<p>If it is true, that you can just add 4 courses to UCSD ES to build a program of study that is the same as UCSD ME, then you could theoretically do that.</p>
<p>But the main issue is that if you want to work in an area that requires Professional Engineer (PE) licensing, your degree needs to be in an [ABET</a> accredited](<a href=“http://www.abet.org/AccredProgramSearch/AccreditationSearch.aspx]ABET”>http://www.abet.org/AccredProgramSearch/AccreditationSearch.aspx) major. The ES program is not specifically listed under UCSD’s ABET accredited programs (and is not listed as “(ABET)” in [this</a> PDF](<a href=“http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/undergrad/admit_day/docs/2010/mae.pdf]this”>http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/undergrad/admit_day/docs/2010/mae.pdf)), so you may want to ask the department about ABET accreditation if PE licensing may be important to you.</p>