Engineering is the use of math and science to develop functional solutions to practical problems. In other words, we have scientists and inventors who come up with great things and engineers are the ones who actually apply those discoveries into current constructs or products.
Engineering is a part of STEM educational disciplines (that is science, technology, engineering, and math); however as a discipline humans have been engaging in engineering practice for thousands of years.
The Great Pyramids of Giza; Stonehenge; the Parthenon; and many other sites are examples of engineering practice, yet today’s professional engineers work in a range of areas beyond basic building construction.
Engineers work on some pretty small stuff; cell membranes; they also build prosthetics; the efficiency of engines and transportation; and even renewable energy resources.
Engineering goes back further than the invention of the wheel, but the term itself derives from the word engineer, which stems from somewhat antiquated meanings of the word engineer that extend back to one defined in the 14th-century – someone who built engines or “devices for military purposes” such as the catapult and other “siege engines.”
Evidence of this military meaning can be seen today in organizations like the Corps of Royal Engineers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The term engine derives from the Latin word ingenium (c. 1250) which literally meant “innate quality especially of mind; hence clever invention.”
The term engineering expands past military concepts and begins to be relevant to civilian hosted structures such as bridges, buildings, etc. When the discipline and profession of engineering grew considerable distinction came with civil engineering to refer to engineering practices conducted outside of the military profession.
Engineers partake in designing, assessing, developing, testing, modifying, checking and maintaining a myriad of products, structures and systems.
This means there is a whole host of activities that engineers do that range from minimum levels of recommending materials and processes to maximum levels of doing everything from overseeing the manufacturing or construction processes, conducting failure analyses and investigations, consultancy, and teaching engineering to students and trainees.
Types of Engineering
There are many different types of engineering and the type of engineering is often associated with the area in which the engineer works. For example, engineers who are working in the oil and gas industry may be petroleum engineers, whereas engineers who are working more closely in farming-related applications may be agricultural engineers.
There are some traditional areas of engineering such as mechanical and civil engineering, while other engineering fields require the engineer to pull from several areas of overlapping specialties.
For example, a civil engineer may also need to use some structural engineering, or an aerospace engineer may also need to understand some physics, electrical engineering, or computer engineering.
These types of engineering are often referred to as interdisciplinary engineering, and include manufacturing engineering, acoustic engineering, corrosion engineering, aerospace, automotive, computer, textiles, geological, materials, and nuclear engineering amongst many others.
These areas of engineering are all within the branches of engineering represented by the 36 licensed member institutions within the UK Engineering Council.
So here are some of the more traditional areas of engineering and some more traditional interdisciplinary engineering fields:
1. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers work with the design, manufacture, inspection and maintenance of machinery, equipment and components such as vehicles, engines, aerospace products, weapon systems, robotics, turbines, construction and farm machinery, and tools and devices.
Mechanical Engineering also includes the management of control systems and measurement instruments which measure the performance and condition of machineries.
2. Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers work with design, testing, manufacture, construction, control, monitoring and inspection of electrical and electronic devices, components, machines and systems.
Electrical engineers work with devices and systems that range from the smallest microchips to large transmission and generation systems. This includes everything from broadcast engineering to electromagnetic devices, computer systems, communications and etc.
3. Civil Engineering
Civil engineers work with the design, construction, maintenance and inspection of large civil infrastructure, such as, roads, rail installations, bridges, tunnels and dams.
Generally working on public and private works, civil engineers usually work in sub-disciplines, such as, environmental engineering, structural engineering or surveying. As noted above, the purpose of the civil engineering degree was to differentiate it from military engineering.
4. Aerospace Engineering
A specialized subset of mechanical and electrical engineering, aerospace engineering focuses on aircraft and spacecraft design, manufacture and testing, including all parts and components.
Aerospace engineering analyses both aerodynamics and efficiencies in fuel burning vehicles, including aircraft, but also includes other vehicles like cars and electrical systems as well as control and navigation systems.
5. Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear engineers plan, online and control parts, systems and processes for the converse and control of nuclear power (not only nuclear power plant reactors, but even particle accelerators), as well as things such as monitor and store nuclear waste disposal and prevent sources of extreme situations.
6. Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers are concerned primarily with the design of component systems, devices and equipment used in medicine. Biomedical engineers get their job done working with medical professionals such as doctors, therapists and researchers.
7. Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers design processes, equipment, systems for processing, transferring, mixing and chemical, biological, mechanical engineering for production.
The chemical engineer conducts these processes to commercial quantities, from petroleum refining to fermentation and production of biomolecules.
8. Computer Engineering
Computer engineers design computer systems, networks and hardware. Computer engineering incorporates other engineering disciplines such as electrical engineering and sometimes other fields, along with computer software engineering.
9. Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineers design and optimize systems, equipment and facilities for manufacturing and processing materials and other industrial processes.
10. Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers are responsible for removals and discharges and prevention of pollution sources to the environment.
Engineers involved in monitoring pollution content levels, identifying pollution sources, and remediating a contaminated area must conduct their work in accordance with regulations set out by government agencies.
11. Marine Engineering
Marine engineering relates to engineering work on (or near) oceans, which can involve design and development relating to shipping, submarines, oil rigs, on-board vessels, harbours, plants, etc.
Marine engineering is a form of engineering that incorporates other disciplines of engineering including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and programming.
12. Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that studies the engineering behaviour or response of earth materials. This area of geotechnical engineering relies on the principles of soil and rock mechanics and incorporates knowledge of geology, geophysics, hydrology, etc.
Why is Engineering Important?
Engineering has been a part of human history for thousands of years, one form or another not through its early production of civil engineering to the innovators found within engineering academia and practice.
With the advancement of knowledge and understanding of science and mathematics throughout history, engineering knowledge was able to emerge and excel with the advances in technology and new thinking.
Engineers are able to take advanced technologies and use it with existing and established scientific principles, to apply innovative solutions and be creative with relevant and concurrent approaches to solve real-world challenges.
The importance of engineering in human history cannot be overstated, essentially engineering is arguably the creative basis of everything we use, from creating infrastructural transportation systems and energy systems to manufacturing devices like sunglasses, or even the various kinds of devices you are using to read this.
As our scientific understanding continues to develop, it will pave the way for engineering to discover ways to take that new knowledge and apply it to our world and those still unknown for us to learn.
Conclusion
The presence of engineering is omnipresent in our world. Engineering surrounds us and is an essential part of our lives.
Most people take it for granted. It is engineering that allows you to make your coffee in the morning, heat and cool your house, travel around the world, communicate on your cellular device, and much, much more.
As James A. Michener said in his 1983 book Space, “Scientists dream of doing great things. Engineers do them.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How does engineering benefit the world?
Engineers are responsible for the shaping of the world around us, creatively innovating solutions to our problems rather than solving the problems for us, and developing new technologies to enable the progress of society.
This can range anywhere from air or space travel to electronics engineering and water supply engineering to ensure that people in remote communities have adequate drinking water.
The advancement of human beings by helping those affected by issues like infectious disease by developing new technologies or protecting the planet from environmental issues. Engineers utilize science, mathematics, and creativity in their problem-solving activities both locally and globally.
Can engineering fix any problem?
Engineering can’t literally fix any problem, but it can be used to help solve a wide variety of them. Engineers create solutions based on real, attainable solutions to real problems. In many cases, engineering projects have multiple solutions, enabling engineers to select the most appropriate for their resources.
When did engineering start?
Engineering has been around since ancient times when we invented the wheel, pulley, wedge, and lever.
But the first civil engineer in history is Imhotep, who may have planned and supervised construction of the Pyramid of Djoser (the Step Pyramid) in Saqqara, Egypt around 2630–2611 BC.
Despite engineering’s origins in antiquity, it’s commonplace use began in 1390, (ans being referred to as ‘engine’ers) as engineers reported to build military engines (catapults, ballista, the trebuchet and other siege engines – engines of war).
The military aspect is inherited with the Corps of Royal Engineers, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
This military heritage later led us to civil engineering and other engineering professions, which are administratively distinct from military engineering.
Since then, as engineering graduates have commenced their engineering careers, their disciplines include: aeronautical, chemical, mechanical, civil, computer, electrical, and other types (see image above).
Each of which has its own specialism (and there is generally some level of cross-disciplinary and sharing of solutions throughout the engineering industry).
where will engineering take you ?
Engineering can literally take you on your own journey around the globe, travelling, whilst you work on projects associated a ‘foreign country’, as part of a career path which is high in demand and potentially a high salary.
Engineering is unique as almost in-between academia and vocational, combining soft-skills and academic theoretical learning with practical experience. In addition, it can lead you to opportunities in consulting, technical writing, manufacturing, logistics, business, and more…
Will engineering be automated?
Automation is permeating industry, including engineering, with the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution.
As more repeatable tasks become automatable, there has been concern that roles will be taken away from workers. Similar concerns were raised in previous industrial revolutions, which were ultimately unfounded.
It will likely be the same with this fourth wave of worry, as engineering is still a very human-centric profession for activities like design, quality assurance and problem resolution.
Automation has slowly invaded engineering roles over the decades but, instead of reducing employment, the use of automation frees engineers to take on more complex challenges, innovate and enter into more specialist roles and responsibilities.
Will we need engineers in the future?
We will certainly need engineers in the future, and in fact, most predictions indicate an increase in the need for engineers.
Engineering has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any large employment sector and, as long as technology develops, engineers will continue to be central to solving our problems and delivering benefits to society through new inventions.
