Mechanical Engineering

Overview of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is considered to be one of the oldest and broadest engineering fields.  If it is mechanical and it requires some level of engineering, you can bet a mechanical engineer is involved.  That may sound silly but it is true. Whether it is some type of combustion or electric engine or generator designed to create power or an item that is designed to use power like a refrigerator, a mechanical engineer is involved in its design, production, and servicing. 

Mechanical engineers use their expert knowledge in science, mechanics, and math to design, produce, repair, and service all kinds of machinery.  Whether it is a robot, escalator, elevator, refrigerator, engine, system for handling material, advanced tools, and/or components in machinery, a mechanical engineer is prepared to handle it.

Curriculum for Mechanical Engineering

Given the large and general nature of mechanical engineering, courses vary by school and focus but students interested in a Bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering can expect course like but not limited to:

• Intro to Scientific Programming or Intro Computer Programming
• Statistics
• Dynamics
• Strength of Materials
• Engineering Material
• Electrical Circuit
• Engineering Fundamentals
• Basic Engineering Thermodynamics
• Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
• Basic Heat Transfer
• Materials and Processes in Manufacturing
• Mechanical Design
• Design of Machine Elements
• Computer Aided Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering Experimentation
• Introduction to Control Systems
• Control and Design of Mechatronic Systems

Because of the broad nature of mechanical engineering there are many branches of it under a school’s Bachelor’s degree but they are mostly listed as mechanical engineering with a focus in… so finding a niche in terms of what you are good at or what interests you should be easier in this field of engineering.

There will be intense coursework in math and science as well as mechanics especially given the wide range of machinery and products that mechanical engineers can be certified to work on.

How to Enroll in Mechanical Engineering

Generally, a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering programs is designed to be a four year program.  Mechanical engineering will be listed under the engineering department of postsecondary schools that offer a Bachelor’s degree in that field.  There is such a wide range of industries that mechanical engineers can operate in that finding the best focus for each person will not be a difficult task.  There are also online options for getting a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

If you decide that the online college program best suites you, make sure to have a point of contact at your institution of choice, that way you will have someone on staff at the institution that can help make sure you are on track in your chosen focus.  There are also advanced degrees, like a Master’s degree, available in the field of mechanical engineering.

Benefits and Rewards of Mechanical Engineering

A major benefit of having a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is that you will be able to work in virtually any engineering field.  It will increase your employment opportunities as well as provide a big enough variety in terms of industries.  Also, the background in mechanics and broad nature of studies will probably give you the skill set to fix just about any household appliance you may have that tends to act up from time to time.  This knowledge will allow you to make mechanical repairs around your house which will save you money.

Job Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering

Because of the vast applications in mechanical engineering, engineers in this field can work in an array of industries including: manufacturing, agriculture production, maintenance, technical sales and often become administrators or managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a growth rate of six percent over the projections decade which gets this industry a rating of slower growth than average for all other occupations.  Though the below average rating is not ideal, there is still growth in this industry.  Also the Bureau f Labor Statistics lists a median income for mechanical engineers of $74,920 as of May 2008.

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