Mechanical Engineering Major

• What is Mechanical Engineering?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Mechanical Engineering?
• What Courses Do Mechanical Engineering Majors Take?
• List of Mechanical Engineering Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Mechanical Engineering Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineers are typically involved with the generation, distribution, and use of energy; the processing of materials; the control and automation of manufacturing systems; the design and development of machines; and the solutions to environmental problems. Research, testing manufacturing, operations, marketing, and administration are other key activities associated with practicing mechanical engineers. Through clever use of analysis, modeling, design, and synthesis, they solve important problems to improve our quality of life.

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Mechanical Engineering may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Acoustics	Aerospace Engineering
Computer Engineering	Engineering or Industrial Management
Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering	Mechanical Drafting
Naval Architecture	Nuclear Engineering

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What Kinds of Students Major in Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineers are characterized by personal creativity, breadth of knowledge, and versatility. They are also valuable and reliable multidisciplinary team members. The technical subject areas that form the main basis for their work include mechanics, energy transfer and conversion, design and manufacturing, and the engineering sciences. A good understanding of English and mathematics is also crucial to this kind of profession.

Is Mechanical Engineering the right major for you?
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What Courses Do Mechanical Engineering Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Mechanical Engineering majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Principles of Design	Calculus Based Physics
Chemistry	Circuits and Electronics
Differential Equations	Dynamics
Electrical Energy Conversion	Elements of Mechanical Design
Graphic Communication	Mechanics of Materials
Principles of Engineering	Therodynamics

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List of Potential Jobs in Mechanical Engineering

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Test Engineering	Administration
Design	Development
Engineering Education	Project Management
Research	Sales Engineering

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What is the Median Salary Range for Mechanical Engineering Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Mechanical Engineering

MyMajors complete list has 715 schools in the USA with a major in Mechanical Engineering.
-View the national listing!

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