Undergraduate Journey [III]: Stress (and strain curve)
B.Sc Mechanical Engineering ITB: A review of my 3rd semester
Once I, alongside my colleagues, had completed the first year generalised orientation curriculum (TPB — nicknamed “Tahap Paling Bahagia” aka The Happiest Stage amongst the student body), we were finally going to start learning about classes directly linked to our major, that is mechanical engineering ⚙️🛠️ 💪
Classes taken:
Kinematics & Dynamics of Machinery, Introduction to Engineering Analysis, Mechanics & Strength of Materials, Engineering Thermodynamics, Introduction to Mechanical Design, Mechanical Drawings, Engineering Materials
A mistake that I wanted to correct from my previous semester was that I prioritized each class equally without considering its course weight (aka SKS or credits). Therefore, my goal for this semester was to learn how to prioritize better and thankfully once the results were out, I was able to receive a perfect grade in the class that had the most weight (Kinematics & Dynamics of Machinery with its 4 SKS/credits).
Highlight #1: Accepted Into My Major’s Student Union [HMM ITB]
The student union for each major at ITB, especially mechanical engineering, is a significant phase as the members of each student union have their own unique culture affected by the major that they are studying in — e.g. for mechanical engineering (HMM ITB), it has a very fraternity like culture, evident in its nation wide motto Solidarity Forever. As for HMM ITB, the initiation program is notorious for being highly rigorous as well as being mentally and physically demanding with its strict structure of hierarchy and verbal warfare (though to be fair it has become far less intimidating as the years go by AND we also did it online). However, despite all the unpleasant moments that happened during the process, it was all still very worth it and definitely something that I can laugh at and look back on.
Highlight #2: First Offline Practicum
As part of MS2110 Mechanics and Strength of Materials, the students were invited onto campus (which mind you was at the very start of ITB’s transitioning phase from online to offline) to complete two practicals. The practicum itself was pretty straightforward, however as an engineering student, getting our hands dirty is just as important as learning theory so that we can see said theory within real life applications — and once we will be working, all calculations and theory will be with the end goal purpose of contributing to a real life application. Also, meeting one of my favourite professors, Pak Ferry, was also fun.
Highlight #3: 4th Law of Thermodynamics — just don’t
Despite being the study of heat, work, temperature, and energy, there is not a class better at draining all the energy I have for my major than thermodynamics. I even had great lecturers who made the unbearable course interesting enough to listen to but simply due to the shear reliance on conceptual know hows and reference to tables, coming out of class, I was not -273.15C (0K get it hehe). Granted I still passed the class, if I were to do this class all over again, I would recommend focusing more towards understanding concepts rather than memorization of equations.
