Engineering
From ArticleWorld
Engineering is the practical application of scientific and mathematical knowledge in order to solve problems encountered in diverse fields.
A lot of aspects found in human nature are needed for engineers to prove indispensable. Imagination, reasoning, useful past experience and calculations are needed to be applied rightly.
Methodology of engineering towards solving problems
The ultimate aim of engineers is to achieve an excellent design, carry out a systematic execution and arrive at a final finished product according to desired specifications. Engineers usually work in teams in order to accomplish the above. They may be needed for maintenance and quality control checks as well.
Production in an engineering establishment is carried out in various stages. The main stages are design, execution, testing and quality control, followed by maintenance. Each stage may be carried out over a period of several days or weeks. During each period, engineers work out the best ways to achieve quality standards and meet safety and cost limitations.
Engineers, in most situations experiment on prototypes before going ahead with actual implementation. For example, before a dam is constructed, the proposed design is tested by preparing a prototype with the corresponding dimensions and head of water.
An important function carried out by engineers is testing. Roads need to be tested for water-logging or cracks. Vehicles need to be tested for fuel consumption, defects, maneuverability etc. Software need to be tested for bugs, and so on.
Top branches of engineering
The 20th century had seen rapid advancements in all fields of science and technology. We are now in the Information Age, with the easy exchange of information without many time and cost constraints having become a reality. This has coincided with the appearance of several branches of specialization in the traditional engineering fields. Most of them are inter-related as well.
The important branches of engineering are listed below:
- Aerospace engineering
- Biomedical and Instrumentation engineering
- Computer engineering
- Civil engineering
- Electrical and Electronics engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Petroleum engineering
- Software engineering
Scope and presence in society
Just as in the medical profession, members of the engineering community are a boon to society. Solving everyday problems, improving the standard of living and making the world a better place to live in, engineers command considerable respect in society