About the Department

Why be an ME?  |  Mission  |  Vision  |  Educational Objectives  |  Learning Outcomes

Why be a Mechanical Engineer? by Dr. Tom Adams

Dr. Tom, what is mechanical engineering?

Engineering in general has been defined as "applying creativity, mathematics and science to solve problems within economic constraints". Mechanical Engineering is the broadest of all the engineering disciplines in terms of scope, and thus this definition could well apply to mechanical engineering too. Engineering was once largely a trial and error endeavor. (That looks strong enough - D'oh!) Now it relies heavily on the scientific method in the research, design, and production of products and processes. Specifically, the "science" in mechanical engineering refers to the mechanical sciences, a term which loosely describes those aspects of physics which are mechanical in nature. But we'll see that even this may be a bit too restrictive. For example, Heat Transfer is not particularly mechanical, but it is a major focus of mechanical engineering.

That seems pretty broad, so let me ask this. What does a Mechanical Engineer do?

The short answer is everything! A little more specifically, one could break the functions of a mechanical engineer (ME) into four categories:

Analysis and modeling of systems: The ME must understand the basics of mechanical science, which include, but are not limited to:

• Dynamics - the relation between forces and motion, such as in vibration
• Machines - the analytic study of planar linkages, gear trains, cams, governors, flywheels and gyroscopes
• Automatic Control - controlling machines and systems based on feedback from the systems themselves
• Thermodynamics - the relations among the various forms of heat, energy, and power Fluid Flow - the relation between forces and motion in fluids
• Heat Transfer - the transport of thermal energy due to temperature differences, including conduction, convection and radiation
• Materials - properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites including strength, stress and strain An ME uses her/his knowledge of these sciences to analyze and predict the behavior of systems. These systems may be real, existing systems, or they may be imaginary systems that someone is thinking about building.

Design, research and development : The mechanical engineer doesn't just perform calculations all day. She uses her knowledge and ability to solve real world problems by creating new products and processes, as well as improving existing ones. When engaged in design, the mechanical engineer creates something that has never existed before, whether that is a product or a process. In addition to being a highly creative endeavor, the design process involves careful planning, evaluation of alternatives, and the production and testing of prototypes.

There are a lot of things we still don't know about the mechanical sciences, and sometimes the solution to a problem involves a process or technique unlike anything anyone has ever seen. The mechanical engineer who devotes herself to these areas is engaged in research and development. The research and development specialist is often at the cutting edge of new technology.

Production of products and processes : It's not enough simply to analyze and develop stuff. If a real life problem is going to be solved, eventually something has to be built. But sometimes the problems involved with building a device are tougher to solve than the problem the device is supposed to solve! The operation and maintenance of the resulting equipment is no picnic either.

MEs are involved in all of these processes, and aim to maximize the value of products and processes while at the same time minimizing cost. Manufacturing engineers are often specialists in this area.

The ME as coordinator : Engineering doesn't exist in a vacuum. MEs must interact with many people from other fields, and are often called upon to take on some of those roles. These include management, consulting and, in some cases, marketing and technical sales. Many MEs perform a great number of these other functions, and might call their profession engineering management something of a hybrid between business and engineering.

A mechanical engineer most likely performs some of all these functions at one point or another. Most mechanical engineering jobs, however, emphasize one of these functions over the others.

Can you give me some typical employers of MEs?

The list is almost as big as industry itself. ALLTELL Corporation, Andersen Consulting, Caterpillar, Cummins, Cybo Robots, Dow Chemical, Ford Motor Company, GE Corporation, Ingersoll-Rand, Johnson Controls, Lockhead-Martin, Milliken, NASA, Otis Elevator, PSI Electric Company, Raytheon, Rocketdyne, Schlumberger, Trane and Wavetek all employ lots of MEs. There are countless others.

MEs needn't work just in industry, however. The well-roundedness of an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering gives you an excellent background to go to law school, medical school or business school. You can even combine the areas of expertise to become a sought-after specialist. (Patent lawyers are a good example.)

Why, you might even end up as an educator like me!

Where can I go for more information?

Check out this website for starters: http://www.asme.org/students/whichpath.html

You should also talk to a mechanical engineer. Chances are that you know one, or at least someone you know knows one.

