Mechanical engineering resource guide for college freshman

18[Mechanical engineering resource guide for college freshman]

Mechanical Engineering Resource Guide for College Freshman

Provided by:Ronald Ryder

English 202C4 February 2015

Table of Contents:

Preface3

Note to Audience....4

Content and Material Included4

Assumptions About the Reader4

Tips for Use4

Internet Based Resources5

Government Resources6

Catalog of U.S. Government Publications7

Statistical Abstract of the United States8

Search Tool Websites9

National Technical Information Services10

American Society of Mechanical Engineers Journal Program11

Penn State Mechanical Engineering Resources12

The Learning Factory at Penn State13

Engineering House (E-house) Sample Exam Database14

Sample Academic Plan- Mechanical Engineering...15

Rate My Professors16

Engineering Career Resources and Employer Relations (eCareer)17

Authors Note18

PREFACE:

Note to Audience

The next three sections contain information that will help you determine if this resource guide will be useful in the beginning stages of pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. The intention of the guide is to provide young mechanical engineering students with immediate knowledge of available resources and information on how to access to those resources. The next three sections will give the reader insight into the content of the guide, what Im assuming in my writing about the reader and tips for using the document effectively.

Content and Material Included

This guide includes links to government information resources that can be used in researching the field of mechanical engineering and obtaining statistics related to the career field. In addition, the guide introduces the reader to several in-depth search tools, which allow for specific and reliable document searches while doing research. The guide also contains some Penn State University specific resources, compiled based on immediate needs of young engineering students. Mechanical engineering is an uphill battle, the more tips and tricks one knows along the way, the better the outcome. The information presented in the guide is accurate as of 4 February 2015

Assumptions about the Reader

In making this guide, I assumed the reader would be either a first/second semester freshmen, or a transfer student just arriving on campus. I also assumed that when reading the guide, the student is either trying to get ahead and establish a foothold in mechanical engineering or needs help desperately, as many do in the early stages of engineering. The guide is not meant to dissuade you from becoming a mechanical engineer or to persuade you to become a mechanical engineer, just to give you resources to help you if pursuing a mechanical engineering degree.

Tips for Use

This guide is not a comprehensive list of all available resources for pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, just the ones available on the Internet. Other resources include academic advisors, teaching assistants, professors and fellow classmates. I would suggest reading the guide a few weeks prior to arrival on campus or before the semester starts in order to hit the ground running. If you decide to use the guide later in the semester, it may be less effective. For further questions and explanation, please contact me. My e-mail is rmr5383@psu.edu.

Internet Based Resources:

The following pages detail nine important internet based resources that upon my review, are helpful for young mechanical engineering students. The information is presented in abstracts, or synopses detailing each resource. The guide is subdivided into three sections: government resources, search tool websites and Penn State University specific mechanical engineering resources.

Government Resources:

Catalog of U.S. Government PublicationsGovernment Database

Location/Availability:http://catalog.gpo.gov/F?RN=231569122Free online resource

Description:

The Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) is a search tool for both electronic and printed publications from the three branches of the U.S. government. It contains more than a half million records dating back to 1976. It is updated daily and therefore is an expanding information resource.

Features of the database include: Direct links to online versions of publications Locate a Library feature which enables a use to find a nearby Federal depository where certain publications and expert help can be found An extensive search engine with basic, advanced, and expert search options The results of a search and the records found can be e-mailed via the website

Catalog documents can be searched by their subjects, titles, keywords, authoring agencies, years published, formats or languages used. The CGP is useful to mechanical engineering majors when conducting in depth research of theories, experiments or new technologies. An engineering student could also use the website to research potential career fields by finding upcoming government funded projects and research programs.

For example, if the database user types in mechanical engineering, 1251 records are presented. The user may then choose a particular document to read. I chose the article titled Satellite propellant pump research, which was produced by National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Glenn Research Center; Cleveland, Ohio; [NASA technical memorandum, 2005-21425, distributor, November 2005]. This report is a highly technical document presenting in depth NASA research on satellite propellant pump technology. The report includes analysis of several demonstrations and includes graphs and charts highlighting important discoveries.

