Ten Major Branches of Engineering

Aeronautics and Astronautics Flight captures human imagination. Aeronautics and astronautics are among the most popular of engineering branches with a large literature base, to which NASA has contributed a great deal. Flight captures human imagination. Aeronautics and astronautics are among the most popular of engineering branches with a large literature base, to which NASA has contributed a great deal

Biological Engineering Biotechnology and bioengineering have two dimensions. First, they use living organisms to make desired products, as in using microbes to produce drugs. Second, they use whatever means for promoting life, as in making equipment for novel methods of medical diagnosis and drug delivery. They involve the cooperation of many disciplines. As advances in molecular biology and nanotechnology make more biological phenomena susceptible to reliable control, bioengineering and biotechnology are poised to soar in the twenty-first century. Biotechnology and bioengineering have two dimensions. First, they use living organisms to make desired products, as in using microbes to produce drugs. Second, they use whatever means for promoting life, as in making equipment for novel methods of medical diagnosis and drug delivery. They involve the cooperation of many disciplines. As advances in molecular biology and nanotechnology make more biological phenomena susceptible to reliable control, bioengineering and biotechnology are poised to soar in the twenty-first century.

Chemical Engineering Chemical engineers integrate chemistry and physics to create an engineering science that contributes much to the rapid rise and economic competitiveness of many industries. A good view of the chemical engineering profession is available at Chemical engineers integrate chemistry and physics to create an engineering science that contributes much to the rapid rise and economic competitiveness of many industries. A good view of the chemical engineering profession is available at htm htm htm htm

Civil Engineering When engineering first emerged as a modern profession, "civil" broadly meant civilian, as distinct from military. As engineers with various expertise separately developed their systematic knowledge and professional organizations, the scope of "civil engineering" narrowed to construction, which was the first to develop scientific principles. When engineering first emerged as a modern profession, "civil" broadly meant civilian, as distinct from military. As engineers with various expertise separately developed their systematic knowledge and professional organizations, the scope of "civil engineering" narrowed to construction, which was the first to develop scientific principles. m m

Computer Science and Engineering Design, develop and manage systems that process, store and convey information. These systems include personal computers, workstations, mainframe computers, computer networks and all of their various components. Computer engineers also design and develop embedded digital systems for use within products such as aircraft, automobiles, communication switching systems, biomedical instruments, industrial robots and household appliances. Design, develop and manage systems that process, store and convey information. These systems include personal computers, workstations, mainframe computers, computer networks and all of their various components. Computer engineers also design and develop embedded digital systems for use within products such as aircraft, automobiles, communication switching systems, biomedical instruments, industrial robots and household appliances. ptions.htm ptions.htm ptions.htm ptions.htm

Electronic and Electrical Engineering Design, develop, and operate systems that generate and use electrical waveforms. This includes power generation and distribution systems for aircraft and spacecraft, data processing and control, and instrumentation systems. Design, develop, and operate systems that generate and use electrical waveforms. This includes power generation and distribution systems for aircraft and spacecraft, data processing and control, and instrumentation systems. r_descriptions.htm r_descriptions.htm

Environmental Engineering About 52,000 environmental engineers work in the United States. To improve the qualities of air, water, and land, they not only mobilize all the technologies at hand but actively develop environment friendly industrial processes. environ.htm About 52,000 environmental engineers work in the United States. To improve the qualities of air, water, and land, they not only mobilize all the technologies at hand but actively develop environment friendly industrial processes. environ.htm environ.htm environ.htm

Mechanical Engineering The professional discipline of mechanical engineering is concerned with the design, development and manufacture of machines and mechanical engineering systems. These include engines and turbines of various kinds, land transport vehicles, ships, aircraft, pumps and fans, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, building services, industrial plants, and manufacturing processes. The professional discipline of mechanical engineering is concerned with the design, development and manufacture of machines and mechanical engineering systems. These include engines and turbines of various kinds, land transport vehicles, ships, aircraft, pumps and fans, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, building services, industrial plants, and manufacturing processes. /undergrad/careers/mechanical/whatdoes. html /undergrad/careers/mechanical/whatdoes. html

Nuclear Engineering Of all branches of engineering, nuclear is most mired in politics. It had a hard time during the past decades. Yet, the 2001 US National Energy Policy recommended “the expansion of nuclear energy in the United States as a major component of our national energy policy.” ( Of all branches of engineering, nuclear is most mired in politics. It had a hard time during the past decades. Yet, the 2001 US National Energy Policy recommended “the expansion of nuclear energy in the United States as a major component of our national energy policy.” (

Systems Engineering Systems engineering is geared toward the rapid design and development of large and complex systems such as the intercontinental ballistic missiles system. It uses results of engineering ssciences and system theories, shares techniques with operations research and is kin to software engineering, which also tackles with designing complex systems. Also called concurrent engineering, systems engineering employs the systems approach within a broad horizon that covers analyses of goals and requirements, considerations of the system from cradle to grave, and the organization of multidisciplinary teams in developing the system. Systems engineering is geared toward the rapid design and development of large and complex systems such as the intercontinental ballistic missiles system. It uses results of engineering ssciences and system theories, shares techniques with operations research and is kin to software engineering, which also tackles with designing complex systems. Also called concurrent engineering, systems engineering employs the systems approach within a broad horizon that covers analyses of goals and requirements, considerations of the system from cradle to grave, and the organization of multidisciplinary teams in developing the system