Data Science Technology: September 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Industrial Engineering Education

The typical undergraduate degree needed to become an Industrial Engineer is the Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Science and Engineering (BSE) in Industrial Engineering (IE). Some Industrial Engineers hold degrees in Industrial & Operations Engineering (IOE), or Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE).

Similarly to other undergraduate engineering programs, the typical curriculum is built on a foundation of broad math and science courses. Examples include courses in chemistry, physics, mechanics, materials science, computer science, electronics/circuits, and engineering design. In addition several engineering mathematics courses, such as calculus, differential equations, and statistics, are required. These courses are required by virtually all accredited undergraduate engineering programs and prepare students for most engineering licensure exams.

Following the foundational courses, students take courses specific to IE. These specialized courses are in areas such as systems theory, design or analysis, ergonomics/safety, stochastics, optimization, advanced mathematics, computation or modeling, and/or engineering economics. Other subjects typically studied by IE students include management, finance, strategy and other business-oriented course, and social science courses such as psychology or public policy. Some business schools offer programs that overlap with IE, but the engineering programs tend to be more quantitative as well as more rigorous in the basic sciences and mathematics. Bachelor’s degree programs typically include both classroom and laboratory experiences.

At the postgraduate level, the most commonly-earned degree is the Master of Science (MS) or Master of Science and Engineering (MSE) in IE. Typical coursework at this level tends to be focused on operations research and optimization techniques, engineering economics, supply chain management, and logistics, facilities and work-space design, quality engineering, reliability engineering, human factors engineering and ergonomics, robotics, productivity improvement, operations management, time and motion studies, computer-aided manufacturing, and others.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Jobs Specific to Environmental Engineering

Because technology is always changing, job titles and work settings change, so the niche you set your cap for may be listed under new and expanded headings by the time you have your B.S. Positions for environmental engineers are widespread throughout industry, government, research organizations, management, and consulting. The need exists worldwide for environmental engineers to find solutions to our human needs.

Environmental engineers can choose career opportunities from designing waste treatment facilities and developing management strategies, to creating predictive models of human impacts on the environment and conducting research. They can work with carbon management, structural safety, water and air quality, transportation infrastructure, and sustainability. The list is far too long for this overview.

Environmental engineering degrees can lead to jobs in the power industry, with architectural and engineering firms, engineering consulting firms, and city, state and federal government.

Companies who hire Environmental Engineers

Alcoa
Bechtel Corporation
Cliffs Natural Resources
Csx Transportation
Golder Associates
Kiewit
Kl Engineering
Union Pacific Railroad
US Army Corps of Engineers

Monday, September 28, 2020

Life of an Electrical Engineer

Electronic engineers perform their duties in offices and laboratories but may also be sent to work sites for supervising and troubleshooting. This is especially true for those who work in companies that manufacture complex equipment. They spend about 40 hours per week at work, but they may work longer than this.

A typical day for an electrical engineer varies depending on their employer. Those who work for the federal government may handle responsibilities in areas of research, development and electronic device evaluation that may cover systems for manufacturing, transportation, aviation and communication. Electrical engineers use design software and equipment in their projects.

Becoming an Electrical Engineer

A bachelor’s degree is needed to become an electrical engineer. This is an area of specialty in the engineering field, and these degrees will prepare an individual for an entry level job. It is important to start studying for their chosen career as early as high school.

Aspiring electrical engineers have to take as much math and science coursework as possible including algebra, calculus and trigonometry. Drafting courses are also valuable. This is mainly because engineering students are usually required to do technical drawings. Bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete and include laboratory, classroom and field work.

Electrical engineers may have to obtain a master’s degree or other training certifications in order to qualify for research positions. There are five-year programs that offer both bachelor’s and master’s degrees together. They should pass the Fundamentals Engineering exam to obtain a license after the bachelor’s degree and Principles and Practice of Engineering exam after an internship.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Jobs and Salary for Civil Engineers

Civil Engineers focus on six basic infrastructure systems. The structural engineer focuses on design and analysis of buildings and bridges. The geotechnical engineer designs and builds tunnels, pipelines, embankments, and foundations. The environmental engineer analyzes and solves problems involving air and water quality and management of waste and hazardous materials.

Water resources engineers seek ways to improve water sources through hydrology, meteorology, and fluid dynamics. Construction engineers manage projects for erecting buildings, digging tunnels, and laying roads. Transportation engineers design, construct and maintain highways, railways, airfields and ports.

