Have you just decided to set your goal about your future aims and then give it a full effort to achieve those goals? Do you happen to have an interest in science subjects and have you chosen to be an engineer in future? If this be so, then one obvious question that you would be looking forward to is – what are the different types of engineering degrees available for students who aim to be an engineer in their futures.
This article is to provide you a complete insight of such various possible engineering courses, ad to help you out in deciding which one should be your choice of engineering stream. Different types of engineering degrees available can be broadly classified into the following categories:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Health and Safety Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining and Geological and Mining Safety Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
Details of the different types of engineering degrees
These seventeen courses, as have been mentioned above, are the distinct engineering courses for graduate engineers, as identified under the government Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010 – 2011. All the various types of engineers are engaged with making new discoveries by carrying out research works, and are responsible for finding out solutions to various kinds of technical problems by applying the principles of science and mathematics. So, whether you want to be a researcher in your field of study, or you wish to join industry after completing your graduate engineer course, the following information is what you must be looking forward to by now.
Aerospace Engineering
Have you always dreamt of creating a rocket or working with those control systems of missiles and space craft’s? If it be so, then this is something you had been looking for since your childhood. The various types of engineers under this category, work with building the structures and control designs of military or commercial missiles, aircrafts, space crafts, rockets, etc.
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural engineers are close related to everything concerning agriculture. In a more detailed form, it might include the invention of various pesticides or fertilizers, developing new agricultural tools, crop production management, soil structure and its improvement procedures, water conservation, increasing agricultural products sale, etc. You might also need to visit the fields for practical experiences, to study various crops or soil structure, once you have chosen this course.
Biomedical Engineering
These types of engineers also need to have an experience or a degree in mechanical, electronic or computer engineering, along with this specialized course of biomedical one. They are concerned with development of new medical equipment that can be used for treatments of various kinds of diseases. Doctors can only help by suggesting what kind of machinery could be of use in any kind of particular disease. These types of engineers are expected to convert those suggested machines into realities.
Chemical Engineering
This field of study is concerned with the production and manufacture of new chemicals and chemical products. It is also concerned with development of new machineries related to chemical manufactures and handling. If you have an eager interest in chemistry, then this is something you can really take up; as you must be knowing not many students dare to emerge out with flying colors in subjects like chemistry. So you may have a good chance to build a very bright future for yourself.
Civil Engineering
This is one of the most prospectus and common type of course among the different types of engineering degrees. Engineers of this type are expected to construct buildings, sewage systems, transportation systems, etc. and also supervise the same. However while construction any such system, engineers should keep in mind safety level so that these structures do tolerate natural calamities such as earth quakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. up to a certain level.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineers are the most common types of engineers now days found in industrial domain. Being a prospectus career, this has emerged out to be the most popular type of engineering course among the other different types of engineering degrees. Engineers here are concerned with building, repairing and development of new computers, and computer hardware and also with the development of new software applications and installation of the same.
Electrical Engineering
This being another popular stream of study, is related to the design, testing, manufacturing and supervising of electrical equipment, which may include communication systems, electrical motors, wiring, lighting equipment, power generation systems, electrical systems in automobiles, etc. Anything related to electrical appliances is also taken care of by electrical engineers.
Electronics Engineering
These types of engineers are often confused in common for electrical engineers. However, these engineers are concerned with the design, testing, manufacturing and supervision of various kinds of control systems, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Musical systems that are portable, communication systems, etc.
Environmental Engineering
These are the engineers who are responsible for taking care of and protecting our environment in real sense. They are concerned with management of everything related to the conservation of nature; waste water management, wildlife managements, recycling, garbage disposal, hazardous waste management’s, various types of pollution control procedures, etc. are all taken care of by these engineers. This type of engineering is even uncommon among the different types of engineering degrees available for studies.
Health and Safety Engineering
This is very rare among the different types of engineering degrees as pursued by students. This course is concerned with the study of various ways of industrial, commercial and household risks and their management. This course is concerned with anticipating future risks from fire, chemicals, toxic substances, and hence with the supervision of manufacture and managements of such harmful products.
Industrial Engineering
Engineers under this category are responsible for coordinating various factors relating to the running and management of industries, such as labors, workers, time, materials, tools, energy, machines, etc. They supervise the quality of the products and services produced, and also look to their timely productivity and efficient distribution and usage.
Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture
These types of engineers are even rare to find. They are concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of naval ships, boats, and similar water abiding bodies. They look after the proper working of these ships and also look after the proper working of related marine equipment.
Materials Engineering
Engineers under this category are concerned with the design, and constructions of new machinery parts or new materials, be it of plastic, metal or ceramic, that needs to be created to meet any specific kind of industry requirement. This is quite a common type of requirement in real world and thus these types of engineers have quite high demand in the industrial markets.
Mechanical Engineering
This is one of the most common types of graduate engineer course among the different types of engineering degrees available for study. Engineers here are responsible for researching, designing and constructing new tools, machineries, machine parts and engines. They thus design tools required by engineers of other domains to work.
Mining and Geological and Mining Safety Engineering
These engineers are concerned with locating mines, designing and planning routes to get down to those mines, retrieve the minerals, metals or ores as found, transporting them to processing locations. Geological engineers too come under this category, who are concerned with the study and research o new and old rock materials found on earth.
Nuclear Engineering
Engineers of this category are related to the study and handling of radioactive materials, generation of nuclear energy, finding out ways of using radioactive rays for medical diagnosis and treatments, and working of the nuclear power reactors. However, working in this field needs a lot of precaution as these radioactive rays can cause potential amount harm to persons dealing with radioactive materials.
Petroleum Engineering
These engineers work in coordination with geologists in order to locate deposits of oil and natural gas. They find out new methods of extracting oils and design related equipment required for extracting and processing the oil and natural gas found.
Thus from all the details above, you must have found out by now the one among the different types of engineering degrees available that should interest you the most. Before finally deciding. However, before finally deciding upon which stream you wish to pursue your future studies in, please make a good research study about the study materials that are related to that engineer graduate degree. Check out the subjects in which you need to have a strong hold in order to pursue your interested field of study. And remember to check the future prospects and types of available jobs from the engineering stream which you have chosen to study in.