Everything You’ll Learn in Mechanical Engineering

What to Expect in a Mechanical Engineering Degree

In this video, Jake provides an overview of what you can expect to learn in a mechanical engineering degree. He breaks it down into seven categories: math, static systems, materials, dynamics, thermodynamics, manufacturing and design.

Math

• Mathematics is the foundation of any engineering degree.

• Algebra teaches how to manipulate functions and solve for unknowns.

• Trigonometry teaches about shapes and ratios and angles. It's important because triangles are everywhere in engineering.

• Calculus deals with continuous change. You'll learn about integrals derivatives and limits which will allow you to solve problems where variables like speed position and temperature change with time.

• Ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations teach how to model and predict how moving physical systems will behave into the future.

Static Systems

• Physics 1 teaches Newton's laws of motion, momentum gravity friction velocity, trigonometry to determine forces on objects.

• Statics dives deeper into the analysis of static systems such as force vectors moments or rotational force center of gravity friction Force balancing.

Materials

• Chemistry teaches all about the periodic table of elements liquids gases solids right Stoichiometry.

Dynamics

• Dynamics is all about moving systems. You'll learn about kinematics which is the study of motion without regard for forces causing that motion.

• Kinetics is the study of motion with regard to forces causing that motion.

Thermodynamics

• Thermodynamics deals with energy transfer between different mediums such as heat transfer from hot to cold.

Manufacturing

• Manufacturing teaches how to make things. You'll learn about different manufacturing processes such as casting, forging, and machining.

Design

• Design is all about creating new products. You'll learn about the design process, CAD software, and how to create technical drawings.

Material Science

In this section, you will learn about the structure of materials and how to predict their properties based on their microstructure. You will also learn about atomic bonding, melting point, thermal expansion, crystalline materials, diffusion, and what controls the electrical, optical, and thermal behavior of a given material.

Topics Covered

• Elasticity fatigue creep yield and material failure

• Atomic bonding melting point thermal expansion crystalline materials and diffusion

• What controls the electrical Optical and thermal behavior of a given material

Dynamic Systems

This section covers dynamic systems that are moving. You will learn about kinematics, velocity acceleration momentum vibrations impact conservation of energy in Dynamics. In Fluid Mechanics you'll learn all about fluid kinematics hydrostatics Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids boundary layers laminar versus turbulent flow and conservation of mass and momentum. Thermodynamics teaches energy cycles engines heat work entropy enthalpy efficiency Refrigeration cycles and conservation of energy. Heat transfer is all about how heat moves between different mediums right so you'll be able to calculate predict eventually control the movement of heat in your design.

Topics Covered

• Dynamics - Kinematics Velocity Acceleration Momentum Vibrations Impact Conservation of Energy

• Fluid Mechanics - Fluid Kinematics Hydrostatics Newtonian & Non-Newtonian Fluids Boundary Layers Laminar vs Turbulent Flow Conservation of Mass & Momentum

• Thermodynamics - Energy Cycles Engines Heat Work Entropy Enthalpy Efficiency Refrigeration Cycles Conservation of Energy

• Heat Transfer - Conduction Convection Radiation Heat Exchangers Finite Element Analysis

Robotics and Programming

This section covers Physics 2, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Mechatronics. In Physics 2 you'll learn about electricity and magnetism and how to analyze those things using math or calculus. Electrical engineering builds upon the knowledge from physics 2 with more in-depth electric circuits analysis. Computer science teaches basic coding language and how computers are programmed to execute different commands. Mechatronics is all about robotics, linkages control systems microcontrollers sensors actuators programming so servos and motors.

Topics Covered

• Physics 2 - Electrostatics Electric Fields & Potentials Magnetic Fields Current Flow Electric Circuits Resistance Capacitance Inductance Electromagnetism Optics

• Electrical Engineering - Electric Circuits Analysis Resistance Current Flow Voltage Capacitance Inductance Kirchhoff's Laws Diodes Amplifiers Power Actuators Transformers

• Computer Science - Basic Coding Language Creating Programs for Modeling & Analysis of Engineering Systems Loops Functions Image Processing Sensors Microcontrollers Mechatronic Systems

• Mechatronics - Robotics Linkages Control Systems Microcontrollers Sensors Actuators Programming Servos Motors

Manufacturing and Design of Mechanical Systems

In this section, the speaker discusses the manufacturing and design of mechanical systems. The topics covered include different manufacturing processes, material removal or machining, material forming, casting, polymer manufacturing, composites manufacturing, welding, additive manufacturing, micro and nano-manufacturing, quality control and senior design.

Manufacturing

• Learn about different manufacturing processes

• Understand how these processes are utilized on different materials

Material Removal or Machining

• Learn about material removal or machining

• Understand how it is used in the manufacturing process

Material Forming

• Learn about bulk deformation

• Understand sheet metal forming

Casting

• Learn about casting

• Understand its application in the manufacturing process

Polymer Manufacturing

• Learn about polymer manufacturing

• Understand its application in the manufacturing process

Composites Manufacturing

• Learn about composites manufacturing

• Understand its application in the manufacturing process

Welding

• Learn about welding

• Understand its application in the manufacturing process

Additive Manufacturing

-[](0:09:53 t:593s )Learn about additive 3D printing technology

-[](0:09:53 t:593s )Understand how it is used to create complex geometries

Micro and Nano-Manufacturing

-[](0:09:53 t:593 s)Learn about micro and nano-manufacturing

-[](0:09:53 t:593 s)Understand how it is used to create small-scale devices

Quality Control

-[](0:09:53 t:593s )Learn about quality control

-[](0:09:53 t:593s )Understand its importance in the manufacturing process

Senior Design

• Senior design is a project-based course that lasts for a full year

• It is where students can work on a big project and showcase their skills

• Students can choose from a list of projects provided by the professor or come up with their own idea

• The course culminates in design day, where students present their projects to the whole school and faculty.