Mining and Geological Engineering

Mining and geological engineering focuses primarily on the study and design of creating safe and effective means to extract metals and minerals for industrial, commercial and scientific purposes. Requiring education and understanding not only of mining principles and practices, engineers in this field are also expected to have an advanced and dynamic understanding of geological sciences, such as soil and mineral composition, surveying, prospecting and exploratory geological research. In addition to extracting the more conventional materials such as oil, precious and industrial metals and rarer gems and materials, many new advancements in information technology have expanded the role of geological engineering to search and mine for other materials, such as the dozens of special minerals and materials used in computer, tablet and smart phone construction.

At EducatingEngineers, we want you to understand the complexities of engineering careers and what it takes to succeed in your education. Please read the information below to learn more. And contact the schools in our directory to get started!
Working in the field

Employed by governments, major corporations, non-profit organizations and scientific/academic research institutions, geological engineers play pivotal roles in everything from industrial production of materials and energy, to advancing scientific understanding of the material composition of the Earth. Because of the numerous and varied functions for geological engineering and the substantial technological advancements made in the field itself, the role of the engineer in respect to mining and geological research continues to evolve, finding new and interesting applications for the science with each passing year.

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Mechatronics Engineering Salary and Career

Mechatronics Engineering Salary and  Career

Though the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not maintain employment or salary data on mechatronics engineers, it does have statistics for the related industries of mechanical and electrical engineer. According to research at the BLS, demand for these types of professionals should likely experience five percent growth until at least 2022. Moreover, the bureau foresees electrical and electronics engineers to experience four percent growth in their career prospects. In contrast, electrical and electronic engineering technicians will likely see little or no growth over the time period. Based on O*Net salary data, mechatronic engineers earned a median salary of $92,680. In a state comparison for earning potential, the BLS found that mechanical engineering professionals in California earned the highest salary at $112,100. Professionals in Texas received $98,030 in yearly salary compensation. Engineers in New York and Illinois earned approximately $95,020 in pay annually.

Companies like Harris & Bruno have formed partnerships with schools like Sierra College in California to seamlessly integrate students from the classroom to applying their knowledge to real world mechatronics applications. Markus Fredrickson, a Sierra College student, works part-time in manufacturing at Harris & Bruno. When he first began his education, he did not have a clear direction for his career. However, the collaborative approach of his university and the private enterprise has provided him with direction and the practical outlet for his skills. He described his work with the firm as a seamless experience bridging his classroom education with real world scenarios. Many of the parts and systems he encountered in his classroom work echoed the very same components and problems he was asked to solve on the job. Ultimately, he found his theoretical and practical education as invaluable in facilitating his career advancement. These types of programs reflect the potential for students and companies as they integrate their resources and expertise in growing the industry. This boasts well for both current and prospective professionals in the field and the industry as a whole as more evolutions occur in terms of technology and human resources.
If you would like to learn more about mechatronics or other areas of engineering, contact the schools in our directory to receive more helpful information. We recommend contacting multiple schools to be sure you choose the best one for you!

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Real Life of Materials Science and Engineering

 

Real Life of Materials Science and Engineering

Beyond these statistical realities and potential however, many within the fields of Materials Science and Engineering express substantial personal and professional satisfaction with their work and career. Bringing together the applicable skills of dynamic critical thinking and problem solving with those of analytical research and scientific endeavor, the challenges posed to the working professional often result in an enhanced satisfaction with successful end results with respect to projects and ventures undertaken. In seeing the final real-world applications to their research, development, and testing of new and existing materials, Material Engineers often find themselves on the cutting edge of scientific discovery and advancement.

Taking, for example, the case of NASA engineer Clara Wright, the pliable skills learned while studying Material Science and Engineering have given Ms. Wright substantial personal fulfillment, in addition to her remarkable career. Being possessed since her youth with an interest in puzzles and problem solving, Wright gravitated naturally towards the field of material science and engineering. Upon completing her degree, Wright first entered the field of biomedical research, assisting with the design and development of prosthetic limbs for amputees. Later, Wright took a position at NASA working as a materials engineer, studying materials in use by the space program. In July of 2014, Wright was profiled for NASA’s website, in an effort to highlight both her contributions to the space program, while also the interest and dedication to Material Science and Engineering which brought her to work there.

"I'm very passionate about being a materials engineer," Wright said. "It’s a very fulfilling career particularly at Kennedy because every investigation is unique. It is greatly gratifying to say that I am one of a handful of people in the world who get to work on hardware that is going to the International Space Station, has been in the vacuum of space or is part of the launch structures."

