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Introduction to Various Engineering Fields
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Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering is a multi-discipline profession that relies on expertise in both the engineering and agricultural fields. The roots of agricultural Engineering go back to the earliest civilizations with the origin of the whole, early irrigation systems, and other early farming methods. Overtime, advances in agricultural machinery resulted in more efficient crop production; irrigation and drainage developments produced more usable land resources while conserving natural resources; advance on the farm agricultural buildings resulted in a healthier environment for livestock and increase efficiency in crop storage and production; Food Engineers were also developing advances in food processing to increase the safety of food with cost-efficient technology.
Agricultural Engineering covers different aspects of agriculture and all that is related to it. It comprises designing and manufacturing of agricultural machinery, drainage, agricultural sciences, effective irrigation practices, dairy engineering and land resource planning to name few.
As an agricultural engineer, job can easily found in government departments like the irrigation and agricultural department. In addition to this, job opportunity could be found in financial institutions and banks which provide finance to agricultural sector universities or other agricultural education centers.
An agricultural engineer can take part in the sales, marketing and servicing of agricultural equipments. You can also work for tube-well borings, irrigation and canal irrigation programs as well as soil conservation projects.
Job opportunities are also available in companies designing, agro-industrial corporations and manufacturing agricultural machinery.
Building Services
Building services engineers work closely with other construction professionals; architects, structural engineers and quantity surveyors. In general, Building services engineering comprises Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering and Public health (MEP) engineering, all of which are further sub-divided into the following:
1. Communication lines, telephones and IT networks (ICT)
2. Energy supply - gas, electricity and renewable sources<
3. Escalators and lifts
4. Fire detection and protection
5. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
6. Lightning protection
7. Low voltage (LV) systems, distribution boards and switchgear
8. Natural lighting and artificial lighting, and building facades
9. Security and alarm systems
10. Ventilation and refrigeration
11. Water , drainage and plumbing
Building services engineers are responsible for ensuring the cost-effective, environmentally sound and sustainable design and maintenance of engineering services in buildings.
Their areas of responsibility include all equipment and materials involved with heating, lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical distribution, water supply, sanitation, public health, fire protection, safety systems, lifts, escalators, facade engineering and acoustics.
With the current emphasis on sustainability, building services engineers are at the cutting-edge of designing, developing and managing new technologies that integrate into existing systems and services.
Progression routes within the industry are fairly clear cut. When working for client/end-users or contractors, career progression is usually from engineer, to manager, to estates director.
In consultancy, now more usually companies rather than partnerships, career progression typically runs as follows:
1. graduate engineer;
2. project engineer;
3. associate;
4. partner/director;
5. senior partner/managing director.
However, career patterns are not fixed and career development can depend on the choice of specialisation. It is important, therefore, to be strategic at an early stage when choosing the type of qualification to take and the areas in which to gain practical experience. Building services degrees with a general focus provide a useful overview of the whole sector, whilst other types of degree, e.g. mechanical or electrical engineering, allow the development of more specialised skills.
Gaining experience and training in design, as well as installation and maintenance, can increase the opportunities for career development, whichever qualification route is followed. The profession is also seeing the emergence of new specialisations, such as intelligent buildings and organic lighting, which can open up new career possibilities.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the application of physical science (e.g., chemistry and physics), and life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology and biochemistry) with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. In addition to producing useful materials, modern chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques - such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering. Chemical engineering largely involves the design, improvement and maintenance of processes involving chemical or biological transformations for large-scale manufacture. Chemical engineers ensure the processes are operated safely, sustainably and economically.
Chemical engineers are now engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. These products include high performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental, space and military applications. Examples include ultra-strong fibers, fabrics, dye-sensitized solar cells, adhesives and composites for vehicles, bio-compatible materials for implants and prosthetics, gels for medical applications, pharmaceuticals, and films with special dielectric, optical or spectroscopic properties for opto-electronic devices. Additionally, chemical engineering is often intertwined with biology and biomedical engineering. Many chemical engineers work on biological projects such as understanding biopolymers (proteins) and mapping the human genome.
Since Chemical engineering is a vast field, the job prospectus and career options of a chemical engineer is varied and different. Chemical engineers play a key role in industries, mostly in the manufacturing field. Their work area varies from petroleum and petrochemicals to food, materials, specialty chemicals, plastics, power production, environmental control, waste management and biotechnology.
As it is a varied field Chemical engineers could specialise in a particular chemical processess such as oxidation or polymerisation or in a specific product such as plastic or rubber. Besides designing equipments and plants, testing manufacturing processes and supervising production; they also study the properties and effects of dangerous chemicals, device process of neutralising them and also on the development acceptable substitutes. As such their work can be dangerous.
Wide employment opportunities await chemical engineers both in the public sector as well as the private sector. They can seek jobs in areas such as processing, operations or manufacturing, research and development, design and construction, finance and teaching.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like bridges, roads, canals, dams and buildings. Civil engineering is the oldest engineering discipline after military engineering, and it was defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering.
Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right. Structural engineers are most commonly involved in the design of buildings and large nonbuilding structures but they can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, vehicles or any item where structural integrity affects the item's function or safety. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety (e.g. structures must not collapse without due warning) or serviceability and performance (e.g. building sway must not cause discomfort to the occupants). Buildings are made to endure massive loads as well as changing climate and natural disasters.
Civil and structural engineering covers several specialised sectors including buildings of all kinds, transport and communications infrastructure. This includes bridges, roads, tunnels, canals and other large structures. They can also be involved in the production, storage and distribution of electricity, gas and water. Civil engineers are employed by a wide range of contractors and consultancies and also work in-house for a variety of large organisations. There are many opportunities in the public sector, with local authorities, government departments and environmental organisations, where engineers are often involved in setting project specifications and drafting tender documents.
