Mechanical Engineering

General Information and Academic Programme Philosophy and Objectives

Mechanical Engineering includes the science and art of formulation, design, development, manufacturing and control of systems and components for the conversion of Energy and materials into useful mechanical work. These may include both power-generating machines and machines that transform and consume this power, such as nuclear and fossil power plants, propulsion devices, engines, turbines, motors, control mechanisms, transportation systems (automobiles, trains, space vehicles, marine vehicles, etc.), refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, cryogenic systems, manufacturing machines and systems, materials handling and earth-moving devices. The field requires a basic knowledge of mechanics of solids, fluids, and machines, materials, machine design, heat power, thermodynamics, heat transfer, manufacturing processes, industrial engineering, management science, optimization, and systems analysis.

In line with modern trends in curriculum development in Mechanical Engineering the world over, the programme includes basic subjects common to all engineering fields, fundamental subjects important to all mechanical engineers, and specialization in one or more areas of mechanical engineering. Apart from common courses of 12 credits options offered in the final year, final year students embrace 4 courses each of 4 credits, with a maximum of 16 credits per option. These include Heat/Thermal Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management Science, Applied Mechanics and Biomechanics, and Aeronautical Engineering. For students wishing to major in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, options are available from third year of study. All final year students must complete independent B.Eng. final-year project report on a topic related to the selected option and a design project selected from any area of mechanical engineering. Evaluation of the project report and design project will be based on a method of continuous assessment of individual performance throughout the year and an oral examination.

Job Opportunities for Mechanical Engineers

The technological growth of any country depends to a large extent on the ingenuity of its high calibre technical manpower. For the well-trained and conscientious mechanical engineer, interesting and challenging job opportunities abound in Nigeria. This ranges from the design, development, production, operation, and maintenance of plant, machinery, and equipment to the management of technical systems of man and machines. Mechanical engineers are urgently needed in such industrial sectors as chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries; food processing and beverages; paper, pulp, and wood processing; textile industries, power generation, mining and metallurgy, public utilities, construction industries, hospitals and biomedical engineering; sanitary and sewage, defence and security, industrial standardization and water resources, manufacturing and metal processing, universities, polytechnics and research institutes.