Mechanical Engineering Courses

What is a Mechanical Engineer?

Mechanical engineering is the study, design, development, construction, and testing of mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines. Mechanical engineering careers center on creating technologies to meet a wide range of human needs.

Mechanical engineering subjects include automobile engineering, manufacturing engineering, power plant engineering, thermal engineering, and mechatronics engineering, which is a combination of electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering.

What do mechanical engineers do? Mechanical engineers generally work in offices but are sometimes called to the field, visiting worksites when a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention, and to oversee elements of construction. Mechanical engineers work mostly in engineering services, research and development, and manufacturing.

Mechanical engineering has its roots in the industrial revolution with the advent of the steam engine, automated manufacturing, and the demands of railroad transportation requiring increasingly innovative and sophisticated engineering solutions.

EdX offers online mechanical engineering courses for free from top engineering schools. Whether you're interested in learning more about the history of mechanical engineering, or you want to pursue a master's in mechanical engineering degree, there’s an opportunity for you to go beyond perusing mechanical engineering books and learn online.

Mechanical Engineering Courses

With introductory, intermediate, and advanced course options available, edX offers a wide variety of engaging mechanical engineering courses.

Interested in artificial intelligence and locomotion? Learn how to design, build, and program robots that can operate in the real world by enrolling in University of Pennsylvania’s advanced course, Robotics: Locomotion Engineering.

Mechanical engineers are also pioneers in the air travel industry. Discover the fascinating world of aviation by investigating aeronautics, aerodynamics and flight mechanics in Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering from Delft University of Technology.

Sign up for Cornell University’s intermediate-level course, A Hands-on Introduction to Engineering Simulations, to analyze real-world engineering problems using simulation software and gain important professional skills sought by employers.

Jobs in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers typically need a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. All states require mechanical engineers who sell services to the public to be licensed.

The job outlook for mechanical engineers is bright, primarily because it is such a vast and interdisciplinary field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there will be a projected 9% growth in the mechanical engineering field from 2016 to 2026.

Based on the same report, the median income for mechanical engineers in May 2016 was $84,190 per year, with job prospects most abundant for those who stay up-to-speed on developments in this ever-evolving field.

Currently, a search for mechanical engineering jobs on Indeed.com yields over 50,000 results with 31,812 of those open positions commanding a salary of $70,000 or more.

Sign up for classes today and take the first step in pursuing an in-demand and high-paying position as a mechanical engineer.

Pursue a Career in Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is a fast-paced, interdisciplinary field that offers opportunities to help design the future. With continued projected career growth, coupled with our globalized world’s unceasing need for technological advancements and innovation in communication and travel, a career as a mechanical engineer can be challenging, rewarding, and lucrative.