What is Engineering?

Did you know?

Did you know that Velcro was invented by a Swiss engineer by the name of George de Mestral in the 1940s while hunting in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland? It was his curiosity in trying to understand why cockle-burs were stuck on his pants and in his dog’s fur that led him to the discovery of Velcro’s Hook & Loop mechanism. It took him over 10 years to patent the method and process for producing the ‘hook and loop’ used in Velcro.

Engineering: Career

By The STEAM Digest

The Role of Engineers in Society

As the world population inches past 8 billion people, the need for clean water, food, and shelter becomes critical. The role of professionals such as engineers becomes ever more important in supporting this growing population. But what do engineers really do? What is engineering? In a nutshell, engineers are problem-solvers and innovators. They shape the world we live in. Their work impacts various aspects of our daily life. They design and use technology to improve society’s living standards. Just about everything that we use, from cars to airplanes, medical devices, infrastructure, and systems that sustain us, is designed by engineers. Engineers play a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as resource scarcity, pollution, and climate change, to name a few.

What is Engineering? The Foundations of Engineering

A deep dive into engineering reveals that it involves the application of scientific and mathematical principles to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes. It combines creativity and technology to solve real-world problems and, more importantly, improve our quality of life. At its core, engineering relies on the fundamentals of science (physics, chemistry, biology) and mathematics. To become an engineer in a specific field, one must take courses in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Engineering is an analytical field, and engineers utilize scientific and mathematical principles to analyze and solve problems. For example, they analyze and predict the behavior of materials and systems under various conditions and present solutions that are efficient, reliable, and sustainable.

Engineering Disciplines and Careers

Choosing a career in engineering can be daunting, as there are various disciplines to choose from, including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering, environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, and software engineering.

Civil engineering in a nutshell: Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, and water supply systems.

Mechanical Engineering in a Nutshell. Mechanical engineers design, build, and maintain machines and mechanical systems for engines, HVAC, robotics, and manufacturing. An understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics, kinematics, machinery, and material science is necessary.

Electrical Engineering in a Nutshell. Electrical engineers design and build electrical systems and devices. They work on power generation, distribution, telecommunications, and electronic devices. They are responsible for ensuring that electrical systems are safe, efficient, and reliable.

Chemical Engineering in a Nutshell. Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry and biology to produce chemicals, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, and various other products.

Computer Engineering in a Nutshell. Computer engineers develop hardware and software for computers. They work on microprocessors and circuit design, as well as software development for cybersecurity.

Environmental Engineering in a Nutshell. Environmental engineers design, construct, and maintain systems for water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, solid waste management, and resource conservation.

Biomedical Engineering in a Nutshell. Biomedical engineers utilize principles of engineering and the health sciences to develop technologies for healthcare, such as medical devices, imaging systems, and biomaterials.

Aerospace Engineering in a Nutshell. Aerospace engineers design and develop aircraft and spacecraft, including the propulsion systems that power them, the aerodynamics (how they function), and the materials to ensure safe and efficient flight.

Software Engineering in a Nutshell. This field of engineering is closely related to computer science. Software engineers develop, maintain, and improve software systems.