Everything You Need to Know About Engineering School Programs in PA
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 create structures that will help to enhance the lives of the public. The best engineer candidates possess several key characteristics:
- Strong proficiency in math and science
- Good communicators and team players
- Detail oriented and extremely analytical
- Inventive and creative
Areas that Pennsylvania 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. Focuses on the design and study of electrical and electronic systems. This includes telecommunications, motors, circuits, computer systems, generators, etc.
Mechanical engineering. Deals with the design and implementation of mechanical systems for example 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. As a whole you can find over 20 kinds of disciplines in engineering.
Why Enroll in Engineering School in Pennsylvania?
If you aim to eventually secure a professional job in Pennsylvania as an engineer, with no doubt, obtaining a 4-year degree from an accredited college is a must. A Bachelor of science in engineering or perhaps a Bachelor of engineering technology will help you to pursue a professional career within the engineering field in PA. If you choose to go to a Pennsylvania engineering school it may increase your odds of making connections in the industry and interning on local projects.
How Do I Choose the Right Pennsylvania Engineering School for Me?
Choosing the best school and degree program for you can be a daunting and difficult task. There are many variables to consider, and ultimately you have to choose an institution that that can satisfy your needs. For most, the top three contributing factors are tuition costs, location and reputation. Additional 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 provide continued education (Masters/Doctoral programs)?
- Will the college 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 Pennsylvania?
After Engineering School
Another essential step is the acquisition of a professional engineering license. If you ultimately wish to offer your services as an engineer Pennsylvania law requires that you pass a number of engineering test.
The engineering exams necessary for getting your license are split up into two test. The first is the fundamentals 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 is the Principles and Practice of Engineering test. By contrast, the PE exam would depend on your discipline of engineering. Pre-requisites to take the exam include a degree and 4 years of experience working for a licensed engineer. The test is given twice yearly in Pennsylvania 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 decide to take, increasingly, firms and customers are searching for individuals with a PhD or Master’s degree. Doctoral programs require a bit more schooling and tend to be either 5 or 7-year programs. Acquiring a Master’s degree is a touch less intense and only calls for a 2 year, full-time program.