Mission

To provide the curriculum, the educational environment, and the individual support necessary to graduate mechanical engineers who are technically competent, effective in practice, creative, ethical and mindful of their responsibility to society.

Vision

To graduate the best baccalaureate mechanical engineers.

Educational Objectives

The mechanical engineering curriculum is designed to prepare students for productive careers in industry, government, education, and private consulting as well as for graduate study. In the early phase of their careers, we expect our students to:

1. Apply engineering fundamentals to problem solving processes in an iterative manner.
2. Design effectively.
3. Continue to learn and educate themselves.
4. Communicate effectively.
5. Work responsibly.
6. Work effectively.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are the abilities that we expect mechanical graduates to possess. They are as follows:

Ethics - A recognition of ethical and professional responsibilities

When given the opportunity, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of professional codes of ethics.
2. Evaluate the ethical dimensions of professional engineering, mathematical, and scientific practices.

Contemporary Issues - An understanding of how contemporary issues shape and are shaped by mathematics, science, & engineering

When applying the principles of mathematics, science, and/or engineering to a technical problem, students will:

1. Demonstrate an awareness of how the problem is affected by social concerns and trends.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of how the proposed solution(s) will affect culture and the environment.

Global - An ability to recognize the impact of global societies on citizens and professionals

When given the opportunity, students will:

1. Demonstrate an awareness of the development of cultures and societies.
2. Show an awareness of the relationships of nations and the interdependence of peoples around the globe.

Culture - An ability to understand diverse cultural and humanistic traditions

When given the opportunity, students will:

1. Perform, interpret, analyze or otherwise engage in artistic, literary, and/or other forms of culture.
2. Recognize the importance of contributions of peoples from other cultures to the students' professions and personal lives.
3. Evaluate an issue or problem from other cultural perspectives.

Teams - An ability to work effectively in teams

When assigned to teams, students will:

1. Share responsibilities and duties, and take on different roles when applicable.
2. Analyze ideas objectively to discern feasible solutions by building consensus.
3. Develop a strategy for action.
4. Listen openly, actively and critically.

Communication - An ability to communicate effectively in oral, written, graphical, and visual forms

When performing communication tasks, students will:

1. Identify the readers/audience, assess their previous knowledge and information needs, and organize/design information to meet those needs.
2. Provide content that is factually correct, supported with evidence, explained with sufficient detail, and properly documented.
3. Test readers/audience response to determine how well ideas have been relayed.
4. Submit work with a minimum of errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage.
5. Present information visually using drawings, graphs and sketches.
6. Deliver oral presentations with clarity and professionalism.

Problem Solving - An ability to apply the skills and knowledge necessary for mathematical, scientific, and engineering practices

1. Inspect and define the problem.
2. Identify the basic principles and concepts that apply to the situation.
3. Use appropriate resources to locate pertinent information.
4. Build appropriate model(s).
5. Solve the problem by choosing appropriate tools. (analytical, experimental, and numerical)
6. Check a solution using appropriate criteria.

Interpreting Data - An ability to interpret graphical, numerical, and textual data

1. Collect and present data in an accurate and orderly way.
2. Use appropriate statistical procedures to analyze and evaluate the information contained in a data set.
3. Analyze the data and draw supportable conclusions from the result.

Experiments - An ability to design and conduct experiments

1. Identify the problem and develop a hypothesis.
2. Select measurement techniques to collect appropriate data and justify that selection.
3. Estimate experimental uncertainties.

Design - An ability to design a product or process to satisfy a client's needs subject to constraints

1. Understand the problem.
2. Develop a design specification that addresses customer/client needs and constraints.
3. Carry out a conceptual design by generating multiple solutions that address the issues above, evaluating the feasibility of the solutions, and choosing the appropriate solution.
4. Carry out a detail-level design using appropriate design tools and methodologies.
5. Test and refine the implementation until the product or process design specifications are met or exceeded.
6. Document the finished product or process as appropriate for the discipline according to standard practice.
7. Present and transfer the product or process and documentation to the client.

Continue to Learn and Educate One's Self

1. Learn new information independently.