What is Engineering: Definition and 996 Discussions

Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more specialized fields of engineering, each with a more specific emphasis on particular areas of applied mathematics, applied science, and types of application. See glossary of engineering.
The term engineering is derived from the Latin ingenium, meaning "cleverness" and ingeniare, meaning "to contrive, devise".

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  1. C

    Engineering Physics vs. Engineering - Need Help Making a Decision

    Hello, I am in between researching five different majors and have come at a stand still. I am going to analyze each one from my perspective and see if you guys can help me choose, or correct my mistakes. Thanks in advanced. Physics Pros I love physics, and want as much exposure as I can...
  2. V

    Engineering Getting started late - how do I catch up? (Mechanical Engineering)

    Hi guys, I am looking to get a degree in mechanical engineering and eventually work in the defence industry (I am in Australia but would like to move to the US eventually). The problem is that I am 25 and so would be going down this path late due to getting an unrelated degree previously (B.Com...
  3. X

    Engineering Aerospace Engineering job roles?

    Hi guys, I'm looking to study aerospace engineering at university but I'm concerned with how defence orientated the industry is - so I've heard. I read that even if I work in the civil sector, the tech I design for that can be used in defence tech, which I REALLY don't want. I know companies...
  4. A

    Optimizing Efficiency: Wind Turbine Blade and Hub Design Tips?

    I'm building a model wind turbine. I'm using thttps://www.vernier.com/products/kidwind/wind-energy/kw-wth3/ as the hub/the base. That's the only kit I'm allowed to use. I'm supposed to decide on the blade size, etc. THE RULES: . Students will will sign up for a time slot and test their own...
  5. ramzerimar

    Engineering Is Computer Engineering "inferior" to EE and CS?

    I've heard some people saying that Computer Engineering is not highly valued by employers because it typically doesn't delve too deep in electrical engineering essentials (at my college, CompE's takes Circuits classes, Digital Systems, some microcontroller classes, electromagnetics and basic...
  6. jackwhirl

    How can table saw safety be improved with the use of SawStop technology?

    I was reading this article about table saw safety and it seemed pretty interesting. When I watched the video attached I knew it would be appreciated here. If I ever buy a table saw, it will be one of these: What interesting examples of safety engineering have you seen?
  7. J

    How Do You Calculate Slider Position on a Potentiometer?

    Homework Statement The circuit of FIGURE 2 shows a 10 kΩ potentiometer with a 5 kΩ load. Determine the position of the slider on the ‘pot’ when the voltage across points ‘XX' is 3 V. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I really don't know the right way to start this. If I'm being...
  8. navierstokes

    Courses Aerodynamics and flight mechanics for control engineering

    I have a huge interest in aviation and aerodynamics, despite being an EE student. I took Fluid Mechanics courses as electives, and I'm learning some aerodynamics on my own. I was thinking if there is any field of work where the knowledge of both an EE and aerodynamics/flight mechanics would be...
  9. Arceus74

    Engineering Is composite material engineering booming?

    Greetings, I’m currently in the critical stages of my career right now and I really want to chose the best career option out there which suits my strength. My strength is doing R&D and I prefer computers and design simulation software like Ansys,Matlab,AutoCAD.I love thermodynamics,fluid...
  10. B

    Programs Is it possible to do masters in nuclear engineering with a physics degree

    Is it possible to do masters in nuclear engineering with a physics degree
  11. L

    Can a 2500 Gallon Water Tank Sufficiently Cool a Condenser Without a Chiller?

    Hello! Hopefully someone here can help with this problem: I have a condenser that holds 35 gallons of water to cool the copper coil on my still. I need to know if I can create a closed loop system of cooling water that allows me to avoid running a chiller. I know that there is probably an...
  12. W

    Engineering Bachelor of Engineering -- Importance of Grades

    Hi, I am a 3rd year on my B.Eng Chemical Engineering in the UK. I would like to know if possible, if big employer companies,worldwide, look just at the final degree mark, or at all marks from the transcript? What about for smaller companies? Thank you, William
  13. P

    Programs Physics engineering Or Applied Physics? ....theoretical?

