Graduate / 'highly ranked for Mechanical Engineering studies' - SOP For M.Sc. in penn. state [4]

A myriad of challenges faced by our environment as a result of various discoveries in science and technology calls for rapid intervention and scrupulous researches in order to avert the imminent catastrophe that could emanate from these discoveries. The discovery of oil has brought about economy boom for different countries and this has affected the world at large. Since most economies in the world are dependent on the revenues from crude oil, it becomes imperative to search for alternative sources of energy because of the looming danger of depletion of this non-renewable source of energy. Despite the benefits of oil discovery in the geopolitical, social, and economy affairs of the world, it has pose a great challenge to the sustainability of the environment most especially pollution due to the emission of carboniferous compounds and green house gases in general. Gas flaring and oil spillage also contribute to this menace. These issues made me think deeply on proffering amenable solutions. One of the major sources of green house gas emission is the combustion engines of power-plants and automobiles. I could actively research and assist in developing a combustion engine that its specific fuel consumption is so small that the amount of fuel consumed will be reduced, hence prolong the life of the reservoir, and the emissions from this engine will be as clean and safe as possible. This idea stimulates the choice to further my graduate study in the area of spark ignition and compression ignition engines an aspect of Mechanical Engineering. My desire to have my footprint in the sands of time also sparked up my ardour for this graduate study.

From my undergraduate years, I had developed great interest in Basic and Applied thermodynamics, Heat and Mass transfer, Thermal Engines, and Fluid Mechanics. I have always nurtured the ambition of specializing in one of these fields of Mechanical Engineering. My choice of career as a Mechanical Engineer specializing in the area of combustion in thermal engines with the intent of improving my economy's industrialization and hence myself, began to take form during my internship when I worked in an earth-moving vehicle (Bulldozer) firm where I understood the underlying principles of hydraulic systems, transmission units, torque converters, and the engine. Principles of thermodynamics, thermal engines, and fluid mechanic were in play here but I never really comprehended how they all had their share, this I intend to decipher and which is why I want to pursue my graduate studies. My aspiration for more knowledge soared when I got employed with Lagos State University in Nigeria, where I work in a maintenance capacity. I ensure that the power generating plants (diesel engines) are in proper working condition by running routine checks on the power plants, and carry out repairs on minor faults that spring up during operation of the power plants. Here, I developed tangible practical experience on the mechanism of combustion in diesel engines. Aside the engineering experience I acquired, both my managerial and negotiation skills have been greatly enhanced, with more capability to handle multiple task as compared to when I was running my undergraduate studies.

My extra-curricular activity in the area of project management has also exposed me to different aspects of practices such as building, welding, and other activities involved in the construction of a house. My love for chess has greatly improved my thinking capacity, strategizing and planning ahead. I have a responsibility in making the world around me a better place, hence necessitating improvement on my intelligence prowess. A graduate study in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in areas of spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines is a step towards achieving this objective.

Having gone through the information brochure, the available research areas, the University's homepage, and consulting with current graduate students of the university, I am convinced that a Graduate study at Pennsylvania State University is a seminal decision. Research areas such as; Soot particle formation and destruction in diffusion flames; Combustion and emission of spark-ignited and diesel engines; Ignition and combustion of metal particles, are alluring subject topics that suit my interest and I would be delighted if I can work with the strings of dynamic professors working on these research areas. The research facilities and laboratories in this institution will readily help with my research when I am absorbed into the institution for my graduate study. The serene and conducive environment of the university offers a relaxed mind and psychological stability for learning and research. Finally, Pennsylvania State University is highly ranked for Mechanical Engineering studies among other institutions. These among other reasons assert my choice of Pennsylvania State University as the school I seek my graduate study.

Scholarship / Fellowship essay (Mechanical engineering) - KAUST [2]

Submit the KAUST Scholarship Essay. In this essay respond to the following prompt: the mission of KAUST is to advance science and technology through bold and collaborative research. It educates scientific and technological leaders, catalyzes the diversification of the Saudi economy and addresses challenges of regional and global significance, thereby serving the Kingdom, the region and the world. Explain the importance of your field in today's society. In your future research and professional career describe how you would advance diversity in science and technolgy benefiting the region and thus creating a global impact. Your response to this essay will help the review committee assess how well your goals fit with the mission of KAUST.

Mechanical engineering is a diverse and fundamental part of engineering through which the world at large benefits from its immense contributions. It is the bedrock from which most engineering practices sprang. For any landmark inventions, the contribution of a mechanical engineer is indispensible. Among such landmarks are the jet propulsion which led to space exploration, energy generation which brought about stability in economies, automobiles that led to easy and faster mobility e.t.c. These among other things stimulated my desire to pursue mechanical engineering for my undergraduate studies.

