Engineering is the discipline of acquiring and applying scientific and technical knowledge to the design, analysis, and/or construction of works for practical purposes. Furthermore, engineering is often divided into several sub-disciplines. Although initially an engineer will be trained in a specific discipline, the engineer may become multi-disciplined throughout his career. Find the most relevant engineering education here by combining search criteria like geographical place, education type and key words.
Engineering Careers
Historically, engineering is categorized into the following main branches:
- Aerospace Engineering - The design of aircraft, spacecraft, and related topics.
- Chemical Engineering - The conversion of raw materials into usable commodities.
- Civil Engineering - The design and construction of public and private works, such as infrastructure, bridges and buildings.
- Electrical Engineering - The design of electrical systems, such as transformers, as well as electronic goods.
- Mechanical Engineering - The design of physical or mechanical systems, such as engines, power trains, and kinematic chains.
As a result of the rapid advancement of technology many new branches are developing such as Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Nanotechnology, Molecular Engineering etc. Sometimes, these new specialties combine with the traditional fields to create new branches such as Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
Studying Engineering
Engineering degrees and their specific requirements differ considerably between institutions and specialties within an institution. However, some degrees are more prominent than others.
Regarding
engineering educations in United Kingdom the highest non-postgraduate degree is the Master of Engineering (MEng). Many universities will offer the three year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree and then allow a transfer onto the MEng.
The standard undergraduate engineering degree in the United States is the bachelor's degree. This is generally the only degree required for licensure. For graduate students, the master's degree is by far the most common. The Degree of Engineer or Engineer's Degree is the terminal degree for practicing engineers.
Students pursuing technical
studies at universities and colleges in Europe, have historically been awarded an engineer's degree instead of a master's degree. Five years has been the typical length of studies for an engineer's degree. Following the introduction of the Bologna process, universities tend to split technical studies into two parts, the first leading up to the bachelor's degree, and the second part being an optional two years, after which an engineer's degree or a master's degree is awarded (MEng or MSc).
Engineer's Degree
A title including the word "engineer(ing)" is not necessarily an engineer's degree. Particularly, a "Master of Engineering" (M.Eng.) or "Engineering Doctorate" (Eng. D) degree is not an Engineer's degree, nor is any other bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. For example, a student with a B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering might next earn the degree Electrical Engineer. The person would then have a B.S. in E.E., a M.S. in E.E., and an E.E. degree. The former two are degrees in engineering, and only the latter degree is actually an Engineer's degree.
