Specializations Offered in Mechanical Engineering

What are the specializations offered in mechanical engineering? Every engineering degree comes with a variety of areas of specialization. Students in their last year of study (i.e. after 6th semester), have to opt certain optional subjects based on their area of interest. These subjects build the baseline for specialization area. Not all engineering degrees offer detailed technical education about each and every aspect of related technology. Only basic courses related to all areas of specializations are taught to mechanical engineers so that they get a basic understanding of all subjects.

Talking specifically about areas of specialization in mechanical engineering, let us first understand what mechanical engineering students are taught during four years of undergraduate degree program. It all starts from some basic courses of physics and mathematics. After you graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, you just have a basic understanding and information about so many subjects that will be enough for you to prosper in any specialized field of work related to mechanical engineering.

Fluid Mechanics or Hydraulics: Mechanical engineers who find themselves interested in fluids and hydraulics, opt for specialization in fluid mechanics or hydraulics. This specialization course enables mechanical engineers to work in industries like dams, irrigation, agriculture and hydraulics.
 

Materials Engineering: Materials play a vital role in product development and innovation. New composite materials are being developed as per requirement of products. A basic degree in mechanical engineering combined with specialization in materials engineering gives an edge to those engineers who find themselves inclined towards production, research and manufacturing.
 

Nanotechnology: Nanomaterials are the next big thing. They are being used in every sector from health industry to robotics etc. This is little advanced specialization than materials engineering.
 

Biomedical Engineering: Biomedical engineering (BME) is the study of engineering principles and design procedures to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes (e.g. diagnostic or therapeutic).
 

Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, and Energy Systems: In this area of specialization, principles of thermodynamics, and heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation) are taught in detail. Thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics are closely related to each other.
 

Automobiles: Mechanical engineers who specialize in automobiles after basic degree in mechanical engineering are taught subjects related to IC Engines, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, power generation, Electric motors, automobile design, Engines etc.
 

Robotics, Automation & Control: As the name is very obvious, students inclined towards robots opt for subjects related to robotics, automation and control. This is a specialized field of mechanical engineering which requires knowledge and understanding of computer languages as well as basic electronics.
 

Transportation Systems: Courses in transportation systems enable mechanical engineers in understanding modern systems introduced in bullet trains, metro trains, aviation, airplanes etc.
 

Engineering Design: Mechanical engineers with specialization in engineering design are required in industries which required designing new products at large scale. This includes consultants, design firms, and contractors etc.
 

HVAC: Heat, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) deals with installation of large scale air conditioning in multi-story buildings, factories, mines etc.
 

Oil and Gas: Oil and gas sector deals with exploration of oil and gas fields etc. This is highly paid specialization in mechanical engineering due to onsite tough nature of the job. Specialization in oil and gas after degree in mechanical engineering is quite rewarding these days.
 

Nuclear Energy: Mechanical engineers who are employed by nuclear sector are sent on training and educational programs with specialization in nuclear energy.
 

Marine Engineering: Some mechanical engineers opt to study marine engineering after basic degree in mechanical engineering.
 

Learn more about courses taught in mechanical engineering and basic concepts of mechanical engineering to understand things in detail.