Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Mechanical Engineering
Majors Overview March 1, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in mechanical engineering and their coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Mechanical Engineering
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in mechanical engineering are provided with a broad knowledge base that engineers can use in work as diverse as that in international space stations and in designing of medical equipment.
Mechanical engineering students, who can apply the training to innovation and design, which are the key focus areas of the field, study science and mathematics. Many programs provide opportunities for focused study to students that have chosen to enroll in an engineering discipline.
Coursework
Students enrolled in some programs explore several engineering options, while a particular focus within mechanical engineering may be a feature of others. For instance, engineering in the oceanographic arena could be the particular focus of some degree programs.
Other programs have been structured to suit the needs of students that may opt for continuing education via a master’s degree program. Thanks to these differences in direction, coursework can vary by school. Core coursework in mechanical engineering programs may include topic areas such as:
•Naval architecture and design
•Thermal fluids
•Ocean systems design
•Mass and heat transfer
•Introductory robotics
•Instrumentation and measurement
•Control dynamics
•Biological system fields and forces
•Acoustics
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of five percent has been predicted for mechanical engineers over the 2012 – 2022 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Mechanical engineers, who have knowledge of current software development related to engineering, may have better opportunities.
Continuing Education Choices
Accredited universities and colleges in the country offer both master’s and doctorate programs in mechanical engineering, and access to these programs may be competitive. Undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and high grade point averages may be needed to qualify for admission.
However, degrees in a related field or engineering minors may also suffice provided additional coursework is completed by the students seeking admission. Internships may also offer continuing education options for mechanical engineers, who can use guidance from student career centers or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to identify the internship program that is most suitable in relation to their particular career goals.
