Trends in undergraduate mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace and mechatronics programs worldwide: in-depth study of 55 universities´ programs

Engineers are needed to create wealth that is necessary for sustained growth and economic stability and they are needed to solve practical problems. Such a need has led many countries to take a fresh look at engineering education and training. The contents of undergraduate programs have to reflect the existing and future philosophical, cultural and industrial factors that relate to qualities required in its professional engineers and how best these requirements can be met with the many engineering degree courses universities are offering. This paper summarises the results of a study which covers in detail over fifty-five (55) universities offering over a hundred programs in North America, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace and mechatronics programs. The courses offered are tabulated to highlight different trends in engineering education, worldwide.