Virginia State University electronics engineering

Mechanical Engineering Programs

Mechanical engineering degrees typically take four to five years to complete, and result in a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Bachelor of Science (BSc or BS), or Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (BME). In the US, most undergraduate mechanical engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Mechanical engineering programs include courses on composites, thermodynamics, engine design, hydraulics, control theory, robotics, and computer-aided design (CAD). In addition to the core mechanical engineering curriculum, many mechanical engineering programs offer more specialized programs and classes, such as control systems, cryogenics, fuel technology, biomechanics, vibration, and optics. The median annual income of mechanical engineers in the US workforce was $80,580, highest when working for the government ($92,030), and lowest in education ($57,090).

Many mechanical engineering companies have begun to incorporate computer-aided engineering (CAE) programs into their existing processes, including 2D and 3D solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD), enabling faster and more exhaustive visualization of products. Other CAE programs commonly used by mechanical engineers include product lifecycle management (PLM), and analysis tools such as finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). Further, automation in the form of industrial robots allow businesses to save money on manufacturing costs, and ensure precision quality control.