Department of Mechanical Engineering
Introduction
Mechanical Engineering is one of the broadest and most versatile branches of engineering. Established in 1939, the Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of the founding departments of the College of Engineering Trivandrum and has been a cornerstone of the institution's academic legacy. It covers design, manufacturing, automobiles, thermal engineering, materials, robotics, energy systems, and industrial applications. Many newcomers often enter the department with confusion about academics, internships, software skills, placements, CGPA, and career paths.
Core Subjects
Throughout the course, students learn across four major pillars. Design and Mechanics covers Engineering Drawing, Strength of Materials, Machine Design, Theory of Machines, and Dynamics — the foundation of how mechanical components are conceived and analysed. Thermal and Fluid Sciences covers Engineering Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Turbomachinery — how energy flows and is converted. Advanced Manufacturing covers Manufacturing Processes, Metrology, Production Engineering, CNC Technology, and Industrial Engineering — how things are made. Computational Engineering covers CAD/CAM, FEA using ANSYS, and MATLAB-based simulation — how modern engineers design and test digitally.
Faculty
The department of mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and largest mechanical engineering departments, with a large faculty body serving hundreds of UG and PG students. The department has professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and ad-hoc faculty committed to striving for excellency. The teachers combine extensive teaching experience with active research and consultancy, thus creating a strong learning environment fostering innovation and growth.
Labs
The Mechanical Engineering Department has extensive laboratory and workshop facilities that support training and research. The Mechanical Workshop and Machine Shops are practical training facilities where students learn fundamentals through hands-on work with lathes, milling machines, welding stations, and fitting tools. The Heat Engines Laboratory is a specialised facility that helps students develop a deeper understanding of energy generation and power-producing equipment, including IC engines and steam turbines. The Hydraulic Laboratory gives students hands-on experience on the practical aspects of fluid mechanics, bridging the gap between theory and practice. The CAD & Software Laboratory is equipped with AutoCAD, ANSYS, MATLAB, FLUENT, Pro/ENGINEER, and other simulation software. Together, these facilities provide students with strong hands-on experience, research opportunities, and industry-oriented training.
Placement Statistics
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has consistently demonstrated strong placement performance over the years. Students have secured employment in leading organisations across core engineering, manufacturing, automotive, construction, consulting, and information technology sectors. Major recruiters include Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Schneider Electric, Caterpillar, Renault Nissan, Ashok Leyland, JSW Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Quest Global, Daimler Truck Innovation Center, Royal Enfield, Engineers India Limited, and MRF. UST, Infosys, Cognizant, and TCS are some of the other companies that actively hire from the department. The average salary package offered is ₹6 LPA, while the highest package received is ₹14 LPA. The participation of both core and non-core recruiters provides students with diverse career opportunities across engineering, manufacturing, consulting, software, analytics, and management sectors.
Club Activities
The Mechanical Engineering Department at CET hosts several active student clubs and professional societies, including the SAEINDIA CET Collegiate Club, ASME student chapter, and BSS CET chapter. Various automobile clubs like Herakles Racing and Excelerators have received nationwide acclaim. Students with interests in space and aerospace technologies actively participate in AstroCET, VeloCET, and AeroCET — three of the most active space-related clubs in CET. Through activities such as workshops, competitions, design projects, and industry interactions, these clubs provide students with valuable hands-on experience and opportunities for holistic development.
Department Fest
The Mechanical Engineering Department's flagship student fest has long been a vibrant platform for creativity, innovation, and cultural activities. Reimagined and rebranded as OVERRIDE in 2023, it reflects a renewed vision and contemporary outlook while preserving its core spirit. Override continues to bring together technical competitions, cultural programs, workshops, and student-led initiatives, fostering talent, teamwork, and a strong sense of departmental pride.