Consullting Engineers
Consultants are individuals who typically work for themselves but may also be associated with a consulting firm. They, for a fee, gives advice or provides a service in a field of specialized knowledge or training. Engineering consultants work with businesses to help them to meet their design and construction needs. Engineering consultants usually work as part of a consulting company, and come into the field after receiving an engineering degree and obtaining several years of experience in the field. They are experts at whatever field of engineering consulting they are involved in. Engineering is a very broad field, and consultants are required to have a very clear understanding of everything that a potential client may need.
The work of an engineering consultant is varied. Because engineering is such a wide field, there is almost no limit to the work a consultant can perform. They perform several different types of work, for many different types of businesses. Engineering consultants find solutions that meet or exceed the needs of their clients.
Consulting engineers are the designers whereas contracting engineers turn their plans into reality. Consulting engineers provide a wide range of services to clients. During the early stages of a career, work will involve taking responsibility for minor projects, but the size of the projects may increase as experience is gained. Typical work activities include:
1. undertaking technical and feasibility studies and site investigations;
2. developing detailed designs;
3. assessing the potential risks of specific projects, as well as undertaking risk management in specialist roles;
4. supervising tendering procedures and putting together proposals;
5. managing, supervising and visiting contractors on site and advising on engineering issues;
6. the work of junior staff or mentoring engineers throughout the chartership process;
7. communicating and liaising effectively with colleagues and architects, subcontractors, contracting engineers, consultants, co-workers and clients;
8. thinking both creatively and logically to resolve design and development problems;
9. managing budgets and other project resources;10. managing change, as the client may change his or her mind about the design, and identifying, formalising and notifying relevant parties of changes in the project;11. leading teams of other engineers, perhaps from other organisations or firms;
12. compiling, checking and approving reports;
13. reviewing and approving project drawings;
14 using a range of design computer packages for designing projects and undertaking complex and repetitive calculations;
15. scheduling material and equipment purchases and delivery;
16. attending public meetings to discuss projects, especially in a senior role;
17. adopting all relevant requirements around issues such as building permits, environmental regulations, sanitary design, good manufacturing practices and safety on all work assignments;
18. ensuring that a project runs smoothly and that the structure is completed on time and within budget;
19. correcting any project deficiencies that affect production, quality and safety requirements prior to final evaluation and project reviews.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. It now covers a range of subtopics including power, electronics, control systems, signal processing and telecommunications. Some are most famous sub discipline listed below:
1. Power
2. Control
3. Electronics
4. Microelectronics
5. Signal processing
6. Telecommunications
7. Instrumentation8. Computers
From the Global Positioning System to electric power generation, electrical engineers have contributed to the development of a wide range of technologies. They design, develop, test and supervise the deployment of electrical systems and electronic devices. For example, they may work on the design of telecommunication systems, the operation of electric power stations, the lighting and wiring of buildings, the design of household appliances or the electrical control of industrial machinery.
Fundamental to the discipline are the sciences of physics and mathematics as these help to obtain both a qualitative and quantitative description of how such systems will work. Although most electrical engineers will understand basic circuit theory (that is the interactions of elements such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors and inductors in a circuit), the theories employed by engineers generally depend upon the work they do. Perhaps the most important technical skills for electrical engineers are reflected in university programs, which emphasize strong numerical skills, computer literacy and the ability to understand the technical language and concepts that relate to electrical engineering.
The workplaces of electrical engineers are just as varied as the types of work they do. Electrical engineers may be found in the pristine lab environment of a fabrication plant, the offices of a consulting firm or on site at a mine. During their working life, electrical engineers may find themselves supervising a wide range of individuals including scientists, electricians, computer programmers and other engineers.
Electronics Engineering
Electronics engineering is an engineering discipline which uses the scientific knowledge of the behavior and effects of electrons to develop components, devices, systems, or equipment (as in electron tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, and printed circuit boards) that uses electricity as part of its driving force. Both terms denote a broad engineering field that encompasses many subfields including those that deal with power, instrumentation engineering, telecommunications, semiconductor circuit design, and many others.
Electronic engineering involves the design and testing of electronic circuits that use the electronic properties of components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and transistors to achieve a particular functionality.
Signal processing deals with the analysis and manipulation of signals. Signals can be either analog, in which case the signal varies continuously according to the information, or digital, in which case the signal varies according to a series of discrete values representing the information.
Telecommunications engineering deals with the transmission of information across a channel such as a co-axial cable, optical fiber or free space.
Control engineering has a wide range of applications from the flight and propulsion systems of commercial airplanes to the cruise control present in many modern cars. It also plays an important role in industrial automation. Control engineers often utilize feedback when designing control systems. For example, in a car with cruise control the vehicle's speed is continuously monitored and fed back to the system which adjusts the engine's power output accordingly.
Instrumentation engineering deals with the design of devices to measure physical quantities such as pressure, flow and temperature. These devices are known as instrumentation. The design of such instrumentation requires a good understanding of physics that often extends beyond electromagnetic theory. For example, radar guns use the Doppler effect to measure the speed of oncoming vehicles. Similarly, thermocouples use the Peltier-Seebeck effect to measure the temperature difference between two points.
Electronics engineers may be found in the pristine laboratory environment of a fabrication plant, the offices of a consulting firm or in a research laboratory. During their working life, electronics engineers may find themselves supervising a wide range of individuals including scientists, electricians, computer programmers and other engineers.
Engineering Education
Engineering education is the activity of teaching knowledge and principles related to the professional practice of engineering. It includes the initial education for becoming an engineer and any advanced education and specialization that follow. Engineering education is typically accompanied by additional examinations and supervised training as the requirements for a professional engineering license.
Engineer in engineering education are normally lecturer, professor, deans and doing research besides teaching. Engineer in engineering education often act as Engineering technology front line in the developing on engineering technology and skills.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the environment (air, water, and/or land resources), to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites.
