The Importance of Studying Mechanical Engineering

When I was a schoolgirl, I found myself intrigued with how and why things work the way they do. Now, having studied Mechanical Engineering for three and half years and having a little research experience, I am convinced that improvement of our understanding of the how and why would influence the way we lead our lives in a major way.

During the last three and half years, I spent most of time carrying out experimental studies and in attending lectures and seminars. My favorite lectures were on Multi-functional and adaptive materials and Green Fuel and Clean Energy Technologies. Of great interest to me was also the inter-institutional seminar on sustainable and green manufacturing strategies.

Many researchers and engineers had participated and told us about their current research and its application to day-to-day life. All these significantly improved my understanding of the subject and further enhanced my interest in it. I found mechanical behaviour of materials to be of greatest interest to me. My knowledge of engineering mechanics and materials proved to be very useful in understanding the principles that underlie the behaviour of materials. Consequently, one of my research projects involves the investigation of mechanical properties of thermosetting plastic blend of Phenol Formaldehyde and Chitin and another deals with the study of microstructures and mechanical properties of weldments.

I carried out my first research project in the third semester under the guidance of Professor R S Uma Maheshwar Rao. It was an experimental study of mechanical properties of thermosetting plastic blend of Phenol Formaldehyde and Chitin. The objective of the project was to develop a new composite system by reinforcing phenol formaldehyde with...

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...r the seven semesters of undergraduate education made me want to understand the mechanical behaviour of materials in depth. Having employed the gained knowledge from different fields of Mechanical Engineering into the above mentioned projects, I feel prepared for further studies and research in the fields of Materials Science and Engineering. After graduation, I plan to continue my scientific career in the field of Materials Science and Engineering.

Study of mechanical behavior of materials (Assistant Professor Vernery), study of bio materials and liquid crystals (Professor Schwartz) and study of energy storage materials (Professor Stoldt) are of particular interest to me. I have the strongest incentive to advance as far as I can in this captivating science and feel confident that application to the University of Colorado, Boulder is the best way to accomplish it.