Mechanical engineering is a discipline at the heart of engineering. Indeed, nothing can move in the modern world without the participation of mechanical engineers. In transportation, motor cars, trains, ships and aeroplanes are designed and maintained by mechanical engineers. Factories producing mechanical, electronic products or food, medical products cannot run smoothly without mechanical engineers. Power stations would come to a halt without mechanical engineers. These are only a few, but important, examples. They illustrate that mechanical engineers are trained to cope with a variety of challenges and have a very broad career spectrum.

The degree of BEng in Mechanical Engineering aims to prepare our graduates for career paths open to them. It is broadly based to allow students to acquire a basic engineering science knowledge, and is flexible enough to enable students to specialise in areas of their own interest.

The emphasis of the mechanical engineering programme in the first two years is on the basic engineering science subjects such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, materials technology, dynamics and control. In the final year, students can choose to specialise in areas such as computer-related manufacturing technologies, building services, acoustics, vibration and nano technologies, or to study in-depth the basic engineering subjects described earlier. Students also have the opportunity to select the Environmental Engineering stream after the first year of study.

Students who want to learn more about business-related subjects can take a minor option in Business, Economics or Finance.

There is also a double degree arrangement with the Faculty of Business and Economics whereby students study an extra year to get a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Environmental Engineering Stream

In the past decade, industrialisation and urbanisation in Hong Kong and its surrounding regions have resulted in a notable deterioration of the environment. To contain pollution and to improve the environment, the government of Hong Kong has strengthened its environmental protection legislation. For instance, all major public and private development projects have to undertake environmental impact assessments. Taxis and minibuses running on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) have been introduced to reduce particulate emission. The government has also embarked on multi-billion dollar engineering projects to improve the environment in Hong Kong. These include the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme and the Chemical Waste Treatment Plant.

Students in the environmental engineering stream will take courses offered by the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering to acquire the range of skills and knowledge required by today's environmental engineers.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

The BENG(ME) programme is accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Graduates can, with proper training and working experience, obtain the status of Registered Professional Engineer. This professional status is recognised through the Washington Accord by the signatories of engineering organisations in Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK and USA.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates of the BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering are well prepared for a range of career opportunities. Recognised professional training is offered by the Hong Kong government, public utility companies, consultant firms and manufacturing companies. Most graduates seek and obtain professional qualifications from both local and the UK engineering institutions at a later stage of their career.

There is a variety of career opportunities for graduates of the BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering. Employment is available in public utilities, the MTRC, the bus companies, aviation and aircraft maintenance companies, gas and power companies, and the government. Another source of employment is in the manufacturing sector, notably firms producing consumer goods, heavy machinery, precision components, toys, electrical appliances and electronic products. Solving problems related to design, manufacturing, material sourcing, maintenance and management is a challenge of the job. There are good prospects for advancement to senior management.

Employers in both the public and private sectors require the services of environmental professionals to ensure that their organisations fully comply with the requirements of new environmental legislation, and there is therefore a strong demand in both sectors for engineering graduates with a solid background in environmental engineering.

Graduates of the environmental engineering stream can pursue careers in water, air and noise pollution control, solid and hazardous waste treatment, research and development of pollution control equipment, pollution control enforcement and environmental planning and assessment.

Those who wish to further their studies can either read for a research degree or enrol for other postgraduate courses such as an MSc or an MBA.