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How To Study For Engineering
20 Tips for Engineering Students
Getting your engineering degree is a ticket to rewarding careers, and sometimes a handsome paycheck. But before you enter the field as a professional engineer, some serious studying, a few late nights, and a few tips to get you through your first year are in order.
Tip #1: Take good notes, and keep them all after your classes are over.
Engineering textbooks can be dense, but endure through the tedium. Do your reading – all of it – and keep a highlighter and page markers handy. After the class is over, keep your most useful and well-written textbooks as reference. Your notes, annotations, and highlighting will be invaluable later on. You may even want to keep a “Rules of Thumb” notebook, allowing you quick access to your most-used formulas.
Tip #2: Get to know your professors.
Develop a relationship with your professors so you feel comfortable approaching them and asking for help. Get to know one or two key professors particularly well, and turn to them for help with your homework, insight into the industry, and even job or program references.
Tip #3: Ask questions, both in class and out.
Your professors want you to learn. But if the only thing you ever ask is, “Will this be on the test?” then you are not taking advantage of their knowledge or willingness to help. Ask for additional examples to clarify difficult equations and concepts. More often than not, your fellow students will thank you for speaking up, and your professor will appreciate your active investment in the material.
Tip #4: Try to solve a problem before asking for help.
No one wants to do your homework for you. You’ll be more likely to get help if you’ve already begun the effort. Even if you’re totally lost, make a legitimate, prolonged effort to solve a problem before asking for help. When you do seek help, be prepared to discuss what you tried already, and bring your scratch paper showing your attempts.
Tip #5: Form a study group.
Working alone can get exasperating if you find yourself stuck on a problem. Working with others will not only introduce other viewpoints to approaching a problem, it will also provide encouragement and camaraderie in the face of frustration.
Tip #6: Teach someone else.
One of the most effective ways of ensuring you understand something is by explaining it to someone else. Before you move past a subject, make sure you not only answered the question but also can replicate and explain the process. Each new subject and concept will build on the last, so don’t move on until you’ve mastered each new idea.
Tip #7: Diversify your engineering classes.
Take classes in all sorts of engineering, even if they are not your concentration. Understanding not only the subject matter, but also how other types of engineers approach and solve problems, will lend insight into your own field, from biomedical to mechatronics and robotics to chemical to environmental engineering and beyond.
Tip #8: Take classes outside engineering, particularly design classes.
The most successful engineers are insatiable learners, so seek to broaden your skill set generally. A design class can teach you how to represent information visually and how to talk about an idea from a big picture perspective. A writing class can hone your skills for communicating your ideas to others. A business class can prepare you for organizational tasks and leadership roles later in your career.
Tip #9: Hone your communications skills, including conversation, writing, and presentation.
The best and most innovative ideas in the world have no hope of growing past the drawing board if you are unable to communicate them effectively. And today, most technical communication between team members and leadership happens over email, which is a form of writing. Learn to present an argument simply and without agenda, and always read your emails through once or twice before sending.
Tip #10: Learn another language.
Engineering knows no political or cultural borders; engineers are in demand everywhere in the world. Increase your worth by becoming proficient in another language, and don’t be afraid to think of your career on a global level. Want to build bridges in China? You should learn Mandarin.
Tip #11: Build your portfolio.
Participate in as many hands-on projects as possible, especially those outside the classroom. Future employers look for both coursework and relevant experience, and a well-organized and articulate portfolio will be invaluable during your job search. Your practical project experience will also reinforce the “in theory” knowledge you gain in class.
Tip #12: Get a summer internship.
One of the best portfolio buildings blocks is the summer internship. Internships do more than build your resume; they demonstrate to potential employers that you can commit to a long-term role and work as part of a team. As a student, it is never too early to start your electrical engineering career.
Tip #13: Build your network.
Do not wait until you need a job to start building professional relationships. In addition to getting to know your professors and peers, attend extracurricular lectures, workshops, and networking events, and get to know as many people working or studying in your field as possible. Take a genuine interest in the work of others, ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to seek guidance or advice from those of advanced experience. They were once neophyte engineers too!
Tip #14: Scour the resources of professional engineering associations and companies.
Professional engineering associations, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers, are an invaluable resource for jobs, advice, and networking. Identify organizations that share your values and interests, and make as many contacts as possible.
Tip #15: Skip the honors class.
In the engineering field, your GPA matters. If you struggle in calculus, don’t kill yourself in Honors Calc; take the easier class, learn the material thoroughly, and take the higher grade.
