Automotive engineering programs in California?

Hey guys, I'm really interested in automotive engineering and want to stay in California for college. Could anyone recommend some schools in California that offer strong automotive engineering programs or related majors? Thanks for the help!

Hello! It's awesome that you're interested in automotive engineering and want to stay in California for college. While there aren't many schools that focus exclusively on automotive engineering, there are several colleges in California with strong mechanical engineering and related programs that could give you a solid foundation for a career in the automotive industry.

1. University of California, Berkeley: UC Berkeley has an excellent mechanical engineering program. At this top engineering school, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources. Their program will provide you with a solid foundation in engineering principles which you can then apply in the automotive industry.

2. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: Cal Poly SLO is well-known for its hands-on learning approach and strong engineering programs. With a focus on practical skills and industry experience, their mechanical engineering program would prepare you well for a career in automotive engineering.

3. University of Southern California (USC): USC's Viterbi School of Engineering has a solid reputation in the engineering field, and their mechanical engineering program offers various elective courses that you could take to gear your education more towards automotive engineering.

4. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): UCLA's mechanical engineering program is well-regarded and offers optional areas of focus. You may also be able to tailor your coursework to focus on automotive engineering or related fields.

5. University of California, Davis: UC Davis has a strong mechanical engineering program known for its research opportunities and industry collaborations. They have strong connections with several automotive companies which could benefit you as you seek internships and hands-on experience.

6. San Jose State University: SJSU offers a BS in Mechanical Engineering, which you could potentially focus more precisely on transportation engineering. San Jose's location in the heart of Silicon Valley makes it a great place to be involved in the automotive industry, especially with all the buzz around self-driving cars these days.

Keep in mind that a degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or other related fields can open up plenty of opportunities in the automotive industry, even if a particular school doesn't specifically offer an automotive engineering program. As you do your research, you'll also want to consider any automotive-related clubs, research projects, and internships available to students, as these opportunities can also help you gain relevant experience and connections in the field. Best of luck in your college search!