Types of engineering specializations

Types of engineering specializations
Here are the seven primary types of engineering specializations you can study:
1. Structural engineering
Structural engineering students learn how to design large structures and ensure they can stay functional during high winds and natural disasters, like earthquakes. They study the gravitational properties of a structure to determine how much weight they can handle, as this step allows them to create support mechanisms through beams and columns. It's important for these students to take courses on other physical science topics, including kinetics, shock waves and airflow. After they graduate from a program, they can further specialize in building, bridge design or aircraft engineering.
Consider the following examples of projects that a structural engineering graduate might conduct:

• 
  Bridge design
  
• 
  Site inspection
  
• 
  Home improvements
  
• 
  Foundation development
  
• 
  Vehicle and airplane design
  
• 
  Skyscraper design
  

2. Construction engineering and management
In this specialization, civil engineering students can learn the design principles of construction, building code regulations and operation steps for a project. They typically take courses on how to manage a project's resources and equipment, then how to construct buildings that are safe, functional and sustainable. Students also study how to organize each construction process step, including making a timeline, maintaining a materials inventory and preparing a budget. Programs with a management component often emphasize building information modeling (BIM), which is an information technology tool that many construction engineers use for their endeavors.
Here are some examples of building projects a construction engineering and management graduate might conduct:

• 
  Residential buildings
  
• 
  Commercial buildings
  
• 
  Roads and bridges
  
• 
  Water treatment plants
  
• 
  School locations
  
• 
  Hospital environments