Everything You Need to Know About Engineering School Programs in AR
What is an engineer? Engineering covers a broad range of disciplines but all are based on constructing things according to mathematical and scientific principles. The goal of engineering is to design and make structures that will help to improve the lives of the public. The best engineer candidates possess several key characteristics:
- Strong proficiency in science and math
- Good communicators and team players
- Detail oriented and very analytical
- Inventive and creative
Areas that Arkansas Engineering School Programs May Specialize In
Civil engineering. Concerns itself with the design and expansion of buildings, roads, bridges along with other infrastructures.
Chemical Engineering. Employing the usage of chemical principles to design new fuels and materials.
Electrical engineering. Concentrates on the design and study of electrical and electronic systems. Including telecommunications, motors, circuits, personal computers, generators, etc.
Mechanical engineering. Deals with the planning and implementation of mechanical systems such as weapon systems and aerospace products.
Other popular areas of interest include:
- Environmental engineering
- Nuclear engineering.
- Biomedical engineering
- Industrial engineering
- General engineering
By no means, however, is this list exhaustive. In total there are over 20 types of disciplines in engineering.
Why Go to Engineering School in Arkansas?
If you seek to eventually secure a professional job in Arkansas being an engineer, with no doubt, obtaining a 4-year degree from a certified college is a must. A Bachelor of science in engineering or a Bachelor of engineering technology will allow you to pursue a successful career in the engineering field in AR. If you choose to go to a Arkansas engineering school it may increase your odds of making connections in the industry and interning on local projects.
How Do I Choose the Best Arkansas Engineering School for Me?
Choosing the best school and degree program for you could be a daunting and difficult task. There are many variables to take into consideration, and ultimately you must choose an institution that that can satisfy your needs. For most, the top three contributing factors are tuition costs, location and reputation. Other factors to think about are:
- Is the engineering school ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited?
- What's the student-to-teacher ratio?
- Do they offer continued education (Masters/Doctoral programs)?
- Will the school provide you with internship and foreign study opportunities?
- Is the curriculum suited to your unique area of interest?
- Does the engineering school offer any kind of job placement help or services in Arkansas?
After Engineering School
Another essential step is the getting a professional engineering license. Should you ultimately wish to offer your services as an engineer Arkansas law requires that you pass a number of engineering test.
The engineering exams necessary for acquiring your license are broken up into two test. The initial one is the basic principles of engineering exam. The 180 question test covers:
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Computers
- Probability and stats
- Ethics and business practice
- Economics
- Engineering and fluid mechanics
- Strength of materials
- Material properties
- Electricity and magnetism
- Thermodynamics
The second test in the series of exams will be the Principles and Practice of Engineering test. By contrast, the PE exam would depend on your discipline of engineering. Pre-requisites for taking the exam include a degree and 4 years of experience working under a licensed engineer. The exam is given twice a year in Arkansas by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES.)
As an engineer you might work as a self-employed contract for hire, or work at a large firm. Regardless of the route you choose to take, increasingly, firms and clients are looking for people with a PhD or Master’s degree. Doctoral programs consist of a bit more schooling and tend to be either 5 or 7-year programs. Acquiring a Master’s degree is a little less intense and only calls for a 2 year, full-time program.
