Mechanical Engineering: Top 50 Verified Online Courses for Skill Enhancement
It is fascinating that online education has enabled people to acquire valuable skills from the comfort of their homes, no matter where they are in the world.
Let’s start with the basics: What exactly is an open online course?
A massive open online course (MOOC) is an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the Web (Source: Wikipedia)
A decade ago, I began leveraging the power of online education as an undergraduate student in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Since then, my commitment to expanding my Mechanical engineering skills has led me to earn 14 verified certificates from prestigious universities globally. Additionally, I have acquired valuable knowledge by completing over 50 courses in the non-certificate track.
In this article, I have curated a list of free and verified Mechanical Engineering courses (MOOCs) offered by renowned universities worldwide.
The primary sources for the courses in my list are:
· edX
· Coursera
· NPTEL (National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning)
· MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW)
It is worth noting that this article focuses solely on courses from academic institutions. There are remarkable learning resources on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy, which I plan to explore in a future article.
Course Categories
After thoroughly researching current and archived MOOCs across various providers, I have categorized these courses into eight divisions, as outlined in the article image:
Manufacturing, Product Development, Structural Engineering, Materials Science, Medical Devices, Automotive, Robotics, Miscellaneous
Before we dive into the list, here is a key breakdown of accessing MOOCs from the featured online course providers:
edX:
Most edX courses can be audited for free, allowing you to take these courses at your own pace and access all materials and lectures at no cost. However, if you want a verified certificate to prove your course completion, you typically pay a fee. While verified certificates may incur a fee, financial assistance is available for those unable to cover the total cost. I have personally benefited from substantial financial assistance, covering up to 90% of course fees in several instances.
Coursera:
Coursera also offers free course auditing, providing access to materials but excluding graded assignments and certificates. Nevertheless, you will have comprehensive access to course content and learning materials.
NPTEL:
Learners can enroll in NPTEL courses for free. This gives you access to the course content, including video lectures, assignments, and quizzes. Certification upon completion typically involves a fee, which is optional and covers administrative costs. If certification is not essential to you, you can still access educational content at no charge.
MIT OCW:
MIT OpenCourseWare is entirely free and open to the public, offering access to lecture notes, assignments, exams, and additional resources.
LIST OF COURSES:
Here is a comprehensive list of open online courses:
Manufacturing:
1. Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes — Massachusetts Institute of Technology on edX (MITx)
(My favorite course, taught by Prof. John Hart at MIT)
2. Monozukuri: Making Things — Tokyo Institute of Technology on edX (TokyoTechX)
3. Introduction to Computer Numerical Control — TenarisUniversity on edX (Tenaris Corporate)
5. How and Why Machines Work — MIT OpenCourseWare
6. Machine Design Part I — Georgia Institute of Technology on Coursera
Product Design and Development:
1. Product Design, Prototyping, and Testing — University System of Maryland on edX
2. Introduction to Engineering and Design — Brown University on edX (BrownX)
3. Product Design: The Delft Design Approach — Delft University of Technology on edX (DelftX)
4. Engineering and Product Design Processes — Arizona State University on Coursera
5. Product Design and Development — MIT OpenCourseWare Project-Based Course
6. Design and Manufacturing I — MIT OpenCourseWare
7. Design and Manufacturing II — MIT OpenCourseWare
8. Product Design and Manufacturing — Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur on NPTEL (IIT)
Structural Engineering:
1. The Engineering of Structures Around Us — Dartmouth College on edX (DartmouthX)
2. The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges — Princeton University on edX (PrincetonX)
3. The Art of Structural Engineering: Vaults — Princeton University on edX (PrincetonX)
4. Introduction to Aerospace Structures and Materials — Delft University of Technology on edX
(an aerospace engineering course, but equally relevant to Mechanical Engineers)
