Mechanical engineering subjects | All you need to know!

Mechanical engineering subjects | Why pursue mechanical engineering?

Did you know? There are approximately 2,26,000 mechanical engineers employed across the globe, and this number is only expected to grow! This is because this field is one of the oldest and broadest branches of engineering. But what does being a mechanical engineer mean?

Roles and responsibilities of a mechanical engineer 

Mechanical engineers are primarily concerned with-

• How to use scientific principles and engineering techniques to design machines.
• The manufacturing and marketing of these machines. 

You will often be tasked with analyzing your work using the principles of force, energy, and motion. This ensures that the product you create is safe, efficient, reliable, and available at a competitive cost. Mechanical engineers also contribute significantly to societal needs and demands by designing technologies that ensure our needs are met. Their work can revolve around creating numerous solutions in industries such as-

• Climate Change 
• Space Exploration 
• World Hunger 
• Transportation 
• Health Care

Let’s learn more about the subjects that make mechanical engineers so adept and versatile in their field!

Mechanical engineering subjects

Thanks to a rising demand, many colleges across the globe offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Mechanical engineering. Some of the most popular mechanical engineering degrees include Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelors in Technology, and Masters in Technology.

Now, most undergrad colleges offer a semester-wise pattern where this course is divided into a series of 6 semesters across a period of 3 years. You will be learning about a number of mathematical, engineering, and physical principles throughout the program.

Here are some of the most commonly recognized subjects in this field, semester wise-

I semester

• Engineering Drawing 
• Electrical Sciences 
• Mathematics – I 
• Physics – I 
• Engineering Chemistry 
• Engineering Mechanics 
• Basics of Electronic Engineering 
• Practical Laboratory Courses 

II semester

• Mathematics – II 
• Physics – II 
• Basic Electronics 
• Computer Concepts & C Programming 
• Engineering Drawing 
• Engineering Mechanics 
• Project-Based Learning 

III semester

• Mathematics – III 
• Physics – III 
• Machine Drawing 
• Engineering Materials 
• Solid Mechanics 
• Thermodynamics 
• Fluid Mechanics 
• Metallography and Material Testing Laboratory 

IV semester

• Kinematics of Machinery 
• Applied Thermodynamics 
• Mathematics – IV 
• Mechanical Measurements & Metrology 
• Solid Mechanics 
• Manufacturing Technology 

V semester

• Management and Entrepreneurship 
• Energy Engineering 
• Turbo Machines 
• Dynamics of Machines 
• Heat Transfer 
• Theory of Machines 
• Design of Machine Elements 
• Metrology and Quality Control 

VI semester

• Heat & Mass Transfer 
• Mechatronics & Microprocessor 
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing 
• Control Systems 
• Mechanical Measurements 
• Machine Design 

Some additional mechanical engineering subjects

Mechanical engineering programs cover a wide range of concepts. And while most of the subjects mentioned above are common across mechanical engineering programs, there are a few additional subjects you must know about. 

These subjects vary from course to course and are often presented to students in the form of Electives. Some of them include- 

• Steam Power Plant 
• Electrohydraulic Control Systems 
• Kinematic Analysis and Synthesis 
• Energy Audit Management 
• Machine Tool Design 
• Gas Turbine Propulsion 
• Operation Research 
• Refrigeration and Design of Air Conditioning Equipment 
• Industrial Engineering 
• Design of Pumps, Blowers, and Compressors

What will you learn from this?

These subjects train students in a number of skills and applications, preparing them for lucrative careers in mechanical engineering.

For example, Material sciences trains students to determine the best materials needed for different applications. The subject teaches them how to test brittleness, stiffness, support loads, etc. to determine if it can be used for a certain purpose. This readies them for a career as a Material Engineer/Scientist.

Thermodynamics, on the other hand, deals with how energy can be converted into useful power. One of the concepts covered in this subject is heat energy and transfer, which plays a crucial role in producing medical materials, automobile, and construction applications. 

Fluid mechanics is primarily concerned with properties such as aerodynamic drag forces and drops in pressure caused by fluid flow. The primary applications of fluid mechanics occur in the aeronautical industry. 

Another popular mechanical engineering subject is engineering economics. It teaches you how to make mechanical designs relevant to the real world by showing you how to estimate the costs and profits within various applicable industries.

Disciplines within mechanical engineering 

The disciplines within mechanical engineering allow students to extensively apply the subject knowledge they have picked up during their undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Some of the most recognized disciplines within the field include-

• Cyber Security 
• Computer-Aided Design 
• Biotechnology 
• Automotive Industry 
• Aerospace Industry 
• Health Industry 
• Nanotechnology 
• Robotics 
• Structural Analysis 
• Mechanics 

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Key takeaways

• There are several universities offering undergraduate and postgraduate in mechanical engineering.
• Most undergraduate courses are divided into 6 semesters, and have a number of semester-specific subjects that students need to undertake.
• In addition to the regular subjects, you can choose from a variety of electives to acquire the knowledge and skills you need to master this field. 
• The subjects taught in mechanical engineering courses have several applications in a number of industries. These include robotics, nanotechnology, and health. 

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Liked this blog? Read – Mechanical engineering jobs | Top 7 things you must know!

FAQs 

Q1. What is the fee for an undergraduate mechanical engineering program? 

Answer – You can expect to shell out around USD 28,843 for this program.

Q2. What are the career opportunities I can consider after a mechanical engineering degree? 

Answer – Some of the careers you can consider include Nuclear Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, CAD Technician, and Automotive Engineer.

Q3. Which colleges in the world offer a recognized undergraduate mechanical engineering program? 

Answer – Some of the popular engineering colleges in the world for an undergraduate mechanical engineering program include the Georgia Institute of Technology, The University of Illinois, and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology.