Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

Unit 1: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering   The first unit of this course will allow you to take a close look at the mechanical engineering profession and learn about what differentiates it from other technical fields.  We will examine what engineers—specifically, mechanical engineers—contribute to the workforce.  You will also learn about the areas in which engineers can work or contribute professionally.

We will then take a look at the design side of the engineering profession.  Many look upon this as the “core” element of engineering.  You will learn about project management and identify ways to successfully contribute to a group effort.  This unit will also explain the product design process, an essential element in mechanical engineering.  This Unit will also cover professional ethics, oral, and written communication.  You will use many of these skills in the final unit of this course and in several subsequent courses in the curriculum.
Unit 1 Time Advisory   show
Unit 1 Learning Outcomes   show

1.1 The Mechanical Engineer  
1.1.1 What Is Engineering?  
• Reading: Johns Hopkins University: “What Is Engineering?”
• Web Media: MIT’s TechTV: “What Is Engineering?”
1.1.2 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering  
• Reading: Michigan Technological University: “What Is Mechanical Engineering?”
• Web Media: Google Videos: Glasgow University: Professor Margaret Lucas’ “What Is Mechanical Engineering?”
• Web Media: YouTube: Columbia SEAS: “Introduction to Mechanical Engineering”
1.1.3 What Can You Do With Mechanical Engineering?  
• Web Media: YouTube: Melbourne School of Engineering’s “What Can You Do with Mechanical Engineering?”
1.1.4 The Cutting Edge of Mechanical Engineering  
• Reading: University of California at Berkeley’s “Disciplines and Focus Areas”
• Web Media: American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) Website
1.2 Engineering Design   Note: This section on engineering design will be revisited in upper-division courses and especially when you begin your final design project.

1.2.1 Introduction to the Design Process  
• Web Media: YouTube: Gray Wolf Innovations’ “Mechanical Engineering—The Design Process”
1.2.2 Project Management  
• Web Media: YouTube: “Getting Started With Project Management—An Introduction”
1.2.3 Project Scheduling and Example  
• Web Media: YouTube: True Solutions, Inc’s “Developing Project Schedule”
• Web Media: ”YouTube: VoseSoftware’s “Project Schedule Example”
1.2.4 Team Project Environments  
• Web Media: YouTube: “Building Effective Project Teams”
1.3 Measurements, Units , and Conversions  
• Reading: Wikibooks "Introduction to Chemical Engineering Processes/Units"
• Web Media: YouTube: “Unit Conversions”
• Web Media: YouTube: “How to Convert Units of Measure”