Engineering is the application of scientific principles for practical purposes, such as the design and construction of buildings and machines.

 

Mechanical engineering includes the design and testing of machinery. Mechanical engineers work in many branches of industry, including transportation, power generation, and tool manufacture. Achievements in mechanical engineering include the development of wind and water turbines, steam engines, and internal combustion engines; assembly line production; and the control of machines using hydraulics, fluidics, and computers.

 

Civil engineering includes the preparation of sites and the design and building of structures, such as bridges, tunnels, and harbors.

 

Electrical engineers work on electrical systems. In electronics, engineers are concerned with devices such as scientific instruments, radio and television equipment, radar systems, and computers. Nuclear engineers install and operate nuclear reactors.

 

Chemical engineering includes the design and operation of large-scale chemical processes.

 

There is some overlap of expertise in these many fields of engineering. For this reason, the academic training of all engineers starts with a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of science and an education in general engineering subjects. This is followed by specialized training in the student's chosen field.