Did you know that mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest fields in engineering? While the term “mechanical engineering” wasn’t formally coined until the Industrial Revolution, the principles behind it have been used for thousands of years.
Today, mechanical engineering encompasses numerous subdisciplines and can be broken down into two main paths of specialization:
- Focusing on a particular product or industry
- Addressing specific engineering principles and problem-solving approaches
Choosing the right path will require exploring the many subdisciplines in this innovative field. Let’s look at some of the most useful mechanical engineering subdisciplines and how each drives innovation in technology and industry.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Thermodynamics is the study of energy, heat and their transformations. The combustion (or Otto cycle) engine, for example, uses thermodynamic principles to convert heat from fuel combustion into mechanical power. In modern applications, technologies like supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) power cycles are advancing energy systems by producing power more efficiently, with potential applications in next-generation power plants for a more sustainable future.
Thermodynamics is not limited to the automotive or power industry, however. It’s also a key player in multiple other industries, such as:
- refrigeration, air conditioning and heating (HVAC)
- jet engines and spacecraft
This subdiscipline often overlaps with chemical engineering.
Fluid Mechanics
Fluid mechanics is a branch of classical physics that deals with the behavior of liquids and gases in motion and at rest. Mechanical engineers use this subdiscipline in the design and optimization of devices like:
- hydraulics
- turbomachinery
- pipelines
- water management
- ventilation systems
Fluid mechanics can be applied in countless industries, including aerospace, automotive, and maritime, making it an extremely versatile subdiscipline.
Mechanics of Materials and Structural Analysis
This subdiscipline focuses on how materials perform under stress and how structures can withstand various (often unpredictable) forces. For example, an engineer might be tasked with picking the right material for a bridge (e.g., concrete or steel) and use structural analysis to determine how the bridge can withstand heavy loads and climate stressors. Mechanical engineers can apply these skills in any industry where material strength and durability are vital.
Control Systems
Dynamics, in the context of control systems, is the study of how forces affect motion, while control systems focus on managing or regulating that motion. If you work in the robotics or automotive industry, it’s vital to ensure that mechanical systems operate efficiently.
Acoustics
Did you know that the first cars were so loud that they could be heard long before they entered a neighborhood? Engineers were able to gradually lower the decibel level over decades thanks to a better understanding of acoustics — the study of sound and vibration — and the development of mufflers, catalytic converters and exhaust systems.
Engineers today use acoustics to design quieter machinery, optimize sound quality in spaces like concert halls and reduce noise pollution in vehicles and industrial equipment.
Energy Systems
Energy is a major industry in transition and is always in need of engineers. Mechanical engineers working in this field design and optimize systems that produce, store and distribute energy. This includes renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind or piezo electrics, as well as more traditional systems like fossil fuel power plants and nuclear reactors.
Energy systems engineers may oversee operations at a wind turbine farm, innovate devices that produce clean, battery-free energy or analyze the efficiency of a hydro-electric power system.
Manufacturing Engineering
Let’s move into some more specialized subdisciplines. Manufacturing is a dynamic field that’s transforming under Industry 4.0. Factories once reliant on human labor (which often meant long hours under dangerous conditions) now integrate robotics and automation, creating safer, more efficient and engineer-driven environments. Manufacturing engineers focus on developing:
- machining
- welding
- robotics/automation
Another emerging technology engineers work with is 3D printing using CAD-CAM software (also used across most engineering disciplines).
Mechatronics
Mechatronics is an emerging and exciting systems-approach type of engineering that encompasses mechanical engineering, electronics and computer science. Recent innovations in this field are transforming industries by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems and smart manufacturing.
Robotics is a specialized subset of this discipline and one of the most in-demand fields today. For instance, AI-powered robots are being used in healthcare to perform precise surgical procedures and in manufacturing, where robots work alongside humans to improve safety and efficiency. Mechatronics engineers are also expanding the integration of autonomous drones and self-driving vehicles, revolutionizing transportation, space exploration and logistics.
Mechatronics and robotics engineers tackle a wide range of problems and are considered general-purpose engineers or “jacks of all trades.”
Biomechanics
Mechanical engineers working in this subdiscipline design, develop and maintain equipment that supplements or replaces bodily organs and functions. This includes artificial organs, valves, limbs and sensors (like pacemakers) that diagnose medical conditions. As a biomechanical engineer, you’ll work with scientists, healthcare professionals and other engineers in settings such as:
- hospitals
- clinics
- research facilities
- industrial settings
Automotive Engineering
This specialized subdiscipline emerged in the late 19th century with the invention of the first motorcar. Today, automotive engineers continue this legacy, even as transportation undergoes a profound reinvention. Automotive engineering encompasses everything from powertrain development to chassis design, with an emphasis on efficiency, performance, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing and environmental sustainability.
Aerospace Engineering
Interested in flight and outer space? You’ll likely gravitate toward aerospace engineering. This subdiscipline is composed of two specializations:
Mechanical engineers in this field design, construct and test mechanical systems and machines for military and commercial aircraft, spacecraft and human life support systems. Mars, here we come!
Nanotechnology
You’ve probably heard of nanobots that deliver drugs directly into the body — thanks in part to the effort of mechanical engineers designing and manipulating materials at the atomic and molecular levels. Applications of nanotechnology include:
- advanced materials
- micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
- nano-scale devices
Master Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin
Mechanical engineering is a wide-ranging field, and you’ll want to pick an area of focus that has a bright future and aligns with your passions. If you’re interested in exploring the many subdisciplines of mechanical engineering, you can’t go wrong with an online master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UT Austin.
Offered by one of the nation’s top engineering schools, this online graduate program covers key subdisciplines from thermodynamics to mechatronics to advanced manufacturing techniques, preparing you for impactful careers across industries like healthcare, robotics, and space exploration. UT Austin also offers ways to connect with like-minded individuals and find opportunities for cutting-edge research and career advancement: all online and at your own pace.
If you’re passionate about exploring this diverse and dynamic field, take the next step and apply today!
Sources:
https://mighty-mechanical.weebly.com/subdisciplines.html
https://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2018/11/14/the-history-of-mechanical-engineering