Graduates work for nongovernmental organizations, private companies, government agencies, public or private institutions, national research laboratories, or educational institutions. As for research, while masters-degree graduates can be involved through projects or assignments, it is primarily only those at the Ph.D. level who perform research in this field.

Bureau of Labor Statistics for Occupational Employment and Wages (BLS) show civil engineers as those who perform planning, designing of building structures and facilities, and overseeing their construction and maintenance. These structures include water and sewage systems, roads and railroads, airports and harbors, bridges and tunnels, channels and dams, irrigation projects and pipelines, and power plants. The Bureau's data include engineers for geo-technical, architectural, structural, traffic and ocean expertise. Hydrologists are not included.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Masters of Chemical Engineering

Aside from the standard 4-year-degree courses, there are degrees with emphasis on environmental, biochemical, or materials engineering. Environmental studies prepare engineers to work on waste minimization, pollution control, and waste management. Biochemical studies prepare students to enter the biochemical industry, and support a strong pre-med program.

Materials engineering incorporates chemistry and applied physics, with interest in the atomic and molecular levels of materials. Emphasizing these areas requires a slightly heavier course load. On graduating, students are traditional chemical engineers as well as specialists.

Beyond receiving a B.S. in chemical engineering, students can pursue other graduate degrees. The master's degree (M.Sc.) for chemical engineering is the next level, and generally requires 5 quarters of study. Typically, a university will allow no more than 3 years for the completion of this degree, and a grade point average of 3.00 is required.

Doctor of philosophy (PhD) studies prepare graduates to take active parts in the ever-changing field of chemical engineering. A PhD can access all levels of industrial and research organizations such as national laboratories or university teaching.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Masters Degree In Biomedical Engineering

Master's degrees in biomedical engineering are encouraged, and generally require five more quarters of study, but options are becoming available. Colorado State University (CSU) and Duke University, for example, offer cutting-edge approaches to dual-degree coursework.

CSU's dual-degree biomedical engineering bachelor's program coursework focuses on improving health, fighting disease, and aiding those with disabilities. The master's strengthens experience in the sciences, and animal and human medicine. Earning two degrees in 5 years is an excellent beginning to a successful career as a biomedical engineer.

Duke's BME combines hands-on experience with interdisciplinary research in the detection and treatment of human disease. Many undergraduates are involved in independent-study research.
After earning their 4-year B.S., most students earn a master's in less than 2 years and a Ph.D. in less than six.

Georgia Tech's Master of Biomedical Innovation and Development (BioID) is another example of collaborative instruction between biomedical technology and hands-on experience.
This degree addresses a gap in current education—the “bench-to-bedside” progression that takes products from research to patients.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Associate Degree in Aerospace Engineering

There are small number of schools that offer associate degrees in aerospace engineering, but they usually reserve those degrees for engineers who have degrees in related fields, such as mechanical, electrical or computer engineering. Generally, the aerospace industry prefers job seekers with four-year Bachelor of Science degrees.

There are only a handful of universities accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology in the United States that offer aerospace engineering degrees. Aerospace engineers take two years of calculus, differential equations, physics and chemistry and two years of engineering coursework. Aerospace engineering students can expect to see the following engineering courses in their university's curriculum:

Statics
Dynamics of aerospace systems
Control of aerospace systems
Aerodynamics
Thermodynamics
Flight software systems
Aerospace instrumentation and experimentation
Aerospace structures
Aircraft flight dynamics
Space flight dynamics

Monday, September 21, 2020

Acoustic Engineering Success Story

The Bose company is a prime example of a firm that relies heavily on the expertise of sound engineers. Founded by Amar G. Bose, an engineer himself, who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the firm built its reputation on developing and marketing audio equipment and systems of impeccable quality. The company’s products are popular among consumers, automobile manufactures and performing arts venues. The equipment developed by their sound engineers strives to simulate the quality experienced at a live concert hall. Bose has chosen to engage in long-term, higher-risk projects requiring immense research and development instead of providing cheaper products to its customers. This approach has paid off with the creation of noise-canceling audio equipment such as headphones as well as ingenious suspension systems for the automobile industry.

As a teacher at MIT for nearly 50 years, Bose instructed a course on acoustics that transcended mere technical matters into larger life lessons. Bose stressed to his students the importance of personal responsibility and having high standards for work and integrity. Many students attributed to Dr. Bose their resolve to take on more risky endeavors as well as the technical and critical-thinking skills to achieve success in their careers. The life of Bose and the success of his company serves as a model for all practitioners in the field, underscoring the importance of developing a well-rounded education and approach to successfully tackling both technical and more abstract challenges that they may encounter both in their personal and professional arenas.

