MAE Focused Student Organizations
Taking part in a student organization provides an excellent opportunity for engineering students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world applications. Members gain skills in teamwork, leadership and time management, as well as contacts with industry for potential internship and job opportunities. They also help students become acquainted with their classmates while being exposed to the many facets of the engineering profession.
Center for Student Involvement
Learn more about active student organizations/clubs/teams across the UC Davis campus by visiting the Center for Student Involvement (CSI).
Organizations
Aerospace Science and Engineering
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Website: https://aggielife.ucdavis.edu/aiaa/home/
The AIAA is a professional society made up of people interested in the aeronautics and aerospace field. The group has regular meetings and informal gatherings to discuss recent events and topics of interest with professors, graduate students and representatives of industry and government.
Space and Satellite Systems (SSS) Club
Space and Satellite Systems (SSS) Club develops systems to be used in the space environment. The club emphasizes developing the skills and technical know-how necessary to design spacecraft. It focuses on technologies for smaller spacecraft and cube satellites and covers a wide range of research areas from controls and dynamics to sensors, electronics and software.
Mechanical Engineering
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Website: https://asmeatucd.weebly.com
The ASME professional society student section advances and disseminates knowledge about mechanical engineering, presents a proper perspective on engineering work and promotes professional awareness and fellowship. The section has regular meetings to discuss ASME activities, invites guest speakers to discuss various engineering topics and current research and hosts UC Davis alumni to discuss their job prospects since graduation.
Society for Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
Website: https://sme.ucdavis.edu
This professional society provides a venue for students to network, listen to speakers from industry and tour manufacturing facilities in the Sacramento area.
Team Projects
Aerospace Science and Engineering
Aeronautical Design Team (aka “Aerobrick”)
On this team, students design, manufacture and flight test a fully composite, radio-controlled airplane. This year-long project allows students to get hands-on experience in structure and aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, stability and control, propulsion and performance.
Advanced Modeling and Aeronautics Team (AMAT)
Website: https://amat.engineering.ucdavis.edu
The Advanced Modeling and Aeronautics Team (AMAT) explores the components and dynamics of airplanes by building RC airplanes from scratch every year. These RC airplanes compete in an annual SAE-sponsored competition against over 40 schools from all over the country. In 2014, AMAT placed first overall in the Aero Design West competition, the highest finish in UC Davis AMAT history.
Hyerloop Pod Team (One Loop)
The Hyperloop Pod Team competes in SpaceX’s annual Hyperloop Pod Competition, where students are tasked with designing and building a half scale pod with the aim of racing it on SpaceX’s mile long track in Hawthorne CA, and in the bigger picture, helping to develop a new form of transportation.
Eclipse Rocketry
Eclipse Rocketry members design, build and launch rockets on the field south of The Pavilion. They also have a long-term design project/competition using Hybrid L-motors with possible field trips to LUNAR in Livermore for high-powered launches.
Mechanical Engineering
Baja SAE
Baja SAE is a college-based team competition in which schools from all over the country compete against each other in off-road style racecars designed and built completely by students. Students provide cost and design reports to manage every aspect of building a competitive car.
Formula Racing
Formula Racing at UC Davis exposes team members to all the aspects required to build a competitive, fully electric racecar. The team finished in the top-20 overall category in the International Formula SAE Electric Competition in 2018.
Human Powered Vehicle (HPV)
Website: https://hpv.ucdavis.edu/about/
The Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Team designs an aerodynamic and highly-engineered land vehicle. They participate in an annual national competition, which provides an excellent opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world applications.
Solar Boat Team
The Solar Boat Team brings engineering students of various fields together to apply engineering principles in designing, building and testing a solar-powered boat. The organization provides a hands-on opportunity for students to gain familiarity with computer-aided designs, fabrication and teamwork. By the end of the academic year, the team participates in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) Solar Regatta, where they compete with other colleges across the state.
Solar Car at UC Davis (aka “Solarri”)
EME 189L offered in Spring Qtr (enrollment must be approved by instructor)
The Solar Car at UC Davis Team is a non-profit student-run organization that designs, builds, tests and races road-legal solar vehicles. It provides hands-on opportunities for students to create complex systems, as well as become exposed to project management and real-world engineering. The goal is to compete in the American Solar Challenge/Formula Sun Grand Prix.