Different Types of Engineering
Engineering involves the design and construction of gadgets, machinery, and buildings.
The field is often classified into five major branches, each with hundreds of subfields.
Students majoring in engineering can expect to earn a high wage.
Many people regard engineering as a difficult major because of its emphasis on math and science.
Engineering is one of the most popular and lucrative degrees that college students can choose. Engineering is a popular STEM area that provides professional prospects in a variety of industries, including oil, renewable energy, and medical.
In fact, there are so many different forms of engineering that students frequently have difficulty deciding which one to pursue. One of the first stages in determining whether an engineering degree is right for you—and, if so, which field to pursue—is to understand the basic differences between the various engineering departments.
To engineer anything is to make, construct, or design it. As such, engineering refers to any scientific or technological branch concerned with the design and development of machines, engines, and other products or structures.
Some engineering disciplines are subsets of others. For example, environmental engineering is frequently referred to as a subset of civil engineering. Some branches, such as industrial engineering, are called interdisciplinary since they incorporate elements from multiple disciplines.
Other sorts of engineering may not fit easily into any single category. These include nuclear, biological, and rehabilitative engineering.
Most sources categorize engineering into the five following branches:.
1. Civil Engineering
Civil engineering, widely regarded as the oldest engineering subject, is concerned with the construction, design, and maintenance of public-use physical structures such as dams, bridges, tunnels, roads, airports, underground networks, and water supply systems. Many engineers currently specialize in creating environmentally friendly architecture to counteract climate change.
Civil engineers work in a variety of areas, including transportation, urban development, and space. Famous civil engineering projects include China’s Great Wall, the Panama Canal, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Eiffel Tower.
Civil engineering subfields are:
- Architectural engineering
- Coastal engineering
- Construction engineering
- Earthquake engineering
- Energy engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Forest engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Highway engineering
- Hydraulic engineering
- Mining/geological engineering
- Municipal/urban engineering
- Ocean engineering
- Railway systems engineering
- River engineering
- Sanitary engineering
- Solar engineering
- Structural engineering
- Sustainable engineering
- Traffic engineering
- Transport engineering
- Utility engineering
2. Chemical engineering.
In its broadest sense, chemical engineering is concerned with chemicals. These engineers create materials and products employing scientific principles from chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics. They may also develop novel ways to consume and change energy.
Chemical engineers may work with microorganisms, food, pharmaceuticals, or fuels. Many people use computers to design experiments and do other duties in laboratories.
Chemical engineering subfields are:
- Biochemical engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Biomolecular engineering
- Biotechnological engineering
- Cellular engineering
- Corrosion engineering
- Food engineering
- Genetic engineering
- Materials engineering
- Metallurgical engineering
- Microbial engineering
- Molecular engineering
- Paper engineering
- Petroleum engineering
- Pharmaceutical engineering
- Plastics engineering
- Polymer engineering
- Process engineering
- Textile engineering
- Tissue engineering
- Welding engineering
3. Mechanical Engineering
The creation and manufacturing of mechanical systems and other moving devices is the domain of mechanical engineering. These experts turn ideas into working items like ships, guns, turbines, home appliances, and cars by applying problem-solving techniques, critical thinking, and math and physics principles.
Many of the fundamental parts that mechanical engineers use today have been around for thousands of years: axles, wheels, springs, screws, and screws.
Subfields of mechanical engineering are:
- Acoustical engineering
- Aeronautical engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Agricultural engineering
- Astronautical engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Manufacturing engineering
- Marine engineering
- Mechatronics engineering
- Power plant engineering
- Robotics engineering
- Sports engineering
- Thermal engineering
- Wind engineering
4. Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is a more recent field of engineering that was first used in the 19th century. Its main concentration is on electronics and electrical equipment. These engineers create, test, and maintain electrically powered systems, ranging in size from microchips and computers to massive undertakings like satellites and power plant generators.
Electrical engineers often finish their job in an office or lab, though they occasionally work on-site as well.
Subfields of Electrical Engineering are:
- Computer engineering
- Data engineering
- Electronics engineering
- Hardware engineering
- Information technology engineering
- Mechatronics engineering
- Microelectronic engineering
- Nanoengineering
- Network engineering
- Optical engineering
- Power engineering
- Telecommunications engineering
- Web engineering
5. Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineering is the last engineering branch. It lowers costs, boosts productivity, and improves quality by fusing engineering with standard business procedures. These experts frequently work in the service, entertainment, and healthcare sectors.
Working with people is a prerequisite for industrial engineers. Managing inventories, supervising staff assignments, planning facilities and information systems, and guaranteeing workplace safety are some of the main responsibilities of industrial engineers.
Subfields of Industrial Engineering are:
- Apparel engineering
- Component engineering
- Financial engineering
- Fire protection engineering
- Manufacturing engineering
- Safety engineering
- Supply chain engineering
- Systems engineering