Students taking core courses for a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering learn about the fundamentals of mechanical devices. Students explore how to design, research and develop various mechanical machines. Read on further to learn about core classes required in a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Overview of Core Courses
Core courses are classes that each student hoping to earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering must take. They can be viewed as the foundation courses of the subject upon which other courses or electives may build. They may be lectures or they may be labs. Sometimes a program may allow a student to specialize in a particular area. In this case, a student takes core fundamental mechanical engineering courses, along with core courses relating to the specialization.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutCoursesInABachelorSDegreeInMechanicalEngineering">Important Facts About Courses in a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Online Availability </td><td> Traditional classroom and online options available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> Master's and doctoral degrees available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Mechanical engineer, project engineer, manufacturing engineer, product engineer, design engineer</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Creativity, problem solving, computer competency, goal-oriented, decision making, multitasking, time management, proficient oral and written communication</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (May 2021) </td><td> $95,300</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Growth (2021-2031) </td><td> 2%</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---FirstToSecondYear">First to Second Year</h3><p>Generally, during the first two years of a bachelor's program, students start with required courses from other engineering disciplines, mathematics and the sciences. The first year is introductory. In some programs, courses in the second year begin to build on introductory first-year material. These courses may include:
</p><ul><li>Chemistry (lecture and labs)
</li><li>Computer programming
</li><li>Digital design
</li><li>Circuits
</li><li>Ethics for engineers
</li><li>Physics
</li><li>Calculus
</li><li>Linear algebra
</li><li>Academic and technical writing
</li><li>Computer-aided drafting (CAD)
</li></ul><h3 id="section---SecondToFourthYears">Second to Fourth Years</h3><p>Students begin taking core courses in mechanical engineering somewhere between their second and third years. This is advanced material and subject matter related to the area of specialization if one has been chosen. Advanced core courses in mechanical engineering may include:
</p><ul><li>Vector mechanics (statics and dynamics)
</li><li>Material strength
</li><li>Engineering thermodynamics
</li><li>Numerical methods
</li><li>Heat transfer
</li><li>Material processing
</li><li>Engineering applications labs
</li><li>System dynamics
</li></ul><h3 id="section---SpecializationCoreCourses">Specialization Core Courses</h3><p>Students may be allowed to choose a specialization to more directly focus their studies. To provide an example, the following list indicates core courses associated with a specialization in thermo-sciences energy and design structures of machines:
</p><ul><li>Thermo-sciences energy
<ul><li>Engines (internal combustion)
</li><li>Heat transfer mechanics
</li><li>Thermal systems design
</li><li>Air conditioning, heating and ventilation
</li><li>Heat exchangers (industrial)
</li></ul></li><li>Design structure of machines
<ul><li>Industrial robotics
</li><li>Machine design
</li><li>Mechanical vibrations
</li><li>Computer-aided manufacturing
</li><li>Electric machinery</li></ul></li></ul>