Environmental engineering involves waste water management and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, radiation protection, industrial hygiene, environmental sustainability, and public health issues as well as a knowledge of environmental engineering law. It also includes studies on the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.
Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies to evaluate the significance of such hazards, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps. Environmental engineers also design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems as well as address local and worldwide environmental issues such as the effects of acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, water pollution and air pollution from automobile exhausts and industrial sources.
The developing scope of environmental protection has created additional opportunities in small specialist environmental consultancies and environmental divisions in large companies.
Typical work activities include:
1. visiting and assessing various sites;
2. tendering for projects, ranging from environmental audits to major contaminated land reclamation such as water and sewage treatment plants, storm water and river control works;
3. gaining resource consents for proposed structures or repairs;
4. communicating relevant issues to other technical staff, regulatory authorities, public interest groups and the public; 5. working with computer models to assess a range of environmental processes.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behaviour of earth materials. Geotechnical engineering uses principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics to investigate subsurface conditions and materials; determine the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials; evaluate stability of natural slopes and man-made soil deposits; assess risks posed by site conditions; design earthworks and structure foundations; and monitor site conditions, earthwork and foundation construction.
Geotechnical engineers use the skills of analysis to provide highly accurate calculations. Working in a team alongside geological engineers and hydrogeologists, they focus on providing information for and solutions to a specific client's project. They may assess materials used to ensure the stability of structures such as dams, tunnels or airport runways. They can also be involved in the design and analysis of structures such as bridges, towers and bulidings.
A geotechnical engineer then determines and designs the type of foundations, earthworks, and/or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be built. Foundations are designed and constructed for structures of various sizes such as high-rise buildings, bridges, medium to large commercial buildings, and smaller structures where the soil conditions do not allow code-based design.
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Transportation engineering is the application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.
The planning aspects of transport engineering relate to urban planning, and involve technical forecasting decisions and political factors. Technical forecasting of passenger travel usually involves an urban transportation planning model, requiring the estimation of trip generation (how many trips for what purpose), trip distribution (destination choice, where is the traveler going), mode choice (what mode is being taken), and route assignment (which streets or routes are being used). More sophisticated forecasting can include other aspects of traveler decisions, including auto ownership, trip chaining (the decision to link individual trips together in a tour) and the choice of residential or business location (known as land use forecasting). Passenger trips are the focus of transport engineering because they often represent the peak of demand on any transportation system.
Highway engineering is the process of design and construction of efficient and safe highways and roads. It became prominent in the 20th century and has its roots in the discipline of civil engineering. Standards of highway engineering are continuously being improved. Concepts such as grade, surface texture, sight distance and radii of horizontal bends and vertical slopes in relation to design speed and in addition to road junction design (intersections and interchanges) are all important elements of highway engineering. Most developed nations have extensive highway networks.
Information Technology
IT spans a wide variety of areas that include but are not limited to things such as processes, computer software, computer hardware, programming languages, and data constructs. In short, anything that renders data, information or perceived knowledge in any visual format whatsoever, via any multimedia distribution mechanism, is considered part of the domain space known as Information Technology (IT).
IT professionals perform a variety of functions (IT Disciplines/Competencies) that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as management and administration of entire systems. Information technology is starting to spread farther than the conventional personal computer and network technology, and more into integrations of other technologies such as the use of cell phones, televisions, automobiles, and more, which is increasing the demand for such jobs.
An Engineering graduate can be working as IT sales professional, Database development, Database administrator, IT ancillary services, IT trainer, IT consultant, Systems analyst, Network development, Network engineer and etc.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a field of engineering that generally deals with different practices of manufacturing; the research and development of tools, processes, machines and equipment. It also deals with the integration of different facilities and the systems for producing quality products (with optimal expenditure) by applying the principles of physics and the study of manufacturing systems.
Manufacturing engineers work on the development and creation of physical artifacts, production processes, and technology. The manufacturing engineering discipline has very strong overlaps with mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, computer science, materials management, and operations management. Their success or failure directly impacts the advancement of technology and the spread of innovation. It is a very broad area which includes the design and development of products.
A manufacturing engineer will plan, design, setup, modify, optimise and monitor a manufacturing process. They work to produce high quality goods efficiently in the most cost effective methods and are conscious of the environment and its protection.
Manufacturing engineers are designers, as well as analytical and creative thinkers. They can operate on their own initiative but also contribute as a team member working with engineers from various disciplines.
As a manufacturing engineer is employed in various industries and in numerous roles, their role may include:
1. designing new systems and processes for the introduction of new products or for the improvement of existing ones;
2. working with other engineers such as chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, to ensure all product and system requirements are taken into account from the initial product conception to finished result;
3. working with other professionals such as accountants and human resources personnel, to manage budget aspects and recruitment of junior engineers;
4. examining and tendering for new equipment to ensure the highest quality at the best price;
5. supervising junior engineers and sub-contractors and ensuring effective communication in order to avoid errors;
6. organising plant start-up and shut-down schedules to ensure minimum loss of production time and profits;
7. liaising with the research and development department to ensure company is at forefront of ground-breaking research;
8. keeping up to date with current and developing trends at national and international level in the manufacturing industry;
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools. It is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines.
The engineering field requires a vast understanding of core concepts including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, materials science, and structural analysis. Mechanical engineers use these core principles along with tools like computer-aided engineering and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, motorized vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices and more.
