Mechanical Engineering Program Ensures Field Readiness

When considering a Mechanical Engineering program, you should look at a few aspects to determine if it is the right one for you. Theory, lab practice, facilities in which the program is housed and who teaches the Mechanical Engineering courses are all essential in choosing an undertaking that will ensure you are fully ready to enter the field upon graduation. Such a program exists at Centennial College, which offers the Mechanical Engineering Technology – Industrial (PTY) that prepares graduates for careers in the manufacture and production of mechanical equipment.

In this field, the duties of Mechanical Engineering professionals may include: developing quality control systems, assisting in plant expansions and layouts, conducting time and motion studies, planning and scheduling new facilities and preparing job safety programs and manuals. They may also fulfill positions such as supervisor (which offers additional opportunities), junior engineer, assistant to professional engineers, lab technician, quality control, CAD operator, technical sales and marketing, production control, and product design and development.

Students of the Mechanical Engineering program are based at Progress Campus, which isn’t only Centennial College’s largest location but also houses a new mechanical engineering lab that includes: Thermodynamic Fluid Power testing modules, and Tensile, Hardness and Impact Testers. This is important, as there is a 60-40 balance in the Mechanical Engineering courses of theory and practice.

This split between lectures and practical application ensures that students not only gain an understanding in basic engineering skills and science but also are able to master specific and advanced topics relating to modern manufacturing and production processes. Among the topics covered in the Mechanical Engineering courses are machine shop, physics, applied electricity, statistics, differential calculus and analytic geometry, properties of materials, fluid mechanics, tool design, quality assurance and more. These topics are presented and taught through experience machine shop operation, tool design, plus computer numerical control programming, designing, as well as building and testing an original piece of equipment. In addition, students learn essential computer-assisted drafting and manufacturing (CAD/ CAM), as well as industry-current software instruction in AutoCAD, Inventor and Mastercam.

To truly round out their Mechanical Engineering program, students take on two individual projects and attend co-op in the field. The project simulates actual workplace assignments, and gives students practical experience in designing, building and testing an original piece of equipment. Meanwhile, academically qualified students enhance their education by working three terms as paid employees in the field. Please note that a minimum C grade required in COMM-170/171, minimum 2.5 GPA and minimum 80 percent of year 1 and 2 courses are required for COOP-221.

All applicants require to apply for the Mechanical Engineering program is at least an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they must possess English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent, or skills assessment; and Math Grade 11 M or U or Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent, or skills assessment.