Tips: If looking for a specific document, be sure to use the advanced search option or the document will be difficult to find The website is extensive, use the help tab if having trouble locating certain documents or if finding irrelevant information

Statistical Abstract of the United StatesGovernment Database

Location/Availability:http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/index.htmlFree online resource

Description:

The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a research tool that contains an inclusive summary of statistics related to the social, political and economic organization of the United States. It contains records dating back to 1878 however has ceased updating since October 1st, 2011. It is to be used for quick statistical reference and as a navigation tool to find more in depth resources. Although the statistical abstract is a government database, data is provided from both federal agencies and private organizations. Along the left side of the page a list of very specific topic sections appear, allowing a user to quickly find documents related to the research subject. The Statistical Abstract of the United States is useful to a mechanical engineering student in several ways. Once a student travels higher in the academic hierarchy, the website would be useful because it provides insight into employment statistics and statistics pertinent to graduate school. A comprehensive report on any subject could use this website to provide backing for its thesis. As an engineer the Energy and Utilities and Science and Technology tabs could be useful.

If a user searches mechanical engineering and clicks the first link on the list, a document titled Science and Engineering Degrees: 2009-Census appears. The information is given in a pamphlet with an introduction, a detailed graph and statistical data. The user can research which states have the highest percentage of citizens with science and engineering degrees, which could be useful when deciding where to apply for jobs or internships. For example, a state with a very low percentage of people with technical degrees may have less competition in those fields and therefore be a smart place to pursue a career.

Tips: A comprehensive list of all subjects covered by the website is provided by clicking the Subjects A to Z link located at the top right corner of the page There is a search box at the top right corner of the page, use this if looking for specific information from a certain time range On the home page towards the bottom, use the Sources of Data section to find information relating to the location of sources used in the documents on the website. This could be very useful when digging deeper into a subject.

Search Tool Websites:

National Technical Information ServicesScientific Search Tool

Location/Availability:http://search.proquest.com/ntis/advancedStudent/faculty only online resource

Description:

The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) database is a top-tier resource for locating the most up to date government sponsored research in addition to global information on engineering and science. The database is the primary vendor of unclassified information from Federal sources in the forms of research reports, journal articles, data files and computer programs. The information is not only relative to the United States, but also expands to international organizations from Canada, Japan, as well as several European countries. Information is updated weekly and therefore this website is an ever expanding resource; approximately 3,500 records are added each week.

As a mechanical engineering student there will be plenty of research opportunities, many of which are essential in the professional building of a resume worthy of employer recognition. NTIS is an essential website if for example, the student using it was in the beginning stages of research and needed technical background knowledge to continue research progress. The search tool is effective enough to allow a user to locate extremely specific documents in a timely manner and contains information related to most engineering types. On the right hand side of the page, a list of subject areas appears and allows for specific searching of documents related to the field the user is interested in.

Tips: When searching for documents related to a specific field, be sure to fill out as many of the search options as possible. Otherwise the information received may be clouded with information not needed such as magazines or bibliographies, for example. If the user knows when the publication he or she is looking for was published, the search can be narrowed down to a time range using the Publication Date tool. Once an article is located, a user may select the item and add it to a list of selected items for later purging. If a user deems an article unfit for use but then later realizes the information was needed, there is a Recent Searches button on the top of the page allowing for quick location of recent documents found.American Society for Mechanical Engineers Journal Program Engineering Journal Location Tool

Location/Availability:http://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/journals.aspxOpen to general public; some publications cost money

Description:

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a highly regarded organization for professionals in engineering as well as prospective engineers. A professional membership organization for more than 127,000 mechanical engineers and their associates, ASME publishes information relevant to nearly all facets of mechanical engineering. ASME is one of the largest technical publishing operations in the world and offers thousands of titles, many of which are considered prestigious by professionals in the field. Journals in the database date back to the 1960s and cover current day mechanical engineering innovations as well.