Tip #16: Learn when to lead and when to back down.
Engineers often work in teams, and every team has one or more leaders. You should feel comfortable in both leading and following the directions of others. Hone your leadership skills and learn how to effectively influence group decisions, but recognize when your contribution should be to take orders and follow direction.
Tip #17: Work on the problem before the team meets.
The best results occur when a group discusses ideas that have already been fleshed out by individual members. Learn to do your own work and self-motivate. Always arrive at the team meeting with ideas in mind.
Tip #18: Be a perfectionist.
In the words of one engineer, “In the working engineer world, a 99% correct product can cost millions of dollars in damages.” Adopt the mindset of practicing something until it is perfect, as opposed to going as quickly as possible and settling for a B. When your work is 100%, even if it is slower, it is valuable.
Tip #19: Identify your inspiration.
What made you decide to study engineering? Who do you look up to in your chosen field? Learn about how individuals and companies have sought and found success, and replicate their behaviors. For new inspiration, check out these electrical engineering resources.
Tip #20: Take heart and persevere.
Engineering is a difficult course of study for everyone, no matter their IQ or test scores. Frustration can lead to feeling like an imposter. Every future engineer has struggled through seemingly impossible problem sets, cranky professors, and gut-wrenching exams. In the face of inevitable small failures, recognize that you are challenging yourself like never before, and push on through the difficult experiences.
how to study engineering effectively
If implemented, the study skills outlined below will not only help you become a more successful engineering student, they’ll make the study of engineering much more enjoyable!
Become a problem solver.
In high school all you had to do was show up for class, listen to the wisdom and truth spewing forth from your teacher and soak it up. If you did this, you’d be able to complete your assignments with relative ease and pass your exams. That approach may have worked for you in high school, but it starts to fall apart in college–especially if you choose to major in a field of engineering.
In the real world, there aren’t any professors spoon feeding you information, giving you homework, providing lectures full of useful information, or end of semester exams for you to prove yourself. In the real world there are simply problems–usually poorly defined problems. These problems require solutions that are either acceptable or unacceptable. There is no partial credit for solutions that don’t work–or that sort of work. If you design landing gear for twenty airplanes and one set of gear fails, you’re not going to get a 95 percent and a pat on the back.
In order to excel in engineering, either academically or professionally, you need to change your mindset. You need to learn to not count on someone else to tell you everything you need to know to solve problems. You need to learn (1) how to discover what you need to know and then (2) where to go to find it.
Discover your learning style.
Every student has a different learning style. Some students are visual learners (learn through imagery and spatial understanding), others are auditory learners (learn through listening and sound), and some are physical learners (learn through hands-on, tactile interaction). In all, there are seven unique learning styles. You may have a dominant learning style or a mix of learning styles. As an engineering student, identifying and understanding your learning style can be helpful, especially when your instructor’s teaching style does not match your learning style.
Some engineering instructors are guilty of using a lot of words and formulas as they lecture but neglect to employ visual imagery (pictures, diagrams, flow charts, sketches, etc.) For a student that is a visual learner, this can be frustrating and problematic. Other instructors are big into mathematical theory and formulas but provide little in the way of real-world examples and application. For a student that is a physical learner, this makes learning challenging. Your first job as an aspiring engineer is to discover your learning style, your professor’s teaching style, and figure out how to fill in the gaps.
You can discover your learning style by reading Discover Your Learning Style.
Seek help from your instructor.
Contrary to popular belief, instructors are hired to teach, not to lecture. Lecturing is just one form of teaching–and not always the most effective. Instructors are there to help you learn, and in most cases they really want you to succeed. If there is something you’re not understanding during a lecture, raise your hand and ask a “clarifying” question. While it’s acceptable to say, “I don’t understand.” It’s far better to ask a clarifying question that allows the instructor to provide you specific information to help you gain clarity and understanding. Asking clarifying questions also tells the instructor that you were paying attention. Examples of clarifying questions include:
- How is this theory applied in the real world?
- Could you provide an example of when this formula might be used?
- Could you sketch what that (solution, device, etc.) might look like?
- How is this equation applied in practice?
- Where did that formula come from?
- I still don’t understand when that formula is used.
In order to ask clarifying questions it’s important that you come to class prepared and pay attention to the lecture. Asking clarifying questions not only helps you learn, it helps your entire class.
Most engineering instructors are happy to answer any question you have during class. However, there are a few who don’t handle questions very well–especially if they have a lecture they’re trying to get through. If you happen to get an instructor who is hostile towards questions, make an appointment to meet with your instructor during office hours to get your questions answered.
