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Want to study engineering but not sure exactly what?

Don't worry, this list of popular engineering majors and branches will help you decide!

Engineering Majors 2- New Branches

Lesson Summary:
Computer Science and Software Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Biotechnology and Biological Engineering
Other Branches of Engineering

Computer Science and Software Engineering

What is computer/software engineering?

This special branch of engineering deals with the use of computer codes together with the systematic engineering approach to development and design, to create software. This is a highly popular modern discipline.

What will you study?

Software engineering will have you learning things like computer programming, design processes, languages from java to Ruby, systems analysis, and other exciting emerging areas of technology.

Where will it take you?

• Software product lines, creating families of reusable code as oppose of individual codes for specific programs.
• Experimental software engineering, which will help determine the limits and possibilities of software.
• Agile software development and extreme programing for programs in the business world.
• Aspects programing- developing tools to add control options in software.
• Model driven design, creating text and graphics used in design and software.

Famous Example:

John Carmack. A famous and highly infuencial game programmer, and an advocate of open source software. A pioneer in 3-D graphics, Carmack was involved in such classic games as Quake, Doom, and Commander Keen. He made number 10 in Time's list of the 50 most influential people in technology.

Where do you start?

You'll find great computer or software engineering programs at schools like New England Institute of Technology, Mississippi State University, University of Stirling, and University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.

Nuclear Engineering

What is nuclear engineering?

A very cool discipline, nuclear engineering involves everything within an atom. Looking at radiation, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, medicine and fuels will allow you to help the world form the tiniest basic components of life, the universe, and everything.

What will you study?

You'll be introduced to particle motion dynamics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, some computer programing, differential equations, and a variety of other topics. With so much knowledge, you'll be getting into a great field.

Where will it take you?

• Nuclear fission techniques, breaking up atoms to create energy in commercial reactors.
• Nuclear fusion and plasma physics- engineering materials that can resist radiation and high temperatures.
• Nuclear medicine, designing and perfecting new imaging and treatment techniques to combat diseases.
• Nuclear fuels, and improving materials to use in nuclear reactors to create energy.
• Radiation technology, designing tools to measure and image various forms of nuclear radiation.

Famous Example:

Marie Curie. Twice Noble Prize winner, Curie was a pioneer in radioactivity. Her discovery of radium lead to breakthroughs in atomic structure research, cancer treatments, and more. As a famous female scientists she serves as inspiration for many girls all over the world.

Biotechnology and Biological Engineering

What is bio-engineering?

This is a branch of engineering that looks at biological systems. You will be involved in new technologies involving things like genetics, molecular biology, protein chemistry, immunology, ecology, and pharmacology. Using this knowledge you'll design and develop systems and tools that use biological molecules and living organisms to solve life's problems.

What will you study?

You will study courses including molecular chemistry, life support systems, organic chemistry, kinetics, patent regulations and engineering theories.

Where will it take you?

• Gene therapy, engineering ways to treat or cure genetic and acquired diseases like cancer and AIDS.
• Pharmaceuticals, developing and designing drugs and medicine.
• Cloning techniques, the replication of life.
• Bioprocess engineering- applying biological processes to various situations.
• Genetic engineering, looking at the gene levels of organisms and engineering better properties for plants and animals.
• Agricultural engineering, which uses biology and chemistry to enhance agriculture and food production.

Famous Example:

Bonnie Dunbar. Dunbar started as a biomedical engineer, and was involved with a lot of research in kinetics of diffusion and liquid behaviors. She also specialized in material science. Dunbar joined NASA and became an astronaut, and flew out to space in 5 different missions over her career.

Where do you start?

Mississippi State University and the University of Kentucky both offer great programs in biological engineering and clinical studies.

Many other engineering disciplines and branches:

• Nanotechnology- engineering at the molecular, atomic and subatomic level. New researches concentrate on designing the tiniest particles to produce or improve the larger, useful product.
• Audio/visual engineering- dealing with sound and vision, these broad categories can bring you to such exciting industries from satellite imaging to entertainment.
• Mechatronics- combining mechanical, electrical and software engineering to develop really cool robots and machines.
• Aerospace engineering- become a rocket scientist and design aircrafts and spacecrafts.

The world of engineering is more diverse than you can imagine!

There are countless majors, concentrations and designations for you to choose from. Engineering deals with every tiny aspect of human life, and since modern life is so rich it's no surprise engineering has so much to offer. Go after what interests you most, and remember that you can always change your mind down the road.

Check out the School Search to find awesome engineering programs!

Good luck on your engineering quest!

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Image Credits: Dell with lenux, by Extra Ketchup , Nuclear Fission Deutsch Museum, by brewbooks , Biofuels, by jurvetson , Escher's Relativity in Lego, by Andrew Lipson

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