There are some career options that are very popular, engineering is one such option. Innovation rules the world, and that’s how we are able to improve our lives. And, the role of engineering in this process is to drive innovation. Many scientific principles are integrated with practical research to acquire more knowledge. Engineering is so much more than this, we have multiple types that aim at solving problems. There are subfields in engineering, making the process of selecting the right type of engineering difficult for you. We can say that in simple words, engineering is about creating, building, or designing things.
Why Engineering is important?
Irrespective of the sector you select, you’ll still find engineering everywhere. It has helped us to create a better society. You are using your smartphones, driving cars, and traveling to places. All these are made possible with engineering. We have been able to develop ways using engineering which ultimately has benefited mankind. The list of advancements using engineering is endless, right from ending the world wars to discovering the illnesses and treatments. And, even today, we are able to develop new things each day, making engineering an integral part of our lives.
Most of the developments we see today are made possible by the innovative ideas on which engineers worked to convert them into reality. They keep the constantly changing world in their mind to develop solutions to the problems, all the while ensuring that they stay relevant. Take the example of the major concern we are facing, climate change. If left unattended, it could lead to catastrophe. This is why engineers and scientists are working towards developing technologies that can help us deal with this problem.
What are the different types of engineering?
As we have mentioned, there are hundreds of subfields in engineering. In this discussion, we will cover the broader types of engineering. Here are some of them.
1. Mechanical engineering
In mechanical engineering, engineers use principles of motion, energy, and force, using which they are able to analyze their work. You can see mechanical engineers in various sectors, including space, healthcare, and energy. Using mechanical engineering, the objects are designed to function efficiently and safely. The objects designed in this field range from small components such as sensors to large systems such as satellites.
A few of the disciplines included in mechanical engineering are aerospace, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and robotics. Aeronautics and astronautics are part of aerospace engineering. Biotechnology makes products using biology that are very helpful. With the help of nanotechnology, materials are engineered at the nanoscale. And, in robotics, machines are produced that can substitute for human actions.
2. Civil engineering
In civil engineering, large-scale structures such as buildings and roads are designed and constructed. It is one of the most important engineering, as it is directly related to society. It ensures that we get treated water to drink and have proper drainage and irrigation channel. Several factors such as construction costs, government regulations, and potential environmental threats are taken into consideration while designing structures. Examples of civil engineering projects are the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China.
A few of the disciplines included in civil engineering are transportation, coastal, structural, and environmental. In transportation engineering, the transportation systems are planned, designed, operated, and maintained to function safely and efficiently. Coastal engineering is concerned with the development of the coast and construction at or near it. The form and shape of structures are designed in structural engineering. And, in environmental engineering, engineers develop solutions to deal with environmental concerns.
3. Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering has connected our world with its valuable inventions, from light bulbs to smartphones. It is revolutionizing our world, starting from the invention of the dynamo in the early 19th century to space exploration in today’s time. It won’t be long, using engineering we can become interplanetary species. Furthermore, engineers in this field help in powering the world through creating, designing, and managing electricity. Its applications have a wider scope, from small objects like microchips to large objects like satellites.
A few of the disciplines included in electrical engineering are computer, power, electronics, and network. In computer engineering, engineers understand the hardware as well as software of the computer and solve computer-oriented problems. Power engineering is concerned with generating, transmitting, distributing, and utilizing electric power. We use various devices on a daily basis, including smartphones and laptops. All these electronic devices are build by electrical engineers, and electronic engineering allows the implementation of applications, principles, and algorithms. And, in network engineering, engineers perform complex tasks ranging from protecting the servers from hackers to enhancing the performance of the networks.
4. Chemical engineering
In chemical engineering, valuable products are made through chemical processes. An example of a process included is designing equipment and systems for refining raw materials. Various subjects are combined in this type of engineering. Some of these subjects are experimental science, life science, economics, and mathematics. The engineers perform experiments involving microorganisms, pharmaceuticals, fuel, and many more.
A few of the disciplines included in chemical engineering are biochemical, cellular, petroleum, and textile. In biochemical engineering, products and processes are developed using biological materials. Cellular engineering is concerned with biomedical applications, including regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In petroleum engineering, engineers use mathematics, physics, and geology to fuel the world. There are various processes involved in textile engineering, including process engineering, product control, quality control, and research and development.
Conclusion
We discussed different types of engineering, yet these were just the tip of the icebergs. The engineering field is vast with its infinite applications. We are able to improve the quality of our life using engineering. There is quite a responsibility on engineers to ensure that their developed solutions are beneficial. And, if there is a possibility that it can have unintended consequences, then they must address it on priority. The developments made by engineers should stand the test of time, and save the lives of people involved in it, in times of disaster. Considering the direct relation of engineering to our lives, it will continue to be an important field.