Everything You Need to Know About Engineering School Programs in TN
What is an engineer? Engineering covers a wide variety of disciplines but each one is based on constructing things according to mathematical and scientific principles. The aim of engineering is to design and create structures that will serve 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 extremely analytical
- Inventive and creative
Areas that Tennessee 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 materials and fuels.
Electrical engineering. Specializes in the design and study of electrical and electronic systems. Including 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 well-known 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 Go to Engineering School in Tennessee?
If you aim to eventually secure a professional job in Tennessee 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 a Bachelor of engineering technology will allow you to pursue a professional career within the engineering field in TN. If you choose to go to a Tennessee engineering school it may increase your chances of making connections in the industry and interning on local projects.
How Do I Choose the Best Tennessee 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 take into consideration, and ultimately you must choose an institution that that will satisfy your needs. For many, the three contributing factors are tuition costs, location and reputation. Additional factors to consider are:
- Is the engineering school ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited?
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
- Do they offer continued education (Masters/Doctoral programs)?
- Will the school offer you 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 Tennessee?
After Engineering School
Another essential step is the acquisition of a professional engineering license. Should you ultimately want to offer your services as an engineer Tennessee law requires that you pass a series of engineering test.
The engineering exams necessary for acquiring your license are split up into two test. The initial one is the basic principles of engineering exam. The 180 question test covers:
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Computers
- Stats and probability
- Ethics and business practice
- Economics
- Engineering and fluid mechanics
- Strength of materials
- Material properties
- Electricity and magnetism
- Thermodynamics
The second test within the series of exams is the Principles and Practice of Engineering test. By comparison, the PE exam would depend on your discipline of engineering. Pre-requisites for taking test include a degree and 4 years of experience working for a licensed engineer. The exam is given twice a year in Tennessee by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES.)
As an engineer you may work as a self-employed contract for hire, or work at a sizable firm. Regardless of the route you decide to take, increasingly, firms and clients 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 requires a 2 year, full-time program.