Mechanical engineers design and develop everything you think of as a machine - from supersonic fighter jets to bicycles to toasters. And they influence the design of other products as well - shoes, light bulbs and even doors. Many mechanical engineers specialize in areas such as manufacturing, robotics, automotive/transportation and air conditioning. Others cross over into other disciplines, working on everything from artificial organs to the expanding field of nanotechnology. And some use their mechanical engineering degree as preparation for the practice of medicine and law. The mechanical engineer may design a component, a machine, a system or a process. Mechanical engineers will analyze their design using the principles of motion, energy, and force to insure the product functions safely, efficiently, reliably, and can be manufactured at a competitive cost.
Mechanical engineers work in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, computer, communication, paper, and power generation industries. Mechanical engineers will be found in virtually any manufacturing industry. Increasingly, mechanical engineers are needed in the environmental and bio-medical fields. Indeed virtually every product or service in modern life has probably been touched in some way by a mechanical engineer.
Oil, gas and Mining Engineering
Mining engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the practice, the theory, the science, the technology, and application of extracting and processing minerals from a naturally occurring environment. Mining engineering also includes processing minerals for additional value.
Oil and gas engineering involves the production of oil and gas in an economical and environmentally safe manner. Engineerings in this field evaluate reservoirs, using reservoir description and modeling techniques, oversee drilling operations, design integrated strategies for primary and improved recovery schemes, and design hydrocarbon production and treatment facilities. They are also concerned with the movement of multiple phases through porous media and with the separation and processing of these phases once they are brought to the surface.
The need for mineral extraction and production is an essential activity of modern society. Mining activities by their nature cause a disturbance of the environment in and around which the minerals are located. Modern mining engineers must therefore be concerned not only with the production and processing of mineral commodities, but also with the mitigation of damage or to the environment as a result of that production and processing.
A mining engineer ensures the safe and economically sound development of mines and other surface and underground operations. The role combines an understanding of the effects of these structures on their surrounding environment, technical knowledge and management skills.
Before a new site is developed, mining engineers assess its viability and assist with planning the mine's structure. They also manage and oversee mining production processes.
An oil and gas engineer is involved in nearly all stages of oil and gas field evaluation, development and production. The goal of an oil and gas engineer is to maximise hydrocarbon recovery at a minimum cost while maintaining a strong emphasis on reducing all associated environmental problems.
oil and gas engineers are divided into several groups:
1. oil and gas geologists find hydrocarbons by analysing subsurface structures with geological and geophysical methods;
2. Reservoir engineers work to optimise production of oil and gas via proper well placement, production levels, and enhanced oil recovery techniques;
3. Production engineers manage the interface between the reservoir and the well through such tasks as (but not limited to) perforations, sand control, artificial lift, downhole flow control and downhole monitoring equipment. They also select surface equipment that separates the produced fluids (oil, natural gas and water);
4. Drilling engineers manage the technical aspects of drilling both production and injection wells. They work in multidisciplinary teams alongside other engineers, scientists, drilling teams and contractors.
Project Management
Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. It is sometimes conflated with program management, however technically that is actually a higher level construction: a group of related and somehow interdependent engineering projects.
A project is a temporary endeavor, having a defined beginning and end (usually constrained by date, but can be by funding or deliverables), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, usually to bring about beneficial change or added value. The temporary nature of projects stands in contrast to business as usual (or operations), which are repetitive, permanent or semi-permanent functional work to produce products or services. In practice, the management of these two systems is often found to be quite different, and as such requires the development of distinct technical skills and the adoption of separate management.
The primary challenge of project management is to achieve all of the engineering project goals and objectives while honoring the preconceived project constraints. Typical constraints are scope, time, and budget. The secondary—and more ambitious—challenge is to optimize the allocation and integration of inputs necessary to meet pre-defined objectives.
An Engineer in project management confers with management, production, and marketing staff to discuss project specifications and procedures. He coordinates and directs projects, making detailed plans to accomplish goals and directing the integration of technical activities. He needs to analyze technology, resource needs, and market demand, to plan and assess the feasibility of projects. He also plan and direct the installation, testing, operation, maintenance, and repair of facilities and equipment.
In Project management, it involves direct, review, and approves product design and changes. Then he needs to prepare budgets, bids, and contracts, and direct the negotiation of research contracts. He also develops and implements policies, standards and procedures for the engineering and technical work performed in the department, service, laboratory or firm.
Other jobs involve also including set scientific and technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management; Administer highway planning, construction, and maintenance; Direct the engineering of water control, treatment, and distribution projects.
Water Resources Engineering
Water resources engineering is the profession that is responsible for the planning, development and management of water resources. From estimating the amount of water available to designing the physical and non-physical infrastructure needed to meet the water needs of society and the environment, civil engineers play a central role within a multi-disciplinary team. To ensure access to clean safe drinking water, civil engineers design, build and manage the water intakes, the water treatment plants and the network of pipes that convey water to your tap. Civil engineers use state-of-the-art technologies to treat domestic and industrial wastewaters before discharging treated water back into the environment. Civil engineers also devise physical (dams, dikes) and non-physical (flood forecasting) solutions to minimize the threat to lives and property due to flooding.
Water engineer is a generic title given to engineers who specialise in water-based projects; many have a civil engineering or environmental background. They may work with a variety of different liquids but generally deal with the provision of clean water, disposal of waste water and sewage and prevention of flood damage.
Asset management plays a major part in a water engineer's job. This involves repairing, maintaining and building structures that control water resources, e.g. sea defence walls, pumping stations, and reservoirs. Engineers have to constantly address new challenges and problems which are caused by global warming, ageing infrastructure, population growth, and higher quality standards.
A water engineer can expect to undertake a range of activities, including both technical and non-technical tasks. The exact mix will depend on the seniority of the post, its location (office or site-based), and the employment sector. There are, for example, differences between working in water supply or treatment and working in flood prevention, although many general engineering functions apply across the board.
Tunneling and Underground Space Engineering
The aims of the Tunnelling & Underground Space engineering are: Integrate and apply knowledge and skills to the solution of complex civil engineering and tunnelling problems.
