Did you know that there are over 20 branches and many more sub-branches of engineering? For those with a flair for invention, creativity, and problem-solving, engineering provides a wide range of opportunities. Engineering focuses on designing, developing, and analyzing technical solutions while taking into account safety, human considerations, physical laws, regulations, practicability, and cost. It is a scientific subject and profession. Engineers use their expertise and experience to improve the world, from creating cutting-edge technology to creating safer structures.
There are many different career pathways available in engineering, each with its own special difficulties and benefits. It’s crucial to weigh all of your alternatives before making any judgments regarding your future.
Check out this Wikipedia article on the diverse engineering possibilities.
Branches of Engineering
- Applied engineering – application of management, design, and technical skills for the design and integration of systems, the execution of new product designs, the improvement of manufacturing processes, and the management and direction of physical and/or technical functions of a firm or organization.
- Biological engineering: The application of engineering principles to biology and medicine is known as “biological engineering.” Biological engineers develop novel technologies that benefit both human health and the environment by combining their expertise in biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Agricultural Engineering: The design and development of systems and tools used in agriculture is a part of agricultural engineering. Agricultural engineers develop innovative technologies that raise the production and efficiency of agriculture by utilizing their expertise in mechanics, electricity, and thermodynamics.
- Bionics
- Genetic engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Metabolic engineering
- Neural engineering
- Tissue engineering
- Civil engineering: Civil engineering involves the design and development of the built environment, including buildings, roads, bridges, and water systems. Civil engineers use their knowledge of mathematics, physics, and materials science to create safe and efficient structures that meet the needs of society.
- Environmental engineering: Designing and creating methods and procedures that help safeguard and preserve the environment is the focus of the engineering discipline known as environmental engineering. Systems for the management of water resources, the treatment of waste, and the reduction of air pollution must be developed and improved by environmental engineers. They develop long-lasting, eco-friendly solutions to the world’s environmental issues by combining their expertise in biology, chemistry, and engineering.
- Architectural engineering: Building and structural design and development are included in architectural engineering. Architectural engineers employ their expertise in mechanics, electrical engineering, and thermodynamics to design effective and secure structures that are suitable for their intended users.
- Construction engineering
- Geotechnical engineering: The study of the characteristics of soils and rocks, as well as how they behave in response to various loads and situations, is the focus of the engineering discipline known as geotechnical engineering. Geotechnical engineers are in charge of making sure that structures are safe and secure, as well as that they are built on a strong and stable foundation. They design and construct safe and long-lasting structures, such as buildings, bridges, and tunnels, using their expertise in engineering, engineering mechanics, and soil and rock mechanics.
- Transportation engineering
- Hydro engineering
- Structural engineering
- Urban engineering (municipal engineering)
- Architectonics
- Chemical engineering (outline): The creation of chemical processes and products is a function of chemical engineering. Chemical engineers develop new products and procedures as well as enhance existing ones by utilizing their knowledge of chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Materials engineering
- Molecular engineering
- Process engineering – also appears under industrial engineering
- Electrical engineering (outline): The creation of electrical systems and parts is a function of electrical engineering. Electrical engineers design safe and effective electrical systems that satisfy societal needs using their understanding of electrical theory, mathematics, and physics.
- Broadcast engineering
- Computer engineering (outline): The design and construction of the built environment, which includes structures like buildings, roads, bridges, and water systems, is a function of civil engineering. To design safe and effective structures that serve the demands of society, civil engineers draw on their expertise in mathematics, physics, and materials science.
- Power systems engineering
- Telecommunications engineering
- Electronic engineering (includes microelectronics engineering and semiconductor engineering)
- Optical engineering
- Electromechanical engineering
- Forensic engineering
- Geological engineering: Geological engineering is a subfield of engineering that focuses on the investigation of the composition, organization, and functioning of the Earth. The study and comprehension of the Earth’s geology, mineral resources, and geological dangers, such as earthquakes and landslides, are the purview of geological engineers. In geologically dangerous places, they design and construct safe, long-lasting structures using their expertise in engineering, mathematics, and geology.
