What is Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering?
This video, while focusing broadly on Mechanical, shows many of our exciting Mechatronics teaching and research activities!
Mechanical and mechatronics engineers are adept problem-solvers with a breadth of knowledge that makes them highly sought after by virtually every industry. Ultimately the role of the mechanical engineer is to take a product, process, or services from an idea to the public sphere or marketplace. In simple terms mechanical engineers are uniquely qualified to analyze and mathematically model anything that moves, whether it be the flow of air over a wing or through a jet engine, an automobile suspension, energy conversion systems such as wind turbines, or even the human body.
Mechatronics engineers make certain types of mechanical systems work, or work better, by combining them with electronics, electrical components, and computers. An autonomous robot for underwater inspection of aquaculture equipment or ship hulls, needs not only a propulsion system and arm mechanism, but also "machine vision", navigation computer and algorithm, controllers to perform the task accurately, and measurement or data logging capability. Mechatronics engineers can make that happen.
Mechanical and mechatronics engineers are increasingly sought after for public health and safety, environment, and renewable energy projects.
- Work in a wide range of industries including renewable energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, defense, automotive, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology
- Develop in-depth knowledge of materials science, dynamics, vibrations, mechanics, machine design, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, instrumentation, mechatronics, and controls.
- Join one of our many student design teams and get involved in a real-world design challenge such as the SAE Baja off-road vehicle competition, or work with the Tetra Society to improve accessibility for a disabled person.
- Employ modern design techniques using the latest Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools and manufacturing systems including 3D printing
- Specializations: thermo-fluids, petroleum, materials and mechanics, mechatronics
- Emerging areas: sustainable energy systems, autonomous vehicles, intelligent systems, biomedical materials and devices, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
- Design: mechanical and electro-mechanical components and systems including power transmissions, vehicle suspensions, airframes, engines
- Renewable energy: wind turbines, tidal energy, micro-hydro generation, clean hydrogen production
- Biomedical or biomechanical: artificial limb design, accessibility solutions, 3D printing and testing of implants, robot-assisted surgery
- Thermo-fluids: analysis and design of heat exchangers; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; turbomachinery
- Process industry: fabrication of components for paper mills, oil refineries, chemical plants, water and sewage treatment facilities
- Manufacturing: machine tools, additive manufacturing, production technologies, automation
- Control systems: develop flight control systems for aircraft, process control, motion control, servohydraulics
- Robotics: design of robots and manipulators for automation; unmanned aerial, terrestrial, and subsea vehicles
- Product development and entrepreneurship
- Education: researchers, professors, instructors
- Technological stewardship: using your engineering knowledge to contribute to public policy discussions, sustainability efforts, people-centred design
After you are accepted into the Engineering One first-year program, there will be many people to help you along the exciting but challenging journey.
- The Engineering Students Peer Network (ESPN, espn@mun.ca). This peer network was initiated by the Engineering Student Society (ESS). The ESS is highly active and beneficial to students throughout their undergraduate careers. The ESS represents student interests in academic committees, and plans extra-curricular activities.
- The Peer Network established by MUN Student Life. Through this program Student Life offers several activities, and has established training and supports for the mentors and mentees.
- The MUN Mentors Program for international students run by the Internationalization Office.
Even before you are accepted, we will help!
- Contact the Engineering Undergraduate Office (engr@mun.ca) for questions about admissions and applications.
- Reach out to our Student Liaison Officer, Ms. Cheryl Keough (engr-liaison@mun.ca) for any questions related to the program before and during Engineering One.
- Contact the Mechanical Engineering Department
- Ms. Melissa Stone, Administrative Assistant (mastone@mun.ca)
- Dr. Geoff Rideout, Dept. Head (gdrideout@mun.ca)
Once you're here, take advantage of our Engineering One Student Success Centre and Supplemental Instruction programs.
Outside Engineering, Memorial's MUNUp website will connect you to support services. The Memorial University of Newfoundland Students Union (MUNSU) has resources and clubs to welcome and support you.
You are not alone when you are part of Memorial University's Engineering program! We want you to feel welcome, to thrive and to grow as a person, and to move forward in the direction of your dreams. We have many people and programs to make that happen.
A step in the right direction
Ready to learn more about mechanical engineering at Memorial? See the tabs at the top of this page, or click below.