Mechanical or Aerospace engineering?

[SaMx]

High, I'm a high school senior who is just starting to have to pick which college I go to, and what to major in. I know that I want to become an engineer, but the question is exactly what kind. I always wanted to become an aerospace engineer, I know I want to work in the aerospace industry. But when I was talking to some people at different colleges, it would seem like mechanical engineering is a better option. According to some people, more and more aerospace work is being done by mechanical engineers, and mechanical engineers have an advantage in being able to find work outside of the aerospace industry if they have to. I'm very confused about which to choose; I know I want to do aerospace, but if mechanical engineering is a smarter choice than I would go with that. I'd just like to hear some more opinions from people with experience. Thank you.

 

[enigma]

From what I've seen, aerospace engineers can find work as mechanical engineers as well. They are similar enough that we have the two listed as a single forum.

The only differences will be the focus in your last two years. As an AE major, you'll have more specialized courses over a range of topics (controls, fluid dynamics, vibrations, Propulsion, FEM, etc.) and only one or two engineering electives. As a Mech E, you will take more fundamentals classes and then have some freedom to select what areas you want to focus in.

You mileage may vary based on what school you decide on. Talk to advisors in both majors at the school you end up deciding on and see what they recommend.

( and remember: Aerospace engineers build. Everyone else builds targets. )

 

[Astronuc]

I would agree with enigma. Aerospace/aeronautical engineering is a specialized version of mechanical engineering.

Both deal heavily with structures, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics, and various special applications therein.

Modern gas turbine power plants are based on aeroderivative (aircraft) turbines.

Of course there are special applications like spacecraft , rocket propulsion and hypersonic aerodynamics which would not be covered in a general mechanical engineering program.

If possible, do both, or pick one with a minor in the other. Compare programs at a university, and perhaps the first two years contain considerable overlap. Then finalize one's plans in the junior or third year.

Also, I strongly recommend courses in materials and metallurgy.

And if possible, look at courses in mechanics of materials, finite element analysis (FEA) of structures, and fluid mechanics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). People with a strong background in materials, FEA and CFD are hard to find, and anyone with those skills will have job security for a long time to come.

 

[FredGarvin]

I know a lot of guys that are ME's in undergrad and MS in aero. They are really starting to get closer together these days.

 

[SaMx]

That's really the problem, Aerospace and mechanical engineering are getting so close. Some people I have talked to have said that an aerospace degree is kind of a dead end because all the work can be done by mechanical engineers. This is a big question for me because it will have a big impact on which college I pick.

 

[brewnog]

If in doubt, I'd pick the one which most closely describes what you're currently interested in. Job-wise, it won't make any difference at this stage what you choose. If you pick a university where aero and mech courses run side-by-side (most, I think), then you'll have no problems switching half way through if you decide you're on the wrong programme.

 

[FredGarvin]

You can still select either one and you will have plenty of electives to select during your college career. Try to be wise with your selections and play both sides of the fence. Even though you'd have the degree of one, you can always explain in an interview how you studied in both. If you can do a minor, that would be a great thing

 

[Astronuc]

That's really the problem, Aerospace and mechanical engineering are getting so close. Some people I have talked to have said that an aerospace degree is kind of a dead end because all the work can be done by mechanical engineers. This is a big question for me because it will have a big impact on which college I pick.

It depends on one's specialty.

Aerospace and Mechanical have always been close. IIRC, some aerospace departments are actually part of the Mechanical Engineering department, as in Mechical and Aerospace Engineering, e.g. Cornell!
http://www.mae.cornell.edu/

And Princeton!
http://mae.princeton.edu/

So in those cases, one could tackle both in the first two years, and then decide a specialty.

Straight mechanical is perhaps more generic. Aerospace is fairly tight right now because the airlines are in trouble, the Department of Defense (DOD) is constrained with respect to budgets, and NASA is more constrained than the DOD.

