What is the Main Focus of Petroleum Engineering?

Petroleum engineering deals with the production of hydrocarbons—the products of crude oil and natural gas. This above-ground field focuses on recovering fossil fuels from below ground in the most economical and environmentally friendly ways.

Trained to understand the physical behavior of oil, water, and gas deep in porous rock and under high pressure, these skilled engineers make reliable estimations of the volume of a resource's reservoir.

They form teams with geologists to determine the best methods for depleting reservoirs. Related disciplines include drilling, reservoir simulation, well engineering, petroleum geology, and geophysics.

Since the beginning of petroleum engineering, in the early 20th century, many easily accessed deposits have been depleted. Fuel harvesting has become more dependent on fresh technologies incorporating horizontal drilling and computer modeling.

Drilling in deserts and in deep waters requires today's engineers to have expertise in intelligent systems, geomechanics, and hydraulics, naming only a few things on their growing list of knowledge bases.

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Jobs that Nuclear Engineers Perform

Because nuclear science and engineering has such a broad range, graduates can be prepared for a wide variety of careers. Today's graduates enjoy research and teaching jobs at universities; they work at power plants and in government and industrial laboratories. They have launched LED lighting companies. They manage hedge funds, create interactive science and art displays, design new reactors, improve aircraft components, attend medical school, and design domestic energy policies.

Bureau of Labor statistics for 2011 show nuclear engineers earning a mean annual wage of $105,160, a bottom average wage of $67,100, and a top wage of $147,670. Rise in employment was estimated at 9.4 percent.

Some professional organizations for nuclear engineers are the American Nuclear Society, the American Physical Society, the Health Physics Society, the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, and the International Radiation Physics Society. Membership offers opportunities to stay abreast in the field, to engage with other nuclear engineers, and to share experiences through conferences and publications.

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Discover the World of Nanoengineering

Nanoengineering encompasses the practice of the profession on a nanoscale, which stems from the nanometer unit of measure, equivalent to one billionth of a meter. Within the industry, nanoengineering is synonymous with practices of nanotechnology, whereby it focuses on the engineering component of a given technology rather than the scientific side. Nanotechnology professionals have become prized professionals in the current marketplace for their skills and training dealing with microscopic applications.

From the automobile and energy industry to healthcare and technology firms, companies around the world eagerly seek to attract and develop these professionals. Within these realms, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are the dominant techniques of the field used to solve problems and originate new technologies. Both techniques pivot on generating microscopic probes to manipulate and track the movement of atoms with the idea of capturing something significant to translate into real world applications such as revolutionary manufacturing materials or new pharmaceutical products.

Professionals in this field often perform a medley of duties depending on the industry they work in and/or their educational backgrounds. In biosciences, nanoengineers dedicate their time to developing new medical device products and ways to enhance existing ones. From a construction viewpoint, these experts investigate and evaluate the development of new materials to develop more sustainable and durable building products and materials. Automotive companies employ these engineers to develop more efficient processes within an engine system and materials to build and pad vehicle systems and interiors. Regardless of the field, these engineers choose to employ their skills and talents, the field requires immense patience and attention to detail. Refining the effective use of STMs and AFMs, critical to the development of new technologies and breakthroughs, often proves to be challenging for most practitioners in the field. Powerful microscopes with exceptionally fine silicon tips are employed to monitor the nano activity harnessed to develop new applications. Establishing a suitable tip, though, can sometimes take seven days alone. Nevertheless, global firms like Abbott Laboratories, Tesla, Exxon-Mobil, and Sony are a few of the global firms capitalizing on the potential of nanotechnology.

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Real Example of Molecular Engineering in Action

As it is an emerging field with seemingly unlimited potential, the field of molecular engineering has stirred some controversy regarding its implications ethically, environmentally and socially. At the same time, the science promises to exert its influence in all spheres of human life around the world. In the medical devices industry, a recent case study of Ortho Molecular illuminated the powerful potential of this form of engineering. The firm employs a ProScan metal detection system, rooted in molecular engineering, which was developed by Advanced Detection Systems (ADS). This ensures the quality of all of the products in its manufacturing system. The device memorizes the product sensory impulse, and then recalls it as it travels through the scanner, thereby ensuring the finished product meets all Food and Drug Administration health and safety codes. The ProScan application evaluates the entire device to identify the presence of any metal. If it is detected, a signal occurs compelling a check of the entire batch of deliverables. The system enables quality control staff to quickly identify integrity breaches and remedy them seamlessly. Molecular engineering was critical in developing this acute detection system application. Ortho Molecular purchased several of the ADS systems for its medical device product manufacturing processes because of its sensitivity and efficiency.

