Exploring the Interdisciplinary World of Mechatronics

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Dylan Nguyen grew up with a father who worked as a mechanical engineer, and he’s been exploring his engineering interests through FIRST Robotics programs. Now, having completed his first year at Oregon State University, Dylan is rethinking his mechanical engineering path as he becomes exposed to the wide range of disciplines in engineering, known collectively as mechatronics.

In this interview, we talk to Dylan about his interests and experiences in his engineering studies and how, uniquely enough, this exposure has opened his eyes to the possibilities of becoming a PCB designer.

Andy Shaughnessy: Dylan, what has been your experience as a first-year student at Oregon State University?

Dylan Nguyen: I am declared as a mechanical engineer major which requires that I take certain classes. But at Oregon State, there's been a new emphasis on mechatronics, meaning that one should have a broad understanding of different aspects of engineering, not just one discipline.

There are many aspects of engineering, including mechanical, software, electronics, and electrical. Mechatronics says that engineers, no matter their specific discipline, should have some proficiency in all these disciplines.

I am completing my first year of the mechanical engineering program and taking the mechatronics curriculum. So far, we have worked in project development, soldering, and worked on Arduinos and Adafruit boards—things I wouldn’t normally do as a mechanical engineer. This whole idea of mechatronics is that the world wants people who are more engineering generalists and understand how things work together.

Nolan Johnson: Dylan, as an engineering student following a specialty, does this dilute your specialty? How much of the class load has shifted from time spent specializing in biomedical or chemical engineering, for example?

Nguyen: I work in a research lab where we develop environmental sensors. It involves designing electrical systems, working with PCBs, and soldering. I am one of the mechanical engineers working on the project. I do not feel it dilutes my studies in mechanical engineering but rather gives me a better understanding of what's happening around the mechanical piece. I'm still expected to learn all the skills of a mechanical engineer. But by being more exposed to what is on the periphery, I feel I have a better understanding of how things work, and how mechanical design contributes toward a bigger picture.

To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the July 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.