Don’t ask questions that you could have answered yourself with a little study or research. No one likes to have their time wasted. Never ask your instructor for help with a problem until after you’ve spent ample time and effort trying to figure it out on your own. When you ask your instructor for help figuring out the solution to a problem, be prepared to present ALL the work you’ve performed in your attempt to solve it.
When at all possible, go as a group during your instructor’s office hours to seek solutions to problems you’re unable to solve on your own. Going as a group shows your instructor that you’ve made a legitimate attempt to solve the problem and he’ll likely feel like his time is being better spent by helping several of his students instead of just one.
Read your textbook with purpose… but read it.
There are many reasons students read textbooks. Often, it’s to find an answer to a homework problem they’re trying to solve. In an effort to find specific information, they skim through the text, ignoring much of what’s presented, in order to find clues and examples that will help them solve their homework problem. After completing their homework assignment, they ignore their text until another set of problems is assigned.
Many engineering texts cover important theoretical material, providing real-world examples of how engineering theories are applied in practice. When the text is only used to answer assigned homework problems, students miss out on valuable learning opportunities that will help them down the road in other engineering courses and later in their careers.
Form a study group.
Working with a study group can be beneficial for any student. However, for the engineering student, working with a study group is particularly advantageous. The benefits of working with a study group for engineering students include:
- Engineering is a changing field of study. It’s not uncommon for students to get stuck on a problem and want to give up. When working as a group, students are able to find solutions to challenging engineering problems that they may not have been able to solve on their own.
- Study groups allow for various perspectives and expose alternative ways to solve problems. Even when you’re able to solve a problem, someone in your group may come up with a solution that is more effective and efficient than your solution.
- Study groups create environments where teaching occurs. As engineering students share with one another their knowledge, insights and understanding on engineering theories, formulas, equations they reinforce their own understanding. Most instructors will attest, to teach a subject is the most effective way to learn it.
- Study groups foster a collaborative learning environment. Research suggests that collaborative learning is very effective. Studies show that students who regularly participate in study groups retain what they learn longer, gain a better understanding of concepts and theories, enjoy coursework more, gain more self-confidence, and perform better in class than students who work on their own or have a competitive attitude toward other engineering students (D.W. Johnson, R.T. Johnson, and K.A. Smith, Cooperative Learning, ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No. 4, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 1991.)
- Study groups engender teamwork. Once you enter the workforce, you’ll find that almost all engineering projects are performed by teams of engineers. Working with a study group will help you develop team building skills and prepare you to be a team player.
What Is The Study Of Engineering Called
(abbreviated as B.E., B.Eng. or B.A.I. in Latin form)
is a first professional undergraduate academic degree awarded to a student after three to five years of studying engineering at an accredited university.
What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and an Engineering Technology degree?
An Engineering Technology degree and Bachelor of Science in Engineering are closely related fields of study with noticeable differences in learning curriculum. Most notably, a Bachelor of Science in Engineering emphasizes theories and advanced concepts, while an Engineering Technology degree emphasizes hands-on application and implementation. At Florida Polytechnic University, the Bachelor of Science degree integrates applied and hands-on learning with theoretical and conceptual curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
A Bachelor of Science in Engineering, like the degree programs offered by Florida Polytechnic University, focuses on the cross-disciplinary application of science and mathematics on structures, machines, systems and processes. This type of engineering degree prepares students to enter the workforce as professional engineers with skills that are applicable to a wide variety of industries. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering typically focus on disciplines like computer, electrical, mechanical or industrial engineering.
A Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program often includes more advanced levels of applied science and mathematics than are taught in an Engineering Technology degree program. Some examples of real-world challenges graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering may explore include:
- Apply analysis and modeling to design engineering based solutions
- Identify emerging techniques, skills, methods and theories to solve engineering problems
- Design infrastructure such as buildings, highways and bridges
Engineering Technology Degree
An Engineering Technology degree emphasizes the application of specific engineering techniques. Graduates with an Engineering Technology degree often seek employment in fields such as production, design, manufacturing and operations. Some examples of real-world challenges graduates with an Engineering Technology degree may explore include:
- Consulting development for electronic designs for commercial purposes
- Research capabilities and implementation for current technologies
- Exploring tracking technology in space exploration, consumer electronics and defense
The degrees of Engineering Technology and Bachelor of Science in Engineering contain some overlap, but they also have important characteristics that make them unique.
