Understanding the Different Types of Engineering Degrees

Hi everyone. I'm considering going into engineering for college, but I'm overwhelmed by the number of degree options. Can anyone give me some advice on the differences between the different types of engineering degrees? Thanks in advance!

Sure, happy to help clarify! Engineering is indeed a broad field that comprises many different specialties, each with its own nuances and areas of focus. Here are some of the main types of engineering degrees that you might come across:

1. Mechanical Engineering: This is one of the oldest and broadest types of engineering. It deals with the design and analysis of mechanical systems. This can range from designing small components like gears and bearings, to designing complete systems like an engine or an elevator.

2. Civil Engineering: Civil engineers focus on designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure projects and systems in both the public and private sector. These might include roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.

3. Electrical Engineering: This engineerings specialize in the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. This might cover everything from small scale circuits and electronic devices, to large scale electrical systems and power grid design.

4. Chemical Engineering: Chemical engineering is the application of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering principles in order to carry out chemical processes. This could include designing processes for chemical or biochemical manufacturing, developing safety procedures for dangerous chemical handling, or working on the design of chemical plant equipment and machinery.

5. Aerospace Engineering: Aerospace engineers work with the design, development, testing and production of aircraft and spacecraft. This can include things like designing new types of airplanes, working on satellite technology and also contributing to the burgeoning field of space exploration.

6. Computer Engineering: Computer engineers deal with the design and implementation of computer systems and networks. This can deal with hardware (like creating more efficient circuits or developing new forms of data storage) and software (like creating new programs or designing network security systems).

7. Biomedical Engineering: This field blends biology and medicine with engineering to create equipment and procedures that solve medical and health-related issues. For instance, a biomedical engineer might create medical equipment or procedures, such as artificial organs, medical imaging devices, or physical therapy machines.

Remember, these are just some of the engineering disciplines you might consider. Each discipline has various sub-disciplines as well, offering further specialization. Be sure to research each one thoroughly to get a better understanding of what kind of work you would be doing, and potentially even try to find some internships or other hands-on experiences to get a better idea of what each field is like in practice. Best of luck with your decision!