What Are The Five Main Sectors Of Engineering?

Key Takeaways:

• There are five main sectors of engineering.
• Each engineering sector has dozens of subdivisions.
• CDMG offers a wide range of multi-discipline engineering services for heavy industrial projects in the U.S. and worldwide.

 

There is a wide range of engineering types, but at its core, engineering is about using specialized knowledge to solve a problem.

We have many different types of problems, so we have a lot of different kinds of engineering fields.

Many types of engineering jobs are very specialized and made to solve specific kinds of problems over a wide range of industries.

However, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial, and mechanical engineering are the five main branches of engineering.

Each type needs a different set of skills and engineering instruction.

Table Of Contents

• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Other Types Of Engineering
• Summing It Up

 

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering deals with chemicals and chemical processes in the broadest sense of the word.

Chemical engineers use scientific ideas from chemistry, biology, math, and physics to design and make materials and products.

They might also develop new ways to use energy and transform it.

Chemical engineers work with microorganisms, food, drugs, and fuels.

Scientists often do experiments and other work in labs; many also use computers to plan experiments.

Branches Of Chemical Engineering

1. Plastics engineering
2. Materials science and engineering
3. Biomolecular engineering
4. Biochemical engineering
5. Paper science and engineering
6. Metallurgical engineering
7. Textile engineering
8. Nanoengineering
9. Genetic engineering
10. Biomedical engineering/bioengineering

 

Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering combines engineering with business practices to lower costs, improve quality, and make things work more efficiently.

Most of the time, these experts work in industries like service, entertainment, and healthcare.

As an industrial engineer, you have to be good at working with other people.

Industrial engineers' main jobs may include designing buildings and information systems, keeping track of inventory, assigning workers, and ensuring the workplace is safe.

Branches Of Industrial Engineering

1. Fire (protection) and safety engineering
2. Financial engineering
3. Manufacturing/production engineering
4. Systems engineering/science
5. Operations research
6. Supply chain management/engineering
7. Safety engineering
8. Management science/engineering

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on building, designing, and maintaining public structures like dams, bridges, tunnels, roads, airports, subway systems, and water supply systems.

It is often thought to be the oldest branch of engineering and the one with the most practical applications.

Many engineers today focus on buildings that are good for the environment and help fight climate change.

Civil engineers work in many fields, such as transportation, urban planning, space, and even the military.

The Great Wall of China, the Panama Canal, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Eiffel Tower are all notable civil engineering projects.

 

Branches Of Civil Engineering

1. Ecological engineering
2. Transport/transportation engineering
3. Environmental engineering
4. Geotechnical engineering
5. Mining engineering
6. Structural engineering
7. Construction management
8. Architectural engineering
9. Water (resources) engineering

 

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is a newer branch of engineering that started in the 19th century. It focuses on electrical equipment and electronics.

These engineers make, test, and care for things that use or produce electricity.

This includes small things like microchips and computers and big things like satellites and power station generators.

Most electrical engineers work in an office or a lab but often work on-site.

 

Branches Of Electrical Engineering

1. Software engineering
2. Computer engineering
3. Electrical power engineering
4. Network engineering
5. Power systems engineering
6. Electronic(s) engineering
7. Optical engineering/optical sciences and engineering
8. Telecommunications engineering

 

Mechanical Engineering

In mechanical engineering, people design and make mechanical systems and other machines in motion.

These people use problem-solving, critical thinking, and the principles of math and physics to turn ideas into functional products, like ships, guns, appliances, turbines, and vehicles.

Many of the parts that mechanical engineers use today have been used for thousands of years, such as wheels, springs, screws, and axles.

 

Branches Of Mechanical Engineering

1. Thermal engineering/science
2. Robotics engineering
3. Automotive engineering
4. Marine engineering/naval architecture
5. Ocean engineering
6. Renewable energy engineering
7. Astronautical engineering
8. Aeronautical engineering
9. Aerospace engineering
10. Energy engineering
11. Acoustical/sound engineering

Other Types Of Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineers are experts at making rockets, planes, satellites, and missiles. They also make and test prototypes to ensure they work as planned and meet quality standards.

 

Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural engineers ensure that power supplies, machinery, structure, and facilities, as well as pollution and environmental issues concerning agriculture, are operating effectively.

 

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineers and bioengineers use engineering and science to research, design, and make equipment, computer systems, and software for various scientific fields.

 

Computer Hardware Engineering

To ensure they work well with the latest software, computer hardware engineers work with different computer systems and parts, like circuit boards, processors, networks, and routers. Then, they research, develop designs, and build these systems.

 

Manufacturing Engineering

Engineers with a lot of technical knowledge and analytical skills are good candidates for this job. This sector comprises many different industries, including food, drink, medicine, and oil.

 

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineers use the principles of biology, chemistry, soil science, and engineering to solve environmental problems around the world, such as dirty drinking water, climate change, public health, and sustainability.

 

Health and Safety Engineering

Health and safety engineers use their knowledge of engineering, health, and safety to make systems that keep people and property safe from harm, illness, and injury. They ensure that things like machinery, software, and chemicals are safe.

 

Mining and Geological Engineering

Mining engineers design and work in mines and sand and gravel quarries to ensure that minerals like coal and metals are taken out of the ground safely and efficiently for use in manufacturing and utilities.

 

Electronics Engineering

Electronics engineering is a small but essential field that deals with the circuitry and small details of electronics and electrical systems.

Most of the time, engineers in this field test and design circuits in consumer, digital, and analog electronics.

 

Materials Engineering

Materials engineers study how metals, ceramics, plastics, and other things work and how they are made.

They keep an eye on how new raw materials work and develop ways to test a wide range of materials used in things like computer chips, airplane wings, and golf clubs.

 

Construction Engineering

Construction engineering is a vital part of how a building project is put together.

In this job, engineers are in charge of planning and directing projects from when they're first thought up to when they're finished.

They run surveys and keep an eye on daily construction work to ensure the plans are on the right track.

 

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear engineers work on different systems and tools that can use nuclear energy to help people.

Nuclear engineers research and develop nuclear equipment for medical treatments, ships, and spacecraft, among other things.

 

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineers are responsible for creating and developing innovative techniques that can be used to produce oil and gas from beneath the surface of the earth.

 

Summing It Up

Engineering is a broad term that can be used to describe any field that uses math and science to solve everyday technical problems, like fixing a public building, making a spaceship, or making a computer work better.

There are five main engineering areas, each of which has dozens of subfields.

CDMG offers a wide range of multi-discipline engineering services for heavy industrial projects in the U.S. and worldwide.

Our team of fully licensed engineers has a wide range of skills, which lets us offer truly best-in-class designs that help ensure smooth construction, on-time completion on budget, and reliable operation for years to come.

Combining our engineering services with our management skills makes CDMG your trusted partner for single-source accountability for almost any industrial project.

At CDMG, we have a full in-house staff of engineers who specialize in industrial facility design, including the services below:

• Process
• Feasibility / Appropriation Studies
• Electrical
• Site Development
• Facility Planning
• Material Handling
• Automation / Controls
• Machine Design
• Piping / Mechanical / HVAC
• Civil / Structural

Contact CDMG today for more information about our capabilities and to discuss your upcoming project with one of our experts.

 

References:

https://www.bestcolleges.com/engineering/types-of-engineering/

https://www.engineerjobs.co.uk/news-and-advice/the-different-types-of-engineering-sectors

https://blog.prepscholar.com/different-types-of-engineering