During my undergraduate years, I was taught the rudiments of mechanical engineering through thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, compressible flow, heat transfer, statics and dynamics, mechanics of machines, and many more. Amongst all these topics, thermal engines in relation to combustion caught my interest. The mechanisms of combustion in diesel and gasoline engines were so alluring that I was determined to specialize in this aspect of mechanical engineering. Aside the alluring nature of this topic, the emissions generated during its operation poses a major threat to the environment and this impact is felt throughout the globe in the way of depleting the ozone layer and unsafe pollution.

With my knowledge in basic mechanical engineering which my academic records attest to, coupled with the palpable work experience I have gained, a graduate research study in the area of internal-combustion engines giving rise to clean combustion, fuel economy and pollutant control is a justified decision. I intend to actively research and assist in developing internal-combustion engines that are cost effective, whose emissions will be clean, safe and environmentally friendly. This innovation will help reduce further depletion of the ozone layer hence curb the ailments that arise from the ultraviolent rays emitted by the sun, it will also improve the productivity of most developing countries that depend on power generating plants for energy generation through minimal consumption of fuel thus ameliorating the economy of such countries.

I am determined to make the world around me a better place to live in, hence necessitating an improvement on my intelligence prowess. A graduate study in mechanical engineering with specialization in clean combustion is undisputedly a step towards actualizing my objective. King Abdullah university of Science and Technology is among one of the institution that encourages advanced research in combating challenges that have global impact. This factor stimulated my choice of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology as the institution in which I will pursue my graduate studies.

Undergraduate / 'Energy is the basis' - M.Sc. Petroleum Engineering [4]

Please I need advice on an SOP on petroleum engr, I do not have any experience on pet engr but I believe with my undergraduate study in Mech engr, I can handle it. Do help review... It goes thus...

Energy is the basis of the industrial age; modern civilization depends mainly on petroleum and its' products to provide this energy. The global impact of the changes in supply and demand of oil on world economies emphasises the importance of this resource. However, the petroleum industry at this time faces its' greatest challenges.

Gas flaring and oil spillage are significant challenges in the petroleum industry that affect the sustainability of the environment and this has raised major issues in the world diplomacy. Though the act of gas flaring can be harnessed and put into judicious use in the creation of energy, most developing countries either do not have the required facilities to carry out the control or they are oblivious of the fact that flared gas can be put to such usage. Oil spillage has also been a subject of controversy between oil-producing companies and countries where-in the exploration is been carried out, and this has caused major losses for the companies. These challenges triggered my desire to further my graduate studies in petroleum engineering. My choice of petroleum engineering borne out of the fact that it is the study that can give me an in-depth knowledge of the subject, in order to handle the challenges stated above.

My undergraduate years have imbued me with the knowledge of fluid mechanics, viscous flow theory, heat and mass transfer, energy sources and utilization, numerical methods, and compressible flow, which I believe are background topics that can further boost my understanding and assimilation of petroleum engineering as a subject. With my ability to learn and comprehend very fast, the desire to improve my immediate environ coupled with the world, and my resolve to ameliorate my intelligence prowess, graduate study in petroleum engineering will be a challenge easily accomplished.

The experience I have gathered through internship with a bulldozer firm has been of immense contribution to my further understanding of the principles of fluid mechanics and viscous flow theory. The manner in which lube oil flows under pressure through the transmission unit in order to lubricate and also enhance the changing of gears elaborates the practical use of fluid mechanics in the real world. So also is the manner in which this lube oil flows through the hydraulic arm of the bulldozer in order to carry out excavation or clearing of a piece of land in which case if there is a drop in pressure, the arm of the bulldozer will not lift and hence hinder the job at hand. This shows the importance of pressure in the principles of fluid mechanics. My present job placement in a university maintenance section has improved my knowledge in the aspect of flow in pipeline. Here I carry out the production and distribution of water to all parts of the institution. The production stage is the most interesting part, where we make use of lime and chlorine. The lime is applied to the water that is pumped from the borehole to an aeration tank. In this aeration tank, the atmospheric air reacts with this lime and water which reduces the ferric properties of the water and also coagulate the particles that may surface in the water. The treated water is then transferred through chlorination cum filter tank, where chlorine is added from a dosage tank, to a surface reservoir. From this surface reservoir the water is then transferred to an overhead tank which in turn is distributed to all parts of the institution where water is required. The law of Bernoulli was put to practice here and the aspect of pressure changes at bends and contractions was better understood. This law I believe will be of tremendous help in understanding the transportation/flow of natural gas in pipes.

Aside the engineering experience I acquired, both my managerial and negotiation skills have been greatly enhanced, and also my ability to handle multiple task as compared to while I was running my undergraduate studies. My love for chess has greatly improved my thinking capacity, strategizing and planning ahead. I have a responsibility in making the world around me a better place, hence necessitating improvement on my intelligence prowess. A graduate study in Petroleum Engineering, specializing in area of natural gas engineering is a step towards achieving this objective.