The ASME journal database is tailored more for professionals in engineering or upper level engineering students, but is a resource for young engineers in that it provides insight into the future of engineering. If a student were to know specifically where he or she hopes to end up professionally, i.e. what field within mechanical engineering, the website provides journals for a student to stay up to date in that field. A young engineering student could use the website as a reference in modifying his or her course plan to reflect their future goals. ASME is also the coordinator of several professional conferences across the country, all of which are host to hundreds of highly regarded professionals in the field of mechanical engineering.

Tips: The website home page is overfilled with information making it difficult to navigate, be sure to use the search tab or click View All Journals to simplify the process of locating relevant information. If interested in specific programs or information listed on the website, sign up for weekly e-mail alerts to stay up to date on progress and changes relevant to that information.

Penn State Mechanical Engineering Resources:

The Learning Factory- Penn StateHands-on engineering resource center

Location/Availability:Engineering Resources Building, Penn State University Parkhttps://www.lf.psu.edu/Available to all engineering students working on assigned projects

Description:

The Learning Factory at Penn State, University Park is a machinery lab available to engineering students working on projects for engineering related classes. It includes some of the most advanced cutting, drilling, pressing and welding tools on campus. Its mission is to connect the real world with the classroom by giving students a chance at hands-on experience. The lab itself is industry sponsored and many of the projects worked on at this lab are for companies such as Boeing, Shell and Siemens. The Learning Factory is the best engineering tool available on campus for students to connect to faculty and industry to link theories with practice.

As a young engineering student, there is valuable experience in different applications of engineering to be gained by working at The Learning Factory. As the website explains, there are dozens of machines on site, all of which can be learned about through the website and through a hands on class offered at the beginning of each semester. Under the facilities tab, there is important information regarding lab safety, essential knowledge to any engineer. The website allows students to sign up for classes on welding, machining and lab safety; also providing quizzes for each that students must get a perfect score on prior to the instruction period. 3-D printers are available for students use upon request, which can turn a computer design into a physical product in minutes. For a class such as Engineering Design 100 (EDSGN 100), the use of The Learning Factorys website and facility would put a design team several steps ahead of their peers.

Tips: Sign up for instruction classes early, they fill up within 3 weeks of the semesters start. Be prepared to spend a lot of time getting used to machines before feeling comfortable working with them. Use the website prior to attending to research the machines and to gather essential safety knowledge. The on-site staff loves to help students, ask as many questions as needed.

Engineering House (E-house) Sample Exam DatabaseComprehensive list of sample exams made available by professors

Location/Availability:http://www.engr.psu.edu/e-house/studymaterials.aspxAvailable to anyone with internet access

Description:

The Engineering House (E-house) sample exam database is a website that lists sample exams available for many of the core engineering classes required during freshman and sophomore years of engineering. The website gives young engineering students access to hundreds of questions relevant to course material that test knowledge in the same way an exam would. Coupled with sufficient studying, the sample exams could be an effective tool for succeeding in difficult weed-out engineering courses at Penn State. Students have access to more than ten sample exams in courses such as physics, math, chemistry and statistics.

Tips: Do not complete sample exams by looking at the answers keys along the way, use the sample exams just like an actual exam and grade after completion. Do not be fooled by a high sample exam grade, the real exam may not be similar to the sample exams provided. Use the sample exams as tools that indicate how well preparation for the exam is going, not as a crutch for studying.

Sample Academic Plan- Mechanical EngineeringComprehensive list of courses required to graduate divided into eight semesters

Location/Availability:http://www.engr.psu.edu/AcademicPlans/UniversityPark/ME.aspxAvailable to anyone with Internet access

Description:

The sample academic plan for mechanical engineering at Penn State is an extremely important tool used for scheduling appropriate courses. The document organizes all the classes required to graduate with a mechanical engineering degree into eight semesters. The classes are organized in accordance of pre-requisites and concurrent classes, meaning the academic plan ensures courses are taken in the right order. It is important for students to know that this plan is not mandated, but recommended. Many students alter the plan significantly, taking summer classes or additional classes for minors or double majors. This tool is effective when scheduling occurs each semester, it is a simple checklist of courses required to graduate. Using this document in combination with the next resource I describe Rate My Professors increases the chances of getting a good schedule exponentially.

