Curricula in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is a diversified profession. The mechanical engineer designs machines, tools and their products and works with generation, conversion, transmission and utilization of mechanical and thermal power. Assignments often include analysis and synthesis of mechanical, thermal and fluid systems. The mechanical engineer is responsible for characterization, specification and analysis of materials used in design and manufacturing. Graduates in mechanical engineering work for industrial, governmental, consulting and research organizations.

The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is: (1) to provide the best possible education, well-grounded in the broad fundamentals of engineering, basic science and mathematics; (2) to prepare students to be able to think logically and clearly; (3) to be able to appropriately apply the acquired knowledge with initiative and confidence to resolve practical problems; and (4) to be able to translate ideas and plans to working realities. Success is measured by students' performance in the capstone design courses where the students are expected to demonstrate the ability to integrate and synthesize acquired knowledge of the purpose of innovation; students' understanding of the engineering principles as demonstrated by the performance at the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and by the achievements of our students in graduate schools; feedback received from employers of our students; and feedback received from industry sponsors of senior capstone design projects.

Industry needs mechanical engineers with a thorough understanding of engineering science as well as analytical and practical skills in one of many basic mechanical engineering specialties. The mechanical engineering curriculum at Texas A&M educates students in logical thinking, a prerequisite for professional competence. The curriculum consists of basic theory courses followed by laboratory experiences in dynamic systems and controls, design, experimentation, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, manufacturing and materials.

Elective courses are offered in several areas including air conditioning, automotive engineering, computer aided design, controls, energy conversion, internal combustion engines, manufacturing, materials, polymer processing, nondestructive evaluation, metallurgy, power generation, solid and fluid mechanics, turbomachinery and others. The selection of elective courses is dictated by the interests and goals of the student with the aid of the departmental advisors.

The work of mechanical engineers varies from general engineering to numerous, narrow specialties, as required by the employer. In general, the mechanical engineer works in one of the following areas: design, construction, controls, materials specification and evaluation, analysis of thermal systems, fluid and solid mechanics, manufacturing, plant engineering, research and development and technical sales. Many mechanical engineers are promoted to management and administrative positions.

Design engineers perform original design from concept to final product, including design of machines and equipment and the design of production plants and components conforming to code specifications. While design engineers use a variety of technical skills, they must understand planning and management tools necessary to minimize cost without sacrificing utility and quality. Design engineers must be able to use and produce design sketches and to apply principles of thermodynamics, fluid and solid mechanics, control theory and materials science. A design engineer is familiar with numerical analysis, computer methods and computer-aided-design software.

Materials engineers are responsible for specification and evaluation of metals and nonmetals. To a considerable degree, the technical and economic success of a product depends on the selection of suitable materials and manufacturing processes. Materials engineers often must determine the cause of component failure. Most materials engineers are involved in design and manufacturing; others work in research and development laboratories of larger firms. Materials engineers have knowledge of materials science, metallurgy, materials testing, failure analysis, corrosion, heat treatment procedures, joining technology and stress analysis.

Manufacturing engineers work to improve current and to devise new production processes. Their responsibilities include design of manufacturing processes and associated equipment. Examples of manufacturing engineering include optimization and analysis of machining processes, design of forming equipment, methods, tools and production machinery. New developments in polymer processing, metal removal, superplastic forming and packaging are challenging areas for engineers. Conventional machining and robotics exemplify tasks that require well trained manufacturing engineers. The courses recommended for mechanical engineers with a specialty in manufacturing are a combination of those taken by materials and design engineers. Mechanical engineers with a specialty in manufacturing are needed by industry and are essential for increasing productivity.

Plant engineers are in charge of plant performance and maintenance. Their responsibilities include safe, reliable and economical operation of production systems such as chemical processing plants, food processing facilities, power plants, steel mills and automobile assembly lines. To function effectively, graduates entering plant and maintenance engineering must be competent in several disciplines, including design and materials. Many mechanical engineers have found interesting and challenging work in plant engineering.

Energy engineers are employed by a variety of organizations including power plants, government, chemical production facilities and the petroleum industry. A mechanical engineer specializing in thermal science/systems may work with gas turbines, chemical and nuclear reactor design, internal combustion engines, design of heat exchangers, application of solar energy and plant engineering. Students who have an interest in the energy area should have a strong background in thermal science, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. They can choose elective courses in thermal science or energy systems. The thermal systems sequence prepares students to work in the energy field. A graduate engineer who has chosen thermal science for electives is well prepared for graduate school and a career in energy management. Mechanical engineers specializing in energy systems will find excellent job opportunities.

Controls engineers are in increasing demand as the use of control systems grows in application and sophistication. They specialize in controls work in aeronautical engineering, automotive design, energy systems, rehabilitation engineering and design of testing equipment. The student entering the controls field should have a strong undergraduate background in structural analysis, microprocessors, experimental methods and control theory. Robotics is a field which utilizes well trained mechanical engineers to apply control theory and design.