3 answers
Trace
Student
Richardson, Texas
1
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What is the best college track to follow, if I am interesting in automotive engineering?
What is the best college track to follow, if I am interesting in automotive engineering? I am starting college in the fall for mechanical engineering.
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3 answers
Haiyan Wang
PM
5
Answers
Dalian, Liaoning, China
Updated
Haiyan’s Answer
Undergraduate Years
Freshman and Sophomore Years
Core Engineering Courses: Dive into essential courses like calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer programming. These are the building blocks for your advanced engineering journey. For mechanical engineering, you'll also explore exciting subjects like engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
Introductory Automotive Courses: Seek out introductory courses that give you a taste of automotive engineering, such as automotive systems or design principles. Some universities offer these as electives or as part of a special track in mechanical engineering.
Laboratory Work: Get involved in lab sessions linked to your courses to gain hands-on experience with engineering concepts and equipment. You'll enjoy experiments in mechanics, materials testing, and thermodynamics.
Junior and Senior Years
Specialized Automotive Courses: As you advance, dive into specialized automotive engineering courses. Look for classes in automotive dynamics, vehicle design, automotive electronics, and powertrain engineering. Some schools offer concentrations in automotive engineering within a mechanical engineering program.
Advanced Engineering Courses: Continue to expand your mechanical engineering knowledge with advanced courses in machine design, control systems, and manufacturing processes. These courses broaden your perspective and are directly applicable to automotive engineering.
Capstone Project: In your senior year, you’ll likely work on a capstone project. Aim for a project related to automotive engineering, like designing a prototype vehicle component, developing a control system, or researching an automotive problem. This is your chance to apply everything you've learned and impress future employers or grad schools with your skills and creativity.
Freshman and Sophomore Years
Core Engineering Courses: Dive into essential courses like calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer programming. These are the building blocks for your advanced engineering journey. For mechanical engineering, you'll also explore exciting subjects like engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
Introductory Automotive Courses: Seek out introductory courses that give you a taste of automotive engineering, such as automotive systems or design principles. Some universities offer these as electives or as part of a special track in mechanical engineering.
Laboratory Work: Get involved in lab sessions linked to your courses to gain hands-on experience with engineering concepts and equipment. You'll enjoy experiments in mechanics, materials testing, and thermodynamics.
Junior and Senior Years
Specialized Automotive Courses: As you advance, dive into specialized automotive engineering courses. Look for classes in automotive dynamics, vehicle design, automotive electronics, and powertrain engineering. Some schools offer concentrations in automotive engineering within a mechanical engineering program.
Advanced Engineering Courses: Continue to expand your mechanical engineering knowledge with advanced courses in machine design, control systems, and manufacturing processes. These courses broaden your perspective and are directly applicable to automotive engineering.
Capstone Project: In your senior year, you’ll likely work on a capstone project. Aim for a project related to automotive engineering, like designing a prototype vehicle component, developing a control system, or researching an automotive problem. This is your chance to apply everything you've learned and impress future employers or grad schools with your skills and creativity.
Matthew Shealy
Product Development Engineer
2
Answers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Mechanical engineering is a great choice! Most of your peers in your major will probably be taking similar classes for the first two years--things like calculus, physics, thermodynamics, and other foundational courses. As you get into your junior and senior years, you'll probably have the option to choose technical electives that are specific to your interests. Lean on what you learned about yourself in your classes leading up to that point when choosing your electives! Thankfully, engineering in the automotive industry is broad enough that anything you choose will be applicable in some way or another, so it's important to set yourself up with your strengths and interests in mind.
In my experience, getting a job in the automotive field is less about the specific courses you take (as long as you're in a relevant major like Mechanical Engineering) and is more about networking. In your shoes, I would definitely try to get a summer internship (or even a multi-semester co-op if offered by your school) at an automotive manufacturer or supplier. Best of luck!!
In my experience, getting a job in the automotive field is less about the specific courses you take (as long as you're in a relevant major like Mechanical Engineering) and is more about networking. In your shoes, I would definitely try to get a summer internship (or even a multi-semester co-op if offered by your school) at an automotive manufacturer or supplier. Best of luck!!
Bryan Mayberry
Mechanical Design Engineer
12
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
Mechanical engineering is absolutely the right starting point, but I would say that automotive engineering is very broad itself! So this could push you towards more thermodynamics or structures or design or electronics etc, there are a lot of different options.
I would recommend you look up some job applications on various automotive websites, Ford, Nissan, Honda, etc., and see what roles pique your interest. Then delve into the job requirements and responsibilities. That way you can see what the roles are looking for.
From there you should be able to see what Major you need to be in, and then what focus your engineering electives should be in. Whether that is electro-mechanical studies, stress analysis, vehicle dynamics, vibration, etc.
I would recommend you look up some job applications on various automotive websites, Ford, Nissan, Honda, etc., and see what roles pique your interest. Then delve into the job requirements and responsibilities. That way you can see what the roles are looking for.
From there you should be able to see what Major you need to be in, and then what focus your engineering electives should be in. Whether that is electro-mechanical studies, stress analysis, vehicle dynamics, vibration, etc.