What is the career path for an Engineering Technology degree holder versus a Bachelor of Science in Engineering?
Students who obtain a Bachelor of Science in Engineering begin their careers as entry-level engineers. They typically do not have extensive experience in the field, but are very knowledgeable about cross-disciplinary applications and processes. In addition, entry-level engineers usually report to a supervisor or manager while developing, testing and designing products that incorporate the use of a system, machine or structure. Bachelor of Science in Engineering degrees can be highly specialized, and students may graduate with concentrations like nanotechnology, electrodynamics, semiconductors or digital logic design.
Graduates with an Engineering Technology degree are often called “technologists,” while students who complete two-year engineering technology programs are called “technicians.” These individuals begin their careers in entry-level positions that may involve the design and application of engineering concepts or techniques. Projects may include designing an automated system or a programming language to optimize a process system.
What should you be doing in high school if you are interested in an Engineering Technology or Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree?
It’s never too early to start preparing for your college career. While in high school, students should pay close attention to required coursework, as these classes will likely be integrated into college. For example, math concepts taught in classes such as algebra and pre-calculus will carry over into more advanced courses at the collegiate level.
Universities across the nation recommend that students take the following courses during their high school career if they are interested in an Engineering Technology or Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree:
- Algebra I and II
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB (if offered)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Universities seek students who are well rounded and can offer a wide range of experiences and knowledge. Involvement in extracurricular activities, sports or clubs can showcase your interaction beyond the classroom, and colleges often prefer these candidates.
Before applying to any college, students should consult their high school counselors and mentors for guidance during the application process. Students should also research the universities they plan to attend and determine if those schools are a good academic, social and cultural fit.
What courses will you likely take in college if you pursue an Engineering Technology degree?
Florida’s top engineering schools have specific required and elective courses needed for graduation as an engineering technologist. These courses are typically STEM based and can include subjects such as:
- Calculus
- General Physics
- Introduction to Technology
- Computer Applications
- Computer Programming
- Applied Math
- Innovation & Emerging Technologies
What courses will you likely take in college if you pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree?
A Bachelor of Science in Engineering typically includes a well-rounded engineering curriculum with an opportunity to specialize in concentrations. Some of the classes offered at a top STEM University such as Florida Polytechnic University, include:
- Calculus II and III
- Advanced Physics
- Computer Programming
- Digital Logic Design
- Differential Equations
- Circuits and Analog Electronics
- Hybrid Devices and Systems
- Magnetics
- Unique Nanoscale Phenomena and Interfaces
Students should take full advantage of their educational opportunities because they can be critical to their future success. Many universities offer the chance to work in lab environments. During a student’s undergraduate career, they should use all of the resources provided by the university including: advanced tools, textbooks, internships and labs. Students who engage with employers through internship opportunities are well ahead of the curve compared to other graduates when seeking employment.
Beyond the advanced and rigorous curriculum in the college classroom, students are encouraged to engage with their peers, faculty and other influencers outside of the classroom. Experiences outside the classroom can help build a portfolio or open the door for further opportunities.
Thought Leaders: Professional Societies and Boards
Engineering technology graduates are in high demand to fill the jobs that require an advanced skill set or knowledge of specific technologies. The following links are available for students to access if they are interested in an engineering technology degree. These links may help students while in school and in their career search.
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- Try Engineering
- IEEE
- ASEE
- STEMStudy.com
Interests Common to Engineering Degree and Bachelor of Science in Engineering Pursuers
To pursue a degree in Engineering Technology or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, it helps to understand the required coursework and projected career path. To determine whether a career in engineering or technology is right for you, ask yourself if you have an aptitude for math, science, technology and problem-solving.
In addition, it helps to have interests in:
- Using scientific principles and methods to solve real-world problems
- Forming conclusions from lab experiments, data or reports
- Improving processes and systems that are in place
- Conducting testing methods to maintain quality
Finally, gain direct exposure into the field. Attend career days, shadow a professional or engage in Q&A sessions with industry experts. During college, students will have the opportunity to gain internship experience and meet industry partners who are leaders in their fields.
To gain employment with a degree in engineering technology or a bachelor of science in engineering, graduates should possess several skills, which include:
- Creativity – think outside the box incorporating new, innovative ideas
- Strong mechanical skills – understand mechanical concepts and tools
- Problem-solving skills – develop new solutions to problems. Identify the source and offer solutions
- Communications – communicate plans even to other members on the team such as project managers
- Teamwork – collaborate and work effectively with others
Best Engineering Field
Here are the best engineering branches and courses for the future:
- Aerospace Engineering.
