Mechanical Engineering course, scope, jobs and salary details

Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

In this article, we will have an in-depth analysis of B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering course. It is one of the core branches of Engineering field and is a much sought after program. In this article, I will cover information such as basic course details, course duration, eligibility criteria, important subjects present, scope, job opportunities and courses that one may do after B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering. Students who have an interest in the working and making of machines, manufacturing processes, and machine design may take up this course. Come, let us check out the basic course details of B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering program.

B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering: Basic course details

It is a 4 years long Undergraduate level Degree program. The 4 years’ duration is divided into 8 semesters, each semester lasting a period of 6 months. During different semesters, students will have to face separate sets of theoretical subjects as well as practical lab sessions and workshops. Workshops form an integral part of B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering program, which helps students gain hands on experience.   In simple terms, Mechanical Engineering program revolves around concepts such as designing, manufacturing and working of machines and tools, parts of machines and their design, concepts of physics etc. As a result, students will come across subjects focusing of machines, such as- Theory of Machines, Dynamics of Machines etc.   To get a better idea about the course structure and its nature, let us take a look at some of the important subjects present in B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering program.

B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering: Important subjects present

Only important subjects have been listed here. Note that in first year, students will have to face common set of Engineering subjects, just like in the case of all other Engineering branches.

• Communication Skills
• Elements of Mechanical Engineering
• Elements of Electrical Engineering
• Basics of Civil Engineering
• Mechanics of Solids
• Computer Programming and Utilization
• Engineering Mathematics
• Engineering Physics
• Environmental Science
• Engineering Graphics

From 3rd semester onwards, subjects focusing on machines, their functioning and design are introduced.

• Fluid Mechanics
• Manufacturing Process
• Material Science
• Machine Design
• Electrical Machines and Electronics
• Thermodynamics
• Kinematics of Machines
• Theory of Machines
• Dynamics of Machines
• Industrial Drafting
• Power Engineering
• IC Engines
• Control Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• CAD
• Automobile Engineering
• Product Design
• Quality Engineering
• Energy Sources and Energy Management
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Safety Technology and Management
• Machine Tools Design
• Management

Some of the above mentioned theoretical subjects are recurring ones. They appear in more than just one semester. A good example is Engineering Mathematics subject. It appears in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th semesters.   Apart from theoretical part, most subjects also have practical and lab sessions associated with them. Also, workshops form an integral part of B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering program. In the final and pre-final year, Industrial visit as well as Project work will also be present.

Eligibility Criteria

10+2 Science stream students, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects, who have cleared 12th board examination from a recognized board, are eligible to pursue this course. Minimum marks criteria exists in case of many Institutes, which usually varies between 40-50% marks.   Students must also have appeared for State level entrance test to be considered eligible to apply for admission in Colleges, when it comes to B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering.

Courses to do after B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering

Students may go for technical as well as diploma courses such as piping technology, safety technology and management, CAD etc.   To build a career in the Merchant Navy, B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering graduates may even pursue Marine Engineering program (or other Merchant Navy courses).   Graduates may also go for the traditional M.Tech. program and specialize in sub branches and disciplines within Mechanical Engineering field such as- Machine Design, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Control Systems, Industrial Drafting, Automobile Engineering  and CAD etc.   Graduates who are interested in acquiring management skills may go for M.B.A. Degree after completing B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering program. Here are some relevant entrance exams – JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, TNEA & MHT CET.

Scope, Salary and Job opportunities

Mechanical Engineering is a core and evergreen branch. Almost all core industries and manufacturing units makes use of machines. Thus, for functioning and maintenance of machines, qualified Mechanical Engineers are needed by such Industries!   The point is- there are ample amounts of job opportunities for B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering graduates in Government as well as Private sector. When it comes to Government sector, organizations and departments like- Indian Railways, DRDO, Indian Armed Forces, BHEL, PWD, NHAI, State Wise Road Transport boards etc recruits Mechanical Engineers.   Private sector offers even more job opportunities. Small, Medium and Large scale manufacturing units hire large numbers of Mechanical Engineers to function efficiently. Automobile firms also recruits qualified Mechanical Engineering graduates. Starting salary (depends on different factors) is generally between 2-4.5 Lakh Rupees per year, in case of Graduates.   In the above mentioned organizations and sectors, B.E./B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering graduates may take up the following roles-

• Design Engineer
• Purchase and Quality Control Executive
• Assistant Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer

Graduates, after completing PG M.Tech. program, may take up teaching job also. By pursuing PhD program, one may also take up a job in the Research and Development sector.

Popular Mechanical Engineering colleges –

Here are some of the popular engineering colleges offering mechanical engineering courses in India –

• IIT-B, Powai
• IIT Delhi
• National Institute of Technology, Calicut
• Government Engineering College, Calicut
• College of Engineering, Trivandrum
• IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• University Departments of Anna University, Chennai – CEG Campus, Tamil Nadu
• University Departments of Anna University, Chennai – ACT Campus, Tamil Nadu
• University Departments of Anna University, Chennai – SAP Campus, Tamil Nadu
• IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal
• NIT Durgapur, West Bengal
• Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal
• LD College of Engineering, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad
• Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda, Ahmedabad
• Faculty of Technology and Engineering, MSU, Vadodara
• SVIT, Surat
• IIT, Patna, Bihar
• NIT, Patna, Bihar
• CIPET, Hajipur, Bihar
• IIT, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
• NIT, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
• IIT Hyderabad, Telangana
• NIT Warangal, Telangana
• IIT, Ropar, Punjab
• Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab
• Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab
• MRSPTU, Bathinda, Punjab
• CIPET, Amritsar, Punjab
• IIT Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• NIT Rourkela, Odisha
• College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

For an exhaustive list of colleges, check out this guide – best Engineering colleges in India.

Vishnu Nambiar

I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.

I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.