What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and oldest branches of engineering.  Mechanical engineers are involved with the design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, control, operation, and maintenance of mechanical systems - that is, any system that has a moving part!   Mechanical systems can vary greatly in complexity and magnitude from the valve in an artificial heart to a car engine to a mammoth nuclear power plant.  It deals with all aspects of the conversion of thermal energy into useful work and the machines that make this possible.

 

This seems awfully broad, right?  Although that is one of the great advantages to mechanical engineering (and why the world always needs mechanical engineers!) our students do earn a concentration during their senior year.  Concentrations give you the chance to specialize in one area of mechanical engineering.  You can choose to take elective courses all related to your concentration, or choose a few outside your concentration to maintain a slightly broader background - your choice! 

 

 We offer concentrations in:

1.  Applied Mechanics

2.  Automotive Engineering

3.  Biomechanical Systems

4.  Design and Manufacturing

5.  Dynamics, Vibrations, and Controls

6.  Energy Systems

7.  Nuclear Engineering

 

Want to learn more about each concentration?  Great - click HERE! 

 

Has mechanical engineering caught your interest? 

Read on for some more information specific to Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State!

Course Topics

All engineering students at Ohio State begin their studies with math, chemistry, physics, and the Fundamentals of Engineering sequence!  Once these background courses are complete, students who select mechanical engineering as their major study:

  • Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Dynamics, & Strength of Materials - the study of the effects of external forces on stationary and moving objects, and on materials
  • Thermodynamics - the study of the development of motion (work) from heat
  • Fluid Mechanics - the study of external forces on stationary and moving fluids
  • Heat Transfer - the study of the flow of heat from warm objects to cool objects, and how to control this transfer of energy
  • Machine Element Design - the study of the pieces and parts that make up machines, and how to design them to meet required specifications
  • Kinematics - the study of how objects move 
  • Manufacturing Engineering - the study of manufacturing processes
  • Electrical Circuits, Devices, and Controls
  • Measurements and Controls - how to take measurements, and how to control motion based on these measurements
  • Design - how to incorporate all of the above into the design of a product or a measurement system! 

Honors Programs

Students of superior academic ability may qualify to participate in honors programs offered by the University, by the College of Engineering, and by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  These programs are coordinated with one another to provide the exceptional student with the opportunities and resources to take advanced classes, participate in undergraduate research, and graduate with honors from the University. 

Theory and Application

The mechanical engineering program at Ohio State is designed both to teach the background theory of engineering and also the application of these principles! 

Students are required to take laboratory courses in:

  • Measurements
  • Failure and Stress Analysis
  • System Dynamics
  • Controls

Students also participate in a senior design capstone course in which they complete projects in both product and measurement system design. 

You may also be interested in joining one of the College of Engineer's student project teams, where you will be able to start applying your studies right away!  Check out the student project teams most popular with our students, and see if there's one you'd like to join!