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering is a multi-discipline profession that relies on expertise in both the engineering and agricultural fields. The roots of agricultural Engineering go back to the earliest civilizations with the origin of the whole, early irrigation systems, and other early farming methods. Overtime, advances in agricultural machinery resulted in more efficient crop production; irrigation and drainage developments produced more usable land resources while conserving natural resources; advance on the farm agricultural buildings resulted in a healthier environment for livestock and increase efficiency in crop storage and production; Food Engineers were also developing advances in food processing to increase the safety of food with cost-efficient technology.
Agricultural Engineering covers different aspects of agriculture and all that is related to it. It comprises designing and manufacturing of agricultural machinery, drainage, agricultural sciences, effective irrigation practices, dairy engineering and land resource planning to name few.
As an agricultural engineer, job can easily found in government departments like the irrigation and agricultural department. In addition to this, job opportunity could be found in financial institutions and banks which provide finance to agricultural sector universities or other agricultural education centers.
An agricultural engineer can take part in the sales, marketing and servicing of agricultural equipments. You can also work for tube-well borings, irrigation and canal irrigation programs as well as soil conservation projects.
Job opportunities are also available in companies designing, agro-industrial corporations and manufacturing agricultural machinery.
Building Services
Building services engineers work closely with other construction professionals; architects, structural engineers and quantity surveyors. In general, Building services engineering comprises Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering and Public health (MEP) engineering, all of which are further sub-divided into the following:
1. Communication lines, telephones and IT networks (ICT)
2. Energy supply - gas, electricity and renewable sources<
3. Escalators and lifts
4. Fire detection and protection
5. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
6. Lightning protection
7. Low voltage (LV) systems, distribution boards and switchgear
8. Natural lighting and artificial lighting, and building facades
9. Security and alarm systems
10. Ventilation and refrigeration
11. Water , drainage and plumbing
Building services engineers are responsible for ensuring the cost-effective, environmentally sound and sustainable design and maintenance of engineering services in buildings.
Their areas of responsibility include all equipment and materials involved with heating, lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical distribution, water supply, sanitation, public health, fire protection, safety systems, lifts, escalators, facade engineering and acoustics.
With the current emphasis on sustainability, building services engineers are at the cutting-edge of designing, developing and managing new technologies that integrate into existing systems and services.
Progression routes within the industry are fairly clear cut. When working for client/end-users or contractors, career progression is usually from engineer, to manager, to estates director.
In consultancy, now more usually companies rather than partnerships, career progression typically runs as follows:
1. graduate engineer;
2. project engineer;
3. associate;
4. partner/director;
5. senior partner/managing director.
However, career patterns are not fixed and career development can depend on the choice of specialisation. It is important, therefore, to be strategic at an early stage when choosing the type of qualification to take and the areas in which to gain practical experience. Building services degrees with a general focus provide a useful overview of the whole sector, whilst other types of degree, e.g. mechanical or electrical engineering, allow the development of more specialised skills.
Gaining experience and training in design, as well as installation and maintenance, can increase the opportunities for career development, whichever qualification route is followed. The profession is also seeing the emergence of new specialisations, such as intelligent buildings and organic lighting, which can open up new career possibilities.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the application of physical science (e.g., chemistry and physics), and life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology and biochemistry) with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. In addition to producing useful materials, modern chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques - such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering. Chemical engineering largely involves the design, improvement and maintenance of processes involving chemical or biological transformations for large-scale manufacture. Chemical engineers ensure the processes are operated safely, sustainably and economically.
Chemical engineers are now engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. These products include high performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental, space and military applications. Examples include ultra-strong fibers, fabrics, dye-sensitized solar cells, adhesives and composites for vehicles, bio-compatible materials for implants and prosthetics, gels for medical applications, pharmaceuticals, and films with special dielectric, optical or spectroscopic properties for opto-electronic devices. Additionally, chemical engineering is often intertwined with biology and biomedical engineering. Many chemical engineers work on biological projects such as understanding biopolymers (proteins) and mapping the human genome.
Since Chemical engineering is a vast field, the job prospectus and career options of a chemical engineer is varied and different. Chemical engineers play a key role in industries, mostly in the manufacturing field. Their work area varies from petroleum and petrochemicals to food, materials, specialty chemicals, plastics, power production, environmental control, waste management and biotechnology.
As it is a varied field Chemical engineers could specialise in a particular chemical processess such as oxidation or polymerisation or in a specific product such as plastic or rubber. Besides designing equipments and plants, testing manufacturing processes and supervising production; they also study the properties and effects of dangerous chemicals, device process of neutralising them and also on the development acceptable substitutes. As such their work can be dangerous.
Wide employment opportunities await chemical engineers both in the public sector as well as the private sector. They can seek jobs in areas such as processing, operations or manufacturing, research and development, design and construction, finance and teaching.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like bridges, roads, canals, dams and buildings. Civil engineering is the oldest engineering discipline after military engineering, and it was defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering.
Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right. Structural engineers are most commonly involved in the design of buildings and large nonbuilding structures but they can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, vehicles or any item where structural integrity affects the item's function or safety. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety (e.g. structures must not collapse without due warning) or serviceability and performance (e.g. building sway must not cause discomfort to the occupants). Buildings are made to endure massive loads as well as changing climate and natural disasters.
Civil and structural engineering covers several specialised sectors including buildings of all kinds, transport and communications infrastructure. This includes bridges, roads, tunnels, canals and other large structures. They can also be involved in the production, storage and distribution of electricity, gas and water. Civil engineers are employed by a wide range of contractors and consultancies and also work in-house for a variety of large organisations. There are many opportunities in the public sector, with local authorities, government departments and environmental organisations, where engineers are often involved in setting project specifications and drafting tender documents.
