IS MECHATRONICS BETTER THAN MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING?

Question

I have just passed my 12th std. and have applied for admission in the university i have two choices

1. Mechanical

2. Mechatronics

Which is better

PS: i am a lot in cars and stuff like that and also in electronic circuits

Answer 1

I am a junior in mechanical engineering and one of the senior level courses I will take is in mechatronics.  It seems to me that mechatronics is a cross between mechanical and electronics.  Hence the name.  I think it is more associated with robotics.  If you love cars, go for mechanical.  It is much broader, and you can have the basics to know all of the mechanical parts, such as the axles, brakes, etc.  As well as the electric parts such as fuses, batteries.  Also there are several heating and thermal aspects of a car.  That would also be covered in mechaniccal, a very broad field of engineering.  Also a little bit of mechatronics...how the electricity powers the mechanical.  Or so i believe.

Answer 2

Will your state or province's engineering licensing body recognize "mechatronics" as an engineering discipline?  If not, and you want a license, choose B.Eng (Mechanical) or B.Eng (Electrical) instead.

Answer 3

When you graduate, you will want a "hiring authority" (I'm thinking old guy) who knows what MechaTronics *IS*, and thinks he needs it.  If you think there might be a shortage of such people, you will need to get their attention, and explain enthusiastically what it is, and why it is better than a mechanical or electrical engineer.  

He may also feel that he will need a *supervisor* who knows about MechaTronics before he hires you.