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2025-2026

Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (NEXT STEP Pathway)

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Science in Engineering (Brightpoint Community College)
Brightpoint Community College
Associate degree

Associate of Science in Engineering

Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.

Program description

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design and analyze machines of all types including automobiles, airplanes, rockets, submarines, power generation systems, biomedical instrumentation, robots, manufacturing systems, household appliances and many, many more. In addition to well-known areas such as nuclear energy, nuclear propulsion and nuclear medicine, nuclear engineers are involved in many other applications of nuclear science and technology in fields as diverse as agriculture, industry, homeland security, forensics, environmental protection, and even art.


Current areas of research within the department include but are not limited to energy conversion systems, smart materials, corrosion, medical devices, aerosol science, sensors, radiation detection and measurement, nuclear reactor design, robotics, fluid mechanics, nanotechnology, and biomechanics.

Career opportunities

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material-handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Some mechanical engineers design tools that other engineers need for their work.The key characteristics of the profession are its breadth, flexibility, and individuality. The career paths of mechanical engineers are largely determined by individual choices, a decided advantage in a changing world.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Automation Engineer
  • Automotive Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Maintenance Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Product Development Engineer
  • Robotics Engineer
  • Sales Engineer
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • College Professor
  • Lead Research Scientist
  • Project Lead Engineer
  • Research & Development Engineer
  • Research Engineer
  • Simulation & Modeling Engineer
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Students are guaranteed admission to this degree program with:

  • Completion of associate degree (A.S. in Engineering)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
  • Earn a minimum grade of "B" in all your math, science and engineering classes
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 307 and STAT 441
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
VCU Major Maps

View VCU Major Map for Mechanical Engineering with concentration in Nuclear Engineering

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2025-2026

Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (NEXT STEP Pathway)

Brightpoint Community College (Associate of Science in Engineering)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Schedule an advising appointment with your Brightpoint advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring to get ahead.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Explore financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
  • Attend cultural events at community college and VCU to celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
Experience Year 2
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Research housing options for next year.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU College of Engineering, consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students to make professional and personal connections.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or department-related events.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Schedule an advising appointment with your Brightpoint advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring to get ahead.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Explore financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at community college and VCU to celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • Research housing options for next year.
  • Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU College of Engineering, consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students to make professional and personal connections.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2025-2026

Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (NEXT STEP Pathway)

Brightpoint Community College (Associate of Science in Engineering)

Brightpoint Community College courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I UNIV 111 3 General education
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
EGR 121 Foundations of Engineering (both EGR 121 and EGR 122 must be completed to receive credit for VCU equivalents) EGMN 110 + EGMN 190 + EGMN 210 2 Major
EGR 122 Engineering Design (both EGR 121 and EGR 122 must be completed to receive credit for VCU equivalents) EGMN 110 + EGMN 190 + EGMN 210 3 Major
MTH 263 Calculus I (consult with your Brightpoint advisor about prerequisites for this class) MATH 200 4 Major
MTH 264 Calculus II MATH 201 4 Major
PHY 241 University Physics I PHYS/Z 207 4 Major
PHY 242 University Physics II PHYS/Z 208 4 Major
MTH 265 Calculus III MATH 307 4 Major
MTH 267 Differential Equations MATH 301 3 Major
Arts Select one: ART 101, ART 102, CST 151, CST 130, MUS 121, MUS 226 VCU equivalent 3 General education
History Select one: HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, HIS 122 HIST 3 General education
Humanities/Literature (select one from approved BCC list)) VCU equivalent 3 General education
Social/Behavioral ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics (substitute for the ECON 205 requirement) ECON 210 3 Major
CHM 111 General Chemistry I CHEM/Z 101 4 Major
EGR 240 Solid Mechanics (Statics) EGMN 102 3 Major
EGR 245 Dynamics EGMN 201 3 Major
EGR 246 Mechanics of Materials EGMN 202 3 Major
EGR 248 Thermodynamics for Engineering EGMN 204 3 Major
EGR 271 Electric Circuits I EGRE 206 4 Major
Brightpoint credits transferred to VCU 67
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
EGMN 395 Professional Development (consider taking this class over the summer prior to your enrollment at VCU) 1 Major
EGMN 203 Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Practicum 1 Major
EGMN 300 Mechanical Systems Design 3 Major
EGMN 301 Fluid Mechanics 3 Major
EGMN 302 Heat Transfer 3 Major
EGMN 303 Thermal Systems Design 3 Major
EGMN 309 Material Science for Engineers 3 Major
EGMN 311 Solid Mechanics Lab 1.5 Major
EGMN 312 Thermal Sciences Lab 1.5 Major
EGMN 315 Process and Systems Dynamics 3 Major
EGMN 321 Numerical Methods 3 Major
EGMN 402 Senior Design Studio (Laboratory/Project Time) 2 Major
EGMN 403 Senior Design Studio (Laboratory/Project Time) 2 Major
EGMN 420 CAE Design 3 Major
ENGR 402 Senior Design Studio (Seminar) 1 Major
ENGR 403 Senior Design Studio (Seminar) 1 Major
EGMN 416 Mechatronics 3 Major
EGMN 421 CAE Analysis 3 Major
Approved internship or cooperative education experience 0 Major
Review of internship or cooperative education experience 0 Major
Select engineering electives (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
Select additional engineering or professional electives (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
MGMT 310 or SCMA 350 Managing People in Organizations or Introduction to Project Management 3 Major
STAT 441 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists 3 Major
Open electuves 4 Elective
Credits completed at VCU 63
Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree 130
VCU offers students four options for accelerated B.S. and M.S. programs: B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical engineering, B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science, B.S. and M.S. in Engineering, and B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. These accelerated programs allow academically talented students to earn both the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. degree in a minimum of five and a half years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Please consult with a VCU advisor for information about minimum qualifications for entrance to the accelerated programs.