    Hey there. I am going to stay the University next year and I want to know what do you think about the three options I have actually. I really like science, and I like to know about the process of the nature, how it is defined by math and by the physical processes. It is my passion I, in the...
  14. W

    Schools Applying to schools without the type of engineering I want?

    I'm a rising high school senior with an interest in industrial engineering. Although I'm aware that plenty of people graduate with degrees completely different from what they wanted to do in high school, industrial engineering is what I want to major in right now. Industrial engineering...
  15. F

    Schools Hoping to study Aerospace Engineering (RMIT vs Monash)

    Any Ideas about which is better? Attending Monash (Clayton) Open Day tomorrow, and RMIT(CBD) Next week. [Not sure if attending 10 to 4 Tour(Mechanical, Aerospace and Mechatronics) or Half Hr Info Section(Aerospace)] In terms of: Manufacture rather than become an Astronaut Degree-related work...
  16. E

    Programs Vector calculus and E&M physics as a engineering major?

    I am an engineering major at Los Angeles Pierce community college. I have been for the last years working 40 hours a week in order to sustain and put myself through community college. After I transfer, I don't plan on working. Now, each semester due to my work schedule and life happening, I can...
  17. J

    Introducing Myself -- I have a 6 yo son that I'm trying to get interested in all things science

    Hi all, I hope everyone is well? I'm James Fitzpatrick-Ellis and I have a 6 yo son that I'm trying to get interested in all things science. It is working so far where he wants to make his own experiments up. So far we have: Made slime - if you add red food colouring during the mixing process it...
  18. twist.1995

    Programs Should I or Should I not pursue a postgraduate degree in physics

    Hello! I am studying Physics and Electronic and Communications Engineering double major. I really enjoy studying physics, and find it fascinating to manipulate difficult formulas that describe natural phenomena. However, I am concerned that there are far more engineering jobs out there than...
  19. S

    Programs Deciding between Physics or Engineering

    I'm trying to decide if I should pursue a career in physics in physics or engineering. I'm 17 and will be applying to universities soon and I'm considering the University of Waterloo, Queen's University and University of Toronto. If I continue with engineering than I would most likely pursue...
  20. V

    Engineering Is passion the key to success in power engineering?

    So I am 21 years old, I only recently found out that I am interested in electrical engineering. I live in NYC and am heading into cuny city tech for my first semester. E.E is a very broad field and I think that going into power engineering would be a good career move because it cannot be...
  21. S

    D-Flip-Flop Circuit: Understanding the Enable and Clock Input Functions

    So I have been watching his videos trying to get ready for second year engineering (electrical). However, I am very confused as to what exactly is going on when he is pressing the enable/pulse switch during the run-through at 14:45. He has the enable connected to a capacitor, and he calculates...
  22. Cathr

    Engineering Can one successfully be an Engineer AND a Physicist?

    What I meant in the title is Theoretical Physicist (character limit). A year ago, when I decided to get a Physics bachelor degree, I was 100% sure I'm going to do theoretical research. Since high school, I was always searching stuff about particle physics, relativity and other topics on the...
  23. N

    Programs Looking for a minor with a Civil Engineering major

    Hello, I am going into my first year of college and going to be working torwards earning my major in Civil Engineering over the next five years. My school offers a chance to get an accelerated minor along with my major and I am unsure what to pursue. I have heard many other Engineers minor in...
  24. A

    Programmes to learn for Nuclear Engineering Masters

    I am about to begin an MSc in Nuclear Engineering. I am competent in MatLab language but wish to practice/learn another in the time before my course starts. Would I be well served in continuing to practice MatLab or to learn another from scratch (C/Java/Labview)? Are there any particular areas...
  25. EEristavi