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Environmental Engineer Education Requirements

Environmental Engineer Education Requirements

Environmental engineers are most concerned with the effects of technological advances on the environment. Hazardous-waste treatment is a significant issue needing regulation which these engineers can design and help implement through laboratory and legal avenues.

Worldwide issues in the environmental engineer's expertise include everything from farm runoff to ozone depletion, and all of the water sources in between. Today's engineers often further their education with specialized training in law and use legal paths to access routes to improvement. The study and practice of environmental engineering is as broad as the elements that make up the Earth.

Schools of engineering can vary in their requirements, but are also quite similar. Typically, a university offers the CEE (civil and environmental engineering) degree, and a B.S. in environmental engineering (BS EnvE). The curriculum provides students with the fundamentals to address emerging issues with air and land resources, human health, water, and environmental restoration.All prerequisites must be satisfied before graduating with a B.S. The B.S. EnvE degree requires acceptable letter grades in math, physics, chemistry, and COE.

Students seeking specialized graduate degrees in environmental engineering have four basic choices. Those wanting a career that does not require research can get a master of engineering (M.Eng.) degree. For a master of science (M.S.), students must complete a thesis research project showing their increased knowledge. The Ph.D. degree (doctor of philosophy) is awarded for expertise in research, and the D.Eng. (doctor of engineering) degree awards combined technical expertise with management skills.

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Electrical Engineer Career Outlook

 Electrical Engineer Career Outlook

Electrical engineers study electronics, electromagnetism, and the application of electricity. The products they develop are used in medical technology, game systems, cell phones, robotics, cars, green technologies, and navigation systems, just touching lightly on the list.

Nearly everything that defines modern civilization is linked to electrical engineering. These engineers work in labs, offices, and industries. They develop systems for power generation, transmission, and distribution—have you heard about "the grid?"

In addition to the subjects mentioned above (and still touching only briefly on the scope), this expertise covers power switches (solar, wind, geothermal), design of power systems, and architectural planning. Electrical engineering is behind the development of every electronic thing within your grasp.

Electrical engineers focus on computer systems design, components, and processes. They incorporate research or management using specialized, hands-on knowledge and dealing with public, private, and academic sectors. They are dedicated to continuing education, on-the-job learning, leadership, and applying new techniques to new situations.

The sciences of physics and mathematics are fundamental to this profession, but technical focus accounts for only a fraction of this work. Making proposals to clients, preparing budgets, and calculating project schedules consumes much of these engineers' time. Senior-level engineers often manage a team, so project management skills and strong communication skills are vital.

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Chemical Engineering Degrees

Chemical engineers are not only the lab coat wearing scientists who stand over beakers, mixing formulas in laboratories. They also work in the field, putting into practice the knowledge gained in laboratories, as well as their own brand of chemistry that applies the physical sciences and the life sciences.

They use mathematics and economics to create processes for converting raw materials or chemicals into forms that are more useful. Today's chemical engineers are involved with biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and fuel cells, to name a very few of their specialties!

Chemical process engineers focus on the design, manufacture, and operation of industrial plants, their equipment, and the related chemical processes. Chemical product engineers development new or modified substances for consumables ranging from pharmaceuticals and face wipes, to furniture polish, foods, and far beyond.

Chemical engineers may do research at industrial or university levels, designing better pollution control, resource conservation, and safety measures. They can be involved in the design and construction of plants as project engineers, using their knowledge to select equipment, optimize production, minimize costs and increase profitability.

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Masters Degree in Audio Engineering

 Masters Degree in Audio Engineering

Master's programs are available to those that desire to extend their education in very specific areas of the industry. These programs provide an intense study of a particular area of interest, like game design, music, acoustics, or recording.

Audio engineering degrees require a blend of music, business, and technical classes. Music fundamentals, acoustics, and theory are some of the music classes that are included in the degree. The technical and business courses encompass recording production, audio signal processing, mixing, editing, digital sound design, live sound production, and studio operations.

Audio engineering is a very hands-on profession because it involves the use of a variety of equipment and software. Due to the invaluable experience of actually using the equipment, online degrees are not feasible for the most part. The only exceptions are a few online Master's programs with a focus on acoustics, which does not intricately involve equipment. The length of the program varies with the different degrees. An Associate of Science requires approximately two years of study. Most Bachelor of Science programs take four years to complete. The Master's degree will add at least two years following the Bachelor program for a total of six years.

There is a variety of jobs that audio engineers hold in an equally wide variety of locations. Audio engineers are used in studio settings for the radio, television, movie, and music industries as sound engineers, boom operators, sound designers, sound editors, sound effects editors, and much more. In addition to studio work, there are also options for similar positions in live venues, like sports arenas, theatres, and concert tours.

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