Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
An Overview of the Discipline
Mechanical engineering is a comprehensive engineering field that applies the principles of physics and materials science to mechanical systems. Specifically at Penn, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) is a highly interdisciplinary study that works with all other engineering departments in cross-boundary projects. Such projects emphasize analytical and mathematical research in mechanics and technology. The field has two main components: theory and application. The undergraduate curriculum teaches both theoretical knowledge and laboratory work "to [prepare] Penn's mechanical engineers for the problems they will solve in industry and research."
Writing in the Discipline
Goals
Mechanical engineering strives to solve mechanical problems in materials, thermal energy, and other systems. Experimental mechanical engineers focus on defining and solving problems, such as creating bone implants that are mechanically similar to bone. Experimentalists can show that one replacement material is more similar to bone than a second material through repeated, quantitative experiments. The results of an experiment can be affirmed or critiqued by comparing what was done with other experiments. Theoretical engineers explore and critique the results of previous experiments. For example, theorists offer explanations for why one bone replacement material is better than another or challenge a previous statement using mathematical models. The theory also generates predictions for new experiments.
Reasoning
The scholarly work of mechanical engineering is usually explanatory, i.e., describing previous research, experimental methods, results, and mathematical models. However, the underlying goal of engineers' explanations is to demonstrate that their results are significant to the field or to persuade experimental engineers to test proposed models. Justificatory rhetoric is used only when multiple conclusions can be drawn from the same results, at which point mechanical engineers need to justify why a certain viewpoint is most compelling.
Evidence
The research of mechanical engineering can be either text- or data-based. Theorists typically build upon the existing literature. Experimentalists tend to use data-based evidence, including computational results and repeated experimental data. Experimental engineers use proper scientific methods, such as having a control group and changing only one independent variable at a time. The majority of legitimate evidence is quantitative data and is used in combination with prior literature in the field.
Authorship
Writing in MEAM can be single-authored or co-authored, although most work is collaborative. Theoretical engineers work closely with experimentalists to get an idea of various problems in the field. In addition, mechanical engineers often work with professors in other fields, including electrical engineering, material science, and medicine. For example, mechanical engineers can collaborate with medical professors to describe the mechanics of macroscopic blood clots with single-molecule models. However, collaboration is not always possible or necessary. Much of the theoretical work is produced by single authors and involves explaining phenomena observed in experiments, which requires no collaboration between the theorist and other engineers.
Claims
The knowledge produced by MEAM scholars is predominantly based on repeated experimental data, existing literature from credible sources, and mathematical models. Unlike data and information from previous publications, mathematical models rarely need further explanation or testing for credibility. Claims based on opinions, not facts, are unacceptable.
Writing Tips
It is important for student writers in MEAM to cater to the audience and demands of each assignment. For example, journal publications require highly technical language appealing to a specialized audience, whereas students are expected in their research papers to define and provide background information on such terms. Many MEAM research papers also require synthesis, rather than a mere summary of various sources. In fact, professors recommend that students structure their papers as a series of complex syntheses rather than as summaries of individual sources or ideas. This also prevents accidental plagiarism.
Professors also recommend that students begin assignments early enough to allow time to reread with a fresh mind and have another person, even someone outside of MEAM, review the paper.
Important Criteria for Student Writing
Originality, reasoning and evidence, proper documentation and organization are paramount for MEAM writers; demonstrating mastery of others' ideas, grammar, mechanics, and style are important but secondary considerations.
Common Errors
Dr. Turner notices that students tend to not think about the structure of their papers; students don’t realize that the structure helps to tell the story. In addition, students have the misconception that more words are better, and oftentimes add in extraneous information. With more words, the main point gets diluted and the readers have a more difficult time evaluating what was actually done. The aim is for concision and clarity. For example, engineers may perform experiments that are unsuccessful along the way. They should be mentioned in a paper, but extreme detail is not needed. A paper is not a report of what was done, but a concise summary of the outcome. Also, be sure to properly cite sources.
Style
MEAM Professor Kevin Turner notes that "you can be doing fantastic work, but if you can't convey what you're doing clearly in papers, nobody will appreciate it." MEAM style includes a neutral tone, a strategic mix of active and passive voice, and concision. Professors recommend that students read examples of well-written published work. This can be especially useful when writing papers for a specific journal or field and more useful than pouring over style guides, which overlook the kinds of distinctions MEAM writers need to make between different kinds of writing in their field. Mechanical engineers typically use CSE Citation Style.
Genres
Typical Student Writing
Many MEAM classes do not assign much writing. However, lab reports, progress reports, and research assignments are required in some courses. In addition, students may be assigned a design project in which they must define a problem, explain their solution, predict the expected performance, and describe any further implications. Graduate students may be expected to write short proposals.
Typical Professional Writing
MEAM professors primarily write journal papers and proposals. Journal publications share findings and new information, or affirm or critique other findings. To obtain research funding from the federal government or industry, mechanical engineers also must write proposals, which are then reviewed by an individual or a panel with expertise in the specific MEAM sub-field.
The MEAM website contains more information about different areas of research in mechanical engineering. The following link comprises a list of Penn professors, sorted by subdiscipline, including links to examples of their writing.
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Research Areas© 2013 The University of Pennsylvania
Meet the Professors
Dr. Prashant Purohit
"I have a routine. First, whatever models I have I write down and make handwritten notes ..."More...
Dr. Kevin Turner
"Even if your audience has an engineering background, it’s nice to build your story from basic ideas ..." More...
