The engineering is a profession where scientific knowledge and empirical applied for optimal conversion of materials and forces of nature in practical uses for mankind as well as the invention, development and use of industrial technology, and resolution of technical-social problems. This discipline is also considered an art, because the imaginative and creative capacity of the human being stands out to conceive things that do not yet exist, and it is through the application of its scientific knowledge that it transforms those ideas into action or into a reality.
What is engineering
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It is the skill of applying scientific knowledge to the invention in improving the use of industrial techniques in all its dimensions. According to the concept of engineering, this is a career or profession in which the knowledge of natural sciences and mathematics acquired through study, practice and experience is used in a correct way and with good judgment, this in order that materials and the force of nature can be used effectively for the benefit of society.
Engineering is related in a way to the areas of research, design, production, development, construction, administration, sales, trade, operation, among others.
The person who has received professional training in this discipline is known as an engineer; However, other people such as technicians, inspectors or designers in the same way, apply scientific and engineering techniques to solve technical and real problems.
By studying Engineering the person is trained to develop technological solutions, build structures, residential, industrial and services. An Engineer has the necessary knowledge to respond in an assertive way and in depth to economic, social, and industrial demands, provide solutions and face the difficulties that may arise in the development of your project.
This professional must bear in mind some variables that can arise to successfully achieve a project, such as, for example, technical, physical, cost and investment limitations and the quality and durability of the materials. It is here that this professional must make use of his mathematical, physical, material and spatial knowledge, as well as his experience in the area in question.
Engineering foundations
The main bases of engineering are:
Science
Science in this area refers to the scientific treatment of doctrines that refer to materials, systems, energies, information and processes, in order to provide a conceptual base and analysis tools in the area of applied engineering.
These doctrines contemplate thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, electrical circuits, and systems theory, as well as treatment of linear and nonlinear systems. The main objectives of this database are:
Train students to face engineering problems in which the use of different disciplines is necessary, which transcend the field of their specialty.
Allow the engineering student to achieve integration into multidisciplinary groups, to study and be able to solve the problems of services and industrial realities.
Technology
Technology as a basis in the engineering career leads the professional to the specialty area or execution engineer, in both cases the specific area to which it corresponds is indicated. This career must have a high technological content and an orientation towards supervision and production. When a professional qualifies, he must guarantee the following skills:
Having acquired the necessary skills to apply a different body of mathematical, scientific and technological knowledge, in solving technical problems related to the elaboration of a specific design, taking into account the restrictions imposed by the area of finance, ethics, legislation and the people.
Have the ability to organize the resources needed to build, maintain, operate, manage and complete engineering projects related to the provision of infrastructure, goods and services for the community and industry.
They have the necessary capacity to carry out the supervision of engineering projects in their specialty and verify that it is implemented correctly.
Academic training
It is a scientific and technological area responsible for the invention, innovation, development and improvement of techniques and tools to satisfy the needs; relying on mathematical, physical, chemical or programming knowledge, among others.
In any of its areas, this profession aims to transform knowledge and apply it to something to make it more functional and gain practicality.
As mentioned above, the field of engineering is so broad that it would be impossible to talk about each particular specialization in a single research paper, so we are going to present the functions of the engineer in broad strokes, omitting the functions of each particular area.
The main functions of engineering are:
- The Research: These search systems, methods or procedures for using natural resources.
- The Development: It is using new techniques and knowledge, so that they can lead to methods and products.
- The Design: It is about using the methodology in a rational way in search of detailed solutions to the needs established in the initial study.
- The Production: The process in which the raw materials are processed into the product.
- The Building: This feature is the combination of the results obtained in the design and production functions and build or assemble the equipment or systems raised.
- The Operation: is the realization of practical work, applying the principles of Engineering. It is directly related to the maintenance of the products that we obtain, such as electrical works, technological devices, hydroelectric works, buildings, etc.
- The Sales: After finishing the product is necessary to convince customers of the specific characteristics and qualities thereof, so as to be introduced to the market for sale.
- The Administration: This process is in charge of everything concerning the technical, economic and political organization of the products.
Development
The engineer has the ability to develop and apply scientific knowledge to the invention to improve the use of industrial techniques in all its dimensions.
According to the concept of this term, this is a career or profession in which the knowledge of the natural sciences and mathematics acquired through study, practice and experience are used correctly and with good judgment, this with the purpose that the materials and the force of nature can be used effectively for the benefit of society.
Applicants to study engineering in Mexico have large universities as driving forces in technological and scientific research and development, among them is UNAM
Engineering types
At present there are numerous specializations or branches of engineering, among the outstanding ones we have: chemical, electrical, mechanical, industrial, civil, petrochemical, agricultural, biological engineering, telecommunications engineering, systems, petroleum, materials, engineering of polymers, etc.
