One of the broadest areas of engineering activity, mechanical engineers have a strong understanding of fundamental engineering science and mathematics and use this to design and maintain a wide range of machines and engineering systems. Mechanical engineers design and oversee the manufacture of machinery and equipment for all branches of industry, including major operations such as power plants. If failures occur, they analyse the cause of the failure and determine how to avoid this in the future. Mechanical Engineers develop methods for the economical combustion of fuels, the conversion of heat energy into mechanical power and the use of that power to perform useful work. What you can study: You will study core courses in design, mathematics, modelling, computing, management and engineering science. Electives in later years will give you an opportunity to study in greater depth the fields of interest for individual career options. The principal topics in mechanical engineering are solid mechanics and material science, design and manufacturing, dynamics and control and thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.

Mechanical engineers are employed in diverse industries including the automotive, aerospace, environmental, medical, power generation and building industries to name a few. Our graduates work in research, design and development, testing and manufacturing, program management, specialist consulting engineering firms, government agencies and educational institutions. Employment opportunities in Australia and overseas range from very large mining, refining, construction and manufacturing companies to small companies in which you might be the only engineer. Some graduates even start their own companies soon after leaving university. Mechanical engineers are in demand in government departments, private building services and consulting engineering companies. This demand will increase as new industries emerge and old industries take advantage of developments in automation and new sources of energy.