Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mechanical Engineering, Patent Law Option
Mechanical engineering encompasses a vast range of industrial activities. Mechanical engineers conceive, plan, design, and direct the manufacture, distribution, and operation of complex systems. Applications include aerospace, energy conversion, computer-aided design and manufacturing, power and propulsion systems, robotics, and control systems. The bachelor of science with a major in mechanical engineering, patent law option degree program provides a strong foundation in fundamental principles of patent law and the influences of the U.S. patent system on modern engineering design. Students in this option obtain skills and knowledge that can lead to work as a technical specialist in a patent law firm or in the patent department of an industrial employer. The option provides excellent preparation for pursuit of a law degree that may focus on intellectual property law. The mechanical engineering (ME) program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Visit the program website for additional information.
Bachelor of Sciences with a Second Major in Mechanical Engineering, Patent Law Option
Any undergraduate student who is enrolled at GW may declare a second major in mechanical engineering only if his or her primary degree is a BS. The student must meet the degree requirements for a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, including SEAS general, major, technical electives, humanities/social science, and SEAS/technical GPA requirements. Students earning other degrees (e.g., BA, BBA, BFA) must meet the requirements for a double degree.
Graduation grade-point average criteria:
To satisfactorily complete a second major in biomedical engineering, a student must have a minimum grade-point average of 2.2 in all technical engineering courses outlined in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth semesters of the curriculum.
Recommended program of study
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | ||
| CHEM 1111 | General Chemistry I 1 | |
| UW 1020 | University Writing 1 | |
| Humanities or social sciences elective 2 | ||
| MAE 1001 | Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering | |
| MATH 1231 | Single-Variable Calculus I 1 | |
| SEAS 1001 | Engineering Orientation | |
| Second semester | ||
| MATH 2184 | Linear Algebra I | |
| MAE 1004 | Engineering Drawing and Computer Graphics | |
| MAE 1117 | Introduction to Engineering Computations | |
| MATH 1232 | Single-Variable Calculus II 1 | |
| PHYS 1021 | University Physics I 1 | |
| Third semester | ||
| APSC 2057 | Analytical Mechanics I | |
| APSC 2113 | Engineering Analysis I | |
| MAE 2117 | Engineering Computations | |
| MATH 2233 | Multivariable Calculus 1 | |
| PHYS 1022 | University Physics II 1 | |
| Fourth semester | ||
| APSC 2058 | Analytical Mechanics II | |
| ECE 2110 | Circuit Theory | |
| MAE 2131 | Thermodynamics | |
| MAE 2170 | History and Impact of the U.S. Patent System H/SS Requirement | |
| CE 2220 | Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids | |
| Humanities or social sciences elective 2 | ||
| Fifth semester | ||
| MAE 3126 | Fluid Mechanics I | |
| MAE 3192 | Manufacturing Processes and Systems | |
| APSC 3115 | Engineering Analysis III | |
| MAE 3166W | Materials Science and Engineering | |
| MAE 3191 | Mechanical Design of Machine Elements | |
| MAE 3171 | Patent Law for Engineers | |
| Sixth semester | ||
| MAE 3120 | Methods of Engineering Experimentation | |
| MAE 3134 | Linear System Dynamics | |
| MAE 3187 | Heat Transfer | |
| MAE 3193 | Mechanical Systems Design | |
| MAE 3167W | Mechanics of Materials Lab | |
| Humanities or social sciences elective 2 | ||
| Seventh semester | ||
| MAE 4149 | Thermal Systems Design | |
| MAE 4182 | Electromechanical Control System Design | |
| MAE 4151 | Capstone Design Project I | |
| Two Humanities or social sciences elective 2 | ||
| Technical elective 3 | ||
| Eighth semester | ||
| MAE 4152W | Capstone Design Project II | |
| MAE 4172 | Engineering Design and the Patent System | |
| Humanities or social sciences elective 2 | ||
| Two Technical electives 3 | ||
1Course satisfies the University General Education Requirement in math, science, and writing.
2To satisfy the SEAS humanities and social sciences requirement, all mechanical engineering students must take one (1) humanities course and two social sciences courses from the University General Education Requirement; PHIL 2135 Ethics in Business and the Professions; and two additional humanities or social sciences or non-technical courses from the MAE Department’s pre-approved list of electives. Each course selected to satisfy this requirement must be taken for at least 3 credits. NOTE: Students in the patent law concentration must take MAE 2170 History and Impact of the U.S. Patent System in lieu of one of the additional humanities or social sciences or non-technical course.
3 All technical electives must be approved by the undergraduate advisor. On a case-by-case basis, technical electives may be chosen from other departments if approved by both the undergraduate advisor and the department chair. Technical electives are chosen from MAE courses in the 3000, 4000, and 6000 series, excluding: MAE 3171 Patent Law for Engineers , MAE 4172 Engineering Design and the Patent System, MAE 6298 Research, MAE 6998 MS Thesis Research, and MAE 6999 MS Thesis Research. Visit the program website for additional information.