Why Don't More Universities Offer Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degrees?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the limited availability of Electro-Mechanical Engineering degrees at universities, exploring the reasons behind this trend and the nature of related programs. Participants examine the distinctions between engineering and technology degrees, as well as the practical applications of the discipline.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express curiosity about the scarcity of Electro-Mechanical Engineering degrees compared to technician programs.
  • One participant suggests that Electrical Engineering may be the closest alternative, recommending a concentration in control systems.
  • Another participant notes their university's offerings in Dynamics and Stress Analysis, which are typically associated with Mechanical Engineering.
  • Electro-Mechanical Engineering is described as a hybrid discipline combining electrical and mechanical engineering, with some universities offering related programs such as Engineering Physics or Mechatronics.
  • One participant argues that practical applications often require separate mechanical and electrical engineers, suggesting that this division may contribute to the lack of combined programs.
  • Another participant mentions the role of ABET, indicating that it does not recognize Electro-Mechanical Engineering as a distinct engineering discipline, which may affect program offerings.
  • A participant identifies themselves as an Electromechanical Engineering major at Middle Tennessee State University, seeking a Bachelor of Science degree.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and practicality of combined Electro-Mechanical Engineering programs, with some suggesting that the separation of disciplines is more common in practice. There is no consensus on the reasons for the limited availability of such degrees.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the distinction between engineering and technology degrees, as well as the implications of ABET accreditation on program offerings. There are also references to specific courses and programs that may not be universally available.

theman408
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Why isn't there more universities offering such degrees? And why is it mostly "Technician" degrees.

Im curious to know as i find it a pretty interesting engineering branch.
 
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I believe the closest your going to get to that is Electrical Engineering. You should see if your university has an concentration in control systems.
 
Yep it does.

But i don't know if they offer additional courses in Dynamics, Stress Analysis which would be more of ME.
 
Electro-mechanical engineering is a hybrid discipline, or a combination of electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Most universities probably offer EE and Mech E programs, but some offer Electro-Mech E.

See - http://www.loras.edu/academics/program/EleMecEngineering.asp

Still others offer Electromechanical Engineering Technology, which is an engineering technology program, as opposed to an engineering program, which would be more theoretical.

Still others offer an Engineering Physics program which may have elements of EE and Mech E.

If one's university offers only EE and Mech E, then one could major in EE and/or Mech E, with the other as a minor, or one could do a double major. Some universities allow one to develop one's custom program, but within an existing department, and only with the concurrence of the faculty in those departments.

One might also investigate the field of mechatronics -
http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/mechatronics/resources.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechatronics_engineering
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/933/description#description
 
I think there isn't so much practical applications that require combined mechanical/electrical work. Usually they just have mechanical engineers do the mechanical aspects and electrical guys do the electrical aspects. There are some applications that require both, like hard drives as a simple example, which involve a spinning magnet as their principle component. But for most applications it seems like the electrical/mechanical components are handled rather independently.

Edit: Obviously it takes a lot of time to specialize in mechanical OR electrical engr., so if you try to educate somebody in both, it's a little bit impractical. I would guess that's another part of the reason why you don't see these combined programs.

As astronuc said there is "engineering physics" which may be what you are thinking. However, this major doesn't exist at all schools. On the other hand, you can always just study physics, which involves both mechanical and electrical topics, if not as much of an engineering slant. Arguably, engineering and physics (and especially, their education) aren't that different. You can also go into plasma physics, which involves concepts from fluid dynamics, particle motion (mechanical aspects) but also heavy concepts from electrical and magnetic effects.
 
The answer probably lies with ABET, the engineering accreditation board. I don't believe they recognize electromechanical as an engineering discipline.
 
ABET details electro mechanical as a technology. I attend Middle Tennessee State University, in which I am an electromechanical engieering major.

The degree I am seeking is a bachelor of science degree.
 
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