Who Makes a Good
Mechanical Engineer?
Mechanical engineers are curious
about how things are made and work; they have a
desire to solve problems and a talent for
understanding the operation of mechanical devices.
They enjoy mathematics,
chemistry and physics; these are some of the tools
used in the mechanical engineering profession.
The University of South Alabama
offers a four-year program leading to a bachelors
of science in mechanical engineering. The program
is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET), the national
accrediting agency for engineering programs.
Students study advanced mathematics, calculus,
physics and chemistry among the core courses. They
are also required to develop a proficiency in
using a computer. Mechanical engineering students
also learn about computer aided design (CAD),
computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and they get
involved in design projects. During their
sophomore and junior years, students take
specialized courses in fluids, dynamics, material
sciences, thermodynamics and heat transfer.
Many mechanical engineers go on
to enter master's or doctoral programs, which, in
addition to continued classroom study, include
such activities as laboratory research projects
and computational analysis. Students who major in
mechanical engineering can complete minors in
science, mathematics and business.
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