Mechanical Engineering 101
An Introduction to Mechanical Engineers and What They Do
What is mechanical engineering? Learn about the branches of the field, educational paths and professional societies.
Mechanical engineering is one branch in the field of engineering. Mechanical engineering generally focuses on the creation and evaluation of physical things, but covers a broad range of technical areas.
Mechanical Engineering Education
Because mechanical engineering focuses on the study of physical systems, the core courses in a mechanical engineering curriculum reflect this. Most mechanical engineers start their learning with basic physics and calculus courses. Later courses can include static and dynamic systems, strength of materials, fluids, thermodynamics and heat transfer. A mechanical engineering curriculum is usually rounded out with advanced classes that match the student's desired specialty.
Branches of Mechanical Engineering
- Design - Design Engineering is a broad topic that refers to the mechanical or physical design of an object or system. The primary tool for the design engineer, after paper and pencil, is computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Manufacturing/automation/electro-mechanical - This branch of engineering is concerned with systems that combine mechanical devices with electrical controls. This can include all forms of robotics, manufacturing equipment and mechanical systems that rely on sensors for feedback.
- Aeronautical- Aeronautical engineering focuses on projects in the aerospace field, such as aerodynamics and propulsion.
- Analysis - Analytical activities focus on using numeric and computer methods to model and simulate systems. One of the main areas of analysis is finite element analysis (FEA), where a model of a system is divided into small bits, and the behavior of each bit is simulated to determine how the entire system behaves.
- Structural - This branch focuses on the design and analysis of structural systems, such as bridges, buildings and large mechanisms. Structural engineering focuses on strength and performance of materials, primarily steel, but also including concrete, composite or other metallic structures. This branch can also include studies of fatigue and failure.
- Thermodynamics - Thermodynamics is the study of how heat affects objects and systems. Thermodynamics are important in systems that generate a lot of heat, such as power plants, or systems that encounter large thermal gradients, such as spacecraft.
- Fluid dynamics - Fluid dynamics is the study of how fluids behave. Fluids are not necessarily liquids, but can be made up of gases, such as air, or solids, such as sand.
- Testing and evaluation - Engineers in this branch of mechanical engineering have a solid understanding of the mechanical behavior of things, but also have a background in instrumentation, data acquisition, and design of experiments.
Professional Societies
The primary professional society for mechanical engineers is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, or ASME. There are many other societies that focus on different niches within the profession of mechanical engineering. These include the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). Many of the societies generate codes and standards relevant to their specific interests. The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code created by ASME is one of the oldest engineering standards generated in the United States, and is still maintained to this day.
To learn about the different types of engineers and what they do, read Engineering 101: The Basics.
