BSE Degree Requirements
*For Students Matriculating in Fall 2017-2019*
Below are the requirements for the BSE degree for students who matriculated in Fall 2017 or after.
This reflects a total of 40 course units.
Note: Any student considering submatriculation should register for 500-level cross-lists as 400-level courses will not count towards a graduate degree. SEAS will not approve retroactive changes in course designation.
Mathematics and Natural Science (10 CUs)
Be sure to see also the Mathematics section of the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook
MATH 104-006 Calculus I (1 CU)
- Lecture section -006 is recommended for engineers.
- This requirement can be fulfilled with AP credit or retroactive credit.
MATH 114 Calculus II (1 CU)
- In the Spring, lecture section -002 is recommended for engineers.
- MATH 116 Honors Calculus also fulfills this requirement.
MATH 240 Calculus III (1 CU)
- MATH 260 Honors Calculus Part II also fulfills this requirement.
ENM 251 Analytical Methods for Engineering or MATH 241 Calculus IV (1 CU)
- ENM 251 is recommended since it was created especially for engineers.
- Note: ENM 251 may count towards the Math minor. If you would like to pursue the Math minor and take ENM 251, we suggest applying for the math minor prior to taking ENM 251, so that you can get written approval of your intended math minor courses.
Additional Math Course (1 CU)
- Recommended:
- EAS 205 Applications of Scientific Computations (Fall)
- MATH 312 Linear Algebra
- Any course on the SEAS list of Mathematics courses will fulfill this requirement.
MEAM 110 Introduction to Mechanics (1 CU)
- Credits that will also fulfill this requirement:
- PHYS 150 (which indicates AP Credit for the “C” Mechanics exam or the foreign equivalent)
- PHYS 150 Principles of Physics I
- PHYS 170 Honors Physics I
- PHYS 140 Principles of Physics I Without Lab (not recommended)
MEAM 147 Introduction to Mechanics Lab (.5 CU)
- Credits that will also fulfill this requirement:
- PHYS 050 Physics Laboratory I
- PHYS 150 Principles of Physics I
- PHYS 170 Honors Physics I
PHYS 151 Principles of Physics II (1.5 CU)
- PHYS 151 (which indicates AP Credit for the “C” Electromagnetism exam or the foreign equivalent)
- PHYS 141 Principles of Physics II Without Laboratory fulfills the lecture portion of this requirement (worth 1 credit unit).
- PHYS 051 Physics Laboratory II fulfills the lab portion of requirement (worth 0.5 credit units).
- PHYS 171 Honors Physics II fulfills this requirement (worth 1.5 credit units).
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I (1 CU)
- In the Fall, lecture sections -004 and -005 are recommended for engineers.
- EAS 091 (which indicates AP Credit or the foreign equivalent) fulfills this requirement.
CHEM 053 General Chemistry Laboratory I (.5 CU)
- It is possible to obtain a waiver for this course.
Additional Math or Natural Science Course (.5 or 1 CU)
- The following courses are recommended to fulfill this requirement:
- MATH 312 Linear Algebra
- ENM 360 Introduction to Data-driven Modeling
- BIOL 101 Introduction to Biology – Fall
- BIOL 121 Introduction to Biology – The Molecular Bio of Life – Fall
- PHYS 280 Physical Models of Biological Systems – Fall
- PHYS 364 Laboratory Electronics
- Any course on the SEAS list of Natural Science courses will fulfill this requirement, as will any course on the SEAS list of Mathematics courses.
Core MEAM (10 CUs)
MEAM 203 Thermodynamics (1 CU) – Spring
MEAM 210 Statics and Strength of Materials (1 CU) – Fall
- Due to significant overlap with MEAM 210, MEAM students should not register to take BE 200.
MEAM 211 Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (1 CU) – Spring
MEAM 247 MEAM Lab I (.5 CU) – Fall
MEAM 248 MEAM Lab I (.5 CU) – Spring
MEAM 302 Fluid Mechanics (1 CU) – Fall
MEAM 321 Vibrations of Mechanical Systems (1 CU) – Spring
MEAM 333 Heat and Mass Transfer (1 CU) – Spring
MEAM 347 Mechanical Engineering Design Lab (1 CU) – Fall
MEAM 348 Mechanical Engineering Design Lab (1 CU) – Spring
MEAM 354 Mechanics of Solids (1 CU) – Fall
Professional Electives (10 CUs)
Maximum of three 100-level courses in this section (including programming course).
ENGR 105 (formerly EAS 105) Intro to Scientific Computing (1 CU)
- The following courses will also fulfill this requirement:
- CIS 110 Introduction to Computer Programming
- CIS 120 Programming Languages and Techniques I
MEAM 445 Mechanical Engineering Design Projects (1 CU) – Fall
MEAM 446 Mechanical Engineering Design Projects (1 CU) – Spring
MEAM Upper-Level Electives (3 CUs)
- As of 10/25/12, the following courses will fulfill 1 credit unit of this requirement:
- MEAM 405, 454, 455 and all MEAM 500-level courses
- [Note: Non-MEAM courses do not generally qualify as MEAM Upper-Level Electives]
General Professional Electives (4 CUs)
- A general professional elective is defined as any course that SEAS considers a Math, Natural Science or Engineering course.
- Dual degree students may petition to fulfill two general professional electives with advanced dual degree courses (200-level or above).
General Electives (7 CUs)
Depth requirement – Two general electives (below) must be taken in the same department (e.g., two Music courses).
Writing requirement – One general elective (below) must be a Writing course.
Social Science electives (2 CUs) – EAS 203 required for entering class of Fall 2013
Humanities electives (2 CUs)
Social Science or Humanities elective (1 CU)
Social Science, Humanities or Technology, Business and Societies electives (2 CUs)
Free Electives (3 CUs)
Free electives: Every course at Penn is considered a Free Elective except those on this list. (3 CUs)
Undergraduate Program:
Staff Contact:
Katie Knorr
Academic Coordinator for Undergraduate Programs
229 Towne Building
Phone: 215-898-4825
Email: kknorr@seas.upenn.edu