Mechanical engineering is a diverse engineering discipline, as it is the knowledge that is necessary to take a product from idea to the marketplace. The skills necessary to accomplish this include the ability to design for functionality, aesthetics and the environment the product will be used in.

A course is the study of a particular topic within a wider subject area and is the foundation of a qualification. A typical course includes lectures, assessments and tutorials.

Part-time learning allows one to obtain a degree or qualification even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at one's own pace, gradually accumulating credits that count towards a final qualification.