 

[PhysMaster]

High, I'm a high school senior who is just starting to have to pick which college I go to, and what to major in. I know that I want to become an engineer, but the question is exactly what kind. I always wanted to become an aerospace engineer, I know I want to work in the aerospace industry. But when I was talking to some people at different colleges, it would seem like mechanical engineering is a better option. According to some people, more and more aerospace work is being done by mechanical engineers, and mechanical engineers have an advantage in being able to find work outside of the aerospace industry if they have to. I'm very confused about which to choose; I know I want to do aerospace, but if mechanical engineering is a smarter choice than I would go with that. I'd just like to hear some more opinions from people with experience. Thank you.

I've never come across such confusions. But what I believe is that, even if Mechanical Engineers can do a sort of "aerospace engineering" job they are not given much preference as compared to aerospace engineers. Its like you preferably going to a dentist for a tooth ache rather than normal Doctor!

 

[Astronuc]

I've never come across such confusions. But what I believe is that, even if Mechanical Engineers can do a sort of "aerospace engineering" job they are not given much preference as compared to aerospace engineers. Its like you preferably going to a dentist for a tooth ache rather than normal Doctor!

I would not draw the comparison and say the difference between a Mech E and an Aero E are the same as doctor vs dentist. The difference between ME and AE is more like a general surgeon vs specialist, or internist vs specialist.

I recommend any engineer try to diversify one's skills. The aerospace industry has its ups and downs, but so can mechanical engineering. It depends the industry in which one is employed - so be flexible.

 

[J77]

From my experience:

As others have said, the degrees are very similar.

Most likely, you will share the same courses for the first couple of years - then go on to specilise (a bit more) in the final years.

fwiw (and purely, impe), aerospace engineering has higher quality students - which generally means you'll get pushed along harder and achieve a better grade.

 

[FredGarvin]

fwiw (and purely, impe), aerospace engineering has higher quality students - which generally means you'll get pushed along harder and achieve a better grade.

I think that one deserves a :rofl:

 

[J77]

I think that one deserves a :rofl:

Because you're an Aero?

(I've taught a lot of both in the past.)

 

[FredGarvin]

Because you're an Aero?

(I've taught a lot of both in the past.)

No. Because I am an ME working in the aerospace industry.

 

[J77]

No. Because I am an ME working in the aerospace industry.

Ahhh - the exception.

 

[FredGarvin]

Ahhh - the exception.

Actually, there are a lot of us. Maybe we just keep quiet to hide our true identities.

 

[dejan]

How is it working in that industry FredGarvin?? Is it exciting? Interesting? Do you get to go into space?

 

[Cyrus]

Astronauts go into space, not Aerospace engineers. :rofl:
In the past, they were test/experimental pilots for the military. Now it is a mix of scientists/engineers/pilots.

 

[kitaro]

I would chose Mecanical Engineering, otherwise who knows what job you will be able to perform; because is not just what we want to be, It is more important to recognize what we are able to do.

Jose Leonidas Mejia
Architect SCA

 

[FredGarvin]

How is it working in that industry FredGarvin?? Is it exciting? Interesting? Do you get to go into space?

I just work on the engineering end of propulsion. I don't get to go into space (not that I wouldn't jump at the chance). I love the industry. Being from the Detroit area, I consider myself to be EXTREMELY priveledged to be working in the aerospace industry considering the automotive industry dominates everything here.

 

[J77]

Actually, there are a lot of us. Maybe we just keep quiet to hide our true identities.

Yeah - I worked on ME type stuff in an AE department for a while

My comment way back was on the lines that AE students are usually a harder working crowd that ME students - at least in the UK...

 

[FredGarvin]

Yeah - I worked on ME type stuff in an AE department for a while

My comment way back was on the lines that AE students are usually a harder working crowd that ME students - at least in the UK...

I know. I'm just giving you a hard time.

 

[Astronuc]

Just found a dual major in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at RPI.

http://www.rpi.edu/dept/mane/deptweb/academics/ugrad/dual.html


The department is Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, and offers degrees in these three disciplines as well as Engineering Physics. There are similar possibilities at other universities.


Now consider this - dual mode aero spacecraft , which fly into the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and retrieve ammonia/methane. The craft are powered by nuclear ramjets, which become rockets at the appropriate altitude. Possible design configuration bases would be the Snark and Bomarc missiles.

