What To Take In University???

[bahamuti]

Hi people. I've spent a LOT of time researching what I want to do with the rest of my life and I've decided I want something with cars. I want to develop and design engines, brakes, suspension, etc. The problem is that I have no idea what profession that is or what I should take in university to do it. I've searched through university sites, and google to no avail. I CAN'T FIND IT! I thought it was mechanical engineering, but it's not. And I'm pretty sure it's not Automotive Engineering either (although I could be wrong). I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me which career I should choose to do what I mentioned above.

Thanks in advance.:sun:

[CAptynCrunch]

Well, if ya want to work on engines then I'd suggest not going to university but instead a technical college of some sort. However, if you want to go for the gold and actually work in the design process then you'll need to do engineering.

I'm not sure what field specifically but I would guess mechanical, although depending on the school there may be more specialized programs.

Also, bear in mind that the chances of actually getting to work for a race team, designing high-performance engines and other racing oriented things is a VERY competitive field and has a very limited number of job places.

Most car related engineering jobs deal more with emissions, fuel economy, safety, cost-reduction...things that make the companies money.

But either way chase your dream and who konws, maybe some day you'll catch it

Oh yeah, and just for fucture reference, Electrical Engineering is the only way to go

[bahamuti]

Yes, I want to design the parts, but I never said I want to work for a race team. That would be amazing but also very unrealistic. Emissions, fuel economy, and cost-reduction are things I feel fine about doing. I just need to know which engineering (if it's engineering) it is.

Btw, mechanical engineering is this:

Mechanical engineers design and construct machines that are used to make products from jet airplanes to chocolate bars to clothing.

[CAptynCrunch]

Ug, that definition sounds like one from;
"Interesting Careers for Dumbies". Man that was a pathetic book. It actually listed public toilet cleaner as an aspiring career...

Well, if ya don't mind working with mundane and boring things like fuel economy and stopping rust...then your already one step closer to making a good engineer

[ivymike1031]

Originally posted by bahamuti

Btw, mechanical engineering is this:
Mechanical engineers design and construct machines that are used to make products from jet airplanes to chocolate bars to clothing.

To be more accurate, you should say "mechanical engineers design and construct machines including jet airplanes, chocolate bar makers, textile processing equipment and automobiles."

Mechanical engineers tend to have the broadest skillset of all the engineering professions. Most automotive engineers (people who design self-propelled vehicles, incl planes, trains, cars, trucks, boats, etc) seem to come from a mechanical engineering background. There are quite a lot of electrical engineers as well, but most of them seem to work in controls (with mechanical/controls engineers) or electrical systems.

I got my BS in mechanical engineering (if you hadn't guessed already), and interviewed with companies in the following fields:
steel manufacturing
food processing / packaging
construction/consulting
optical coatings
chemical processing
real-time combat simulation
aircraft maintainence
aircraft design
heavy-duty truck design

I took a job in truck design, and worked in the door hardware department of a major semi-truck manufacturer for about 1.5 years. I designed components such as door handles, window regulators, belt seals, etc. I had some involvement in cost reduction projects, and spent a great deal of time error-proofing designs so that they couldn't be assembled incorrectly. It was fairly boring work, so I found a different job, in engine design.

Currently I work for an engineering/consulting company, primarily doing engine and engine component design. I've had projects ranging from lawnmower engines to large ship engines. The vast majority of the work I've done has been design of components for semi-truck-size diesel engines, especially pistons, rings, and crankshafts.

At my location at my company, mechanical engineers fill the following positions:
component designers
structural analysts (FEA, etc)
performance analysts (intake and exhaust design, turbo sizing, valve timing selection)
computational fluid dynamics analysts (cooling jackets, ports, manifolds)
testing (engine and transmission testing on the dyno, etc)
assembly of prototype engines
control systems design (along with electrical engrs)
in-house software development
most of management
most of sales

throughout other parts of the company, ME's do other jobs, such as
transmission design
vehicle body design
systems integration
powertrain development

[CAptynCrunch]

See, now thats what you get when you have soemone who's done his degree and is actually in the field answer your question as opposed to me, whose still in school and spends all his free time between classes playing cards with his friends when he should be studying, or maybe doing that math assignment thats due very soon...oops, gotta go.

And on a side note, is there anything more annoying then getting everything together too fix your old 70's stereo reciever, waiting for the soldering iron to heat up and then when you reach for the box of solder find that the damn things empty and it's 1:00am so theres no way to get any until after classes the next day?

[bahamuti]

WOW!!....thanks a lot for all of your replies....especially ivymike1031

Thanks to you I know what I'll take in university....hopefully in Germany. After that I intend to get hired at the Ferrari champ racing team and design Schumi's car. When nobody's around I will steal it for a spin on that fast track in Italy. Then I'll know for sure if that F399s can really do 243.55mph

Maybe I'll even reach that speed when they find me and I look like this:

Anyway, thanks again