The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara was founded in 1964. Our world-class faculty offers accredited programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D). The outstanding educational and research opportunities in our department are further enhanced by the many interdisciplinary activities that abound at UCSB.
Mission Statement
We offer an education that prepares our students to become leaders of the engineering profession and one which empowers them to engage in a lifetime of learning and achievement.
Leadership
Jeff Moehlis
Bolin Liao
Eckart MeiburgDepartment Facts & Figures
Academic Statistics
360
Undergraduate Enrollment, Fall 2023
37
Faculty & Lecturers, 2024/25
90
Graduate Enrollment, Fall 2023
11:1
Student:Faculty Ratio
Faculty Awards and Honors
4
National Academy of Engineering Members
7
ASME Fellows
3
IEEE Fellows
4
AIMBE Fellows
7
Excellence in Teaching Awards
18
National Science Foundation CAREER Awards
3
Sloan Fellows
3
SIAM Fellows
History
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1964 - Established as the Department of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering
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1987 - Engineering Building II opened
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2003 - Established the Mohammed Dahleh Award and Lecture Series
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2005 - Name change to Department of Mechanical Engineering
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2014 - 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Department Chairs
2021 to present: Jeff Moehlis
2017-2021: Frederic Gibou
2013-2017: Francesco Bullo
2008-2013: Kimberly Foster
2007-2008: George "Bud" Homsy
2003-2007: Eckart Meiburg
1999-2003: Robert McMeeking
1995-1999: Robert Odette
1992-1995: Robert McMeeking
1987-1992: Frederick Leckie
1983-1987: Jean-Louis Armand
1981-1983: Wilbert Lick
1980-1983: Frederick Milstein
1976-1980: Roy Hickman
1972-1976: Thomas Mitchell
1971-1972: Gary Connell
1970-1971: Thomas Mitchell
1966-1970: William Thomson
1964-1966: Otto Witzell