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Geological Engineering Education Requirements

 

Education Requirements

Requiring a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, the licensing requirements for geological and mining engineering vary by state. Specific degree programs for aspiring geological and mine engineers include Geology, Geophysics, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Mineral Preparation Engineering and Social Geology, among many others, and range from undergraduate Bachelors programs to advanced graduate and post-graduate programs. In addition to materials mining and extraction, additional studies and industry focuses include ecological impact research, which measures broader environmental and ecological effects of mining operations, social geological impact research which focuses on both the sociological hazards and benefits to geological or mining efforts and discovery-oriented exploration, studying geological formations below the Earth’s surface so as to refine the broader understanding of the planet’s composition. Regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration the field of geological and mine engineering is one with an intense focus on hazard awareness and occupational safety.

As with any dynamic and engaging field of study, the geological, mineral and mining industries and sciences, the training and education continue well after one has earned their degree. With numerous trade associations, professional networks and academic research societies, such as the American Institute of Professional Geology  American Rock Mechanics Association  and Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists the field of geological and mine engineering is one of a continually evolving nature, with regular conferences and training programs designed to keep geological professionals on the cutting edge of their chosen pursuits. Combining age old techniques in respect to surveying, exploration and extraction, new technologies continue to emerge in the field, bringing new and exciting methods of research and exploratory prospecting into the hands of professionals and students every year. And as these new technologies and discoveries continue to change the professional landscape for those entering the engineering fields of geology or mining, the increasing demands for raw and precious materials by industry and the public at large have led to an increased demand for well educated, qualified professionals to enter the fields.

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Earning Your Mechatronics Engineering Degree

Mechatronic engineers require at least a Bachelor’s degree, whereby most of these professionals have completed undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering. The field, though, transcends this traditional discipline into a variety of fields of study such as electronics, decision-making theories, and information technology, among others. With a Master’s degree in mechatronic engineering, an individual has the credentials to assume management and more advanced research posts. Graduate programs often feature traditional classroom instruction with practical industry experience. Coursework traditionally explores practices in automation theory, methodology, and analysis. An example mechatronic engineering class at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), for example, instructs the design of mechatronic systems which integrate mechanical, electrical, and control systems engineering. For those seeking a less rigorous option of entering the field, an associate's degree in mechatronics can be attained at a community college or technical institution. These 2-year degree programs equip candidates with the skills to assume entry-level positions, whereby they troubleshoot maintenance processes. Classroom instruction typically entails coursework in robotic design as well as training in engineering drawing.

Students of mechatronics have gone on to develop many of the “smart” devices that have transformed a medley of industries around the world. From robots and anti-lock brakes to photocopiers and computer drives, mechatronics professionals are changing the way people work and live, according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The technology is also found in humidity-sensitive clothes dryers and windshield wipers as well as in healthcare, agriculture, construction, entertainment, automobiles, and tools for the disabled and elderly communities. These technological innovations reflect the dedication these professionals have to become life-long learners. With a bevy of associations, professional organizations, societies, and resources like the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the Technology Student Association (TSA), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), among others, students and seasoned professionals have seamless access to the knowledge and resources necessary to bolster their education and skills as the industry evolves over time. Organizations such as these also provide mentoring and networking opportunities that have the potential to enhance the prowess of an individual seeking transformative career opportunities and guidance as well as for institutions seeking to attract and nurture talent to their efforts. In addition, esteemed institutions such as MIT offer free online course programs for students and professionals through its Open Course Ware initiative.

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Mechanical Engineering Types of Degrees

 

It usually takes four to five years to obtain a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. Students should seriously think about co-operative education where they take one semester or quarter of university courses and work in an industry-related environment the next semester or quarter.

Co-oping is a paid internship, and oftentimes the job experience can lead to employment at graduation. The ambitious student can take another two years of coursework to obtain a Master's Degree in mechanical engineering. The student who desires to go into research and/or teach engineering can spend another year or two obtaining a PhD.

There are some universities that offer online mechanical engineering study programs. However, mechanical engineering is not well suited to online study because this discipline requires hands-on experience with moving parts and instruments.

Additionally, all accredited engineering schools require the design, construction and presentation of a senior design project that is supervised by an engineering professor. This is an educational benefit that an online study program cannot truly offer.

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Materials Science Engineering Degree Requirements

 

Degree Requirements

Educational requirements throughout given industries range from four-year Bachelor’s degrees to more advanced Masters and Doctorates. Companies and institutions looking to employ Material Science Engineers typically look for a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, though in a few, very rare instances, mixes of formal education and practical working experience can be acceptable for some entry-level positions, in lieu of a formal degree. As Material Science Engineering is considered a “interdisciplinary science,” and covers a broad range of applied physical sciences, specific focuses of study can weigh heavily on available career options after schooling.

