mechatronics or mechanical engineering & renewable energy

bizzyb

I am interested in both the above courses but as regards a career path which course would have more potential?

Offy

Mechatronics will open more doors as it covers more bases.

bizzyb

Offy wrote: »

Mechatronics will open more doors as it covers more bases.

Thanks Offy, i just did a search on here and seen some of your other posts very helpful. I am a qualified wood machinist and loved working with cnc machines, would mechatronics cover parts of this sector?

thewools

bizzyb wrote: »

Thanks Offy, i just did a search on here and seen some of your other posts very helpful. I am a qualified wood machinist and loved working with cnc machines, would mechatronics cover parts of this sector?

What college are you looking to do Mechatronics at?

bizzyb

thewools wrote: »

What college are you looking to do Mechatronics at?

Athlone.Its only 20 mins from my house.

Offy

bizzyb wrote: »

Thanks Offy, i just did a search on here and seen some of your other posts very helpful. I am a qualified wood machinist and loved working with cnc machines, would mechatronics cover parts of this sector?

Mechatronics covers the basics of cnc as in you will learn about the mechanical engineering aspect ie the mechinisms that moce the machine, lead screws, bearings, etc., the electrical side would include the motors, power distribution, system control, etc. and you will also learn about the computer code used to program the circuits and the control system. You wont learn about any given cnc machine, just the principles behind the technology. At the end of the day its all maths. Not very complex (no pun intended) either.
When you qualify you could work in design of cnc, maintenance of cnc, etc. but in my experience maintenance pays the highest salery. Hope that helps, if you have any other questions feel free to ask.

chopper666

I am thinking of applying for Mechatronics course in ITB next year, I have no experience in this field and would be starting from scratch. can you tell me how intense the course work is and leavel of Maths is involved cheers

Offy

chopper666 wrote: »

I am thinking of applying for Mechatronics course in ITB next year, I have no experience in this field and would be starting from scratch. can you tell me how intense the course work is and leavel of Maths is involved cheers

How intense it is depends on what your used to. Its like Leaving Cert. in first year. Lots of maths, physics, more maths, some applied maths, maths in mechanical engineering, maths in electronic and electrical engineering, maths in computer engineering, and some pratical in the labs. Then theres the really boring career skills/personal development/silly class. Its easy if your just out of school. If you away from it for a while its easy to get back into it. Lots of work but none of its hard.

Dardania

Offy wrote: »

How intense it is depends on what your used to. Its like Leaving Cert. in first year. Lots of maths, physics, more maths, some applied maths, maths in mechanical engineering, maths in electronic and electrical engineering, maths in computer engineering, and some pratical in the labs. Then theres the really boring career skills/personal development/silly class. Its easy if your just out of school. If you away from it for a while its easy to get back into it. Lots of work but none of its hard.

Check that any course is accredited by engineers ireland, in case you want to get chartered (easily) in future

enda1

Mechanical engineering is by far and away the more broad course with the greater career prospects.

chopper666

cheers offy, you have giving me a bit to think about

chopper666

What does accredited and non-accredited courses mean in real world terms, ie. job prospects at home and abroad ?

Dardania

chopper666 wrote: »

What does accredited and non-accredited courses mean in real world terms, ie. job prospects at home and abroad ?

Certain engineers jobs require the applicant to be chartered. Principally in civil, structural etc. engineering, but more recently I'm seeing job ads for mech or elec engineers saying that chartered is desirable.

If your college course isn't accredited by engineers ireland, it's more difficult to get chartered

mawk

enda1 wrote: »

Mechanical engineering is by far and away the more broad course with the greater career prospects.

I went through mech. Its definitely broad.

"that least useful of specialists-the well rounded man" as F.Scott Fitzgerald put it.
I found it hard to convince employers that I excelled in any one area due to the course universality. But of course when someone finally gave me a chance I had all sorts of useful transferable skills. Its a tough start coming out of mechanical at the moment

Mr. Tezza

I'd go with Mechanical Engineering, as said above its a broader course and you'll dabble in Mechatronics/renewable energy as part of your course (or you can have them as electives maybe?).

bren2001

I don't get how Mechanical is more broad than Mechatronics, I'm just finishing my degree in Mechatronics. I can do pretty much everything that Mechanical can do, bar fluid but on the flip side, I am very good at electronics which they know nothing about.

