Scope of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering. It is also referred to as the ‘mother’ branch of engineering. Another appealing feature of mechanical engineering is that the application base of this field of study is extremely broad and diverse. Almost all inventions during the ancient period and a vast majority in the modern era are direct contributions of one or the other application of mechanics.

Mechanical Engineering finds applications almost in all fields of technology. The main job of a mechanical engineer is to make things work.These “things” can be car engines, airplanes engines, power plants, air conditioners, lawn mowers or even exercise equipment.

Mechanical engineers can thus get employed in nearly every industry whether private or public sector, with most working for manufacturing firms and a considerable number, working in consulting services.

Mechanical Engineering is associated with designing machines, analyzing and manufacturing mechanical production and systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest Engineering. Mechanical engineers create and build mechanical devices. They apply the fundamentals of science and math to create practical, useful solutions that the rest of us can use.

Traditionally, mechanical engineers have to deal with concepts such as mechanics, thermodynamics, robotics, kinematics, structural analysis, fluid mechanics and many others. These concepts are applied in the process of designing state-of-the-art manufacturing units, different types of motor vehicles, aircraft and aerospace parts and a vast assortment of industrial machinery. Mechanical engineers also contribute in the development of various engines, power plant equipment, heating and cooling systems and other simple and complex machinery. Mechanical engineers not only design new mechanical systems but they are also responsible for testing, maintaining and manufacturing them.

The aforementioned are the conventional roles and responsibilities of mechanical engineers. However, times have changed. Nowadays the scope of mechanical engineering is expanding beyond its traditional boundaries. Mechanical engineers are focusing their attention towardsnew areasof research such as nanotechnology, development of composite materials, biomedical applications, environmental conservationetc.

The ever increasing scope of this particular job profile now requires professionals to get into financial and marketing aspects of product development and even into people and resource management. All in all mechanical engineering offers a wide bouquet of job options to students who are looking for a stable and stimulating career.