INSTITUTIONS OFFERING MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT IS MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING AND WHO IS A MECHATRONICS ENGINEER?
Mechatronics engineering is a branch of engineering that integrates mechanical engineering and electrical/electronics engineering. Actually the name of the program is made up from the two fields mechanics and electronics, but the program involves many other fields including robotics, computer science, telecommunications, systems control and product engineering. A mechatronics engineer is someone who has studied mechatronics and has the knowledge and skills to use technology and electronics to control mechanical systems among other things. These are the engineers that are responsible for allowing machines help in the manufacture of many things. We see this in manufacturing companies where machines are able to pack food in wrappers, seal the wrappers and then pack these in a large boxes. Another example is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is used to see inside/check the human body to check for things such as tumors. The machines that do this are controlled by computer programs that have been designed by the mechatronics engineers.
WHERE DO MECHATRONICS ENGINEERS WORK?
The mechatronics work in all places that have machines that need automation. These places include mines, manufacturing and processing companies such as trade kings, Lafarge, Chilanga cement, textile companies, Zambeef (especially in the production of milk and dairy foods), Parmalat etc. The engineers may work in many other places that involve use of robots to do work. This is because robots are made of electronic and mechanical parts. To just clear up any confusion about what a robot is, it as any automatically operated machine that replaces human effort whether it looks like a human or not. They can also work in aviation and aerospace, oil and energy companies, information technology companies, telephone companies and many other places.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
Looking at the examples of places where these engineers can work we can tell that the tasks differ when it comes to day-to-day duties. Although, generally speaking, the daily tasks may include design and developing new technology to be used in robots. This is very common in those engineers who decide to work for themselves. What these self-employed engineers do is that they design and make robots and their controls so that they can sell them to companies that may benefit from these robots. When they are working for a company they design solutions to problems that have to do with production using robots and they are able to design better robots to improve production. They are responsible to setting up robots in work places that didn’t have them so that they improve processes that were used earlier. They also make new control systems which are just computer programs that help with controlling the robots they created.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
It is worth noting that mechatronics is a relatively new field of engineering and that the technology industry in Zambia is still not very developed but it is developing. We have a lot of new industries coming up and what this means is that we need robots to help in the manufacture of many products. This is why the job market for these engineers is good because they are needed in the new and growing technology industry.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
These engineers are very creative. It is recommended that if you want to do this program you have to be a person with good problem solving skills and a great imagination. You should also love technology, computers, coding and mechanics in general.
You need to have an interest in Mathematics and physics for you to enjoy the study of this program. A background in computer studies and geometrical and mechanical drawing (GMD) is an added advantage.
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
During your stay at university you will learn a number of courses. These include applied computing, engineering design principles, electrical and electronic principles, engineering applications, material science, engineering measurement systems, statics and dynamics, engineering mathematics, signals and systems, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics, electrical machines, digital systems and microprocessors, mechanics of materials, control systems, signal processing, computer systems and networks, management studies, wireless sensor networks, fluid power systems, robot dynamic and control, electrical drives and power electronics.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Before you can be admitted to the mechatronics program, you first of all need to pass through natural sciences in your first year at university. Admission into the school of natural sciences is very competitive and you need to have scored at least 12 points in your best 6 subjects (inclusive of Mathematics, English and Science) to stand a good chance of being selected.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
There are further studies that one can get in the field of mechatronics such as the masters of engineering in mechatronics engineering. Getting this masters allows one to have much more knowledge about the application of mechatronics especially in robotics, control systems, automation (deals with use or making automatic equipment in a factory) and instrumentation (making instruments to measure a number of things such as weight, pressure or temperature). Having this in depth knowledge gives you an upper hand in the job market.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING
COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time
Admitting school: School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Intakes: November
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 290816 / +260 212 290817 / +260 212 290815
E-mail: academicoffice@cbu.ac.zm
Website: www.cbu.ac.zm/fees/