Must-take courses for mechanical engineering student?

I'm entering college as a mechanical engineering major and want to make the most of my course selection. What are the best classes that every mechanical engineering student should take?

As a mechanical engineering major, you'll typically have a set of core courses that your department requires all students take. These are carefully selected to give you sound footing in mechanical engineering. But beyond these, there are certain courses which, while not always required, could be beneficial for you, regardless of your specific interests in mechanical engineering. Here's a non-exhaustive list of such courses:

1. Statics and Dynamics: These are usually pillars of any mechanical engineering curriculum as they help you understand how objects and materials behave when stationary and when in motion.

2. Thermodynamics: This will come handy when you study systems with significant energy changes, which is often the case in mechanical engineering.

3. Fluid Mechanics: Fluids play a huge part in mechanical systems, whether that's the coolant in a car engine, fuel in a rocket, or simply the air that we live in.

4. Materials Science: As an engineer, you'll often need to select the best materials for a job. Understanding the properties and behavior of different materials will help immensely with these decisions.

5. Mechanical Vibrations: This is crucial for understanding how systems respond to disturbances (particularly important for anything that moves!).

6. Controls: This involves designing systems to behave in particular ways, even in the face of disturbances.

7. Computer Aided Design (CAD): This is a practical skill that will be valuable in many engineering careers.

These core classes provide a generalist understanding of mechanical engineering and prepare you for a variety of post-graduation pathways. Additionally, you should consider attending technical workshops or seminars held by your department. This can expose you to the latest advances in the field as well as potential career paths.

Lastly, consider taking some coursework or gaining experience in coding or computer science as it's becoming increasingly important in all fields of engineering.