Consullting Engineers
Consultants are individuals who typically work for themselves but may also be associated with a consulting firm. They, for a fee, gives advice or provides a service in a field of specialized knowledge or training. Engineering consultants work with businesses to help them to meet their design and construction needs. Engineering consultants usually work as part of a consulting company, and come into the field after receiving an engineering degree and obtaining several years of experience in the field. They are experts at whatever field of engineering consulting they are involved in. Engineering is a very broad field, and consultants are required to have a very clear understanding of everything that a potential client may need.
The work of an engineering consultant is varied. Because engineering is such a wide field, there is almost no limit to the work a consultant can perform. They perform several different types of work, for many different types of businesses. Engineering consultants find solutions that meet or exceed the needs of their clients.
Consulting engineers are the designers whereas contracting engineers turn their plans into reality. Consulting engineers provide a wide range of services to clients. During the early stages of a career, work will involve taking responsibility for minor projects, but the size of the projects may increase as experience is gained. Typical work activities include:
1. undertaking technical and feasibility studies and site investigations;
2. developing detailed designs;
3. assessing the potential risks of specific projects, as well as undertaking risk management in specialist roles;
4. supervising tendering procedures and putting together proposals;
5. managing, supervising and visiting contractors on site and advising on engineering issues;
6. the work of junior staff or mentoring engineers throughout the chartership process;
7. communicating and liaising effectively with colleagues and architects, subcontractors, contracting engineers, consultants, co-workers and clients;
8. thinking both creatively and logically to resolve design and development problems;
9. managing budgets and other project resources;10. managing change, as the client may change his or her mind about the design, and identifying, formalising and notifying relevant parties of changes in the project;11. leading teams of other engineers, perhaps from other organisations or firms;
12. compiling, checking and approving reports;
13. reviewing and approving project drawings;
14 using a range of design computer packages for designing projects and undertaking complex and repetitive calculations;
15. scheduling material and equipment purchases and delivery;
16. attending public meetings to discuss projects, especially in a senior role;
17. adopting all relevant requirements around issues such as building permits, environmental regulations, sanitary design, good manufacturing practices and safety on all work assignments;
18. ensuring that a project runs smoothly and that the structure is completed on time and within budget;
19. correcting any project deficiencies that affect production, quality and safety requirements prior to final evaluation and project reviews.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. It now covers a range of subtopics including power, electronics, control systems, signal processing and telecommunications. Some are most famous sub discipline listed below:
1. Power
2. Control
3. Electronics
4. Microelectronics
5. Signal processing
6. Telecommunications
7. Instrumentation8. Computers
From the Global Positioning System to electric power generation, electrical engineers have contributed to the development of a wide range of technologies. They design, develop, test and supervise the deployment of electrical systems and electronic devices. For example, they may work on the design of telecommunication systems, the operation of electric power stations, the lighting and wiring of buildings, the design of household appliances or the electrical control of industrial machinery.
Fundamental to the discipline are the sciences of physics and mathematics as these help to obtain both a qualitative and quantitative description of how such systems will work. Although most electrical engineers will understand basic circuit theory (that is the interactions of elements such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors and inductors in a circuit), the theories employed by engineers generally depend upon the work they do. Perhaps the most important technical skills for electrical engineers are reflected in university programs, which emphasize strong numerical skills, computer literacy and the ability to understand the technical language and concepts that relate to electrical engineering. The workplaces of electrical engineers are just as varied as the types of work they do. Electrical engineers may be found in the pristine lab environment of a fabrication plant, the offices of a consulting firm or on site at a mine. During their working life, electrical engineers may find themselves supervising a wide range of individuals including scientists, electricians, computer programmers and other engineers.
Electronics Engineering
Electronics engineering is an engineering discipline which uses the scientific knowledge of the behavior and effects of electrons to develop components, devices, systems, or equipment (as in electron tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, and printed circuit boards) that uses electricity as part of its driving force. Both terms denote a broad engineering field that encompasses many subfields including those that deal with power, instrumentation engineering, telecommunications, semiconductor circuit design, and many others. Electronic engineering involves the design and testing of electronic circuits that use the electronic properties of components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and transistors to achieve a particular functionality.
Signal processing deals with the analysis and manipulation of signals. Signals can be either analog, in which case the signal varies continuously according to the information, or digital, in which case the signal varies according to a series of discrete values representing the information. Telecommunications engineering deals with the transmission of information across a channel such as a co-axial cable, optical fiber or free space. Control engineering has a wide range of applications from the flight and propulsion systems of commercial airplanes to the cruise control present in many modern cars. It also plays an important role in industrial automation. Control engineers often utilize feedback when designing control systems. For example, in a car with cruise control the vehicle's speed is continuously monitored and fed back to the system which adjusts the engine's power output accordingly.
Instrumentation engineering deals with the design of devices to measure physical quantities such as pressure, flow and temperature. These devices are known as instrumentation. The design of such instrumentation requires a good understanding of physics that often extends beyond electromagnetic theory. For example, radar guns use the Doppler effect to measure the speed of oncoming vehicles. Similarly, thermocouples use the Peltier-Seebeck effect to measure the temperature difference between two points.
Electronics engineers may be found in the pristine laboratory environment of a fabrication plant, the offices of a consulting firm or in a research laboratory. During their working life, electronics engineers may find themselves supervising a wide range of individuals including scientists, electricians, computer programmers and other engineers.
Engineering Education
Engineering education is the activity of teaching knowledge and principles related to the professional practice of engineering. It includes the initial education for becoming an engineer and any advanced education and specialization that follow. Engineering education is typically accompanied by additional examinations and supervised training as the requirements for a professional engineering license. Engineer in engineering education are normally lecturer, professor, deans and doing research besides teaching. Engineer in engineering education often act as Engineering technology front line in the developing on engineering technology and skills.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the environment (air, water, and/or land resources), to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites. Environmental engineering involves waste water management and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, radiation protection, industrial hygiene, environmental sustainability, and public health issues as well as a knowledge of environmental engineering law. It also includes studies on the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.
Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies to evaluate the significance of such hazards, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps. Environmental engineers also design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems as well as address local and worldwide environmental issues such as the effects of acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, water pollution and air pollution from automobile exhausts and industrial sources. The developing scope of environmental protection has created additional opportunities in small specialist environmental consultancies and environmental divisions in large companies.
Typical work activities include:
1. visiting and assessing various sites;
2. tendering for projects, ranging from environmental audits to major contaminated land reclamation such as water and sewage treatment plants, storm water and river control works;
3. gaining resource consents for proposed structures or repairs;
4. communicating relevant issues to other technical staff, regulatory authorities, public interest groups and the public; 5. working with computer models to assess a range of environmental processes.
Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behaviour of earth materials. Geotechnical engineering uses principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics to investigate subsurface conditions and materials; determine the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials; evaluate stability of natural slopes and man-made soil deposits; assess risks posed by site conditions; design earthworks and structure foundations; and monitor site conditions, earthwork and foundation construction. Geotechnical engineers use the skills of analysis to provide highly accurate calculations. Working in a team alongside geological engineers and hydrogeologists, they focus on providing information for and solutions to a specific client's project. They may assess materials used to ensure the stability of structures such as dams, tunnels or airport runways. They can also be involved in the design and analysis of structures such as bridges, towers and bulidings.
A geotechnical engineer then determines and designs the type of foundations, earthworks, and/or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be built. Foundations are designed and constructed for structures of various sizes such as high-rise buildings, bridges, medium to large commercial buildings, and smaller structures where the soil conditions do not allow code-based design.
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Transportation engineering is the application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.
The planning aspects of transport engineering relate to urban planning, and involve technical forecasting decisions and political factors. Technical forecasting of passenger travel usually involves an urban transportation planning model, requiring the estimation of trip generation (how many trips for what purpose), trip distribution (destination choice, where is the traveler going), mode choice (what mode is being taken), and route assignment (which streets or routes are being used). More sophisticated forecasting can include other aspects of traveler decisions, including auto ownership, trip chaining (the decision to link individual trips together in a tour) and the choice of residential or business location (known as land use forecasting). Passenger trips are the focus of transport engineering because they often represent the peak of demand on any transportation system.
Highway engineering is the process of design and construction of efficient and safe highways and roads. It became prominent in the 20th century and has its roots in the discipline of civil engineering. Standards of highway engineering are continuously being improved. Concepts such as grade, surface texture, sight distance and radii of horizontal bends and vertical slopes in relation to design speed and in addition to road junction design (intersections and interchanges) are all important elements of highway engineering. Most developed nations have extensive highway networks.
Information Technology
IT spans a wide variety of areas that include but are not limited to things such as processes, computer software, computer hardware, programming languages, and data constructs. In short, anything that renders data, information or perceived knowledge in any visual format whatsoever, via any multimedia distribution mechanism, is considered part of the domain space known as Information Technology (IT).
IT professionals perform a variety of functions (IT Disciplines/Competencies) that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as management and administration of entire systems. Information technology is starting to spread farther than the conventional personal computer and network technology, and more into integrations of other technologies such as the use of cell phones, televisions, automobiles, and more, which is increasing the demand for such jobs.
An Engineering graduate can be working as IT sales professional, Database development, Database administrator, IT ancillary services, IT trainer, IT consultant, Systems analyst, Network development, Network engineer and etc.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a field of engineering that generally deals with different practices of manufacturing; the research and development of tools, processes, machines and equipment. It also deals with the integration of different facilities and the systems for producing quality products (with optimal expenditure) by applying the principles of physics and the study of manufacturing systems.
Manufacturing engineers work on the development and creation of physical artifacts, production processes, and technology. The manufacturing engineering discipline has very strong overlaps with mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, computer science, materials management, and operations management. Their success or failure directly impacts the advancement of technology and the spread of innovation. It is a very broad area which includes the design and development of products.
A manufacturing engineer will plan, design, setup, modify, optimise and monitor a manufacturing process. They work to produce high quality goods efficiently in the most cost effective methods and are conscious of the environment and its protection.
Manufacturing engineers are designers, as well as analytical and creative thinkers. They can operate on their own initiative but also contribute as a team member working with engineers from various disciplines.
As a manufacturing engineer is employed in various industries and in numerous roles, their role may include:
1. designing new systems and processes for the introduction of new products or for the improvement of existing ones;
2. working with other engineers such as chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, to ensure all product and system requirements are taken into account from the initial product conception to finished result;
3. working with other professionals such as accountants and human resources personnel, to manage budget aspects and recruitment of junior engineers;
4. examining and tendering for new equipment to ensure the highest quality at the best price;
5. supervising junior engineers and sub-contractors and ensuring effective communication in order to avoid errors;
6. organising plant start-up and shut-down schedules to ensure minimum loss of production time and profits;
7. liaising with the research and development department to ensure company is at forefront of ground-breaking research;
8. keeping up to date with current and developing trends at national and international level in the manufacturing industry;
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools. It is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines.
The engineering field requires a vast understanding of core concepts including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, materials science, and structural analysis. Mechanical engineers use these core principles along with tools like computer-aided engineering and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, motorized vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices and more.
Mechanical engineers design and develop everything you think of as a machine - from supersonic fighter jets to bicycles to toasters. And they influence the design of other products as well - shoes, light bulbs and even doors. Many mechanical engineers specialize in areas such as manufacturing, robotics, automotive/transportation and air conditioning. Others cross over into other disciplines, working on everything from artificial organs to the expanding field of nanotechnology. And some use their mechanical engineering degree as preparation for the practice of medicine and law. The mechanical engineer may design a component, a machine, a system or a process. Mechanical engineers will analyze their design using the principles of motion, energy, and force to insure the product functions safely, efficiently, reliably, and can be manufactured at a competitive cost.