Will robots / AI replace engineers?
With an Oxford University report estimating that approximately 50% of jobs in the USA are at risk of being automated in the next 20 years, it is easy to see why there is concern for job security.
That being said, the effects of advancing AI and robots will most likely be net positive. Sure, some habits and simple tasks may be able to be automated, but there are a ton of other tricky and nuanced roles that will need humans.
Historically, technology has improved not only human efficiency, but also created new job opportunities, many of which involve research and maintenance of automated technologies – which we’re all afraid will steal our jobs.
In fact while robots are doing the easy stuff, that means we will be able to spend our time doing the more interesting stuff like designing, researching and developing, and positions that require interacting with other people.
Instead of take our jobs robots and A.I. could be beneficial to human jobs because they will create more opportunities for interesting work – people just have to learn how to use machines to deliver boring information.
where is engineering going?
There is no certainty in predicting where engineering is going, however, a lot of the fundamental skills we want engineers to have will still be meaningful – analytical skills, creativity, communication skills, ethics and agility, continued learning.
As technology continues to develop and automation continues to grow, workers willing to work with technology and electronics will be valuable. Using intelligent devices and a connected IoT approach to products will also be very valuable.
Engineers working in high hazard locations could be wearing devices to trace their whereabouts and many high hazard areas beg for more practical automation with technology which will move embedded systems and software into much more of an important role.
Engineering will also become more efficient and streamlined as lean and efficient processes will be implemented in all industries, cutting out unnecessary tasks and becoming as efficient as possible.
Is engineering a good course to study?
Engineering is a great option for those who enjoy learning new things, providing solutions, good pay, and great employment opportunities.
Skilled and qualified engineers are in high demand in every industry and getting lots of good pay and benefits.
However, you will also have to continually keep your skills or knowledge up-to-date throughout your job if you wish to advance and therefore you will be learning new things.
That said, the more skills you have, the more in demand you are, then the higher pay you can ask and the more chances you will have to travel or work on many different projects.
Are engineering jobs in demand?
Engineering jobs are generally in high demand due to the amount of projects happening all over society in all areas. However, this demand is also dependent on the necessity of the global or local scene, so certain sectors will be busier at different times.
Is engineering hard to study?
Like any subject, engineering will become more detailed and complex as you further your studies. But yes, it does need maths and science and basically needs common sense and logic to problem solve.
So, apparently, engineering is one of the hardest degrees, but as engineering educators, we are familiar with supporting students through the entire university process to graduation.
If you’re interested in an engineering degree and want to take on the challenge, then don’t be discouraged and let this deter you.
What does studying engineering look like?
Engineering is the use of applied science and mathematics to create solutions to real-world problems or to create new products and processes across virtually every industry and application.
The aspect of designing, testing, and building structures, machines, devices, and processes based on science and mathematics is common in all engineers area of study, but the detail will vary depending on the area of engineering you study; aerospace, chemical, civil, electronics, mechanical engineering and more.
Can engineering technicians be engineers?
Engineering technicians can become engineers by adding the required skills and qualifications.
Can engineering be self-taught?
You can certainly learn parts of engineering on your own, but you will still have to be assessed and have a qualification before being able to work as a professional.
There are certain elements of engineering, especially the more hands-on elements, that are hard to learn on your own. The area of engineering that you may want to work in also plays a factor!
Therefore, we would suggest you look to receive formal training if you are wanting to become an engineer.
Why is engineering important?
Engineering is everywhere; from the device you are reading this on, the buildings we live in, cars we travel in etc. From bridges, computers, medical devices, railways – engineers will have been involved at some stage.
There are businesses that do not require an engineer, they will have still been involved in some way to set up or create the initial technology.
Engineering is essential for industrial innovation, blending scientific and mathematical principles with practical know-how to deliver products, services and processes.
Engineers have a never-ending commitment to improving mankind, developing new innovations that improve lives, protecting lives, preventing diseases and keeping our planet as safe and clean as possible. Certainly, some industry has caused issues such as fossil fuel use and climate change, but it is engineering that we must rely on to solve the problem and deliver sustainable substitutes.
Engineers as real world problem solvers that will continue to be necessary in all parts of society.
Why is engineering a good career?
Apart from good job prospects and job security, as well as higher than average income, engineering is a good career as it allows you to work for the benefit of society.
Whether through better transport systems, providing medical devices and technologies that provide better health, sourcing cleaner energy, improving lifestyle for lower-median living standards for underdeveloped countries, or whether solving the problem of hunger worldwide. Engineering plays it part in improving people’s lives.
The career can provide many personal benefits such as travel, high income and job security; but moreover, it provides you with an opportunity to use your knowledge, skills and experience to contribute and make a genuine difference to the world.