Mechanical Engineering Programs
Mechanical Engineering - The American Way
The United States offers international students a wide variety of study options. There are several thousand colleges and universities, differing greatly in size, location, teaching style, and type of degrees offered. Even in a specialized field such as mechanical engineering, you will have many options to consider.
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In many countries, engineering programs are concentrated in a few large technical institutions – the US has some 3000 institutions offering accredited four-year professional engineering degrees, including 235 Mechanical Engineering departments or ‘faculties’. The majority of these campuses offer studies in a wide range of fields. This type of degree is required for recognition and licensing as a ‘professional engineer’, for admission to advanced studies in mechanical engineering, and for employment as a ‘mechanical engineer’. It is comparable to four and five-year degrees in other systems in terms of the level of mathematics actually used and the coverage of engineering theory. However, US engineering education differs in several respects. Generally, there is greater breadth and less emphasis on problem-solving and design skills, with design integrated into the curriculum from the first year onward. There is more emphasis on developing communication and teamwork skills, and an integrated approach to the use of computers for analysis, problem-solving and design.
University-level engineering degrees in some countries take five years, due to the level of entering students, or the time needed for student thesis research and traineeships. US programs run for four years, because very few schools require a thesis, and industrial internships, while popular, are optional. Students who do internships or ‘Co-op’ programs generally take five years to complete a study program. Alternatively, the fourth and final year of study may include a demanding design project, in which students deal with a real-world design problem. One goal of this project is to prepare students to enter a working world in which engineering design, communication and teamwork skills are essential.
Many countries have three-year engineering programs leading to the BSc degree, where the emphasis is on applied engineering, and requires industrial practical training. Comparatively speaking, the US/BS engineering degree has greater academic breadth, with more math and science content, more coverage of engineering theory, more work in engineering design, and with industrial practical training as optional.
US mechanical engineering faculties have strong relationships with industry. Every faculty works with an industrial advisory board, either directory or through the school of engineering. A majority of ME faculty members have industrial, consulting or applied industrial research experience. ME students can obtain practical experience through summer or part-time work, or better, through ‘Co-op’ programs similar to the ‘sandwich’ programs found in British institutions. The result is the same – graduates who understand industry, their career options, and what they must do to achieve their goals. There are 170 two- and four-year institutions offering studies in Mechanical Engineering Technology or related specialities. Two-year MET programs normally result in an AS or AAS degree, while four-year MET programs lead to a BS in (Mechanical) Engineering Technology. These programs focus on applied technology, particularly those used in the construction, manufacturing and process industries. Comparatively speaking, the selection and academic requirements for European and US bachelor’s-level engineering programs are more stringent than the requirements for US/BS Technology programs.
Virtually all ME and MET programs in the US are periodically reviewed by ABET the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology. ABET uses a demanding set of quality standards that reflect the views of experts from industry, government, higher education, and even students. Every government has a review process for university study programs, but unlike so many systems, ABET focuses on what students actually learn, and whether those learning experiences truly meet the needs of students and employers.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME International) has six major technical groups and over thirty special interest areas, reflecting the areas and employment choices of mechanical engineers in the US and worldwide. These include:
- Basic Engineering: Applied Mechanics, Bioengineering, Fluids Engineering, Heat Transfer, Tribology
- Energy Conversion: Internal Combustion Engines, Fuels & Combustion Technologies, Nuclear Engineering, Power
- Energy Resources: Advanced Energy Systems, Ocean Engineering, Petroleum, Solar Energy
- Environment and Transportation: Aerospace, Environmental Engineering, Noise Control & Acoustics, Rail Transportation, Solid Waste Processing
- General Engineering: Management, Small Business, Risk Analysis, Technology & Society
- Manufacturing: Materials Handling Engineering, Plant Engineering & Maintenance, Process Industries, Manufacturing Engineering, Offshore Mechanics & Arctic Engineering, Pressure Vessels & Piping, Computers in Engineering, Design Engineering, Design Education, Dynamic Systems & Control, Electrical and Electronic Packaging, Fluid Power Systems and Technology, Information Storage & Processing Systems.
Why Study Mechanical Engineering in the US?
There is a wide selection of institutions and faculties, differing in size, location, cost and range of academic offerings. You can also select a school on the basis of its contact with regional industries. Different parts of the US are known for aerospace, automotive, chemical and petroleum, computer, electronic, heavy equipment, and general manufacturing industries. Design is an integral part of ME studies, from the first year onward. Practice in communications, computer use and teamwork is woven into the total curriculum, and a high percentage of ‘lecture’ courses include challenging practical exercises and class projects. Nationwide quality standards for mechanical engineering education provide assurance that degrees will be recognized in both the US and abroad. US graduates are recognized as entry-level professionals in seven English-speaking systems, and with work experience, may qualify for European and other international credentials.
A mechanical engineering degree from a US institution opens the door to thousands of domestic and multinational employers, while providing the basis for advanced studies and continuing professional education.
The ASME Website is a prime source of information on ME education, careers and ASME student organizations: www.asme.org
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Author
T.R. Phillips
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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