catalog for specifics on how to apply this modification.

Cultural Diversity Requirement: 6 units

Complete two Cultural Diversity courses, one Ethnic and one Non-Western. (See the "Bachelor's Degree Requirements" section.) Both courses must also satisfy one of the General Education Requirements in order for 132 units to fulfill all requirements for the Mechatronic Engineering degree.

American Institutions Requirement: 6 units

This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155. For other alternatives, see the "Bachelor's Degree Requirements" section.

Course Requirements for the Major: 105 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.

Lower-Division Requirements: 53 units

17 courses required:

CIVL 211 Statics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 121 and PHYS 204A. CIVL 110 (may be taken concurrently) or MECH 100 and MECH 100L (may be taken concurrently).
CHEM 111 General Chemistry 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
EECE 135 Algorithms & Progs for Engrs 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 120 is recommended.
EECE 144 Logic Design Fundamentals 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: Recommended: EECE 101, MECH 100.
EECE 211 Linear Circuits I 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204B.
EECE 211L Linear Circuits I Activity 1.0 FS
Corequisites: EECE 211.
EECE 221 Processor Arch/Assembly Lang 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Either CSCI 111 or EECE 135.
MATH 120 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.
MATH 121 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 120.
MATH 260 Elem Differential Equations 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 121.
MECH 100 Graphics I 1.0 FS
Corequisites: MECH 100L.
MECH 100L Graphics I Laboratory 1.0 FS
Corequisites: MECH 100.
MECH 210 Materials Science/Engineering 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: PHYS 204A; CHEM 111.
MFGT 160 Manufacturing Processes 3.0 FS
PHYS 204A Mechanics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 121 (second semester of calculus) or equivalent.
PHYS 204B Electricity and Magnetism 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher.
PHYS 204C Heat/Wave Motion/Sound/Light 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 204A with a grade of C- or higher.

Upper-Division Requirements: 52 units

14 courses required:

CIVL 302 Engineering Econ & Statistics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MATH 121, junior standing.
CIVL 311 Strength of Materials 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher; CIVL 110 or MECH 100 and MECH 100L; MATH 260 and MECH 210 (may be taken concurrently).
CIVL 495 Lifelong Development Engineers 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or equivalent; senior standing.
EECE 311 Linear Circuits II 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: EECE 211; MATH 260 (may be taken concurrently).
EECE 315 Electronics I 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: EECE 211, EECE 211L. Corequisites: EECE 311, MATH 260.
EECE 343 Computer Interface Circuits 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: EECE 144, EECE 315.
EECE 344 Digital Systems Design 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: EECE 144, EECE 221; either EECE 110 or EECE 211 and EECE 211L.
MECA 380 Measurements & Instrumentation 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: EECE 211, EECE 211L; either EECE 135 or MECH 306. Recommended: CIVL 302.
MECA 482 Control System Design 4.0 FA
Prerequisites: EECE 211, MATH 260. Recommended: MECA 380, MECH 320; either EECE 135 or MECH 306.

This course is also offered as EECE 482.

MECA 486 Motion and Machine Automation 4.0 FA
Prerequisites: EECE 211L, MECH 340. Corequisites: EECE 482 or MECA 482.
MECA 440A Mechatronic Engr Design Proj I 3.0 FA WP
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, EECE 344, MECH 340, MFGT 160. Recommended: CIVL 302, MECA 380.
MECA 440B Mechatronic Engr Des Proj II 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: MECA 440A. Recommended: CIVL 302, MECA 380.
MECH 320 Dynamics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: CIVL 211 with a grade of C- or higher, MATH 260.
MECH 340 Mechanical Engineer Design 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: CIVL 311 with a grade of C- or higher, MECH 100, MECH 100L, MECH 210. Recommended: MECH 320, MFGT 160.

1 course selected from:

EECE 316 Electronics II 4.0 SP
Prerequisites: EECE 315.
EECE 437 Real-Time Embedded Systems 4.0 SP
Prerequisites: CSCI 111; either EECE 221 or CSCI 221. Recommended: CSCI 112; either CSCI 320 or EECE 320.
EECE 481 Electromechanical Conversion 4.0 FA
Prerequisites: EECE 211.
MECA 580 Data Acquisition 4.0 Inq
Prerequisites: MECA 380.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is strongly recommended for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It involves 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.

2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.

3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.

4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.

5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.

6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.