Now how's that for a challenge?!

 

[dejan]

I just work on the engineering end of propulsion. I don't get to go into space (not that I wouldn't jump at the chance). I love the industry. Being from the Detroit area, I consider myself to be EXTREMELY priveledged to be working in the aerospace industry considering the automotive industry dominates everything here.

I see now. But I wish the whole space industry were developed to the extent where the people who actually build these rockets had the opportunity to actually go into space! I would very much like to go into space, and possibly the Moon or Mars, but the current world is not developed (in my eyes) to that extent where it is safe enough for random people other than Astronauts to go into space.

 

[Astronuc]

I see now. But I wish the whole space industry were developed to the extent where the people who actually build these rockets had the opportunity to actually go into space! I would very much like to go into space, and possibly the Moon or Mars, but the current world is not developed (in my eyes) to that extent where it is safe enough for random people other than Astronauts to go into space.

It takes a considerable amount of money to lauch anything into space. The estimate is roughly about $10,000 /kg, or about $700,000+ for an average person. It is not like taking a plane somewhere on the earth.

Space travel requires a huge costly infrastructure, highly specialized craft which can travel in the vacuum of space, provide life support, and in the case of the Space Shuttle, survive reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. In addition, it requires a huge investment of energy to put a substantial amount of mass in order at an orbital velocity of 17,000 mph (~22,000 km/h).

 

[dejan]

That's harsh!
It sucks living today lol why can't this be a world like Star Wars where anyone can just fly out lol :(

 

[J77]

You could always join a pop band, make a load of money, and hitch a ride with the Russians

 

[dejan]

hahaha yeah that'd work:p

 

[SaMx]

Hey, thanks for the advice. My confusion mainly came about because I was talking to the Dean of the Engineering school at Drexel university, and He said that "Aerospace engineering is dead." Those were pretty much his exact words. I think he was pretty biased, because Drexel doesn't have an aerospace program, and he probably wanted people to chose his school over others that do offer aerospace. Anyway, I decided that I am going to study aerospace engineering, and I just enrolled in the program at Virginia Tech. Thanks for the help.

 

[samirax]

Heyy, I exactly have your problem! I am confused about choosing which to choose. (aero or mechanical ) so it seems that u chose aero! are you happy with ur decision?! :) I d really appreciate it if you give me some information.

Thanks

 

[tracydimarco]

Astronauts go into space, not Aerospace engineers. :rofl:
In the past, they were test/experimental pilots for the military. Now it is a mix of scientists/engineers/pilots.

It depends on what you're going to do with you aerospace engineering degree -it can go either commercial or government work. The one problem I see with the government work (well, what I hear from a close friend who has an aero degree & is working for a company that does major US military contracts) is that 1. it's frustrating working with the government because they're so inefficient, 2. it doesn't allow a lot of room for creativity (the government tells you what they want & just wants you to do it as cheaply as possible), & 3. a lot of the 'higher ups' are ex-military, because they know the system or have connections, and it's very hard to break through those ranks ... so job mobility in some areas may be limited. All in all, though, he does enjoy his job when he's placed on projects that meet his interest. So I guess if you put in your time doing the boring/grunt work (like at any job), you'll eventually be able to prove yourself capable enough to take on the 'fun' work.
As someone with a pilot's license, I sometimes wish I had gone aero...

 

[tracydimarco]

You could always join a pop band, make a load of money, and hitch a ride with the Russians

Only if it's a boy band...
Although poor Lance never made it into space, even after all he had to go through - spend tons of money, have elective heart surgery, have intense training, etc...

 

[Mech_Engineer]

Only if it's a boy band...
Although poor Lance never made it into space, even after all he had to go through - spend tons of money, have elective heart surgery, have intense training, etc...

Fortunately that post was made more than 4 years ago. These days we are living in the future and everyone can go to space on a whim. :tongue2:

 

[tracydimarco]

Fortunately that post was made more than 4 years ago. These days we are living in the future and everyone can go to space on a whim. :tongue2:

On a whim - if you have several millions to spend!