Mr. Tezza

bren2001 wrote: »

I don't get how Mechanical is more broad than Mechatronics, I'm just finishing my degree in Mechatronics. I can do pretty much everything that Mechanical can do, bar fluid but on the flip side, I am very good at electronics which they know nothing about.

A module of the mechanical engineering cse which I did was actually called mechatronics...

Probably not as in depth as what you did but at the same time it was more than enough.

You can't get much broader than Mechanical engineering to be honest...

I'd retract that statement about being able to do "pretty much everything that mechanical can do" too, could land you in hot water...

Offy

Mr. Tezza wrote: »

A module of the mechanical engineering cse which I did was actually called mechatronics...

Probably not as in depth as what you did but at the same time it was more than enough.

You can't get much broader than Mechanical engineering to be honest...

I'd retract that statement about being able to do "pretty much everything that mechanical can do" too, could land you in hot water...

Both mechanical and mechatronics are broad, actually most level 7 and level 8 degrees in engineering are broad. I found that the mechatronics degree opened more doors than just a mechanical degree. Mechatronics is the study of mechanical engineering, electrical/electronic engineering and computer engineering - thats pretty broad! A mechanical degree will cover mechanical engineering in much more depth that mechatronics does but it doesnt cover electrical or electronic engineering in any depth. Mechanical engineering does not cover computer hardware of programming lanuages in anywhere near the same depth as a mechatronics degree does.

bren2001

Mr. Tezza wrote: »

A module of the mechanical engineering cse which I did was actually called mechatronics...

Probably not as in depth as what you did but at the same time it was more than enough.

You can't get much broader than Mechanical engineering to be honest...

I'd retract that statement about being able to do "pretty much everything that mechanical can do" too, could land you in hot water...

As I said, I cannot do anything in fluid mechanics. Apart from that I can do everything that someone with a mechanical degree can do. Furthermore than that, I can do a masters in mechanical or a masters in electronic (which mechanical would not be able to do/find extremely hard to get into).

Mechanical is very broad, so is Mechatronics.

chopper666

I've have just accepted Mechanial Engineering course in DIT for 2013. has anyone out there any advice or comments on what job prospects there will be at the end of it ?

Darren1o1

bren2001 wrote: »

As I said, I cannot do anything in fluid mechanics. Apart from that I can do everything that someone with a mechanical degree can do. Furthermore than that, I can do a masters in mechanical or a masters in electronic (which mechanical would not be able to do/find extremely hard to get into).

Mechanical is very broad, so is Mechatronics.

At least in DCU there is more than just a fluids difference. There is more advanced materials, mechanics, FEA and and fluids/CFD along with more manufacturing... I would refrain from generalisations. Realistically you are restricted to the number of credits to achieve your degree so it is unlikely you will cover most of both courses in one.

OP I would look at where your aptitude and interest lies. You will find your course allot easier that way. Also accreditation is key for recognition abroad. Washington accord has made it easier for me to work in the US.

kevohmsford

chopper666 wrote: »

I've have just accepted Mechanical Engineering course in DIT for 2013. has anyone out there any advice or comments on what job prospects there will be at the end of it ?

I graduate from this course last year. Well it was DT022.

People have worked as Mechanical Design Engineers, Process Engineers, Field Service Engineers, Project Engineers just to name a few career paths.

It was a great course. Tough though with long hours of classes and some of the exams in final year were difficult.

I am currently working as a Customer Engineer for a large multinational but soon as a Field Service Engineer.

chopper666

Thanks for the reply, did you do the level 7 or level 8 ?

kevohmsford

chopper666 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, did you do the level 7 or level 8 ?

I completed the Level 8

chopper666

I accepted a place in DIT over 2 weeks ago and have not heard anything from them yet, I know it's early days but I need conformation from the college that I'm starting before I can apply for the Back To Education Allowance. Should I contact them or wait a while ?. Also is work placement part of the Mechanical Engineering course ?