Mechanical engineers work in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, computer, communication, paper, and power generation industries. Mechanical engineers will be found in virtually any manufacturing industry. Increasingly, mechanical engineers are needed in the environmental and bio-medical fields. Indeed virtually every product or service in modern life has probably been touched in some way by a mechanical engineer.
Oil, gas and Mining Engineering
Mining engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the practice, the theory, the science, the technology, and application of extracting and processing minerals from a naturally occurring environment. Mining engineering also includes processing minerals for additional value.
Oil and gas engineering involves the production of oil and gas in an economical and environmentally safe manner. Engineerings in this field evaluate reservoirs, using reservoir description and modeling techniques, oversee drilling operations, design integrated strategies for primary and improved recovery schemes, and design hydrocarbon production and treatment facilities. They are also concerned with the movement of multiple phases through porous media and with the separation and processing of these phases once they are brought to the surface.
The need for mineral extraction and production is an essential activity of modern society. Mining activities by their nature cause a disturbance of the environment in and around which the minerals are located. Modern mining engineers must therefore be concerned not only with the production and processing of mineral commodities, but also with the mitigation of damage or to the environment as a result of that production and processing.
A mining engineer ensures the safe and economically sound development of mines and other surface and underground operations. The role combines an understanding of the effects of these structures on their surrounding environment, technical knowledge and management skills. Before a new site is developed, mining engineers assess its viability and assist with planning the mine's structure. They also manage and oversee mining production processes.
An oil and gas engineer is involved in nearly all stages of oil and gas field evaluation, development and production. The goal of an oil and gas engineer is to maximise hydrocarbon recovery at a minimum cost while maintaining a strong emphasis on reducing all associated environmental problems.
oil and gas engineers are divided into several groups:
1. oil and gas geologists find hydrocarbons by analysing subsurface structures with geological and geophysical methods;
2. Reservoir engineers work to optimise production of oil and gas via proper well placement, production levels, and enhanced oil recovery techniques;
3. Production engineers manage the interface between the reservoir and the well through such tasks as (but not limited to) perforations, sand control, artificial lift, downhole flow control and downhole monitoring equipment. They also select surface equipment that separates the produced fluids (oil, natural gas and water);
4. Drilling engineers manage the technical aspects of drilling both production and injection wells. They work in multidisciplinary teams alongside other engineers, scientists, drilling teams and contractors.
Project Management
Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. It is sometimes conflated with program management, however technically that is actually a higher level construction: a group of related and somehow interdependent engineering projects.
A project is a temporary endeavor, having a defined beginning and end (usually constrained by date, but can be by funding or deliverables), undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, usually to bring about beneficial change or added value. The temporary nature of projects stands in contrast to business as usual (or operations), which are repetitive, permanent or semi-permanent functional work to produce products or services. In practice, the management of these two systems is often found to be quite different, and as such requires the development of distinct technical skills and the adoption of separate management.
The primary challenge of project management is to achieve all of the engineering project goals and objectives while honoring the preconceived project constraints. Typical constraints are scope, time, and budget. The secondary—and more ambitious—challenge is to optimize the allocation and integration of inputs necessary to meet pre-defined objectives.
An Engineer in project management confers with management, production, and marketing staff to discuss project specifications and procedures. He coordinates and directs projects, making detailed plans to accomplish goals and directing the integration of technical activities. He needs to analyze technology, resource needs, and market demand, to plan and assess the feasibility of projects. He also plan and direct the installation, testing, operation, maintenance, and repair of facilities and equipment.
In Project management, it involves direct, review, and approves product design and changes. Then he needs to prepare budgets, bids, and contracts, and direct the negotiation of research contracts. He also develops and implements policies, standards and procedures for the engineering and technical work performed in the department, service, laboratory or firm.
Other jobs involve also including set scientific and technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management; Administer highway planning, construction, and maintenance; Direct the engineering of water control, treatment, and distribution projects.
Water Resources Engineering
Water resources engineering is the profession that is responsible for the planning, development and management of water resources. From estimating the amount of water available to designing the physical and non-physical infrastructure needed to meet the water needs of society and the environment, civil engineers play a central role within a multi-disciplinary team. To ensure access to clean safe drinking water, civil engineers design, build and manage the water intakes, the water treatment plants and the network of pipes that convey water to your tap. Civil engineers use state-of-the-art technologies to treat domestic and industrial wastewaters before discharging treated water back into the environment. Civil engineers also devise physical (dams, dikes) and non-physical (flood forecasting) solutions to minimize the threat to lives and property due to flooding.
Water engineer is a generic title given to engineers who specialise in water-based projects; many have a civil engineering or environmental background. They may work with a variety of different liquids but generally deal with the provision of clean water, disposal of waste water and sewage and prevention of flood damage.
Asset management plays a major part in a water engineer's job. This involves repairing, maintaining and building structures that control water resources, e.g. sea defence walls, pumping stations, and reservoirs. Engineers have to constantly address new challenges and problems which are caused by global warming, ageing infrastructure, population growth, and higher quality standards.
A water engineer can expect to undertake a range of activities, including both technical and non-technical tasks. The exact mix will depend on the seniority of the post, its location (office or site-based), and the employment sector. There are, for example, differences between working in water supply or treatment and working in flood prevention, although many general engineering functions apply across the board.
Tunneling and Underground Space Engineering
The aims of the Tunnelling & Underground Space engineering are: Integrate and apply knowledge and skills to the solution of complex civil engineering and tunnelling problems.
