University Catalog 2023-2024

Engineering (BS): Mechatronics Concentration

To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!

For more information about this department, including contact information, visit the department website.

The Joint Engineering Mechatronics curriculum (JEM) combines the best that two nationally recognized universities have to offer. From NC State University comes the engineering component comprising course work from the Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), and mechatronics courses taught by NC State University faculty on the campus of the University of North Carolina Asheville. From UNC Asheville comes a Humanities and Social Science component with a rich liberal arts foundation and mechatronics courses taught by UNC Asheville staff. Hands-on laboratories are integral to the engineering course work. As an NC State site-based engineering program, students must attend classes on the campus of UNC Asheville. Transfer students should contact the program office in Asheville for information about the transfer of courses from other educational institutions.

Mechatronics engineering is a unique, interdisciplinary field of study drawing on coursework in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. A vast array of products and systems incorporate aspects of each of these disciplines  - in varying degrees  - and the program goal is to produce graduates with significant proficiency in each to participate successfully in design efforts. Through mechatronics engineering, new avenues of thinking and design can greatly enhance the utility, performance, and efficiency of modern machinery.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, successful alumni of the Joint NC State  - UNC Asheville BS in E  - Mechatronics Concentration degree should:

  1. Attain productive professional careers in mechatronics engineering or related fields.
  2. Be committed to upholding and advancing the integrity of the engineering profession.
  3. Make decisions with accountability for the social and environmental impact of their engineering practices.
  4. Interact effectively with a diversity of individuals while viewing their own work in the broader context of our global society.
  5. Attain technical excellence by engaging in life-long learning.

The Joint BS in Engineering - Mechatronics Concentration degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Specific curriculum requirements are available on the Mechatronics webpage.

Plan Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
MATH 191 1 4
LANG 120 2 4
CHEM 132 1 3
CHEM 111 1 1
FYS 178 3
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1
JEM 123 Introduction to Computer Aided Design for Mechatronics Engineering 1
 Hours17
Spring Semester
MATH 192 1 4
PHYS 221 1 4
HUM 124 4
ECE 109 Introduction to Computer Systems 2 3
JEM 180 Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory 2
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
MATH 291 4
PHYS 222 4
ECE 200 Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems 2 4
ECE 209 Computer Systems Programming 2 3
MAE 206 Engineering Statics 2 3
 Hours18
Spring Semester
ECON 104 3
ECE 211 Electric Circuits 2 4
ECE 212 Fundamentals of Logic Design 2 3
ECE 220 Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering 2 3
MAE 208 Engineering Dynamics 2 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
Course designated ARTS and DI 3 3
ECE 306 Introduction to Embedded Systems 3
JEM 420 Mechatronics Systems Modeling 3
MAE 201 Engineering Thermodynamics I 2 3
MAE 315 Dynamics of Machines 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
HUM 214 4
ECE 310 Design of Complex Digital Systems 3
JEM 360 Advanced Mechatronics Design Laboratory 2
MAE 214 Solid Mechanics 2 3
MAE 435 Principles of Automatic Control 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
HUM 324 4
MAE 308 Fluid Mechanics 3
MAE 310 Heat Transfer Fundamentals 3
JEM 484 Senior Design Project in Mechatronics Engineering I 3
Approved Advised Elective 4 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
HUM 414 or LA 478 4
STAT 225 4
JEM 485 Senior Design Project in Mechatronics Engineering II 3
MAE 316 Strength of Mechanical Components 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours128

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
MATH 191 4
LANG 120 4
CHEM 132 3
CHEM 111 1
FYS 178 3
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1
JEM 123 Introduction to Computer Aided Design for Mechatronics Engineering 1
 Hours17
Spring Semester
MATH 192 4
PHYS 221 4
HUM 124 4
ECE 109 Introduction to Computer Systems 3
JEM 180 Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory 2
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
MATH 291 4
PHYS 222 4
ECE 200 Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems 4
ECE 209 Computer Systems Programming 3
MAE 206 Engineering Statics 3
 Hours18
Spring Semester
ECON 104 3
ECE 211 Electric Circuits 4
ECE 212 Fundamentals of Logic Design 3
ECE 220 Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering 3
MAE 208 Engineering Dynamics 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
Course designated ARTS and DI 3
ECE 306 Introduction to Embedded Systems 3
JEM 420 Mechatronics Systems Modeling 3
MAE 201 Engineering Thermodynamics I 3
MAE 315 Dynamics of Machines 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
HUM 214 4
ECE 310 Design of Complex Digital Systems 3
JEM 360 Advanced Mechatronics Design Laboratory 2
MAE 214 Solid Mechanics 3
MAE 435 Principles of Automatic Control 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
HUM 324 4
MAE 308 Fluid Mechanics 3
MAE 310 Heat Transfer Fundamentals 3
JEM 484 Senior Design Project in Mechatronics Engineering I 3
Approved Advised Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
HUM 414 or LA 478 4
STAT 225 4
JEM 485 Senior Design Project in Mechatronics Engineering II 3
MAE 316 Strength of Mechanical Components 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours128