Mechanical Engineering?

Question

I was wondering what is the daily life of a mechanical engineer?

Is it exciting, boring etc. I'm stuck between Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering. What would you recommend as your career between these two fields? Thanks

Answer 1

Mechanical engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the application of principles of physics for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It requires a solid understanding of core concepts including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics and energy. Mechanical engineers use the core principles as well as other knowledge in the field to design and analyze motor vehicles, aircraft, heating and cooling systems, watercraft, manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, robotics, medical devices and more.

Biomedical engineering is the application of engineering principles and techniques to the medical field. It combines the design and problem solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to help improve patient health care and the quality of life of individuals.

As a relatively new discipline, much of the work in biomedical engineering consists of research and development, covering an array of fields: bioinformatics, medical imaging, image processing, physiological signal processing, biomechanics, biomaterials and bioengineering, systems analysis, 3-D modeling, etc. Examples of concrete applications of biomedical engineering are the development and manufacture of biocompatible prostheses, medical devices, diagnostic devices and imaging equipment such as MRIs and EEGs, and pharmaceutical drugs.

It really depends on your interests. I suggest you take classes in both and see which you prefer to be honest. Engineers won't be doing the same things every day so you won't burn out, but you should still go with something you love to do. In my opinion, becoming a biomedical engineer is much more difficult than becoming a mechanical engineer. On the other hand, mechanical engineers are sort of like the "jack of all trades" of engineering. You'll learn about most of the engineering disciplines and you can go to graduate school for not only mechanical engineering, but other fields as well. Good luck.

Answer 2

Well, there are many different specialty fields within mechanical engineering.  I recently graduated with a degree in ME and I have done basic design work on various machinery, but some of my friends do finite element design using FEMAP, while others do more with the consulting/management of projects. I consider the design work very interesting because the 3D programs allow you to create new products and some programs allow for animation and simulation.  That being said it can be tedious at times and involve several hours of work on one design, depending on the project.

Mechanical engineering is a very diverse field and a degree in this field allows for multiple opportunities, i.e. structural design analysis using Nastran/Patran FEMAP, Fluid flow analysis using fluant could be used with HVAC, Basic assembly designs using Pro-E, Inventor, Solidworks, and along with this there is project management where you have to manage the entire engineering project.  So, I feel that there are several avenues you can take in the ME field as to not get bored.  The pay is also great.  My friends and I make between 45-85,000.00 a year and the average amount at least in Virginia is around 54,000.

Answer 3

Both are good and exciting. Both have societies, journals, etc. There are also hybrids like robotic prostetic legs & arms. I went ME in 85' with no regrets. Still find it exciting. I do design similar to one of the prior respondees.

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