Ranging from thermodynamics, chemical and biochemical research, synthetic materials creation and testing and even forensic engineering and investigation, it is often advisable for students entering the field of Material Science Engineering, to fully investigate potential and desired career goals while going through their studies, so as to ensure the appropriate skills and education are attained in pursuit of their end goals. For example, should a student with a strong focus on thermodynamics and mineral-based composite materials enter the fields of blast furnace design or rocketry, their skills, and education may not be as well suited for bio-medical or bio-mechanical design as one with a stronger focus in bio-mechanics or biochemistry. As such, within such a diverse field as Material Science and Engineering, it can be helpful to fully explore available career options either before enrolling in a degree program and while entering the introductory level courses of such, so as to adequately define one’s focus of study going forward.

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Complete Marine Engineering Degree program

Many schools offer online marine engineering degrees. When making your selection, ensure that your school of choice offers programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

A four-year bachelor of science degree is sufficient to cover the basic concepts of marine engineering. Those wishing to learn more about a specific facet of the profession are advised to earn a masters (one to two more years), and possibly later a PhD (time varies widely). Certain colleges offer combined masters to PhD programs that help students earn post-graduate education degrees faster.

It should be noted that after finishing a bachelor’s degree, marine engineers typically take several U.S. Coast Guard licensing exams. After successfully passing the Third Assistant License Exam, engineers gain more experience before taking the Second Assistant license. After even more time in the field, marine engineers take the First Assistant license, followed by the Chief Assistant license.

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Career With Industrial Engineering Degree

It is expected that employment of industrial engineers may grow 5 percent between 2012 and 2022. This is actually a lower expected growth rate than in many other careers, even in other branches of engineering. Industrial engineers are employed in a broad array of settings, and the type of work they do is very varied. Most industrial engineers work in manufacturing as well as in professional, technical, and scientific services. Median wages for industrial engineers in the United States as a whole were $80,300 in 2013, according to ONet. In New York State, the median wage for industrial engineers was $79,800, whereas in Texas the median wage is $91,800. In Florida, the median wage was $68,500. Clearly, different areas of the country pay industrial engineers very differently.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the range between the lowest and highest paid percentages of industrial engineers was $52,000 yearly, or $24.98 hourly, versus $119,500 yearly, or $57.43 hourly as of 2013. Within the profession, the specific industry an individual works in, as well as the tasks they perform and how experienced they are is responsible for these differences.

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Types of Environmental Engineering Degrees

 

Types of EE

Environmental engineers are most concerned with the effects of technological advances on the environment. Hazardous-waste treatment is a significant issue needing regulation which these engineers can design and help implement through laboratory and legal avenues.

Worldwide issues in the environmental engineer's expertise include everything from farm runoff to ozone depletion, and all of the water sources in between. Today's engineers often further their education with specialized training in law and use legal paths to access routes to improvement. The study and practice of environmental engineering is as broad as the elements that make up the Earth.

Schools of engineering can vary in their requirements but are also quite similar. Typically, a university offers the CEE (civil and environmental engineering) degree, and a B.S. in environmental engineering (BS EnvE). The curriculum provides students with the fundamentals to address emerging issues with air and land resources, human health, water, and environmental restoration.

All prerequisites must be satisfied before graduating with a B.S. The B.S. EnvE degree requires acceptable letter grades in math, physics, chemistry, and COE.

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What are Some Jobs for Electrical Engineers?

Electrical engineers find work in the laboratories of fabrication plants, in corporate consulting offices, or onsite at mines. They may supervise scientists, electricians, computer programmers, or other engineers.

They are involved in:

• Power generation
• Radio
• Television
• Transmission and distribution (high-voltage transformers)
• Electronic circuits
• Controls (electrical circuits, digital signal processors, microcontrollers)
• Nanoelectronics (microelectronic components)
• Computers
• Satellite dishes
• Cell phones
• HVAC systems
• Flight control panels
• GPS technology
• Electric power generation
• Space travel technologies

In effect, there is no mechanized field today in which these engineers do not play an integral part. Electrical Engineering jobs are projected to grow 6% between 2010-2020.

Electrical engineering has been at the forefront of every technological gain of the past century. This growth is perhaps most evident in the development of today's increasingly smaller transistors, as the number of components placed with an integrated circuit doubles continuously.

Enabling all other technologies and far outpacing them in development speed, electrical engineering has increasing demand and positive career possibilities for qualified professionals.

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Computer Engineering degree Education

 

Education

Computer Engineering degrees are available at all education levels: undergraduate, master’s and doctorate (PhD). Most undergraduate Computer Engineering programs allow you to specialize along one of several tracks because the entire career field is simply too broad to cover in an undergraduate program.

As you progress in your Computer Engineering career, you’ll be able to study increasingly complex topics in hardware and software systems. Occupying the top tier of Computer Engineering jobs are professionals with vast experience designing the overall system to control things like a passenger airliner, the International Space Station, or a nuclear power plant.

