What is Mechanical Engineering.docx

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What is Mechanical Engineering?

Professional Mechanical Engineers are responsible for the design and manufactureof an enormous range of industrial products - almost anything with moving parts,from aircraft to washing machines. You may find yourself using fundamental physics,

complex mathematics and state-of-the-art computers, as well as your creative andinventive skills in designing and improving products. You may rapidly find yourselfresponsible for managing a large team of people and large financial budgets inproducing new processes and products.

The main applications of Mechanical Engineering are usually thought of as planes,trains and automobiles. These industries have Mechanical Engineering principlesand Mechanical Engineering people at the very core of their businesses, but thesubject opens doors to a much wider range of topics than you might think. A glanceat the subject matter of recent final year projects gives a hint of what can be in store;

automotive aeronautical renewable energy robotics biomechanics sports engineering medical engineering manufacturing management & business

Why study Mechanical Engineering at Edinburgh?

The School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh is of a medium-size with astrong emphasis on both teaching and research. The most recent ResearchAssessment Exercise recognised the excellence of our staff, with the ResearchFortnightanalysis placing us 3rd in the UK for Engineering.We provide a friendly environment for learning, with guidance and pastoral carebeing offered throughout the course.The School is well provided with the equipment required to cover all aspects of the

subject area. Up-to-date computing facilities are available to all students.Increasingly, teaching materials and support are provided electronically using these

facilities. Students also use advanced design software packages that are commonly

used in industry. There is an emphasis on experimental work throughout all the

degree programmes, and we have a broad range of equipment available for

undergraduate study.

What does the programme actually involve?

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will use a toolbox comprising in-depth knowledge ofthe core subjects (Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Solid Mechanics,


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Dynamics, Maths) to design solutions to problems, and place these solutions firmlyin a business context. These, therefore, are the subjects and the over-archingthemes that will be developed as you progress through your studies - the basics atfirst, but culminating in a major, individual project and industrial placement in yourhonours years.

In yourfirst year, you will spend roughly equal amounts of time studyingEngineering, Maths and an outside subject of your choice. The first half of the yearwill reinforce your basic Mechanics, while in the second half of the year well giveyou your first taste of Dynamics (moving objects), Thermodynamics (energysystems), Materials and Solid Mechanics (stresses, strains).

Second yearsees your first major courses in Fluids, Solids, Dynamics andThermodynamics, building the foundations of each of these subjects. Youll alsohave your first Design classes, in which youll begin to learn ways of pulling togethermaterial from all your lecture topics into solving problems. Youll also learn the basicsof Computer Aided Design with the aid of a state-of-the-art CAD package(SolidEdge). The management / business aspects of the subject becomes a focustoo, with about one third of your year spent studying this.

The third yeardevelops your study of second year topics to the point at which weconsider you to have the core Mechanical Engineering knowledge. Up until the endof third year, you need to know it all; after third year you start to have a choice! Thethird year curriculum includes a little variety too - we introduce a series of industrialvisits and a series of industrial seminars.

For the MEng degrees, the fourth yearsplits into two very different halves. The first

half of the year is spent in an intensive series of advanced lecture courses and a

multidisciplinary Group Design Project supervised by visiting Professors from

industry. The second is spent on Industrial Placement. Placements in recent years

have included Rolls-Royce, NASA, Ford, Lotus, Jaguar, BAE systems and JCB. The

MEng fifth yearcomprises a major individual project and advanced study modules.

What can I study Mechanical Engineering with?The structure of the engineering courses at Edinburgh is flexible, allowing studentsto defer the choice of specialisation until at least the end of first year. This flexibilitymeans that a Mechanical Engineering student can keep open the option of Civil orElectrical Engineering, and even a science option such as Physics, Chemistry orComputer Science. The choice of Honours degree can be delayed to the beginningof the second year for the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering degrees, themiddle of the second year for the "with Management" degrees, and the beginning ofthe third year to decide between the "with Renewable Energy" and MechanicalEngineering degrees. For all students, entry to MEng Honours is based upon thirdyear performance.

What sort of teaching and assessment methods are used?


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Our strategy in teaching is to commence with the scientific principles underpinningthe practice of engineering, and then to show how these are applied to solvingengineering problems. There is a structured programme of laboratory work andindustrial visits to support the lecture material and design teaching. Group designexercises are used throughout the degree programme to apply the taught theory.

Students are assessed using a combination of examinations, coursework andprojects.Are there any opportunities to study abroad?

For many students, a period of study abroad can be a valuable and rewardingexperience. Studying Mechanical Engineering at Edinburgh offers a wide variety ofoverseas study opportunities. We have a well-established exchange programme withmany international universities through the Erasmus programme (Europe) and theUniversity's International Exchange Programme (rest of the world) - under whichstudents spend their whole third year overseas. Students have recently undertakentheir third year at The University of California, Caltech, The University of Melbourneand The University of British Columbia.

An integral part of the MEng programmes is a placement of six months, carried out inthe fourth year. Usually, this placement is taken at a company. Although normallyUK-based, the geographical spread of placements has extended from Alaska (small-scale wind energy) to Thailand (windsurfer boards). Alternatively, the placement canbe taken at a university abroad. Currently we have partnerships with LeibnizUniversitt Hannover (Germany), Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg,Sweden), Haute Ecole Blaise Pascal (Virton, Belgium), Malaga University (Spain)and University of Genoa (Italy).

Are there any links with industry and commerce?

As would be expected with an Engineering School, our links with the industrial sectorbeyond university are strong. Students on the MEng programmes undertake a six-month placement, the majority of which are taken in industry. Recent placementshave included BMW, Ford, Glenmorangie, npower, Pelamis Wave Power, RollsRoyce, Shell, TUV NEL and Volkswagen.We also have an Industrial Liaison Board comprising representatives of a spectrumof companies which meets annually. It reviews our course content to ensure that wecontinue to meet the needs of industrial employers, and suggests innovations andenhancements as appropriate.

