Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

UC San Diego’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department prepares students to solve real-world problems through a strong foundation in engineering science, design, computation, and experimentation. Students can pursue mechanical or aerospace engineering, studying topics such as mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, fluid flow, controls, aerodynamics, propulsion, and aerospace structures. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through labs, computer-based analysis, open-ended design work, and senior capstone projects that often address industry-sponsored challenges. Faculty research spans energy, materials, fluids, plasmas, and controls, giving students exposure to innovative areas and interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, medicine, and ocean science.

Undergraduate Majors

Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Program Highlights

UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering ranks #6 among public institutions in the nation.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering ranks 4th nationally and 14th globally (ARWU Global Rankings of Academic Subjects).
Mechanical Engineering is an ABET-accredited program.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

This page is intended to give some highlights about the program. If you are interested in learning more about the major and its curriculum, visit the department website.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Website

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Co-curricular Programs

Learn how to make the most of your experience at UC San Diego within the context of your major.

Research

Conduct research in your field of study with one of the many research programs available. Research opportunities in this major include, but are not limited to:

MAE 199: Independent Study for Undergraduates (MAE 199) courses offer qualified and motivated students the opportunity to work closely with faculty and gain firsthand experience in conducting research.

Offered in fall, winter, and spring.
Open to MAE students only.
Two consecutive quarter of MAE 199 gives TE credit.

Guided Engineering Apprenticeship in Research (GEAR)

Available fall, winter, and spring quarters (3 quarter commitment).
Open to first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
2 units of ENG 20; possible 199 and/or co-curricular credits.

EMPOWER

Available winter and spring, possible summer component.
Open to transfer students only.
Stipend available.

MRSEC Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Available summer.
Open to all students.
Stipend, housing, and travel expenses available.

For more details, eligibility, and to explore more programs, visit our Undergraduate Research website.

Internships

UC San Diego offers strong internship pathways for undergraduates through the Academic Internship Program (AIP) and the Research Experience and Applied Learning (REAL) Portal. AIP enables students to earn academic credit while gaining professional experience in fields across all majors, supported by faculty mentorship and an academic component. The REAL Portal serves as a centralized hub for finding research, internships, service learning, and other hands‑on opportunities on and off campus. Together, these resources help students explore career interests, build professional skills, and connect academic learning with real‑world experience.

Find a Program

Academic Internship Program: https://aip.ucsd.edu
REAL Portal: https://real.ucsd.edu

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to explore study abroad opportunities which allow students to experience the culture and history of another country and gain a global perspective, all while earning academic credit toward their degree.

Learn more about study abroad opportunities for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Student Organizations

With over 600 student organizations, students are able to connect with other students who share similar interests. And, if you can't find something that interests you, it's easy to create a new one with just a few other students. Explore UC San Diego student organizations.

Be sure to check out these organizations related to your major:

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Triton Unmanned Aerial Systems
Design/Build/Fly (DBF)
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW)
Triton Robotics
Triton Solar Car

What can I do with this major?

Learn about how you can apply your major to various opportunities after you graduate. The information below is based on recent surveys from alumni in this (or similar) majors and is not an exhaustive list.

Recent Employers - Top 10 employers alumni reported working for.
Job Types - Industries and types of jobs that alumni reported.
Skills - Common skills and skills specific to the major that alumni reported gaining from this major.
Graduate Programs - The types of graduate programs alumni reported going to (if applicable)

Recent Employers

Northrop Grumman
University of California
Boeing
General Atomics
Illumina
ASML
Raytheon Technologies
Apple
Lockheed Martin

Job Types

Mechanical Engineers
Research Assistants
Software Developers and QA Testers
Software Systems Engineers
Industrial Engineers
Aerospace Engineers
Teaching Assistants
Manufacturing Engineers
Project Engineers
Electrical Engineers

Graduate Programs

Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Aerospace
Materials Engineering
Civil Engineering
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer Science
Data Science

Skills

Common

Research
Microsoft Office
Leadership
Communications
Customer Service
Public Speaking
Management
Teaching
Operations

Specific

MATLAB
SolidWorks
Mechanical Engineering
Additive Manufacturing
AutoCAD
Python
3D Modeling
Project Management
Computer–Aided Design
Autodesk Inventor

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