Engineering aims to solve problems through the development and application of models, designs and techniques.
If we want to know the etymological origin of the word engineering that concerns us now, what we have to do is go, metaphorically speaking, to Latin because we will discover that said term emanates from the Latin word ingenium . A term that can be translated as "produce."
Engineering is the study and application of the different branches of technology . The professional in this field is called an engineer .
Engineering function
The engineer's activity involves the realization of an idea in reality. This means that, through techniques , designs and models , and with knowledge from science , engineering can solve problems and satisfy human needs.
Engineering also involves the application of inventiveness and ingenuity to develop a certain activity. This, of course, does not imply that the scientific method is not used to carry out the plans.
Among the different tasks that an engineer can carry out are research (the search for new techniques), design, development, production, construction and operation.
Civil engineering makes the creation of infrastructure works possible.
Different branches
On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind that engineering includes various branches. Genetic engineering , for example, is linked to the manipulation and transfer of DNA from some organisms to others.
In the same way, and taking into account the important role that technologies play in our daily lives, we cannot ignore the discipline or scientific branch called computer engineering . It is responsible for working and designing solutions in communication matters that are capable of carrying out information processing automatically.
In this sense, professional engineers must have knowledge of computing, telecommunications, software design, electronics, algorithms and formal languages or virtual instrumentation , among others.
We also have to highlight forestry engineering, which is responsible for undertaking all types of studies, analyses, projects and interventions regarding environmental protection. Thus, its work targets both mountains and wetlands, parks, fauna, forest roads and tracks, hunting and fish resources , and renewable energies.
And, of course, we must also highlight aeronautical engineering , which is responsible for creating and manufacturing all types of devices that have the ability to fly. That is, it is the one that works with airplanes, space equipment, missiles or aircraft of various types. Hence, within this branch, aerodynamics, propulsion, aeroelasticity or computing take center stage.
Other types of engineering
Agricultural engineering is that which promotes the social productive development of agriculture, without neglecting natural resources. Geological engineering , for its part, is responsible for solving problems that relate man to the geological environment.
Commercial engineering is linked above all to marketing and public relations, since the engineer must be in charge of managing these types of issues.
Finally, we can highlight that civil engineering is the science that applies knowledge of geology , chemistry and physics to develop infrastructures and works of all kinds.