Mechanical engineering involves the creation, manufacturing, maintenance, and functioning of mechanical systems, machines, and tools. These tasks are performed by the production and use of heat along with mechanical power. Mechanical engineers are educated, trained, and experienced individuals who craft, design, assemble, and install the various mechanical devices which are used by numerous people on a daily basis. Mechanical engineering is such a broad discipline therefore, mechanical engineers provide a vast range of services.
Students interested in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering should possess a number of skills and qualities essential in the engineering field. Effective problem-solving skills are needed since solving problems is essentially what engineers do. Mechanical engineers are versed in defining an issue or dilemma and its pertinent constraints such as time, budget, etc...Read More
Mechanical engineers must be able to devise a solution which meets the time and budget constraints. Mechanical engineers must also have exceptional mathematic skills. Their profession requires them to use the principals of calculus, trigonometry, and other complex mathematical topics for the assessment and design of their work. Mechanical engineers must be creative and be able to design and build equipment and machinery which is practical, efficient, and unique.
Mechanical Engineering Degree Levels Available
Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering
The bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering program has a strong foundation in mathematics and science. Knowledge gained in this program is applied to the field’s main focus which is design and innovation. This four-year program includes courses in areas such as control dynamics, acoustics, thermal fluids, instrumentation and measurement, ocean systems design, and naval architecture and design. During this program, students choose from a number of subjects to specialize in such as engineering in the oceanographic arena or engineering in the medical field. Students with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, who would like to advance to a higher position as well as salary, should continue onto the master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering
A master’s degree in mechanical engineering prepares students to become leaders in the mechanical engineering profession. This two-year program educates students in areas such as manufacturing, design, robotics, or thermo-fluids. Courses included in this program are ergonomics, thermodynamics, advanced CAD and CAE, analysis in engineering, advanced materials processing, biomechanics, structural dynamics, and mechanical engineering design. After completion of the master’s program (as well as licensure and certification requirements stated below), students may gain employment as a mechanical engineer.
Licensure and Certification
Upon graduation, students must obtain licensure to gain professional employment as a mechanical engineer. To obtain licensure, applicants must have completed a mechanical engineering program and received a bachelor’s or master’s degree, have at least four years of relevant work experience, and successfully passed an examination which assesses the knowledge and skills needed in this field. If the applicant fulfills these requirements then they will be designated as a professional engineer (PE).
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) offers a variety of certification programs for professional engineers. Certification demonstrates to your employers that you have the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the engineering field.
Admission Requirements
Although various colleges and universities may vary slightly, students can expect fairly standard admission requirements when applying to obtain a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Successful completion of high school or an academic equivalent (such as a GED) is required along with high school transcripts displaying grades obtained in completed courses. SAT or ACT test scores are almost always required as well. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend must be completed and submitted along with an application fee, which of course varies depending on the institution.
Admission into the master’s program for mechanical engineering requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field. Colleges and universities require a transcript from the institution where the bachelor’s degree was obtained, displaying the student’s GPA which should be at a 3.25 minimum (on a 4.0 scale). A statement of purpose, which states the student’s career or research goals in the mechanical engineering field, must be submitted. Two or three reference letters from faculty members is also mandatory. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend must be completed and submitted along with an application fee.
Tuition and Accreditation
Tuition fees for a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering may vary from $15,918 to $32,617. Tuition fees for a master’s degree in mechanical engineering may vary from $8,763 to $20,368. These figures are only estimates; college and university tuition fees may vary drastically from one institution to another since there are a number of factors which affect tuition such as public versus private institutions, online degrees, federal student assistance programs, etc. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
Colleges and universities which offer a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in mechanical engineering must be aligned with ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) standards. Most employers only hire students who graduated from an ABET-accredited institution.
Average Annual Salary Range for Mechanical Engineers
A mechanical engineer’s salary is based on various factors which include (but are not limited to) their level of education, the extent of their experience, and who they are employed by. Earnings may vary drastically from person to person. However, $ 74,770 to $ 94,770 is the average range of annual earnings for mechanical engineers (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
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