Have You Decided What Kind Of An Engineer You Want To Be?

Architectural engineering

Architectural engineering involves the planning, designing, construction, operation, renovation as well as maintenance of buildings and learning about their impact on the environment. The field of architectural engineering integrates knowledge and skills from various disciplines such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, physics and architecture.

An architectural engineer shall be involved in all phases of the life cycle of the building. They not only work on a feasible building plan but are also responsible in improving the performance of a building. Architectural engineers are trained to design building systems such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as plumbing, electrical, lighting, fire protection and structural systems.

Some of the career prospects for an architectural engineering graduate include project manager; construction manager; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer; facility manager; operations manager; process engineer; and design engineer.

Civil engineering

Civil engineering is a broad discipline branching into different subdisciplines: construction engineering, earthquake engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering and structural engineering.

It deals with the design and construction of infrastructure, from tunnels, dams and bridges to sewage systems. A civil engineer can be involved in the initial planning and designing of an infrastructure, or to oversee the actual construction while making sure all deadlines are met.

A civil engineering major will be equipped with the knowledge of engineering science, application of math and physics, computing, engineering drawing, project management, hydraulics and geotechnical engineering.

Civil engineers will be employed to design projects, oversee construction, test constructed facilities and maintain manufacturing equipment and machinery. A civil engineer must also ensure that the community’s needs and standards are met through the building project.

Construction engineering

A construction engineer is involved in the design, planning, construction and management of infrastructure, which may include buildings, highways, bridges, airports and wastewater treatment plants. A construction engineer may also be equipped with the knowledge to manage mechanical and electrical systems. If you major in construction engineering, your course is likely to focus on commercial and residential buildings. Many consider a construction engineer to be a cross between a construction manager and a civil engineer.

Going down the path of a construction engineer will see you having career options such as project engineer, operations manager, project planner, project manager and project superintendent.

Hydraulic engineering

This particular sub-discipline of civil engineering is concerned with the effects of water in civil engineering. It applies fluid mechanics to real-life problems related to the collection, storage, control, transport, regulation, measurement and use of water. In the private industry, hydraulic engineering is involved in the improvement of an institution’s interaction with water. This field is especially crucial in many industries as water management is important in starting and maintaining a facility.

A hydraulic engineer will be involved in the design of dams, bridges, canals, channels and sewage systems. He may also assist in the study of effects of the ocean on shoreline and offshore structures, manage water sources for industrial facilities, and participate in disaster planning to, for instance, manage floods. 

Materials engineering

A materials engineer learns about the relationships between the structure and properties in all classes of materials to create, test and analyse a range of products. By synthesising or modifying a material, a materials engineer can help to improve a material’s property or characteristic such as its performance, durability and cost-effectiveness. Materials engineering can be explained as a combination of applied physics and chemistry.

Depending on his specialisation, a materials engineer may be employed to select materials for different purposes. He would also be analysing data, testing materials and assessing their qualities, and assessing products or the processes’ influences on the environment, among many other things.

A material engineering major can pursue a career in aerospace manufacturing, petroleum refining, pipeline construction, field work and quality control.

Structural engineering

Structural engineering deals with the analysis and designing of structures that will (and should) withstand and support stress and pressures. A structural engineer ensures a building does not fall, twist, tilt, collapse or experience any other structural damage throughout its use.

The responsibility of a structural engineer is great; it involves the design of a structure, the calculation of stress and pressure of every building component, the examination of structures that possess a risk of collapsing, and the planning of logistics. The engineer must also investigate ground conditions and choose appropriate building materials, aside from designing the support system.

A structural engineer may be involved not just in the designing of buildings such as schools and hospitals but also satellites, ships and aircraft. Therefore, the prospects of a structural engineer are bright as he can be employed in various industries revolving around the need for strengthened structures.