Scribd
Upload
118 views6 pages

Engineering Study Guide

Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems. Engineers work on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining a wide range of products and systems. There are many types of engineering that work on different areas, such as mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, nuclear, biomedical, chemical, computer, industrial, and environmental engineering. Engineering has been important throughout history by allowing innovations to be applied to solve real-world problems.

Uploaded by

Angel Anne Espinosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
118 views6 pages

Engineering Study Guide

Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems. Engineers work on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining a wide range of products and systems. There are many types of engineering that work on different areas, such as mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, nuclear, biomedical, chemical, computer, industrial, and environmental engineering. Engineering has been important throughout history by allowing innovations to be applied to solve real-world problems.

Uploaded by

Angel Anne Espinosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

(DEFINITION AND TYPES)


Engineering is the application of science and maths to solve problems. While
scientists and inventors come up with innovations, it is engineers who apply
these discoveries to the real world.

Engineering is part of STEM education, which aims to engage students with science,
technology, engineering and mathematics yet, as a discipline, it has been practiced
for thousands of years.

You can see examples of engineering in the Pyramids of Giza, at Stonehenge, the
Parthenon and elsewhere. Yet, today’s engineers operate in many different areas as
well as building structures.

Engineers work on everything from cell membranes to construction and prosthetics


to improving engine and transport efficiencies and developing renewable energy
resources.

While engineering dates right back to the invention of the wheel (and beyond), the
term itself comes from the word engineer, which goes back to the 14th century, when
an ‘engine’er’ meant someone who constructed military engines like catapults and
other ‘siege engines.’ This military meaning can still be seen in use today with the
Corps of Royal Engineers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The word ‘engine’ itself comes from the Latin word ‘ingenium’ (c. 1250), which
means ‘innate quality, especially mental power, hence a clever invention.’

Engineering developed beyond military applications and began to be applied to


civilian structures like bridges and buildings, leading to the creation of the term civil
engineering, to differentiate it from the original military engineering field.
What Does an Engineer Do?
Engineers are involved in the design, evaluation, development, testing,
modification, inspection and maintaining of a wide range of products, structures
and systems. This involves everything from the recommending of materials and
processes, overseeing manufacturing and construction processes, and
conducting failure analysis and investigation, to providing consultancy services and
teaching engineering to students and trainees.

Types
There are many different types of engineering, often divided into areas in which the
engineer operates. For example, engineers working within the oil and gas industry
could be petroleum engineers, while those working in farming-related applications
could be called agricultural engineers.

While there are some traditional areas of engineering, such as mechanical and civil
engineering, other engineering fields require an overlapping of different
specialities. So, for example, a civil engineer may also need an understanding of
structural engineering or an aerospace engineer may need to understand aspects
of electrical or computer engineering too.

These types of engineering are commonly known as interdisciplinary engineering


and include manufacturing engineering, acoustic engineering, corrosion
engineering, aerospace, automotive, computer, textiles, geological, materials and
nuclear engineering, among others. These areas of engineering are all among the
branches of engineering that are represented by the 36 licensed member
institutions of the UK Engineering Council. 

Here are some of the traditional and more common interdisciplinary engineering
fields:

1. Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers are involved in 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, as well as a wide range of tools and devices. This type of engineering is
also associated with the management of control systems and instruments for
measuring the performance and status of machinery.

2. Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers work on the design, testing, manufacture, construction, control,


monitoring and inspection of electrical and electronic devices, components,
machines and systems. These range in size from the smallest microchips to large
transmission and power generation systems. This includes everything from
broadcast engineering to electromagnetic devices, computer systems,
telecommunications and more.

3. Civil Engineering

Civil engineers are involved in the design, construction, maintenance and inspection
of large civil infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, bridges, tunnels and
dams.

Working on both public and private projects, civil engineers traditionally work in
sub-disciplines such as environmental engineering, structural engineering or
surveying.

As mentioned above, civil engineering was originally created to differentiate it from


military engineering.

4. Aerospace Engineering

As a specialised branch of mechanical and electrical engineering, aerospace


engineering focuses on the design, manufacture and testing of aircraft and
spacecraft, including all parts and components. Covering everything from vehicle
aerodynamics and efficiencies to electrical control and navigation systems, much of
the expertise is also used for other vehicles, such as cars.

5. Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineers work on the design, manufacture, construction, operation, and


testing of the equipment, systems and processes for the production and control of
nuclear power. From nuclear power plant reactors to particle accelerators, nuclear
engineers also work on factors such as monitoring and the storage of nuclear waste
in order to protect people from potentially harmful situations.
6. Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineers are concerned with the design of systems, equipment and
devices for use in healthcare and medicine. By working with medical specialists
such as doctors, therapists and researchers, biomedical engineers are able to meet
the requirements of healthcare professionals.

7. Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers use physics, chemistry, biology and engineering principles for
the design of equipment, systems and processes for refining raw materials for
mixing, compounding and processing chemicals for a variety of products. Carrying
out processes on a commercial scale, chemical engineers are involved in processes
ranging from petroleum refining to fermentation and the production of
biomolecules.

8. Computer Engineering

Computer engineers design computer hardware, systems, networks and software.


Computer engineering combines other disciplines, such as electrical engineering
and computer science, as well as software engineering and design.

9. Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineers design and optimise facilities, equipment and systems for
manufacturing, materials processing and other industrial applications.

10. Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineers are concerned with the prevention, removal and


elimination of sources of pollution that affect the environment. Measuring pollution
levels, determining sources of pollution and cleaning up polluted areas, these
engineers need to work in compliance with government regulations.

11. Marine Engineering

Marine engineering is related to any engineering tasks on or near the oceans. This
includes design and development for shipping, submarines, oil rigs, on-board,
harbours, plants and more. This specialised area of engineering combines other
types of engineering, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil
engineering, and programming.

Why Engineering is Important


Engineering has been a part of human history, in one form or another, for
thousands of years. Of course, as our knowledge and understanding of science and
mathematics grew, so our engineering expertise and competence also improved.

Today’s engineers use the most advanced technologies, alongside established


scientific principles, to apply cutting-edge solutions and innovation to real world
challenges.

It is hard to over-emphasise the importance of engineering on human history, from


designing transportation systems to powering our homes, engineering is all around
us, right down to the device you are using to read this.

As our scientific knowledge continues to advance, so engineering will find ways to


take this new information and apply it to the world around us.

Conclusion
Engineering is all around us and is an integral part of our everyday lives. It is
something that many people take for granted, but it is engineering that allows you
to make a coffee in the morning, heats or cools your home, allows you to travel,
communicate on your mobile device, and so much more besides.

As James A. Michener wrote in his 1983 novel, Space, "Scientists dream about doing


great things. Engineers do them."

TWI’s engineering expertise covers a range of industrial applications, from


automotive to power generation and aerospace to marine, as we work to offer
support and solutions to our Industrial Members.

You might also like