What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines.Mechanical engineering encompasses the design, manufacture, installation, testing and analysis of products that relate to every facet of modern society.Application of a variety of components make up mechanical engineering to include dynamic systems, control, fluid mechanics, electronics, heat transfer, materials science, thermodynamics, kinematics, energy, mathematics and the strength of materials.All of these principles assist in designing, developing and modifying a component, machine, system or process.

Mechanical Engineers work with many kinds of machines that produce, transmit or use power and their main focus is on mechanisms that convert natural energy sources into practical uses.Furthermore, they use these elements to design and analyze types of equipment and machines ranging from tiny mechanisms for delicate instruments to large gears for bulldozers.Other examples include motor vehicles, textile machinery, refrigeration, printing machinery, elevators, escalators, metalworking machines, welding, air conditioning equipment, agricultural machinery and many other machines and processes essential to an industrial economy.Mechanical Engineers also design tools that other engineers need for work in their specialized fields.

Mechanical Engineering Curriculum

It is critical to know that almost all entry-level mechanical engineering jobs require a bachelor's degree.Mechanical engineering graduates typically obtain a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Bachelor of Applied Science or Bachelor of Technology degree depending on the school.Mechanical engineering curriculum consists of physical science, chemistry, physics, calculus, algebra, geometry and mechanical engineering related coursework.Students typically choose one or two sub-disciplines to specialize in throughout college.Although some Mechanical Engineers focus on one discipline, many of them work with a combination of them.

Obtaining a graduate level degree in engineering is essential for a faculty, research development or management career.In addition to education requirements, several years of practical experience is encouraged and often times mandatory to be promoted to a management position.Regardless of your job ranking and experience, continuing education is important for those wishing to stay ahead of the evolving technology and new developments in the field of engineering.

Career Opportunities & Salary Expectations as a Mechanical Engineer

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Mechanical Engineers are expected to see average employment growth through 2014.With Mechanical Engineers being the second most popular career within the realm of engineering, they encompass 226,000 or 15.6% of the total engineering population.The average starting salaries for Mechanical Engineers is $50,236 with a bachelor's degree, $59,880 with a master's degree and $68,299 with a doctorate degree.

Mechanical Engineers pursue careers in the automotive, biomedical, aerospace, energy, chemical, environmental, communication, defense, railroad, computer and robotics industries.Mechanical engineering may also serve as a starting point for careers in many other diverse fields, ranging from business, law, medicine and politics.Mechanical Engineers are most often found in manufacturing or industrial machinery plants.Employment of Mechanical Engineers in manufacturing should increase as the demand for improved machine tools and the machinery industry grows.As reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, emerging technologies in biotechnology, materials science and nanotechnology will create new job opportunities for Mechanical Engineers.

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