How well do you know engineering?

CHOOSING an engineering specialisation to go for is a daunting experience. According to Engineers Australia, there are more than 15 different types of engineering degrees, which lead to lots of career opportunities.

However, many of these specific engineering degrees can be grouped into a few categories of a more general nature. Here are seven summaries of the various engineering categories to give you a better look on what kind of engineer you want to be.

Aerospace engineering

Aerospace engineers deal with the design, construction and operation of aircraft and aerospace vehicles and propulsion systems. What makes or breaks an aircraft design is how well the engineer applies his knowledge in aerodynamics, structural analysis, metallurgy, electrical and computer systems and communication systems.

Biomedical engineering

Biomedical engineers utilise engineering methods and techniques to solve problems in medicine and life sciences. Their responsibilities range from ensuring all medical equipment is in working order, to designing new equipment, to supporting the progress of the medical world and ensuring the comfort of patients. Some current works can be seen with the improvement of robots for surgery, artificial limbs, and products to help people with disabilities carry out everyday tasks.

Civil engineering

Civil engineers are behind most of the things people take for granted but are essential to our daily lives. This includes obvious large-scale projects such as roads, railways, airports, and harbours, to projects that often go unseen, such as waterworks and sewage systems.

The safety of all these things are determined by civil engineers. Besides that, civil and public health engineers also deal with the environmental impact of construction on humans and the natural environment.

Chemical engineering

Chemical engineers work to produce high-value products from low-value resources. Part of their job description includes developing, designing, and supervising the manufacture and operation of large-scale plants for the extraction, production and recovery of useful resources. Example projects of what a chemical engineer can do is create equipment to convert wood into paper, extract and convert oil into petrol, and process minerals into precious metals.

Computer engineering

This engineering category encompasses a variety of specific computer-based engineering, such as computer systems engineering and software engineering.

Computer systems engineering relates to the analysis, design and development of computer systems, inclusive of hardware and software systems. Jobs are mostly found in the computer manufacturing and servicing fields.

Software engineering delves deeper into the development, operation and maintenance of software. These jobs mostly deal with security and systems, including Big Data.

Electrical and electronics engineering

Although electrical engineers and electronics engineers are usually grouped together, they have different uses and tasks to focus on. Electrical engineers focus on large-scale systems and machines that generate, transmit, measure, control and use electrical energy, such as powering up an entire stadium or even just the electricity in your house.

Electronics engineers focus on smaller-scale devices and systems capable of capturing, storing, analysing and transmitting information, such as computers and cell phones.

Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineers are the jack-of-all trades of the engineering world, and deal with the design and manufacture of small and large machines, from domestic appliances to industrial machinery and other systems.

Therefore, they can be found working in a wide range of industries, including chemical processing, power generation, automotive and manufacturing, building services, defence technology, food processing and public utilities.

Armed with the knowledge on the responsibilities of each engineering course, go forth and be the best engineer that you can be.