Studied mechanical engineering

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The study of mechanical engineering is a study of the engineering discipline of mechanical engineering and can be completed at universities , technical colleges and vocational academies . It mainly deals with the design and production of various machines, devices and apparatus and then enables a job as a mechanical engineer in various industries, including mechanical engineering , the automotive industry and aerospace engineering .

degrees

The first degree is the bachelor's degree , which is usually obtained after six semesters , sometimes after seven or eight semesters. Afterwards, it is possible to pursue a master’s degree , which leads to a degree after a total of ten semesters (including bachelor’s). Until about 2010 there were diploma courses in all engineering sciences with the degree of Diplom-Ingenieur , which started around 1900 and together with the academic degree of Dr.-Ing. , which is awarded to this day. Dual courses of study that are linked to vocational training , for example to become a cutting machine operator or technical draftsman, are also widespread .

At the beginning of the bachelor's degree, the more theoretical, mathematical and scientific basics are on the timetable, which typically make up four semesters, followed by engineering basics. Later either specializations (construction, production engineering, ...) follow or there is a range of elective subjects with in-depth engineering subjects to choose from. The focus areas offered vary greatly depending on the university. Subjects of general mechanical engineering, dealing with design and manufacturing are available almost everywhere, universities near major sites of the automotive industry often offer the automotive technology as a specialization of at offshore locations often shipbuilding . Further possible specializations deal with topics related to independent engineering sciences such as mechatronics , materials engineering or process engineering . Some areas such as automotive engineering, production engineering or aerospace engineering are also available as independent courses that are very similar to mechanical engineering.

In the master’s program, the specializations of the bachelor’s program are continued.

The first German graduate mechanical engineer was Ilse Knott-ter Meer (1899–1996), who later also became the first woman in the Association of German Engineers (VDI). The proportion of women studying mechanical engineering is around 20%.

Structure of the Bachelor courses

As with many other engineering courses, the bachelor's degree is divided into the basic subjects, which, in addition to some general engineering basics, mainly concern mathematical and scientific basics. Later there is a specialization in sub-disciplines of mechanical engineering or closely related engineering sciences. Sometimes a pre-study internship is required at the beginning, sometimes a specialist internship towards the end of the course. The conclusion is the bachelor thesis.

Basic subjects

Basic subjects, roughly in the order in which they are taken:

  • Higher Mathematics : Especially Analysis and Linear Algebra .
  • Physics : Sometimes an overview is taught of subjects that still follow as independent subjects such as mechanics, electrical engineering and thermodynamics, sometimes subjects are taught for which this does not apply, such as acoustics and optics.
  • Technical mechanics : mainly deals with the calculation of forces in components and their effects (deformation, breakage). More areas in mechanical engineering, the machine dynamics , the rotor dynamics and the dynamics
  • Electrical engineering : Since modern machines are often driven by electric motors and have the appropriate controls, in addition to general basics (electrical and magnetic fields, electrical circuits, ...), it is primarily about electrical machines and controls.
  • Design theory : The general basics include reading and creating technical drawings , fits and tolerances , as well as methodical design. The design theory is closely related to the machine elements.
  • Machine elements : simple parts such as screws, pins, bolts and springs to more complex composite parts such as ball bearings, gears, clutches and brakes.
  • Materials technology : The main topics dealt with are the mechanical parameters (strength, hardness) of the typical mechanical engineering materials steel and cast iron, but also ceramics and polymers (plastics).
  • Technical thermodynamics : covers various phenomena in which heat and energy conversions play a role. In mechanical engineering, the calculation of the efficiency is important. Thermodynamics is particularly important in the design and analysis of heat engines (Otto and diesel engines, gas turbines, etc.).
  • Fluid mechanics : Treats the flow of gases and liquids, for example in turbines, rocket engines, the aerodynamics of airplanes or flows in pumps and pipelines.
  • Manufacturing technology : deals with the various manufacturing processes such as casting, forging, milling, welding, coating or hardening, as well as the associated machines and tools.
  • Measurement technology : In mechanical engineering, the measurement of dimensions (lengths) and roughness is particularly important.
  • Control engineering: deals with dynamic systems and how certain measured values ​​can be adjusted to desired setpoints. Control technology is closely linked to measurement technology and control technology .

Depending on the university, the compulsory subjects also include a “non-technical elective subject”, introductions to computer science and computer-aided technologies such as CAD , finite element method or numerics . Sometimes they are taught as independent subjects, sometimes integrated into other subjects such as construction theory, and sometimes they are reserved for the specializations.

Indentations

The specialization subjects or directions offered depend to a greater extent than the basic subjects on the respective university. Are widely used construction equipment and production technology, which at the careers of designer and production engineer oriented.

Further major subjects and directions:

Structure of a diploma course

The 9 to 10 semester university course (at the UAS usually eight semesters) was divided into a basic course and a main course. In the basic course in mechanical engineering, the basic subjects such as higher mathematics , physics , technical mechanics , design theory with technical drawing , materials science , electrical engineering , etc. were taught, which should provide the prospective engineer with the technical basis for further specialization in the main course. Furthermore, non-technical subjects such as accounting or language courses had to be taken in order to ensure the broadest possible education.

In the main course, depending on the inclination and choice of the main subjects, certain sub-areas were deepened. For example, could automation technology , the power engineering , the automotive engineering , the manufacturing technology , the house and building technology , the mechanics , the Mechatronics , the fluid mechanics , the thermodynamics or the process technology to be selected.

In addition to a basic internship in metalworking and a number of internal university internships, the study regulations of universities and technical colleges usually stipulate longer industrial internships.

outlook

A mechanical engineer can obtain a Dr.-Ing. do a doctorate, with an average time of around five years being expected.

There are different opinions about the career prospects for specialist engineers. While VDMA managing director Hannes Hesse stated that "the shortage of skilled workers [...] is likely to become the overriding bottleneck factor for economic growth in Germany in the long run ," a study by DIW states : "There are hardly any signs of a currently significant shortage of skilled workers in Germany . "

The starting salaries vary depending on the industry and the size of the company. According to the employer-related Association of German Engineers , you earn around 47,000 euros gross per year in the lower development level.

Due to the current development in the energy market, machine builders from the fields of energy and environmental technology as well as process engineering are offered a particularly large number of opportunities. Here, the play renewable energy an important role.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Skolaut: Maschnenbau , Springer, 2014, pp. 3–5.
  2. ↑ Research & Teaching : Successful Dr.-Ing. ( Memento of the original from September 24, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , PDF, July 2011, issue 7/11, p. 534 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.forschung-und-lehre.de
  3. ↑ German mechanical engineering calls for immigration concept ( memento of the original from August 26, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / de.nachrichten.yahoo.com
  4. ↑ Shortage of skilled workers not yet in sight
  5. ↑ ENGINEERING INCOME: EAST GERMANY HAS COLLECTED STRONGLY ( Memento of the original from November 1, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ingenieurkarriere.de

Web links