The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at UC San Diego is turning 60! Ranked #8 in the nation and #20 globally for mechanical engineering in the 2024 ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, MAE is home to over 80 world-class faculty, 400 graduate students, and 1,100 undergraduates, with $24 million annually in research expenditures driving transformative breakthroughs across disciplines.
But we’re just getting started. From pioneering embodied intelligence and AI integration to establishing a cutting-edge fusion research center for abundant, clean energy and revolutionizing sustainable power grids, our researchers are tackling global challenges with bold ideas.
As we look to the future, MAE remains committed to fostering excellence, inclusiveness, and innovation. We don’t just imagine a better future—we engineer it. Join us as we continue to transform bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs and inspire the next generation of innovators.
See how our alumni are making a global impact, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of engineering and technology.
Hear stories from our community—past and present—highlighting the impactful work in MAE and how it shaped their paths.
Discover our cutting-edge research that drives innovation and collaborates across disciplines to tackle global challenges.