Expert: Rajeevlochanam B A - 9/6/2008

Question
my self shivam hi!
from gujarat  in india.
my question is what is the difference between mechanical and aeronatical?
i heard that mechanical engg. can serve as aeronatical engg.
is it true?
please give me all the details as ur best knowledge.

Answer
hi shivam,

Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering behind the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineering has broken into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. The former deals with craft that stay within Earth's atmosphere, and the latter deals with craft that operate outside of Earth's atmosphere. While "aeronautical" was the original term, the broader "aerospace" has superseded it in usage, as flight technology advanced to include craft operating in outer space.Aerospace engineering is often informally called rocket science.

Modern flight vehicles undergo severe conditions such as differences in atmospheric pressure and temperature, or heavy structural load applied upon vehicle components. Consequently, they are usually the products of various technologies including aerodynamics, avionics, materials science and propulsion. These technologies are collectively known as aerospace engineering. Because of the complexity of the field, aerospace engineering is conducted by a team of engineers, each specializing in their own branches of science.,The development and manufacturing of a flight vehicle demands careful balance and compromise between abilities, design, available technology and costs.

Generally, Mechanical Engineering rely upon knowledge of matter and energy conversions, motions, and forces obtained from computer simulations and experimental investigations of processes and systems. The Mechanical Engineer is able to design mechanisms, machines, and structures to serve a specific purpose, such as the manufacture of high-tech materials, including ceramics and composites, and high-tech equipment, such as advanced automation and control systems. They are also trained to determine both experimentally and theoretically the heat and energy transfer rates that occur within engineering devices, such as internal combustion engines, electronic equipment, robots, solar energy systems, rocket engines, steam and gas turbines, and nuclear reactors.

The curriculum in mechanical and aeropace engineering places emphasis on a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles and engineering methods of analysis and reasoning. A good undergrad ME curriculum is excellent preparation for an MS and/or PhD in Aeronautical Engineering. As an ME undergrad you should take some courses in aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, etc., as well as some courses in structures (i.e, beam theory, plate theory, etc)., and some math electives beyond the basic undergrad requirements (partial differential equations, for example).

I personally encourage you to get basic degree in mechanical engineering followed by master of aerospace engineering, u can always find jobs abroad if it's hard here.

best of luck