Computer Engineering requires a combination of skills from other engineering disciplines, and most colleges will require the same courses as prerequisites for their degrees. You’ll likely study mathematics up through Calculus, basic software programming, physics and electronic or electrical engineering basics.

Once your prerequisite courses are completed, you start the heart of the curriculum in Computer Engineering. In your upper level courses, you’ll learn how computer-controlled systems are designed from the bottom up. Microprocessor design, firmware creation and circuit boards are just a few of the topics you’ll study. The creation of a single computer is just the beginning. Advanced courses in Computer Engineering teach the techniques for integrating large numbers of computers into complex networks capable of solving massive computational problems.

There are many delivery methods for studying Computer Engineering. There are over 150 universities that offer an undergraduate program, and most top-tier state and private colleges offer Master’s and PhD programs also. You might also pursue a Computer Engineering degree with any of the reputable online colleges.

An undergraduate Computer Engineering degree typically takes four to five years to complete. A Computer Engineering Master’s Degree will normally be completed in two years on a full-time basis, and a doctorate can easily take three years to complete.

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Some of the Jobs 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.

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Chemical Engineering Degree

Chemical engineers are not only the lab coat-wearing scientists who stand over beakers, mixing formulas in laboratories. They also work in the field, putting into practice the knowledge gained in laboratories, as well as their own brand of chemistry that applies the physical sciences and the life sciences.

They use mathematics and economics to create processes for converting raw materials or chemicals into forms that are more useful. Today's chemical engineers are involved with biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and fuel cells, to name a very few of their specialties!

Chemical process engineers focus on the design, manufacture, and operation of industrial plants, their equipment, and the related chemical processes. Chemical product engineers develop new or modified substances for consumables ranging from pharmaceuticals and face wipes to furniture polish, foods, and far beyond.

Chemical engineers may do research at industrial or university levels, designing better pollution control, resource conservation, and safety measures. They can be involved in the design and construction of plants as project engineers, using their knowledge to select equipment, optimize production, minimize costs and increase profitability.

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Associations for Automotive Engineers

 The few universities that offer online automotive engineering degrees do so only at the master’s degree level. The student gains only theoretical knowledge from an online master's degree. The student does not receive any hands-on experience, which can be important to landing a job in automotive engineering. The online programs assume that the student received hands-on experience while obtaining the bachelor's degree. Therefore, online master's degree programs in automotive engineering are meant for the working automotive engineer.

In 2011, automotive engineers earned an average income of $117,600 in 2011. This was a 10 percent increase from the 2010 median salary of $107,000, according to SAE International.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers provide helpful information about scholarships and financial aid, design and racing competitions and networking opportunities. Automotive engineering students should consider participating in SAE’s “Collegiate Design Series.” These competitions are great opportunities for students to apply their book knowledge to the design, building and testing of an actual motor vehicle. Additionally, students can show off their talents to recruiters for prospective employers.

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Automotive Engineering

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.

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Audio Engineering Career Outlook

There is a variety of jobs that audio engineers hold in an equally wide variety of locations. Audio engineers are used in studio settings for the radio, television, movie, and music industries as sound engineers, boom operators, sound designers, sound editors, sound effects editors, and much more. In addition to studio work, there are also options for similar positions in live venues, like sports arenas, theatres, and concert tours.

Based on data collected by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in May 2012, the mean annual salary for someone in the audio engineering field is just over $55,000. The BLS classifies audio engineers as sound engineering technicians, which includes anyone involved with the operation of equipment used to record, alter, and reproduce sounds in any of a variety of venues where recorded or live sound is used.

Yes, The Audio Engineering Society (AES), the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), and The Society of Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS) are all organizations dedicated to the audio engineering industry. All three are open to audio engineering professionals and students and all three are dedicated to sharing knowledge and techniques in the industry. They are instrumental in implementing new technology with their members as it is introduced into the business.

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Main Focus of an Agricultural Engineering Degree

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.

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Salary & Job Outlook for Aerospace Engineers

 There are a few premier universities like Georgia Institute of Technology and Purdue University that offer online master's degrees in aerospace engineering. The graduate student can study at their convenience, apply classroom lessons at their job and satisfy the same academic standards as if they were on campus.

In 2009, U.S. News and World Report rated Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Michigan as the top three U.S. universities that grant doctorates in aerospace engineering.

In 2010, those with a Bachelor's degree earned an average of $97,500 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Between 2010 and 2020, the BLS expects a five percent growth in jobs. Because some aerospace engineers work on projects connected to the United States’ national defense, they must pass a background check and qualify for security clearances. These requirements will serve to keep defense jobs in the United States.

There are no specific licenses required for aerospace engineers. Employers hire aerospace engineers based on their academic credentials. Licensing and certification are limited to equipment designed and developed by aerospace engineers. For the most part, these certifications are given by the Federal Aviation Administration or NASA.

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