Joint B.S. in Engineering, Mechatronics Concentration (JEM)
About the Joint NCSU/UNCA Mechatronics Engineering Program
The Joint NCSU/UNCA Mechatronics Engineering Program is located on the campus of UNC Asheville in the mountains of Western North Carolina. This is not an online program; students spend all four years in person on the UNC Asheville campus. Engineering courses are provided by NC State via both local instruction and distance education. Non-engineering courses, such as calculus and humanities, are provided by UNC Asheville. After completing the program, students earn a joint degree from both NC State and UNC Asheville.
The Joint NC State/UNC Asheville “Engineering – Mechatronics Concentration Joint” program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org
What is Mechatronics?
Mechatronics engineering is a concentration which blends mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering for the precision control of electromechanical systems. Control is achieved in today’s engineering systems through the use of sensors, actuators, and microprocessors. The marriage of modern control systems with mechanical devices is key to the design and development of high-performance engineering systems. This can be seen in computer-controlled mechanical systems such as robots, engine fuel systems, hybrid automobiles, autonomous aerospace vehicles, stair-climbing wheelchairs, and alternative power generation systems. Mechatronics engineering opens new avenues of creativity and design, greatly enhancing the utility, performance, and efficiency of modern machines.
Opportunities
Over 90 percent of all mechatronics graduates are employed in challenging and exciting engineering positions at over 50 companies, many in the Asheville area.
Curriculum
The joint mechatronics engineering curriculum combines the best offerings from two nationally recognized universities. NC State provides the engineering course work from the Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Hands-on laboratories integral to engineering course work are present throughout the curriculum. From UNC Asheville comes a general education component grounded in a rich liberal arts foundation. The goal of the program is to produce broadly educated engineers who contribute effectively in the diverse and global modern world.
The following links to PDF documents provide information on course selections and curriculum instruction:
- Mechatronics Mission, Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes (PDF)
- BS in E – Mechatronics Concentration Curriculum 198 (Fall 2022 or later entry) (PDF)
- Prerequisites and Corequisites (Fall 2022 or later entry) (PDF)
- BS in E – Mechatronics Concentration Curriculum 198 (entry before Fall 2022) (PDF)
- Prerequisites and Corequisites (entry before Fall 2022) (PDF)
- Relevant NC Community College Courses (PDF)
Undergraduate Design Projects
The Mechatronics Program fosters creativity, teamwork, and design skills through a variety of projects and laboratories. At the freshman level, student teams design and fabricate robots for in-class competitions. Sophomore year, many mechatronics engineering courses offer a variety of hands-on laboratory experiences to complement lecture material. Junior year, student teams build larger, more complex robots targeting more advanced challenges. Senior projects combine design and fabrication with the fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Recent senior projects include the NASA Lunabotics mining competition, interactive artwork, electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and a smart inverter for utility grid stabilization. Designed and built from the ground up, development of such systems provides hands-on experience and an interdisciplinary education that emphasizes teamwork skills.
Internships
Internships at companies in the mechatronics field help to provide not only a firsthand experience of engineering practice, but in many instances have led to full-time jobs upon graduation. The Career Centers of both UNC Asheville and NC State work closely with industry representatives to provide listings of engineering jobs and internships that connect students to exciting work experiences. Students have held internships at companies such as Tesla, BorgWarner, Eaton, and ThermoFisher Scientific.
Application Process and Admissions Requirements
Prospective students should apply to UNC Asheville and express an interest in engineering. Upon completion of the CODA requirements for mechatronics, students will be admitted to the Joint Engineering Mechatronics (JEM) Degree program. Transfer credits from other universities, majors, and community colleges are accepted. To apply: https://admissions.unca.edu/apply