Friday, September 18, 2020

Agricultural Engineering Degree Career Outlook

Agricultural engineering degrees prepare students to work professionally in the many fields of agriculture. Subsets of the studies belonging to the classification of agriculture offer unlimited opportunities for involvement in this field. Demand for Agricultural Engineers has grown over the last 10 years.

Degrees in agricultural engineering cover all aspects of the industry, from water and waste issues, massive farming of foods and livestock, water farming, farming equipment, and farm economics to genetically designed corn and cows. Earning a degree gives students textbook knowledge and hands-on vision of their chosen field. Fieldwork and laboratory projects combined with actual practice provide a well-rounded education.

The bachelor of science is the first degree to obtain. While majoring in agricultural engineering, a student can minor is any other field. Often students will minor in a related subject such as economics, to enhance their food engineering major, for example.

Graduate students are eligible to pursue a number of advanced degrees, including the Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Master of Agriculture, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Engineering. These students can major in bioacoustics, biomaterials science, bioprocess engineering, environmental and natural resource engineering, food engineering; food, feed and fiber processing; machine and energy systems; and systems analysis.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Structural Engineering Education

Structural Engineering focuses on the support integrity of large developments such as buildings, bridges and stadiums. Structural engineers are responsible for some of the most import constructions in history, including Washington Roebling who built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and Gustave Eiffel who completed The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Structural engineers traditionally collaborate with a team of professionals including architects, urban planners and civil engineers, among others, to realize the completion of a project.

Federal and local governments as well as private enterprises contract these practitioners for work throughout the world, whereby they are entrusted to ensure public safety by meeting building codes and standards. For buildings, these professionals achieve this by developing the components such as roof framing columns and foundations. In bridges, they develop the piers, deck and/or stringers. In addition, they select the most appropriate materials including wood, concrete, steel and/or aluminum, thereby protecting the structure and surrounding communities in the case of natural disasters, weather, collisions or explosions. To determine the best materials, structural engineers rely on digital hardware and software applications for modeling and analysis.

Employers require structural engineers to have a college degree in the discipline or comparable areas such as civil engineering. Most professionals have acquired a Master’s Degree or even a Ph.D. to distinguish themselves in the marketplace. Undergraduate students complete coursework in materials, algorithms, design and mechanics, among other concepts. Advanced academic training in the field facilitates a candidate’s ability to receive management positions in the industry as well as university teaching roles. At the Master’s Degree level, students complete classwork in advanced materials design principles, structural mechanics and seismology. For Ph.D. students, coursework includes classes in computer modeling, advanced renovation and restoration as well as risk analysis.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Real Life Work Nature of Thermal Engineers

Thermal engineers have been instrumental in changing the way people find and use energy throughout the world as well as in pushing space exploration into new realms. Most people think of Google as an Internet search engine company, but the firm has expanded its resources into creating better energy solutions for the planet. The firm actively recruits thermal engineers to work on its project for developing clean and affordable power grids. Their Energy Access team endeavors to recruit and nurture engineers to its efforts, underscoring its conviction in its identity as an engineering firm.

Moreover, the University College London (UCL) Mullard Space Science Laboratory considers the work of its thermal engineers as vital for enhancing space exploration initiatives. One of their professionals, Christine Brockley-Blatt, has exemplified the seamless transition these practitioners make from the classroom to real world applications. After completing her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, Brockley-Blatt completed an internship with an aerospace firm, whereby she trained on a project dealing with the landing gear and propeller technology for a medley of aircraft models. She then applied more of her thermal engineering training to an automotive firm. With UCL she currently works as a project manager on cooling technology in outer space exploration solutions. On a daily basis, she employs calculations in mechanical and thermal capacities, performs project management duties, and demonstrates oral and written communications. Her rich educational background and professional experience illuminate the depth and versatility the field requires of its practitioners to excel.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Thermal Engineering Career Outlook

Professionals in the field of thermal engineering strive to develop more efficient means for transferring energy into more practical means, drawing on their expertise in heat transfer. Within an industrial context, these engineers work on solutions for fuels, exploring forms of chemical, electrical and mechanical energy. These professionals find specialization in the fields of high technology, solar power, oil and gas, power companies, as well as temperature control systems. Transforming power grids to create more affordable electricity has become one of the most popular fields utilizing the expertise of thermal engineers.

If you want to know more about becoming a thermal engineer, contact the schools listed here to learn more. It’s important to talk to as many schools as you can to determine the best way forward.