    Engineering Electronic/Electric circuits and schemes & DIY projects

    Hello, I want something were I can find electric/electronic schemes and circuits to built by myself, starting from basics to complicated ones (with explanation, why and how it works). P.S. I'm also interested in books which involves other fields (eg. chemistry) and DIY projects
  26. P

    Can Physics and Engineering Help Attenuate Sound in a Large Indoor Firing Range?

    i am looking for some ideas on where i can look within physics and engineering to help solve my problem. i want to attenuate the sound blast from a rifle muzzle, however, i want to engineer a large deep room to do it. think of this like a indoor firing range. i know opera stages many times...
  27. Sai Maurice

    Engineering Nuclear physicist with nuclear engineering PhD?

    Hello Physicsforums. The title states my main question, but there is a little bit more than is revealed there. 1. Can you become a nuclear physicist with a nuclear engineering PhD? 2. If not, then can I get a PhD in nuclear physics with a double major in mechanical engineering and mathematics...
  28. K

    Schools Best major for nuclear engineering in grad school?

    Hi all, I'm currently a freshman studying mechanical engineering. My interest is 100% in energy production of all methods. However, I've wanted to work nuclear since I was 7 years old and intend to pursue higher degrees in it. I have chosen not to get my bachelor's in it as I feel a B.S. in nuke...
  29. J

    Directional Grooves on the Interior of Pipes

    Hey everyone! My name is Jing and I am participating in a one month summer program called SHAD where 800 high school students across Canada come together to try and solve some of the world's most multi-dimensional problems. One of the aspects of this program is the Entrepreneurial Project, where...
  30. P

    Schools Community College vs. University for Mechanical Engineering

    Hia! I was wondering about the benefits of different schools. I will be starting school at a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, and am concerned about going into debt. I could instead go to community college and then transfer, but I'm worried that I will not...
  31. Mzzed

    Understanding Capacitor Voltage in Relation to Ground

    If a capacitor is charged to 10V where the negative side is connected to ground (0V), when the capacitor is disconnected from the power supply on both the positive and negative sides; 1) Will the negative side of the capacitor still be 0V relative to the ground it was just connected to? 2) Say...
  32. M

    Scalar Moment around a point due to a force

    Homework Statement In two dimensions, the moment of a force can be calculated using the scalar method, MO=Fd, where F is the magnitude of the force and d is the perpendicular distance from the line of force to the point where the moment is being considered. Using the scalar method, calculate...
  33. Technik

    Engineering Software Engineering and Astronomy/Physics

    I am 26 years old and I recently went back to school to study computer science - I hope to graduate by 2019 with a BSci. I'm currently interning as a software engineer as well. I was curious what opportunities there are for software developers to work around physicists, astronomers, etc. My...
  34. D

    Other Biomedical Engineering considering Applied Physics

    Hello everyone! This is my first time posting on here so idk if I'm under the right forum lol. I am an undergad in BME and WAS on the pre-med track. I always "wanted" to be a doctor just because I didn't really know much about other careers but also A LOT OF FAMILY PRESSURE. I finally decided to...
  35. Mzzed

    Decaying current power calculation

    I would like to find the power loss over 0.3 seconds due to a resistance of 0.0015 ohms with a current following the function: I = e-15.24t-e-39984.75t where t is time. I would have imagined summing all the current over that 0.3 second period via integration would then allow me to find...
  36. BL4CKB0X97

    Courses What Are Suitable Engineering Research Projects to Bridge into Physics?