Tips: Print one of these prior to taking any classes and Penn State and realize how much it really takes to get a degree in mechanical engineering. Each semester will require 15 to 17 credits on average, a very high course load. Each semester write down classes you need to take and research who teaches those classes, then search their name on Rate My Professors. It may be worth it to completely change a schedule just to have a higher quality professor.

Rate My ProfessorsStudent reviews of professors compiled by university

Location/Availability:http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/

Description:

Rate My Professors is an online resource for locating student reviews of professors at specific universities. A student is able to locate a professor by searching through the schools departmental lists of professors or by searching his or her name. A student can also provide their own personal account of a teacher, rating them in helpfulness, clarity, easiness and overall quality. A comments section is also available for students to elaborate on their thoughts of professors.

At large universities such as Penn State there are thousands of professors and it can be a daunting task lining up a schedule filled with good professors. Rate My Professors is a resource for ensuring the schedule a student sets up is filled with professors who care about the classes they teach not just the research they conduct for the university. In highly technical courses, having a knowledgeable and caring professor can be the difference between an A and failing the course. Rate My Professors allows students to understand professor expectations and teaching styles and get information about how the class is run prior to the first day of class. The disclaimer here is that not all reviews reflect the truth, a risk taken in using the website. Some students studying habits may not be sufficient yet the blame is placed on the professor.

Tips: Use the website prior to the date scheduling occurs to research which course numbers you need to input while scheduling. If a student waits until the last minute to research the professor the class may fill up right before his or her eyes. Use more than the website to decide scheduling, gather information from classmates that have taken the course before as well as from academic advisors

Engineering Career Resources and Employer Relations (eCareer)Online employment search tool

Location/Availability:http://www.engr.psu.edu/career/Students/resources/ecareer.aspxAvailable to all engineering students and recent alums

Description:

The Engineering Career Resources and Employer Relations (eCareer) system is a free online job search database that lists engineering co-op, internship and entry level full time positions available at hundreds of companies and government agencies around the world. The way it works is as follows: employers send job description and availability documents to eCareer, engineering staff members review the documents and then post them to the eCareer website for students to review and apply to. Some jobs have applications directly integrated with eCareer, where others provide links to corporate websites where the application can be completed. eCareer also provides students with updates about employer informational meetings, events and presentations on campus.

As an engineering student high grades are important, but hands on experience with innovative technology may be worth even more. The chances of a company hiring someone with little hands on experience but high grades is slimmer than the chances of hiring a student with a lot of hands on experience and lower grades. eCareer is the best career resource available to engineering students at Penn State. Not only are job listings provided, but eCareer will have a professional review a resume free of charge and provide professional feedback in a timely manner prior to submitting a job application. The engineering career fair each semester gives students access to hundreds of employers and is integrated highly with eCareer. Students can use the website to research companies prior to stopping by their booths, get contact information for companies and submit credentials to the company prior to a potential interview.

Tips: Join eCareer and get resumes reviewed early in the semester with time to make improvements Update resumes after each semester and submit it for review again Make a list of a few companies that could be potential employers, focus on getting to those booths, the career fair has a lot of people and lines can be long Check eCareer weekly throughout the semester and find new employment opportunities

Authors Note:

First of all I would like to congratulate you on choosing mechanical engineering as your potential major. You have signed up for both a challenging and rewarding college career. In my personal experience I have been through the lows and highs of the major. Ive been overwhelmed with the desire to quit and Ive been seemingly floating on top of the world. The key is to stay the course. However daunting a course may seem, no matter how close to failing you may be--hang on until the last possible moment. Sometimes the biggest achievements happen at the least expected times. Sacrifice time that others wouldnt, allow the life that surrounds you to inspire you. One hour, one class, one day and one semester at a time, stick your feet in the ground and push forward. I hope this guide was able to help you gain some traction.

"Engineering is a form of art and has filled the world with things of obvious visual beauty but also with subtle forms." ~ Louis Brown