The engineer who develops his activity in his branch, must have basic knowledge of other related areas, since many problems that arise in engineering are complex and interrelated.
industrial engineering
The definition of industrial engineering expresses that it is responsible for the administration of the processes within the industry, as well as the continuous improvement, the use of resources and the assurance of the quality of the products and their adequate optimization.
It is responsible for the design, improvements and installation of integrated systems of people, information, material, energy and equipment. It is based on technical knowledge, plus skills in the physical, mathematical and social sciences, in addition to the principles and methods of design and engineering analysis, to be able to predict, specify and evaluate the results produced by such systems.
Civil Engineering
This type of engineering is responsible for analyzing, planning, designing, constructing and maintaining works and facilities such as buildings, railways, roads, waterways, airports, dams, canals, feeding houses, waste water treatment, quality control. of the environment, water evacuation systems, ports, bridges, among others.
A civil engineer is also prepared to face one of the most critical problems of today such as migration and disaster management. This type of professional develops a project and directs it so that everything is done correctly.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers are responsible for designing and developing everything that is considered a machine, in addition to other products. Many mechanical engineers specialize in areas such as manufacturing, robotics, automotive, or transportation, and air conditioning.
The mechanical engineer can develop a system, a component, a process, and a machine. In addition, they analyze the relationship of product design with the principles of motion, energy and resistance, to ensure that the product operates safely, efficiently and reliably. It can be manufactured at a competitive cost.
Genetic engineering
It is a branch of engineering that is based on empirical knowledge applied to the effective conversion of the forces of nature. This discipline comprises a set of techniques that allow recombination outside the organism of chromosomes belonging to different organisms.
That is, genetic engineering is used to clone DNA fragments and to produce the proteins that encode genes, which is the same as expressing genes, in organisms other than the original. In this way it is possible to obtain recombinant proteins of interest and also to improve crops and animals. Thanks to this engineering, it has been achieved:
- Make drugs like insulin and growth hormones.
- Produce vaccines, for example hepatitis B.
- Enzymes, such as those used in powdered detergents, to dissolve stains.
- Herbicides and disease resistant plants.
Chemical engineering
This kind of engineering is applicable in the different fields of petroleum, food processing, fertilizer technology and agricultural products, petrochemical products, synthetic food, synthetic fibers, metal and mineral based industry, control and prevention of environmental pollution, among others.
This is related to the improvement and development of processes, construction, design, operation, security and administration of the research centers and processes in these areas. It is one of the best known engineering, since when manufacturing your products you need to transform them both chemically and physically.
biomedical engineering
Biomedical engineering is a discipline that applies the techniques and principles in the field of medicine, also called life sciences. This branch of engineering deals, primarily, with the design and construction of tools and technologies such as medical equipment, medical devices, prostheses, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic devices.
The most important objective of a biomedical engineer is to improve and preserve the quality of life of people, which is why it has three important pillars such as:
- Computer engineering.
- The electronic.
- Life sciences.
Electronic Engineering
Electronic engineering is responsible for designing, developing and supervising the production of electrical equipment, such as communication systems, electric motors, power generators, among others. In addition to this, it is responsible for the control of industrial processes, the process of transforming electricity for the operation of devices and their applications in industry, in the design and analysis of electronic instrumentation microcontrollers and in telecommunications.
The electronics engineer is endowed with a set of technical knowledge, both practical and theoretical, that points to the application of electronic methods for solving problems.
There are several similarities between electronic engineering and electrical engineering, one of them is that both have physical and mathematical foundations, the study of electromagnetism, circuit theory and project planning.
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering that is responsible for (through its studies and applications of science and technology), minimize the damage that human activities can cause to the environment.
Professionals in this branch are in charge of acting when the earth is affected by pollution, that is, they are capable of reducing, preventing and dealing with damage to the air, soil and atmosphere, they carry out studies of great environmental impact in order to determine if any company is causing damage to the ecosystem.
The environmental engineer integrates into their knowledge areas such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, computing, in addition to project evaluation and administration, for this reason they are multidisciplinary professionals. Its main objective is to guarantee the preservation and conservation of natural resources, in addition to this, improve the quality of life of this and future generations.
Automotive engineering
Automotive engineering is a branch of mechanical engineering, which is dedicated to the design, manufacture and development of trucks, automobiles, and other motor vehicles. This specialty incorporates in its evolution parts of electrical, mechanical, electronic, software and security engineering.