Are there any bursaries or scholarships available?

The School of Engineering offer several scholarships and bursaries alongside thoseoffered by the University. For more information please visit:

www.scholarships.ed.ac.uk

What can I do after my degree?

The skills you will gain whilst studying this degree are highly sought after in industry.Recent graduates have left for jobs with companies across a wide range ofindustries: automotive (Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover), aerospace (BAE Systems, RollsRoyce), oil and gas (ExxonMobil, Shell), energy (ScottishPower, npower) andrenewable energy (Garrad Hassan, Pelamis Wave Power, Wavegen). Many otherschoose to further their studies by proceeding to postgraduate level (PhD or MSc).Our graduates have not only found employment in industries associated withengineering. A number have moved into areas such as management consulting

(working for consultants such as Accenture, Deloitte or PriceWaterhouseCoopers),


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where a background in management, along with numeracy and problem-solvingskills is highly valued.What are admissions tutors looking for?

Applicants should be aware that if demand for places is high, attaining the minimumentry requirements may be insufficient for the offer of a place to be made. All

applicants must have Mathematics and Physics (or equivalent) to Higher or A Levelstandard.

All applicants who are made an offer to study this subject will be invited to visit us. Avisit will enable you to see the environment in which you may be spending the nextfew years of your life, as well as providing you with the opportunity to discuss anyparticular questions in a one-to-one session with a lecturer. Visitors usually get tosee many other areas of the University, including student accommodation.

Students with strong A Levels or Advanced Highers may be given the option ofstarting at second year, thus completing a BEng in only three years or an MEng infour years.

We encourage applications for the MEng rather than the BEng whenever possible.At present, an MEng degree is the simplest route to ensuring that you will be eligiblefor professional qualification as a Chartered Engineer after appropriate experience inindustry. BEng graduates will need to undertake further study before they can attainsuch status. In practice the ability to change to, or continue on, the MEngprogramme depends on performance during the third year.

The BEng fourth year stream spends the first half of the year doing intensive lecture courses

(as the MEng stream) but, after these are over, the BEng class proceeds to a major individual

project for the second half of the year.

How do I find out more?For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Recruitment and Admissions OfficerSchool of EngineeringThe University of EdinburghFaraday BuildingKing's BuildingsEdinburgh, EH9 3JL

Telephone: 0131 650 7352Email: [email protected]

Web: www.eng.ed.ac.ukFor more detailed information on degree structure and content, please see:www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-recruitment/publications-resources/degree-programmes(April 2012

What is Mechanical Engineering?The various engineering disciplines are distinguished by the particular areas of science,

mathematics, and technology that they employ and the problems they address.


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Mechanical engi-neers usually focus on matters related to manufacturing, energy,

machines, materials, transporta-tion, health and design -a wider range of areas than

any other engineering discipline.

Mechanical engineers are involved at every level in the design and production of almost

everything you use including automo-biles, clothing, building products, aircraft,

consumer products and computers.What Does the Curriculum Include?Clemsons ME curriculum prepares its graduates for the chal-lenges that will come over

the span of a 40-year career. It covers the fundamental engineering sciences and all of

the technical areas. within Mechanical Engineering. It includes a balance of both

individual and group activities. In addition, the curriculum includes exposure to the arts,

humanities and social sciences to provide a deeper development of cultural

understandings and the insights needed to work in our complex modern society.

Throughout, professional communication is emphasized.

The ME program requires completion of 125 credit hours, ending with an industry

sponsored senior design project. It includes a balance of physical and engineering

sciences, design, laboratory activities, humanities and social sciences, communication,and computer use. The curriculum is accredited by the Accredita-tion Board for

Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Improving life through science and innovation.

Enable it, Expect it, Experience it

What Opportunities are Available?

Honors ProgamQualified students may be invited to enter the Calhoun Honors College, the honors

program of Clemson University. Students who pursue departmental honors work

individually with faculty members on research or design projects which culminate in a

senior thesis. The thesis is a unique accomplishment that distinguishes the Honors

graduate from all others. About 10-15 students participate in this program each year.

Students who successfully complete the requirements graduate with Departmental

Honors and their permanent records note them as Calhoun College Scholars.

Cooperative EducationA large percentage of Mechanical Engineering students partici-pate in the Cooperative

Education Program. These students alter-nate periods of classroom study with related

work assignments at participating industries. The additional year invested provides the

opportunity to explore different career possibilities, to earn extra income, and to gain

valuable work experience and possibly to secure a job prior to graduation.

What About After the

Degree?Many students use their ME train-ing to pursue graduate degrees in ME or various fields

such as aero-space, bio-engineering, automotive engineering, nuclear engineering and

environmental engineering. Some of our graduates go on to professional schools. The

mechanical engineering degree is sound preparation for graduate studies in medicine,

law, or business. Many physicians, lawyers, and other professionals consider theircomprehensive mechanical engineering back-ground as a key reason for success in


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their careers. A good academic record in our comprehensive ME curriculum provides

strong credentials for admission to any engineering, professional or business program.

What About Jobs?

The professional breadth of Mechanical Engineers enables them to find a place inalmost every industry. Accordingly, Clemson ME graduates have a very bright job

outlook. In fact, over 85% of our BS gradu-ates have a least one job offer prior tograduation. They find positions with major companies such as DuPont, Exxon, Ford,GM, BMW, Lockheed, Ingersoll-Rand, BASF, Fluor Daniel, Hoechst-Celanese,General Electric, and IBM. Many students also join the armed forces or go on towork at NASA or atNational Labs.

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