Thermal engineers dedicate their efforts to refining electronics systems and safety applications. They collaborate extensively with groups of hardware and software experts at all stages of the product cycle from initial design through the manufacturing and installation of products and systems. In this capacity, they may develop models for industrial assets rooted in computer projects for optimizing source materials and functionality.

Friday, September 11, 2020

Mining and Geological Engineering

Mining and geological engineering focuses primarily on the study and design of creating safe and effective means to extract metals and minerals for industrial, commercial and scientific purposes. Requiring education and understanding not only of mining principles and practices, engineers in this field are also expected to have an advanced and dynamic understanding of geological sciences, such as soil and mineral composition, surveying, prospecting and exploratory geological research. In addition to extracting the more conventional materials such as oil, precious and industrial metals and rarer gems and materials, many new advancements in information technology have expanded the role of geological engineering to search and mine for other materials, such as the dozens of special minerals and materials used in computer, tablet and smart phone construction.

At EducatingEngineers, we want you to understand the complexities of engineering careers and what it takes to succeed in your education. Please read the information below to learn more. And contact the schools in our directory to get started!

Employed by governments, major corporations, non-profit organizations and scientific/academic research institutions, geological engineers play pivotal roles in everything from industrial production of materials and energy, to advancing scientific understanding of the material composition of the Earth. Because of the numerous and varied functions for geological engineering and the substantial technological advancements made in the field itself, the role of the engineer in respect to mining and geological research continues to evolve, finding new and interesting applications for the science with each passing year.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Software Engineering Professional Associations

There are numerous professional associations where Software Engineers can network and share information. One of the largest and oldest is the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). The ACM boasts membership of more than 100,000 professionals as of 2011.

Another major association is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). While IEEE’s title might not sound like it would be fruitful for Software Engineers, the IEEE Computer Society has teamed with the ACM on numerous projects to enhance the professionalism of the Software Engineering field.

Like any degree in engineering, a Software Engineering degree is a demanding course of study. It requires an aptitude for math and science and favors those who love to think logically and methodically. The rewards for pursuing this degree are numerous and tangible: great salary, a growing job market, and a career working with like-minded professionals building the future. Check out the many programs available and see if one is right for you.

The US Government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports earnings on multiple software development jobs, none specifically labeled as Software Engineers. However, the average annual earnings reported for several different Software Engineering-related career fields corroborate the salary figures reported by GlassDoor.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Materials Science and Engineering Degree

Few studies are as vital to the advancement of industry as Materials Science and Engineering. Focused on the study, discovery and creation of new physical materials for use in everything from medicine, automotive and aerospace engineering and consumer goods, to rocketry and space exploration, careers in Materials Science and Engineering maintain a heavy focus on attention to detail, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As an “interdisciplinary science,” Materials Science and Engineering combines a variety of specific skills and studies, varying upon the professional or scientific objectives of the student. With strong emphasis in areas such as mathematics, thermodynamics, chemistry, biochemistry and materials properties (mechanical, transitional, chemical,) Materials Science and Engineering is a study which focuses on the physical materials used in given applications, for the purposes of research, safety, quality control and in certain professional areas, forensic engineering and investigation.

If you are ready to learn more about this area of engineering, contact the schools in our directory to learn more about their degree programs. We work with these schools directly and do not charge for our services. We simply want to help students like you understand your options!

Classically referred to as “metallurgy” in many schools and training programs, Materials Science and Engineering is generally regarded as a relatively new field of study, combining older metallurgic arts and understanding with newer studies of things such as atomic structure, applied physics and the creation and study of newer synthetic materials. Professional opportunities in the field cover a broad spectrum of industrial and scientific sectors, ranging from basic scientific research and discovery to applicable industry specific occupations in fields such as bio-technology, defense and consumer product engineering.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Working Life of an Industrial Engineer

Depending upon the specific tasks they are performing, industrial engineers work both in offices and in the settings they are working to improve. If they are observing problems, for instance, they may watch workers assemble parts in a factory, or staff performing their functions in hospitals. When solving problems, industrial engineers may work in an office at a computer, where they examine data that they themselves, or others, have gathered. Industrial engineers may need to travel for work in order to observe processes and make assessments in various work settings. In 2012, the industries that employed the greatest number of industrial engineers were: aerospace product and parts manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, architectural, engineering, and related services, motor vehicle parts manufacturing, and management of companies and enterprises. Industrial engineers need good interpersonal skills to be able to work alongside other professionals and serve as a bridge between the technical and business sides of an organization.