- Green engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Engineering psychology
- Ergonomics
- Facilities engineering
- Logistic engineering
- Performance engineering
- Process engineering (chemical engineering)
- Quality engineering (quality assurance engineering)
- Reliability engineering
- Safety engineering
- Security engineering
- Support engineering
- Information engineering
- Materials engineering
- Mechanical engineering: The design, development, and maintenance of mechanical systems and components are the focus of the engineering discipline known as mechanical engineering. Machines, including engines, machines, and tools, are made and improved by mechanical engineers. To develop and construct these systems, they draw on their expertise in physics, mathematics, and materials science, ensuring their security, effectiveness, and dependability.
- Acoustical engineering – includes audio engineering
- Aerospace engineering – Designing and creating satellites, spacecraft, and aircraft are all part of the field of aerospace engineering. Aerospace engineers design effective and secure flying systems using their expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. It is broken into two major and overlapping branches:
- Aeronautical engineering – deals with craft that stays within Earth’s atmosphere
- Astronautical engineering – deals with craft that operates outside of Earth’s atmosphere
- Automotive engineering (automotive systems engineering): Automobile design and development are under the purview of automotive engineering. Automotive engineers design safe, effective, and ecologically friendly vehicles by utilizing their understanding of mechanics, electricity, and thermodynamics.
- Manufacturing engineering: A subset of engineering called manufacturing engineering is concerned with the creation of systems and procedures for the manufacture of goods. Manufacturing engineers are in charge of creating new manufacturing procedures as well as increasing the productivity and efficiency of manufacturing operations. They develop and implement cost-effective, effective, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes using their expertise in engineering, materials science, and mathematics.
- Marine engineering
- Thermal engineering
- Naval architecture
- Sports engineering
- Vacuum engineering
- Military engineering
- Petroleum engineering: Exploration, extraction, and production of oil and natural gas are the focus of petroleum engineering, a subfield of engineering. Designing and implementing safe, effective, and environmentally friendly drilling and production operations requires the application of petroleum engineers’ expertise in geology, physics, and chemistry. Additionally, they aid in production process optimization and enhance reservoir oil and gas recovery.
- Radiation engineering: Engineering that deals with the production, detection, and application of ionizing radiation are known as “radiation engineering.” To design and develop radiation-based technologies and systems, such as medical imaging equipment, radiation therapy systems, and nuclear power plants, radiation engineers employ their knowledge of physics and mathematics.
- Planetary engineering – planetary engineering is the application of technology for the purpose of influencing the global properties of a planet. This theoretical task usually aims to make other worlds habitable for life. Perhaps the best-known type of planetary engineering is terraforming, by which a planet’s surface conditions are altered to be more like those of Earth.
- Climate engineering (geoengineering)
- Software engineering: The design, development, and maintenance of software systems are the focus of the technical discipline known as software engineering. Software engineers use their expertise in computer science and programming languages to develop user-friendly, effective software. Additionally, they aid in enhancing the performance, security, and dependability of already installed software systems.
- Sustainable engineering
- Systems engineering: A subfield of engineering called systems engineering is responsible for the planning and creation of complex systems. Systems engineers design successful systems that satisfy user needs using their understanding of mathematics, physics, and engineering principles. They work on projects that require a variety of resources, such as people, software, and hardware, and they guarantee that these resources function properly together to get the desired results. Systems engineering is a multidisciplinary field that includes software engineering as well as aerospace, automotive, and other related fields.
There is something in engineering for everyone.
Engineering is a profession that provides a diverse variety of opportunities for people who have a passion for invention, creativity, and problem-solving. Each discipline offers its own distinct rewards and challenges, and as a high school student, it’s critical to consider your alternatives, and identify the area of engineering that best fits your interests, aptitudes, and professional aspirations. You can then prepare your path to college accordingly.