Choosing a topic

Choosing an interesting and robust topic is essential to any successful research project. You can get ideas for topics from many places. One strategy that is particularly effective when you are new to a discipline or field is to browse the literature of the field. For those entering the engineering field, magazines and trade publications are a nice place to start. Below are suggested magazines available through the Cal Maritime Library.

Magazines Published by Engineering Professional Associations

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Published by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
Aerospace America
Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Available freely online.
ASHRAE journal
Published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
Automotive engineering
Published by SAE International. Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
Autonomous vehicle engineering
Published by SAE International. Coming Soon: Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
Mechanical engineering
Published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library and online through Cal Maritime Library databases.
SWE magazine
Published by the Society of Women Engineers. Available freely online.

Engineering Trade Magazines

Marine propulsion & auxiliary machinery
The journal of ships' engineering systems. Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library.
Plant engineering
Available in print in the Periodicals section of the Cal Maritime Library and online through Cal Maritime Library databases.

General Interest STEM Magazines

Discover
Available online through Cal Maritime Library databases.
Popular mechanics
Available online through Cal Maritime Library databases.
Scientific American
Available online through Cal Maritime Library databases.