Recently, the University of Chicago conducted a study to obtain information about job satisfaction in the United States. Although job and career are not the only determinants of overall happiness and life satisfaction, they do contribute substantially to an individual’s sense of well-being. According to the study, the occupation “industrial engineer” was among the top ten careers associated with general happiness. In fact, it ranked ninth. When compensation for these top-ten careers was examined, “industrial engineers” ranked third.
When looking at the reported reasons for happiness, i.e. creativity, use of expertise, helping others, it is easy to understand why industrial engineers ranked in the top ten careers for happiness. IEs are trained to use quantitative and non-quantitative expertise in creative ways to improve processes and products while making jobs easier and more efficient.

Friday, September 4, 2020

Marine Engineering Degrees

During the course of obtaining a marine engineering degree, you will learn how to apply the principles of engineering to systems that help seafaring vessels, docks, and other aquatic entities function. This may include designing and evaluating propulsion and power supply systems to assist communication and navigational devices, engines, foul-weather gear, and many other types of marine tools. Becoming a marine engineer takes time, patience, dedication, and commitment to your studies.

You can study for a bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. in marine engineering, which will prepare you to design and evaluate sea-faring vessels and other equipment while on land. Alternatively, you can enroll in the United States Merchant Marines Academy and learn how to operate and care for a ship’s equipment with one of three degrees: Marine Engineering, Marine Engineering Systems, and Marine Engineering.

While every engineering school has slightly different requirements, in general, undergraduate applicants should have completed high school with excellent advanced science and math course grades. High ACT or SAT test scores are also helpful when applying for a program in marine engineering.

Thursday, September 3, 2020

The Main Focus of an Environmental Engineer

Engineers are the world's lifeline to everything that defines our civilization, not unlike the Romans with their aqueducts, toilets, and sewer systems. Environmental engineering is a critical career field that helps keep our planet inhabitable and sustainable.

If you are considering embarking on a career dedicated to environmental engineering, there are many facets of your education that will come into play, and the more you know now, the better engineer you will be.

Your role as an environmental engineer will involve providing safe and plentiful water supplies, developing systems for reducing pollutants in air, water and hazardous wastes; anticipating the effects of contaminants' transport, and correcting improper disposal situations where hazardous materials are concerned.

As an environmental engineer, you will seek solutions to public health threats, improvements in and adherence to the law surrounding sanitation and construction, waste disposal, recycling, industrial hygiene, and environmental sustainability.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Automotive Engineering Career Outlook

Automotive engineering is a branch of mechanical engineering that concerns the design, development and manufacture of cars, trucks, motorcycles and other motor vehicles. Automotive engineers also design and test the many subsystems or components that comprise a motorized vehicle.

Very few universities offer a bachelor's degree in automotive engineering. Consequently, many prospective automotive engineers earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from a university that also offers specialized courses in automotive engineering. However, there are plenty of universities offer master's degrees in automotive engineering.

High school students aspiring to become automotive engineers should develop a solid foundation in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and pre-calculus, physics and chemistry. These subjects are central to understanding the core concepts of any engineering discipline. Automotive engineering students need effective oral and written communications skills. Therefore, high school students should strive to do well in language arts classes, such as writing and speech. High school students should take available advanced placement or college classes to help prepare them for university engineering coursework and get a head start on building college credits.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

The Main Focus of an Audio Engineer

Audio engineering is an intricate blend of science and creativity. It involves technical aspects of equipment set-up and operation, but also requires a creative side to enhance and blend the sounds to produce the desired effects.

Often called sound engineers, these professionals are highly sought after in all areas of the entertainment industry. Musicians depend on audio engineers in the studio and in live performances to polish their sound and to keep it consistent throughout each recording or performance. Audio engineers mix the music and enhance the balance to provide the best final product. In television and movies, audio engineers are responsible for all of the sound effects, music, and sound levels heard in the video productions. Even radio depends on sound engineers to keep their stations operating properly. There are other careers available to audio engineers, but the entertainment industry provides the most opportunity.

For those interested in pursuing a career in the audio engineering field, there are three different levels of degrees available. An Associate in Applied Science will teach the basics of working in the industry. The Bachelor of Science degree goes more in depth in both the music and technical aspects of the business. The Master's degree programs focus on very specific aspects of audio engineering.

Both the Associate and Bachelor degrees require a minimum of a high school diploma, a GED certificate, or the equivalent. Different schools, particularly those offering Bachelor programs, may also have specific requirements for placement tests or minimum scores for standard college entrance tests, like the SAT or ACT. In addition to the school standards, strong math skills, a good grasp of music, and an understanding of technology are all beneficial skills in pursuing this course of study.