The Education of Professional Mechanical Engineers

Abstract

The qualities required of a professional mechanical engineer are discussed. In the light of these qualities, the limitations and excess variation of university degree courses in the United Kingdom are considered. The somewhat limited part played by the Council of Engineering Institutions in the education of engineers is mentioned. The new sandwich scheme operating in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Queen's University of Belfast, is introduced and discussed along with the implications and advantages of such a scheme being operated in the rest of the United Kingdom.