What is a mechanical engineering major? Mechanical engineering is the discipline of using energy, force, and motion to enhance quality of life. Mechanical engineering involves many diverse activities such as designing machines and mechanical devices, power generation and energy conversion, heat and fluid flow, manufacturing processes and systems, and processing of materials. Mechanical engineering impacts all areas of modern life, such as transportation, construction, electronic devices, biomedical prostheses, computer chip technology, nuclear power, aerospace technology, and the list goes on. In addition, the machines and instruments needed for these and many more industries are designed by mechanical engineers.
What kinds of classes are engineering majors required to take? As a mechanical engineering major, you will take classes in the following:
- Math
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Solid Mechanics
- Fluid Mechanicals
- Thermodynamics
- Heat Transfer
- Materials Science
- Control Systems Design
- Manufacturing Processes
Classes typically follow a strict lecture-homework-exam format, with an emphasis on solving textbook problems. The core science classes will also involve hands-on labs, and many classes will also involve projects. Engineers (not just mechanical) generally work in teams which might comprise other engineers in your discipline or in other disciplines, technicians and other support staff, scientists, project managers, salespeople, market analysts, etc. Thus, more and more ME departments are emphasizing soft skills that are not directly related to engineering but which are critical for success in an engineering career. You will thus be required to take classes in writing and humanities, and it is also likely that many classes will emphasize team projects.
Many ME departments have a senior project class, in which students form groups and are given one big semester or year-long open-ended project which usually involves designing and building a mechanical device such as a machine, robot, or vehicle. This not only allows students to apply their textbook-learned knowledge to a real problem and gain hands-on experience, but also provides valuable lessons in teamwork and time management.
Advantages and disadvantages of a mechanical engineering major? Advantages of this major: mechanical engineers are found in almost all sectors of industry; thus, employment prospects are good. Also, because it is a core engineering discipline, having a firm grounding in mechanical engineering enables you to enter fields or pursue advanced study in other areas such as bioengineering, environmental engineering, and nanotechnology, to name a few.
Disadvantages: The workload is usually high and the atmosphere competitive, especially in classes where projects are assigned in addition to exams. You will probably not have as much time to party or pursue extracurricular activities as your non-engineering major friends. Also, despite recent increases in enrollment of women across all science and engineering disciplines, mechanical engineering still contains the lowest percentage of women; thus, if you are a woman you will probably find yourself a minority. Luckily, attitudes are changing, and support networks such as the Society of Women Engineers are doing much to encourage women to enter and succeed in engineering professions. For more information on women in mechanical engineering, see http://www.diversitycareers.com/articles/pro/apr-may-02/FOD_women_in_ME.htm.
What careers are available to mechanical engineering majors? Gone is the stereotype of a mechanical engineer being someone who drives a train! Today's mechanical engineers have varied job descriptions such as product designer, product tester, technical supervisor, high-tech researcher, sales and marketing personnel, CTO, etc.
Next: Read about other college majors such as chemistry, and read some recommendations for college courses everyone should take.