5. Structural Materials: Selection and Economics — Massachusetts Institute of Technology on edX (MITx)
6. Stability and Design of Structural Members — Purdue University on edX (PurdueX)
7. Foundations of Structural Dynamics — ISAE SUPAERO on Cousera
Materials Science:
1. Mechanics of Materials and Engineering Mechanics: 8-course series by Georgia Institute of Technology on Coursera
(arguably the most comprehensive set of lectures taught by Dr. Wayne Whiteman at Georgia Tech, helping you learn everything about Statics and Strength of Materials)
2. Material Behavior — Georgia Institute of Technology on Coursera
3. Material Processing — Georgia Institute of Technology on Coursera
Medical Devices:
1. Human Anatomy: Musculoskeletal Case — Harvard University Online on edX (HarvardX)
(for mechanical engineers seeking to work in the medical device industry, this course is an excellent building block for understanding the intricate details of anatomy. Prof. Van Houten is a fantastic instructor)
2. So You Want to Be a Biomedical Engineer — University of California, San Diego on edX (UCSanDiegoX)
Automotive:
1. Professional Certificate: Electric Cars — Delft University of Technology on edX (DelftX)
(a collection of 4 courses focusing on electric cars’ basics, technology, business, and policy. You can audit any of these courses individually at no cost or opt for the paid version to achieve a professional certificate)
2. Electric and Conventional Vehicles — Chalmers University of Technology on edX (ChalmersX)
3. Hybrid Vehicles — Chalmers University of Technology on edX (ChalmersX)
4. Road Traffic Safety in Automotive Engineering — Chalmers University of Technology on edX (ChalmersX)
5. Fundamentals of Automotive Systems, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras on NPTEL (IIT)
6. Ergonomics in Automotive Design: Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati on NPTEL (IIT)
Robotics:
1. The Mechatronics Revolution: Fundamentals and Core Concepts — Georgia Tech on edX (GTx)
4. Robotics Specialization — University of Pennsylvania on Coursera
(a 6-course series on robotics with a capstone course at the end)
5. Modern Robotics Specialization — Northwestern University on Coursera
(another exciting 6-course series on modern robotics with a capstone project at the end)
Miscellaneous:
1. A Hands-on Introduction to Engineering Simulations — Cornell University on edX (CornellX)
(one of the best courses for learning the basics of finite element analysis (FEA) and ANSYS simulation software)
2. The Finite Element Method for Problems in Physics — University of Michigan on Coursera
4. Forensic Engineering: Learning from Failures — Delft University of Technology on edX (DelftX)
(understanding common engineering failures and the investigation processes used to find their causes)
5. Question Everything: Scientific Thinking in Real Life — The University of Queensland on edX (UQx)
(develop critical-thinking skills by learning how to use math and science to solve everyday problems)
6. Generative Design for Manufacturing — 4-course series by Autodesk on Coursera
7. CS50: Introduction to Computer Science — Harvard University Online on edX (HarvardX)
(learning to program is a valuable skill for engineers, including mechanical engineers. If you are looking to learn programming from scratch, there is no better course than this one)
8. Introduction to Public Speaking — University of Washington on edX (UWashingtonX)
(effective communication as a Mechanical Engineer is also a key component of professional success, particularly with supplier interactions and project presentations)
9. Academic and Business Writing — University of California, Berkeley on edX (BerkeleyX)
Conclusion
I hope this curated course list proves beneficial to the ME community. Please feel free to share your feedback and discoveries in the comments section below. I will be regularly updating this article with new courses and insights.
Important PSA
Online courses are a valuable resource for improving your skills and enhancing your employability. However, they are not intended to replace formal education and practical work experience.
Online courses alone are not sufficient for college students or early-career mechanical engineers aiming to improve their skills and employability significantly. Hiring managers and recruiters place immense value on internships and impactful personal projects that showcase your hands-on practical skills.
Combining online learning with hands-on projects, internships, or formal degrees can provide a well-rounded education and make you more competitive in the job market. Additionally, certificates and courses that are directly relevant to the job requirements demonstrate that your skills align with the needs of the specific position.
