Mechanical Engineering Circuits
Rubi Strycker
Electrical engineering focuses on the study and application of electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics. This includes designing, developing, and testing electrical systems such as power generation, transmission, and distribution. Mechanical engineering, on the other hand, deals with the design, development, and production of mechanical systems and devices. This can include anything from engines and machines to vehicles and robots.
Both electrical and mechanical engineering fields have strong job prospects. However, the demand for electrical engineers is expected to grow faster due to the increasing reliance on technology and renewable energy sources. Mechanical engineering jobs are also projected to grow, but at a slower pace.
In general, electrical engineers tend to have higher salaries compared to mechanical engineers. This is because electrical engineers work with more complex and specialized technology, which requires specialized skills and knowledge. However, salaries can vary depending on factors such as industry, location, and experience.
Both fields require a strong foundation in math and science, as well as problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Electrical engineers should also have a strong understanding of circuits, electronics, and computer programming. Mechanical engineers should have a good grasp of mechanics, materials, and thermodynamics.
Yes, it is possible to switch between electrical and mechanical engineering during your career. Many engineers have transferable skills and can easily transition between the two fields. However, it may require additional education or training to gain the necessary knowledge and skills for the new field.
The Engineering A.S. degree provides a comprehensive exposure to engineering and pre-engineering fundamentals in preparation for upper-division engineering courses. The program also prepares students for entry-level employment as technicians in a variety of technical industries. The AS Engineering degree is highly customizable, providing flexibility to meet a variety of student and industry needs.
For students planning to transfer to a 4-year University:
Transfer requirements vary. In general, transfer students should plan on taking specific courses that articulate with required courses at their chosen transfer institution. Transfer students are advised to consult with an FLC counselor, www.assist.org, and FLC engineering faculty to plan their programs.
For students planning to complete only the A.S. degree at this time:
The Engineering AS degree provides a highly customizable terminal AS degree to prepare students for entry level employment as engineering technicians in a variety of industries. The degree provides a foundation in pre-engineering fundamentals, as well as some exposure to engineering.
The Engineering Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See FLC graduation requirements.
Transfer students upon completion of the B.S. degree may expect to find employment in a variety of engineering specialties, such as: Aerospace Engineer; Architectural Engineer; Biomedical Engineer; Chemical Engineer; Civil Engineer; Computer Engineer; Electrical Engineer; Mechanical Engineer, and other types of engineers.Students completing the A.S. degree may seek employment in various technical and support jobs in a variety of industries.
This is an introductory course in the fundamentals of designing digital computer hardware. This course covers: logic gates, binary number system, conversion between number systems, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, combinational logic, digital logic design, flip-flops, programmable logic devices (PLDs), counters, registers, memories, state machines, designing combinational logic and state machines into PLDs, and basic computer architecture. The lab is design oriented and emphasizes the use of software equation entry tools, schematic entry, and logic simulation tools. Lab assignments are design oriented. This course is required for Electrical/Electronics Engineering and Computer Engineering majors at some universities. This course is also helpful for Computer Science majors, electronics technicians, and for students wishing to sample computer engineering.
This course applies the graphical tools needed to analyze, interpret, and solve engineering problems. The engineering design process is taught using manual tools and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) tools to solve typical engineering problems. Topics include descriptive geometry, vector graphics, orthogonal projection, primary and secondary auxiliary views, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), 3D solid modeling, and an introduction to finite element analysis (FEA) tools. This course is intended for mechanical and civil engineering majors, but may also be required for other programs.
This course will provide engineering students with circuit analysis concepts and applications that will be of value in any engineering field as well as a solid foundation for electrical engineering and related majors. The course includes the analysis of circuits with resistors, inductors, capacitors, and independent and dependent voltage and current sources. Many analysis techniques will be applied to DC and AC circuits. Differential equations will be used to find the transient response of circuits. Power calculations will be performed on both DC and AC circuits, including an introduction to three-phase AC power. This course is required for most engineering Bachelors of Science degrees.
This is the first course in engineering mechanics. Topics in this course include two and three dimensional force system analysis using vector techniques, moments and couples in two and three dimensions, centroids and moment of inertia, friction, forces in beams, and truss analysis. This course is required for mechanical, civil, aeronautical engineering transfer students and by some electrical engineering programs.
The Bachelors of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree in Mechanical Engineering (ME) at the University of Michigan requires students to complete 128 credit hours of courses in various categories, which include: College of Engineering (CoE) core, intellectual breadth, ME program specific courses, and general electives. Each of these categories and their corresponding requirements are described in the Program Requirements section. Information on how to declare ME, prerequisites and co-requisites, planning your schedule, and other general guidance are described below. For information on concentrations, minors, study abroad, dual and joint degrees, and combined undergraduate/graduate degrees please visit the Additional Academic Options section.
If you have met the above requirements, please email a request to declare to the Academic Services Office ([email protected]). We will review your degree audit, confirm your eligibility to declare, invite you to a Declaration Orientation, and complete a long-term degree plan with you.
The College of Engineering (CoE) requires that every engineering student, regardless of their proposed engineering major, complete specific courses in the core subjects of mathematics, engineering, chemistry, and physics. Required CoE Core courses are listed below with the number of credits for each course given in parenthesis:
*AP Computer Science credit (EECS 180) on its own does not fulfill the ME programming requirements. All students need one programming class taken at the University of Michigan and documentation of some experience with MATLAB and C++ or closely related languages to fulfill the ME programming requirement. ENGR 190.002 is a 2 credit MATLAB course is recommended. Other examples include ENGR 101, ENGR 151, and EECS 280, or their transfer credit equivalents. These and other programming or computational classes can be considered by departmental petition. Students are recommended to discuss requirements further with the program advisor by first emailing [email protected]. If the programming class is usable towards other degree requirements (e.g. the Specialization Elective), it is permissible to direct the class taken at U-M to fulfill that requirement and retroactively apply EECS 180 to the ENGR 101 requirements.
For more information regarding the CoE Core course requirements, please visit the CoE Bulletin. As a general guide, the 100 level CoE Core courses should be completed during or before your freshman year, and the 200 level CoE Core courses should be completed during or before your sophomore year.
As part of the above CoE Core requirements, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requires that all CoE students complete 32 credits of non-engineering coursework in math and science during their undergraduate degree: with a minimum of 16 credits from math and including some laboratory-based science credits.
Within the ME program, there are additional categories of program specific courses. These include ME Core courses, Electives (400-level technical elective, core technical electives, and specialization elective), Advanced Math, and EECS 314/215. For detailed ME course descriptions, please visit the ME Course List.
The ME Core courses consist of five major areas: Design and Manufacturing, Mechanics and Materials, Dynamics and Controls, Thermal Sciences, and Laboratories and Technical Communication. In total, there are 45 credits of required ME Core courses; and together these subjects represent the fundamental technical competencies every mechanical engineering student must learn. A minimum letter grade, as noted in table above, must be obtained in each course, and it cannot be taken Pass/Fail. The chart below outlines the courses from each of the core areas:
Notes: ENGR, ENTR, practicum, and seminar courses will not be accepted as a Specialization Elective. You may use any 3 or 4 credit course from the approved Advanced Math List to count as a Specialization Elective. This can count after completing the 3 credit Advanced Math requirement.
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