What Are Mechanical Engineers?

Mechanical engineers are concerned with the principles of motion, energy, and force. Generally, a machine converts one form of movement into another. It is the responsibility of engineers to design machines whose parts and assemblies function in a safe and reliable, efficient, and predictable fashion.

In the words of one author, the mechanical engineer "applies the scientific method to the solution of mechanical problems." Indeed, the numerous laws and principles developed by scientists are the everyday tools of the mechanical engineer. Anything the engineer does that is related to the motion and dynamics of heat, gas, air, fluids, and solid materials requires the understanding and application of science.

Mechanical engineering encompasses many specialties. Mechanical engineers design advanced materials and structures to meet the demands of supersonic and hypersonic space travel. They work in the nuclear energy field on the design of electrical power plants equipped with reactors, pressure piping, heat exchangers, and other specialized components. In the automobile industry, mechanical engineers design the various parts of a car, and in manufacturing companies, they develop computer systems that improve and speedup the production process.

Some mechanical engineers work in areas not usually considered to require engineering. Efforts to clean up and preserve the earth's environment have attracted many mechanical engineers to projects involving the treatment of water, soil, and waste material. Mechanical engineers also work alongside physicians, therapists, and other medical professionals to investigate the workings of the human body and to design aids and instruments for medicine. Other mechanical engineers work closely with trainers, coaches, and athletes on the design of sporting equipment.

It would be hard to find an area or object in everyday life that was not in some way affected by a mechanical engineer.

Mechanical engineers are men and women who design machines, products, and systems essential to everyday life. Mechanical engineers design complex systems such as airplanes, automobiles, satellites, power plants and also simple devices like doorknobs, and fishing reels. In fact, mechanical engineers play a role in most of the things that people use.

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.

For more information, contact: Mechanical Engineering Dept, USA.

Mechanical Engineering
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University of South Alabama - Mobile, AL 36688-0002 / (251) 460-6168
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Last date changed: January 25, 2007
URL: http://http://www.southalabama.edu/engineering/mechanical/