Mechanical
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest disciplines of engineering. As a mechanical engineer you could work in product design, manufacturing or industrial management. You could create and build mechanical devices ranging from spacecraft to artificial limbs, from pollution control devices to computer-controlled robots.
Mechanical engineers use physics and math to solve problems in our everyday lives. Their focus is on making the world a better place by creating components and systems that perform efficiently, consistently, safely and that are environmentally sound.
Options
Mechanical Engineering may involve any or all aspects of the design, manufacture, fabrication, alteration, installation, selection, specification, testing, maintenance, operation, and control of components and machines or complex electromechanical systems. We offer the following options to allow you to follow your interests and prepare for your career:
- Biomedical: This is an exciting area designed for students who want to prepare for a medical degree or a career in biomedical engineering while completing their Mechanical engineering program. Biomedical engineering prepares you to work in medical technology industries such as diagnostic monitoring, therapeutic devices, drug delivery systems, health care information systems and for research areas such a biosignal processing and biomechanics.
- Mechantronics: This is an integrated approach to mechanical and electronic systems for the design of “smart” products and “intelligent” manufacturing systems.
- Nuclear and Power Plant Engineering: This prepares you to work in the power production industry.
The Undergraduate Calendar provides more details on these options.
What Can You Be With A Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering?
Because mechanical engineering is so broad, the possibilities for employment are virtually endless! Mechanical engineers are in high demand, worldwide. Whether you work in research and development, manage large-scale industrial projects, or adapt technology for developing nations, you can find the career that is right for you:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Power Engineer
Search for Careers for more career possibilities.
With additional education/training…
- University/College Professor
- Teacher
- Engineering Consultant
- Research Consultant
- Physician
- Lawyers
- Entrepreneur
Where Can You Work?
You may work in a laboratory, a research center, an executive office or an outdoor construction site – in Canada or anywhere in the world. There are jobs for mechanical engineers in almost every area of industry. Here are a few:
- Aeronautics
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Biomedical
- Fluid Dynamics
- Industrial Processes and Manufacturing
- Industrial Robotics
- Micro Robotics
- Nuclear Power
- Power Generation
- Renewable Energy
- Thermodynamics
- Transportation
What Skills Can You Develop?
Engineering graduates develop a broad scientific and engineering background and in-depth subject knowledge. Employers value your technical and subject knowledge and the wide range of tranferable skills you’ll acquire through your degree. These skills include:
- Excellent mathematical and computing skills
- Drawing (both sketching and CAD)
- Oral communications skills – making presentations, brainstorming, discussion of laboratory work, participation in meetings
- Written communications skills – design and research project and reports, literature reviews, writing notes from project meetings
- Organizational skills – managing work load, labs, project and report deadlines; task management, planning
- Interpersonal skills – teamwork, group dynamics, problem solving
- Research and analytic skills – finding, summarizing, critiquing texts and papers; data handling and analysis
Professional Associations & Resources
Professional associations can be a great way to meet, learn from and network with professionals in your field of interest. Some associations offer student memberships, often at a reduced rate. Below is a sample of professional associations and industry-related websites you can explore.
- Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada
- Canadian Academy of Engineering
- Canadian Council of Professional Engineers
- Canadian Federation of Engineering Students
- Canadian Society of Professional Engineers
- Engineering Institute of Canada
- Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- The International Association of Mechanical Engineers
- Society of Automotive Engineers
- Institute of Transportation Engineers
- International Federation of Robotics
Contact the Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Head Hall, Room E-41
University of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton NB
E3B 5A3
Contact Information
Website: http://www.me.unb.ca/
