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Mechanical
Engineering is one of the most basic and widely
applied of all scientific disciplines, as evidenced by the
diverse positions occupied by mechanical engineers
throughout the entire spectrum of industry, research, and
consulting.
Mechanical
engineers play a vital role in all energy-related
industries, including petroleum, nuclear, and chemical.
They are leaders in design, production, and management in
such varied fields as aerospace, manufacturing, computers,
electrical power, controls, construction, biomechanics,
and comfort engineering.
The
curriculum is designed so that graduates may enter any
area of Mechanical Engineering, or continue their
education at the graduate level.
The
basic fields of study include the following:
Materials
science is the study of the relationship between
structure, properties, and processing of materials.
Thermodynamics
and heat transfer deal with basic concepts and
applications of work, energy, and power, such as found in
internal combustion, nuclear, and solar devices. Studies
involving heating, air conditioning, and ventilation are
also found in this area.
Engineering
mechanics is the study of static and dynamic effects of
forces applied to rigid and flexible solid bodies.
Fluid
mechanics is the study of the forces and motions of
liquids and gases. Included in this area of study are
hydraulics, gas dynamics, aerodynamics, and design and
application of pumps, compressors, and turbines.
Control
systems include studies of transient and steady-state
response of systems to external inputs.
Design
synthesis utilizes the above areas to produce safe,
practical, efficient, and economically feasible solutions
of problems facing the mechanical engineer.
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