    I have just found out that i have been acceptable into an access to higher equations engineering couple. During the interview a year long Research Project was mentioned. The details i have are that it is a 3000 word essay(excluding references and data) which seems kind of small. You get to...
  37. G

    Lens engineering for virtual reality

    What type of lens/prism would be needed to allow a image sensor to see 180 degrees, so the sensor could see a hemisphere. It doesn't matter if the input is distorted. I thought that a glass pyramid with a square base might work.
  38. yecko

    Engineering Mechanical engineering or Aerospace engineer

    I am a year one student who is going to promote to year 2 in September, and I am required to choose between Mechanical engineering or Aerospace engineer within these few days (i just received the urgent message...) I believe I am better in memorization and language skill than mathematics...
  39. F

    Engineering Is it worth studying Electronics Engineering with Physics

    Hey everyone! I did the stupid mistake of doubling my Physics undergrad with Electronic Engineering. I just want to know, will studying EE contribute to much in practical as a Medical Physicist regardless of which area I go into? Is it better to have extensive knowledge of electronics or not?
  40. LoganB

    Advice for Aspiring Automotive Engineers: Apprenticeships, Schools, and Courses

    Hello, my name is Logan and I'm looking to go into automotive engineering(in the long run). I'm currently in high school and I am doing the middle college program which will allow me to graduate with a general associates degree. A few of my dads friends told me about an apprenticeship-type...
  41. R

    Engineering Thinking about my future job prospects in Nuclear Engineering (not a US citizen)

    I've mentioned my admission to MS Nuclear Engineering in the University of Florida earlier. Thing is I am a foreigner. What with all the security most countries have surrounding nuclear technology, would I be limiting myself in the number of parties I can work with? I am aware I have other...
  42. EngineerK

    Making Energy Generating Gym Equipment

    Hello Everyone, I am an engineer and I wish to implement a gym system that generates energy from the user. I am originally an electrical engineer by trade, and have limited knowledge in mechanical design. This is why I need your help. My current design follows the outline of a basic cable...
  43. D

    Engineering Physics bachelors to Engineering masters

    Can one do a physics bachelor's degree and carry on to pursue a master's in engineering? I was wondering if this would be a feasible and practical route.. I understand that I'd probably have to take a couple of extra engineering classes here and there but was thinking it probably wouldn't be...
  44. W

    Programs Help choosing a type of engineering-- unclear on differences

    I've been researching different types of engineering and since some of them are pretty similar, I'm having trouble understanding the difference between them. Fields I'm looking into: Industrial engineering, systems engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations research, supply chain...
  45. O

    Weird aerospace question to probably be corrected

    This probably is as impossible as i think, but can an airplane have slanted wings? By this I mean, can an airplane's wings operate like a see-saw with one with angling upward, and the other going equally downward while the main body of the plane doesn't move at all. This mechanism would sort of...
  46. ElectricUniverse

    Engineering Any interesting career options in Engineering?

    Hey Everyone, My name is James, and I am a 2nd year University student. I'm switching my major to Engineering, and I am beginning to study physics (as a pre-requisite), and I love it! I think I would like to study materials engineering ... my mind may change as I keep studying). however, right...
  47. Jhelf

    Programs Are there any Engineering Majors that deal frequently with theoretical physics?

    Hi, quick question. Are there any Engineering Majors that deal frequently with theoretical physics? Thank you
  48. M

    Engineering What can I do with a degree in physics/engineering/nuclear

    I am almost done with a BS in physics with focus in nuclear engineering and engineering. My classes have been all the normal BS physics classes as well as nuclear physics with kranes book, two classes with Lamarsh's books on nuclear engineering as well as the blue bible (deuterstadt and...
  49. T

    Biology What type of career areas work with BCIs?

    Hi! I'm interested in learning more about BCIs and the different types of career areas associated with it. I've have a interest in learning about them for commercial use/interaction with everyday objects and was wandering what type of degree/science studies this type of topic/thing... Thanks...
  50. S

    Engineering Maximizing Your ME Degree for a Career in Robotics

    Hi all! Just recently discovered PF, loving the community. I'm a softmore Mechanical Engineering undergrad, who's been exploring careers and what comes next after I graduate. My question to you all is: What skills can I learn/focus on throughout the rest of my schooling to increase my chances of...
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