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FAQs
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Are you considering a career in engineering?
Q. What do engineers do?
A. Engineers take abstract ideas and apply science and mathematics to build products to meet the needs of mankind.
Q. What is the difference between science and engineering?
A. Science is knowledge based on observed facts and tested truths arranged in an orderly system that can be validated and communicated to other people. Engineering is the creative application of scientific principles used to plan, build, direct, guide, manage, or work on systems to maintain and improve our daily lives.
Q. How many types of engineering specialties are there?
A.Listed below are the 19 major branches of engineering:
- Aerospace
- Agricultural
- Biomedical
- Chemical
- Civil (General & Structural)
- Computer
- Control Systems
- Electrical & Electronics
- Environmental
- Fire Protection
- Geotechnical
- Industrial
- Manufacturing
- Mechanical
- Mining
- Nuclear
- Petroleum
- Sanitary
- Traffic
Q. What recent major breakthroughs are attributed to engineers in improving the quality of our everyday lives?
A. From the mass production of the automobile to space travel, from the telephone to the Internet, and from bioengineered foods to clean water, engineers have applied their expertise to improve the quality of our lives.
Q. How do I know if engineering could be for me?
A. You should be curious about how things work, like to think and figure things out, be creative in solving problems and enjoy learning. You also need to be willing to stay in school and understand maths and science.
Q. How can I learn more about engineering?
A. There are all sorts of ways you can learn more, like visiting some of the terrific site links on this website; asking your guidance counselor; participating in events like science fairs; attending career expos; talking with college students and talking with career engineers.
Q. What type of education will I need to become an engineer?
A. You will need a bachelor's degree in engineering, which generally takes four to five years of full-time study.
Q. What type of academic background do I need to get into engineering school?
A. It's pretty obvious that you'll need good grades, particularly in mathematics and science, to be considered for enrolment in a course of study as demanding as engineering. But you don't need to be a "genius." Ideally you should rank in the top one third of your high school class and certainly in the top half.
Because engineers spend much of their time solving problems, a strong engineering candidate should enjoy and excel at problem solving. Enrich your problem solving know-how by taking as many math courses as your school offers, including calculus and trigonometry if available. You should also take laboratory science courses such as chemistry and physics. Most engineering institutions expect you to have good grades in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, science, English, and social studies.
Because engineers convey ideas graphically and may need to visualise products or processes in three dimensions, courses in graphics, drafting, or design are helpful as well.
Because engineers spend much of their time solving problems, a strong engineering candidate should enjoy and excel at problem solving. Enrich your problem solving know-how by taking as many math courses as your school offers, including calculus and trigonometry if available. You should also take laboratory science courses such as chemistry and physics. Most engineering institutions expect you to have good grades in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, science, English, and social studies.
Because engineers convey ideas graphically and may need to visualise products or processes in three dimensions, courses in graphics, drafting, or design are helpful as well.
Q. I goofed around a little in high school. Now I realize I want to get serious and apply to engineering school. Is it too late for me?
A. If you are the type of person who enjoys taking things apart and putting them back together as well as figuring out how things work, and are now serious about studying, you should do well once you get accepted into a program. The question is: Can you get in without high grades?
To increase your chances, you may want to take a few math and science courses at a TAFE College before applying to an engineering program or undertake some extra tutoring. Or, you might enrol in an intensive pre-engineering program. You also might consider completing a two-year Diploma course at a TAFE College, then transferring into an engineering school.
To increase your chances, you may want to take a few math and science courses at a TAFE College before applying to an engineering program or undertake some extra tutoring. Or, you might enrol in an intensive pre-engineering program. You also might consider completing a two-year Diploma course at a TAFE College, then transferring into an engineering school.
Q. When must I declare an engineering field?
A. Most engineering schools will not require you to declare a specific field of interest until the end of your second or the beginning of your third year of study. Your first two years are usually devoted to gaining an overview of engineering and will cover the major fields available to you. If you can't narrow your choices by the time you choose a university and you later find that the field you'd like to major in is not offered at your university, you can select something closely related and continue your studies in a graduate program.