Engineering

More about Engineering

Engineering as a concept began in ancient times with the development of the wheel and the pulley, creations which used basic mechanical principles to construct useful systems and tools. Since then, engineering has developed into a complicated set of mathematical and scientific principles which are used to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Engineers work scientifically, but their creations serve societal needs by means of a commercial market.

When developing a new product, engineers must consider safety, cost, effectiveness and reliability. Many engineers test products in an effort to maintain quality, understand any failures, and improve the current system or product. Computers are critical tools in the engineering profession, and are used to design, simulate, and monitor products. There are many subdisciplines which exist within the field of engineering. The main branches include the following:

• 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.

Educational Courses in Engineering

Engineering degrees and their specific requirements differ considerably between institutions and specialties within an institution. However, most professionals earn a bachelor’s degree in an engineering specialty, or may simply have a strong academic background in mathematics or natural science education courses. Engineering curriculums usually also include at least one design education course.

Engineering technology is another popular degree program which differs from the standard engineering education course in that students learn through laboratory courses by applying engineering principles to design and production instead of through theoretic and scientific application. Continuing education is crucial for engineers to be aware of the latest developments and changing technology within engineering.

Engineering educations in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a very popular place to study for an engineering degree. The highest non-postgraduate degree in the UK is the Master of Engineering (MEng). Many universities offer three year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degrees and then allow a transfer onto the MEng.

Engineering educations in Europe

Students pursuing engineering educations in Europe have historically been awarded an engineering degree instead of a master's degree. The typical duration of education for an engineer's degree in Europe is 5 years. European universities with engineering educations – like engineering in the Netherlands or in Finland, for instance – tend to split the curriculum into two parts. The first part leads up to the bachelor's degree, and the second part is an optional two years, after which an engineer's or master's degree is awarded (MEng or MSc).

There are a variety of study options available worldwide within Engineering:

Diploma in Engineering

Bachelor degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Careers in Engineering

The demand for qualified engineers is rising in many countries, largely due to the growing levels of competition between products in the commercial market. This means that engineers (depending on their subdiscipline) are needed to improve the systems of development and increase productivity.

As a result of the rapid advancement of technology, many new branches of engineering are developing, such as Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Nanotechnology, Molecular Engineering etc. This is an exciting time to be in the field of engineering, and there are many opportunities for an excellent education at prestigious education institutions.