- Chemical Engineering.
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
- Petroleum Engineering.
- Telecommunication Engineering.
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
- Robotics Engineering.
- Biochemical Engineering.
Let’s explore some of these best engineering fields and courses for future:
Nanotechnology
In 1959, Richard Feynman, an American physicist at a conference said- “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”. This statement provided inspiration for the development of the field of Nanotechnology. Being a multidisciplinary field, it encompasses the elements of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Maths to alter the properties of materials at the atomic and sub-atomic levels so as to fabricate various systems. The structures typically range between 1-100 nm in size and show remarkable properties due to an increase in surface area.
The candidates enrolled in the course get to study subjects like the synthesis of nanomaterial, quantum mechanics, material science, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, properties of nanomaterials, carbon materials, electronic and optical properties of materials, etc. Nanotechnology is one such broad field that has the potential to bring changes in the world. The application of nanotechnology is breathtaking in the fields of medicine. After acquiring a degree in one out of the many nanotechnology courses, the graduates can get employed in the profiles like- Microfabrication Engineer, Nanotechnologist, Scientist, MEMS Device Physics Engineer, Professor, Scientific Editor, etc.
Petroleum Engineering
A program in Petroleum Engineering imparts knowledge in an array of topics like fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, material properties along with the strength of a material. The aim of the program is to equip students with the skills to analyze and design well systems, well techniques, drilling procedures, and optimizing resource management and development. To be a petroleum engineer, the candidates must possess the capabilities to put into practice the fundamental concepts of the course. With Reservoir Engineer, Environmental Engineering, Production Engineer, etc, as most opted work profiles, Petroleum Engineering has become one of the best engineering courses for future.
Machine Learning
One of the top mentions in the list of best engineering courses for future, Machine Learning is becoming a popular field choice amongst students who want to design highly equipped machines using analytical software and data science. Machine Learning Engineering course strives to equip the students with the necessary skills so that they can design and create programs that can make the machines perform specific functions without directing them to do so manually. In the duration of the course, the students are made to study languages like C, C++, Scala, JavaScript, Julia, etc. The most famous AI-driven job profile is that of a Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Engineer, Data Analyst, and Data Infrastructure Engineer.Masters in Machine LearningBest Books For Machine Learning
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering is the innovative amalgamation of the techniques involved in the field of Engineering with the domain of Biology and Medicine. Counted amongst the best engineering courses for future, the field focuses on various new strategies that can be applied in the healthcare sector. Through the journey of the course, the students will be provided detailed knowledge on the subjects like Neuromodulation, Biomechanics, Orthopedic Repair, Biomaterials, etc. Upon completing the course, you can find ample Biomedical Engineering jobs in work profiles like Biomedical Engineer, Installation Engineer, Researcher, Maintenance Engineer, Instrument Engineer, and many more.
Best Engineering Courses for Future: Telecommunication Engineering
The Telecommunication discipline revolves around the exchange of information through different channels using wired or wireless means. Being one of the best engineering courses for future, it incorporates different elements of the Computer, Electrical, and other systems to improvise telecommunication. The telecom engineers are skilled to design, develop, and maintain voice communication systems which comprise of the satellites, fiber optics, wired and unwired channels, along with encoding and compression of data. Some of the prominent sectors offering numerous job opportunities to telecom engineers are Mobile Communication, Computer Communication and networking, TV and radio broadcasting, Optical Networking, Remote sensing, and measurement control.
Universities for Pursuing Best Engineering Courses of Future
| University | Best Engineering Courses For Future |
| Duke University | MEng Microelectronics, Photonics, and Nanotechnology |
| Stony Brook University | BE Engineering Science in Nanoscale Engineering |
| University of Southampton | MEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering with Nanotechnology |
| University of Houston | Masters of Petroleum Engineering |
| Cape Breton University | Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Petroleum |
| University of Surrey | BEng (Hons) / MEng Chemical and Petroleum Engineering |
| University of Aberdeen | BEng Petroleum Engineering |
| University of Hertfordshire | BEng in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence |
| Imperial College London | MEng Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) |
| Cornell U niversity | MEng Biomedical Engineering |
| King’s College London | BEng/MEng Biomedical Engineering |
| University of Strathclyde | BEng (Hons) Biomedical Engineering |
| University of Essex | BEng Communications Engineering |
| RMIT University | BE (Hons) Telecommunications Engineering |