It deals with the design of automotive parts, as well as in the recognition of mechanical and electrical maintenance inspection of cars, developed by project engineering for automotive operation processes and in the areas of work, human resources, equipment and machinery, which contribute to quality control and material handling.
Professionals graduated from the automotive engineering faculty are committed to the design, manufacture, distribution, marketing and sales of automobiles, as well as their after-sales care and maintenance. These professionals are working more and more on the aesthetics and technical performance of cars, as well as on the modernization of their electronics and software.
Systems engineering
Systems engineering is an engineering field responsible for the design, programming, implementation, and maintenance of systems. It uses an interdisciplinary approach that allows to study and understand reality, in order to implement or optimize complex systems.
This type of engineering does not build tangible products, but abstract systems through the use of systems science methodologies. Some tools used by these professionals are modeling and simulation, optimization, dynamic systems, reliability analysis, and decision analysis.
The systems engineer is one of the most demanding professionals in the labor field. Some of the qualities that this professional must have are the following:
- Ability to innovate and creativity.
- Ease of establishing relationships and communicating.
- Interest in planning research projects, directing and executing them.
- Agility to perform mathematical calculations.
Financial engineering
Financial engineering refers to the application of mathematical methods in solving financial problems, it is also known as mathematical finance, financial mathematics, and computational finance. This engineering is a multidisciplinary field, which is related to the creation of new financial machines and strategies.
Financial theories and mathematical models should be used in the process, as well as computer programming skills in hedging, pricing, portfolio management, and trading decisions. Its main objective is to precisely control the financial risk assumed in a financial product or strategy.
A financial engineer can work in the areas of financial management, planning, risk management, credit, treasury, investment and corporate banking, international finance, brokerage, securities fund, financial consulting, structuring of financial products and project evaluation..
Geological Engineering
Geological engineering is the discipline applied to the study and solution of problems of the land and the environment; that arise as a result of the interaction between the activities of man and the geological environment.
Through this discipline, the study and analysis of the concepts that explain the formation, evolution and structure of the Earth is carried out, to apply them to the resolution of the problems or challenges that man faces in the space where he lives. Earthquakes, the presence of faults, volcanic activities or the development of a landslide are some of these daily conflicts.
Its main objective is to ensure that geological factors, that is, those that make up the earth, which are conditioning factors in engineering or mining works, are taken into account and properly interpreted, avoiding or mitigating the consequences of these activities.
Hydraulic engineer
Hydraulic engineering is a branch of civil engineering. It is in charge of designing and executing works that are related to water, either for domestic use or for the generation of hydraulic energy.
This engineering is in charge of planning and executing the works that are related to the water used in the following functions:
- For irradiation.
- Obtain hydraulic power.
- Water treatment.
- Channeling.
- The construction of structures in rivers, seas and lakes.
The functions that hydraulic engineers perform are to design, plan, construct, and operate research-based hydraulic jobs that are highly dependent on experimental results. These professionals develop large structures such as dams, locks (closed compartment to increase or decrease the water level), navigable channels, ports, etc.
Informatics Engineering
Computer engineering is a branch of engineering that is also known as computer engineering, it focuses mainly on the aspects of electronics, software and the search for solutions for computing.
The professional graduated from this discipline is a person with a training to perform competitively in different scenarios related to teleinformatics techniques, capable of managing solutions and services aimed at the general value for organizations, through the implementation of innovation strategies compatible in processes and technology, which act as facilitators to improve productivity and competitiveness, which, according to the chosen profile, can work as:
- Mobile app builder.
- Web programmer.
- In charge of e-commerce platforms.
- IT project manager.
- Computer systems designer.
- Telecommunications expert.
- Responsible for the IT area of a company.
- Technological Consultant.
- Videogames creator.
Naval Engineering
Naval engineering is the discipline in charge of designing and planning projects for the construction of boats and ships, in addition to floating devices such as platforms for the oil industries and even offshore wind fields (outside field). This covers the methodological and theoretical bases of selection, design, repair, maintenance and operations for implementation in ships.
A naval engineer with a specialty in mechanics is a comprehensive professional who works with properties in an engineering plant on board a ship or a land installation, with the ability to develop the design, construction and maintenance of naval structures and engineering plants.
Telecommunications engineering
Telecommunications engineering is an engineering discipline that is responsible for solving all kinds of problems regarding the reception and transmission of signals and the interconnection of networks. According to the classic definition of telecommunications, this sub-discipline groups three fields of knowledge: electronics, communication and telematics.
As is known, electronics is the basis of all information systems. In this sense, we have gone from using the old computer and telegraphy systems to applying more modern and evolved systems. In addition, information is also essential throughout this process, as it needs to be processed, adapted and transmitted. Finally, telematics is responsible for networks, security and protocols.
