Statement of Purpose for M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Changing Branch)

[vish22]

Yo guys,

I really appreciate the topics and outlooks presented in this forum. After submitting my applications to Universities, all I can do now(other than checking my mail 1000 times a day) is to hang around in these forums.

 

I'm in my final year majoring in Civil Engineering. However, I plan to pursue an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Hope the following statement of purpose brings this forth. I don't have a stellar gpa, but rather a modest above average one. If it helps, I scored among the highest in the few subjects that interested me. I don't got no projects/research experience to top it all.

 

Evaluate SOP please  -

 

 

   The importance of applying physical principles to develop modern technologies is quite evident from many major projects. I am fortunate to have observed this early in my life. Perhaps this had something to do with my early exposure to civil engineering and project management as my father has been an entrepreneur in the field of infrastructure development.

   

   I set a strong foothold in general physics by scoring 95% in the same, in my XIIth board examinations. Determined to apply the fundamentals I learnt, I chose Civil Engineering as my undergraduate stream. In my second year, I was instantly attracted to the intricacies of fluid flow in Fluid Mechanics-I. However, I could not comprehend stated mathematics in fluid kinematics. Although the general continuity equation seemed straightforward, it's physical interpretation by mathematical proof eluded me. I couldn't relate to the subject's advanced nature. This had struck a large blow to my performance. I lost faith in my abilities and felt handicapped because I couldn't mathematically describe the subject I admired most.

  

   I regretted for not having made a sincere attempt to comprehend the calculus of functions having a plane (and space) domain, especially when I had the opportunity to do so during my initial years of undergraduate education. The frustration of not being able to grasp the physical essence of differential equations fuelled my curiosity to find the very reason for describing flows with such equations. Throughout my third year, I dedicated time on a daily basis to independently learning advanced mathematics. I used reference texts from my college library and innumerable online resources like videos, online notes and university courseware. After almost a year and a half of enjoyable learning, I am extremely pleased with my newly acquired insight on multivariable calculus - from the epsilon-delta definition of a limit to the elegant Stokes' theorem. I purchased the books "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences" and "Essential Calculus", on my 21st birthday. The wonderful explanations and problems continue to guide me.

   

   The delight I experienced by realizing the truthfulness of a physical situation from an advanced mathematical perspective is indescribable. It was a personal milestone, not only in academics but also in my outlook. My new insight helped me relate operations from vector calculus to fluid flow. Conservation of mass flow represented by the continuity equation became clear. Understanding incompressible flow in terms of zero velocity field divergence or even vorticity as the curl representative vector field of a velocity field, boosted my intuition of fluid mechanics. The universality of calculus enabled me to grasp principles from classical mechanics and electrodynamics. This mainly consisted of setting up differential equations representing a combination of forces (or from energy considerations in a force field) and how its solution could be used to interpret the motion of a body. I led myself to glimpse the beauty in Euler-Lagrange's equations of motion and Hamiltonian mechanics. I cannot wait to apply least action principles to flows. The thought of deriving practical field solutions from Navier-Stokes' non-linear pdes truly excites me. These are all very exciting and I hope to fully utilize mathematical tools in my learning. Fourier transforms, series solutions to differential equations, etc. will greatly help me. Concepts like terminal velocity, effects of drag and lift forces on submerged bodies in Applied Hydraulics-II became obvious. I fully appreciate mathematics as a tool for deeper understanding and feel fortunate to have faced an impediment which enabled me to look beyond the engineering syllabus. I use  Maple13 to solve and plot solutions to differential equations and to visualize scalar and vector fields. I am an active member of an internet based physics forum where I try my best to solve problems for new members alongside learning from experienced ones. In my final year, I was looking for interdisciplinary graduate programs where I could fully express myself. I identified the inevitable importance of my academic interests in energy optimization and conversion systems.

  

   Energy which is clean, harmless and abundant in its extraction and utilization, would serve as a catalyst for innumerable developments. I am determined to contribute to such development by applying the principles involved in sustainable energy systems. The potential of such a study to define the course of future generations inspires me. The depth of engineering physics and computational tools involved truly excites me.

  

   With this path in mind, I chose "Energy Efficiency in Building Design and Construction" as my final year project. I learnt of practices which reduce fossil fuel energy demands of buildings. Such methods include increasing the building's thermal mass to reduce temperature fluctuations within, and analyzing how passive solar designs contribute to heat circulation. My college principal has even requested for the funding of a solar tube light in our college basement. My friends and I eagerly look forward to designing and installing it. This project has served as a stepping stone to my grasping of thermal fluids - a subject not included in my syllabus. I started by referring to solutions for the heat equation. I hope to understand heat and entropy changes in compressible fluids. My physics professor has encouraged me to consider statistical methods in thermal physics as this would contribute to better realization of turbulence in fluids. This project has also stirred my interest regarding electromagnetic energy conversion at the nanoscale, its photonics and applications to solar technologies.

  

   Freestyle football has been my hobby since 2005. My efforts to improve have placed me among the best "lower-body" freestylers of Asia. I contribute to the growth of this sport in any which way I can-by coaching in vacations or judging college competitions.

 

   With strong foundations in mathematical physics, I am confident of building upon it, a solid understanding of the methods involved in computational fluid dynamics, thermal fluids and system dynamics. I intend to bolster my understanding of micro and macro flow phenomena and look forward to using computational methods in the energy sector. My long term ambition is to combine my skills with entrepreneurship and direct my father's company into taking on new and exciting challenges in renewable energy generation for emerging economies like India. I also wish to contribute to the development of energy sciences. I look forward to being guided by your distinguished faculty. The EPIC's facilities and goals (and even the video) has assured me that University of North Carolina Charlotte's Mechanical Engineering graduate program is perfect for me. I look forward to being fully involved in the EPIC. Your consideration of candidates from other engineering fields is a blessing to many students like me. I am determined to pursue my academic and professional ambitions with complete faith and dedication. By applying to your graduate program, I have taken the right step toward realizing my role in contributing to society. I am thankful for your consideration of my candidature.

 

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Please let me know what you thought of this!! Keep in mind that almost everything after the 3rd S.o.p paragraph is not included even in the mechanical engineering undergraduate syllabus.

Edited January 14, 2013 by vish22

[selecttext]

What is the length requirement? I suspect that it may be too long. Instead of starting with a personal anecdote, I suggest that you explicitly state your research interests and objectives. Also, remove any negatives such as "I regretted...". Only include your accomplishments.  Since it is for an MS in ENGR, it should probably not exceed 1 page and it should be straight to the point.

[vish22]

Hello,thanks a lot for your input. The majority of universities required a maximum of two pages with no explicit limit. A few of them had a provision for around 1250 words. I kept this in my mind while applying and adjusted accordingly. I tried to mention what initiated me to change my field. I understand the negativity in the initial part, but that was simply to support my very low marks in mathematics in first year engineering. But I hope I assured how I overcame it.

Thanks again for your input!

Edited January 14, 2013 by vish22