Charlie Grochowiak

Mechanical Engineering
9/11/2013

WTSN 111-A54

Outline
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Why do I want to be a Mechanical Engineer?
Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton
Faculty
Research

9/11/2013

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Overview of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is the discipline of engineering that involves the use of
primarily physics and materials science for the design of mechanical systems.
This means that mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture, and
test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices.
Some things mechanical engineers may work on designing:

Electric generators
Internal combustion engines
Steam and gas turbines
Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment
Machine tools
Mechanical engineers also design tools needed by other engineers for their work

Material handling systems

Elevators and escalators
Industrial production equipment
Robots used in manufacturing

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WTSN 111-A54

Working as a Mechanical
Engineer
Mechanical Engineering is
one of the broadest
engineering disciplines, and
therefore there are a wide
variety of jobs that a degree
in Mechanical Engineering
prepares a student for.
Most mechanical engineers
today work with computer
programs such as CAD when
designing their projects.
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Cad Crank by Freeformer, 2005.

Wikipedia
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Mechanical Engineering as a Major

A major in Mechanical Engineering involves lots of math, chemistry,
physics, and materials science classes.
As with other engineering majors, it is a good idea to get some kind of
work experience such as an internship or co-op before graduating.
As other engineering degrees, the job market for Mechanical
Engineers is great. A job snapshot from the Wall Street Journal said
that only 3.1 % of mechanical engineers were unemployed in 2012. A
U.S.News report stated that the median salary of mechanical
engineers in 2011 was about $80,000.
Most ME jobs require only a Bachelors degree to start out. Students
can choose to get a Masters degree as well, depending on what kinds
of positions they want to fill in their career (more leadership and
responsibility requires more education).
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Why Mechanical Engineering?

For me, there are three main reasons to be an
engineer:
1. The classes which I enjoyed the most and was most
successful in in high school were math and science
courses.
2. I enjoy designing and building things.
3. The job market for engineers is very stable and
engineers are always needed. Also, the average
salary of an engineer is relatively high, especially for
entry-level positions.

9/11/2013

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Why Mechanical Engineering?

Ive chosen mechanical engineering specifically as the
discipline which I would like to go into because it
interests me the most. More specifically, I am
interested because:
I like physics and greatly enjoyed my high school physics
class.
I think mechanical engineering is more appealing because of
how broad it is. Mechanical Engineers can work on anything
from automotive design to agricultural tools to renewable
energy sources.
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WTSN 111-A54

Mechanical Engineering
Faculty
Ronald Miles
Ron Miles current research interests include the development of
biologically-inspired microacoustic sensors. Miles course
offerings are in the areas of vibrations, dynamics and acoustics.

Frank Cardullo
Frank Cardullo conducts research in the area of man-machine
systems. He is also an active consultant in this area for many
aerospace companies and U.S. government agencies. Prior to
joining the faculty, Cardullo spent 14 years as an engineer in the
simulation industry, most of it with Link.

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Mechanical Engineering Research at

Binghamton
There are many different kinds of research projects going
on in the Mechanical Engineering department.
Materials research
Nanomaterials, photovoltaic devices, thin films and surfaces, thermal
management, electronics packaging, and rechargeable batteries

Biotechnology
Microfluidic devices for cancer treatment, single-molecule protein and DNA
dynamics, woud-dressing and prevention of infection, remote robotic
surgery, and miniature directional hearing aids.

Solid Mechanics
Structure-property relationships of thin films/coatings, mechanical
behavior of materials at nano- and microscales, and microstructure design.
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Conclusion
Mechanical engineering is a broad field that primarily
uses math and physics to analyze and design
machines and mechanical systems.
This appeals to me because I am interested in physics
and enjoy making and building designs.
Binghamton is a great place to study mechanical
engineering. The faculty in the department are well
qualified and are engaged in many interesting
research projects.
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