Top 10 Mechanical Engineering MOOC's

Engineering Education is at the heart of what we do at Fastway Engineering as we introduce designers and design engineers to the latest CAD/CAE software tools and best practices.

Our students can be described as "lifelong learners" who are technical professionals looking to add more tools to their toolbox. In a similar fashion, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC's) are a great way to learn new concepts without investing in a full-time class, on site in a dedicated classroom.

There are over a thousand classes available between the two largest MOOC providers Coursera and edX! Drudging through them can be a bit overwhelming, so we've compiled a list of what we think are the top ten classes to take if you want to introduce yourself to Mechanical Engineering, or refresh yourself on the fundamentals.

1. Introduction to Engineering and Engineering Mathematics, edX - Everybody knows it - To be great at engineering, you have to be great at math. This class introduces students to broad engineering applications with one common theme: The Math. Not sure if you're strong enough in Math to pursue a career in Engineering? Take this course to test yourself. Do well here, and gain confidence to dive deeper into the discipline.
2. Introduction to Engineering Mechanics, Coursera - This class focuses on the fundamentals of Static Equilibrium (i.e. Sum of forces = Zero). Starting with 1 & 2 Degree Systems and building up to the analysis of a full 3D system, the student is introduced to the single most powerful tool in Mechanical Engineering: The Free Body Diagram!
3. Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Particles and Bodies in 2D Motion, Coursera - This class is a great follow-up to the Intro to Statics class, as it focuses on Kinematics and Kinetics, also known as Rigid Body Motion. Enjoy this one on 2D, and take the follow up class in 3D.
4. The Engineering of Structures Around Us, edX - This class from Dartmouth teaches us about the engineering behind structures we interact with every day such as architecture and furniture. With a great mix of computer-based simulation, and hands-on experiments, this class is a great way to learn the function behind the form.
5. Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering, Coursera - This is the perfect course for the audiophiles out there. This curriculum superbly marries the concepts of Sound & Acoustics with the fundamentals of Signals and Electronics. In it, students learn how to design Amplifiers and Speaker enclosures without needing a strong calculus background.
6. Introduction to Systems Engineering, Coursera - For those wanting a look at the bigger picture, this course offers just that. Systems Engineering focuses on an entire product's lifecycle, from defining customer's needs to production and obsolescence. This is a comprehensive introduction to a quick growing discipline.
7. Introduction to Aerospace Engineering, edX - With a focus on Astronautics and Human Spaceflight, this class prepares students for further education in "Aero and Astro". Topics from this class include first hand experiences of the MIT Professor, who is a former NASA Astronaut! It doesn't get more realistic than that.
8. Fundamentals of Fluid Power, Coursera - Hydraulics are not just for your low-rider. They can transmit extremely high amounts of power per pound, so it's no surprise they are used extensively in high performance machines from Fighter Jets to Formula 1 cars, and Construction Trucks to Commuter Trains. This class has 6 sessions, with one session fully dedicated to our favorite subject, Simulation!
9. Mechanical Behavior of Materials, edX - This class from MITx digs deep, (microscopically deep!) into what makes up the materials that we use as engineers. It is at the atomic level where properties like elasticity and plasticity are defined, which result in system level properties like creep and fatigue. Requiring a working level knowledge of chemistry and mechanics, this class is a thorough investigation of how materials react to their environment.
10. Sports and Building Aerodynamics, Coursera - This slightly more advanced class takes an existing knowledge of Fluids Mechanics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and applies them to the exciting topics of Running & Cycling Sports and Architecture & City Planning.

So there you have it: MOOC's offer a great bang for the buck, as most classes can be audited for free. Certificates look great on your resume (and your LinkedIn profile!), and most classes offer them for a small nominal fee.

So, for those who want to introduce themselves to the discipline of Mechanical Engineering, or for those of us who have been doing it for a while and need a quick refresher, consider this your wake up call...

Now go do your homework at www.fastwayengineering.com