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JOB PROSPECTS FOR MECHANICAL
GRADUATES
Mechanical engineering is one of the
largest and broadest
engineering
disciplines, involving topics such as
machinery, kinematics, thermodynamics,
fluid flow, materials science, structural
analysis, engines, robotics, vehicles (air,
ground, sea, and space), and energy
generation. Because of this breadth,
career options are flexible and are
largely
determined
by
individual
preferences. As mechanical engineers,
they could be involved in design,
research, development, manufacture,
maintenance,
marketing,
or
administration. The new innovative
technologies or processes, created by
mechanical
engineers,
drive
the
industrial progress of society and affect
every aspect of human life. There are
demands for mechanical engineers in
nearly every area of industry: aerospace,
automotive,
chemical,
computer,
communications,
nanotechnology,
robotics, and power generation. This is a
valuable career advantage in our
continuously changing modern society.
At the University of Malaya, the students
will be given the tools to determine the
direction of their future career. The
students will begin their study by taking
fundamental engineering courses like:
materials sciences, fluid mechanics, and
thermodynamics. This will give the
students a broad base of engineering
knowledge. Later subjects like: product
design and development, control
engineering, vibration mechanics, and
advanced elective courses will deepen
their knowledge in specific areas of
mechanical engineering. The students
will have the opportunity to apply the
multidisciplinary engineering skills they
learn in a series of laboratory courses
and practical programs such as:
integrated engineering design, industrial
training, and a final year research
project. This will enable the students to
make smart choices as they enter their
new career and be adequately equipped
to succeed.
FIRST YEAR
Year 1 provides an understanding of the fundamental mechanical engineering
principles. It emphasizes concepts and techniques which define the core of engineering
analysis, and equips students with additional mathematical skills, identifies the
potential of computer-based information handling, analysis and engineering drawing.
Laboratory experiences are also an important part of the junior year program. Subjects
offered by the department are Statics, Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, Engineering
Drawing & Computer Aided Design, Introduction to Manufacturing Technology,
Mechanics of Materials, Thermodynamics and Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I &
II.
SECOND YEAR
The second year curriculum continues to expand the students' mathematics and
engineering background, and to explore interests in the humanities and social sciences.
Year 2 also provides an introduction to typical organisational systems and their
associated legal and economic constraints. During the second year of the program, the
students’ education in Mechanical Engineering continues with courses in Dynamics,
Applied Engineering Mathematics, Computer Programming, Power Electric and
Machine, Engineering Fluid Mechanics, Applied Thermodynamics, Engineering
Materials, Design of Mechanical Elements and Mechanical Engineering Laboratory III &
IV.
THIRD YEAR
The third year program completes the foundation essential to modern Mechanical
Engineering and prepares for advanced level courses. Year 3 enhances engineering skills
and knowledge by involving students in design problem-solving situations and roles, and
by providing an introduction to moral and ethics in engineering profession. These
include courses in Instrumentation and Measurement Technique, Mechanical Vibration,
Heat Transfer, Control Engineering, Calculation and Numerical Method, Mechanics of
Applied Materials, as well as an introduction to project work and open-ended problem
solving techniques in Design II and Integrated Design Project. This year also marks the
beginning of the industrial and research phases of the students through courses in
group design project and industrial training. The Integrated Design Project gives the
students an experience in planning and implementing a research project as part of a
team of two or three students. The students also have to undergo a 10-month Industrial
Training in industry during the special semester where the students work as trainee
engineers in a relevant company and are paid an allowance. The industrial training
course gives the students an opportunity to build links to industry and gain an industrial
perspective to their academic studies that can prove invaluable to their professional
careers.
FINAL YEAR
The final year curriculum is structured to encourage students to acquire some degree
of specialization and professional design, operation and management experiences.
Together with some advanced level subjects such as Applied Vibration, Electronics and
Microprocessor, Production and Operation Management; the emphasis in the final year
is on presenting the students with choices in elective courses and research work. They
are required to choose two elective courses from a list of courses offered. The final
year research projects I and II give the students an opportunity to choose from a list of
research projects proposed by the Mechanical Engineering Programme. Under the
guidance of the academic staff associated with the selected research project, the
students learn how to design their projects, manage their schedules, perform their
literature survey, overcome obstacles in experimental work, and write up their
research reports.