What do students actually study in mechanical engineering?
Mechanical engineering studies the principles that make machines and mechanical systems work, using mathematics and physics to examine forces and motion, materials, heat, fluids, electricity, and control. Students also commonly work on design, manufacturing, measurement, computer simulation, and laboratory or practical exercises. In later years, they may choose a specialty and undertake design projects or research.
Key points
- Core study typically includes mechanics, materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and control, supported by mathematics and physics.
- Depending on the program, students may use CAD, programming, simulation, measurement, and manufacturing processes.
- Laboratories, practical work, reports, and design projects help apply theory to real machines and systems.
Things to check
- The course structure, amount of laboratory or practical work, and available specialties vary by university, department, course, and year, so students should check the target program’s official curriculum.