Engineering Majors Breakdown: Electrival vs. Mechanical Engineering

The field of engineering has a huge range of applications. Engineers in a variety of fields, from aerospace to nanotechnology, integrate mathematical and scientific principles to improve the present method of doing things with a product, object, or service. Engineers have a hand in many parts of daily life, one extremely distinct from the next, whether it's commercial jetliners that travel the world or appliances that make dinner preparation easier.

Certain engineering fields, on the other hand, are very similar. Consider the difference between mechanical and electrical engineers. Both careers are very satisfying and require equipment and device inquiry, analysis, and design, although one has a little greater scope than the other.

What factors should you consider when deciding between electrical and mechanical engineering? By gaining a deeper knowledge of the differences and similarities between the two. No matter whatever speciality you choose to pursue, an online Master of Science in Engineering from the University of California Riverside can provide you with the training, experience, and skills you need to flourish as an engineer.

Electrical engineering vs. mechanical engineering: Which should I choose?

Mechanical engineers and electrical engineers may appear to be cut from the same cloth to the untrained eye. Each occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, necessitates a high level of creativity, mathematical and mechanical skills, and the capacity to recognise and solve issues (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018). Many of the same businesses use them, including research and development, computer systems, software, telecommunications, and product manufacturing enterprises, to name a few.

The way energy is employed in each profession is perhaps the most significant contrast between electrical and mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineers focus on power application - getting physical parts, motors, and components to respond or act in a desired manner. Electrical engineers focus on power creation, such as electricity. Internal combustion engines, gas turbines, fans in air conditioning systems, and rechargeable batteries in handheld gadgets are all examples of machinery that mechanical engineers can design or produce.

The BLS details several other job functions of mechanical engineers:
1. Design material-handling systems (conveyor belts, pulleys, automated transfer stations).
2. Investigate technical glitches with sensors or components and offer solutions for how to overcome them.
3. Oversee manufacturing processes of state-of-the-art devices.

When it comes to the study of power usage and generation, electrical engineers, on the other hand, are more "big picture." They may be entrusted with discovering new or alternative ways to use electricity (e.g., current management) or other energy sources in order to increase efficiency or reduce costs. They may also be in charge of determining what is causing electronic, technological, or service-related equipment to malfunction. Electrical engineers are mostly concerned with energy utilisation, whereas electronics engineers are concerned with faults with equipment caused by malfunctioning components or chips.

Problems can arise during the development and design phase or after the product has reached the consumer market. Electrical and electronics engineers may collaborate with other agencies or entities, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission or ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials), or federal governing bodies, such as the Department of Energy, to ensure quality assurance.

1. Create computer chips for new computer software or systems.
2. Introduce alternative applications or modifications to enhance technical performance.
3. Evaluate energy systems and offer recommendations for how to modify them so they last longer.

There’s a significant amount of overlap between electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. As such, many of those who specialize in either discipline may work for the same types of organizations, such as semiconductor manufacturers, navigation systems designers or utility service providers.

As for which specialty you should choose, it all depends on your likes and interests and where you believe your professional strengths lie. The online master’s program at UC Riverside features curriculum that can help you narrow down which discipline is more suited to your career goals. The four-credit courses include Engineering in the Global Environment, Introduction to Systems Engineering, Principles of Engineering Management and Technology Innovation and Strategy for Engineers.

Whichever specialization you select, your coursework will include these programs. Each class is custom designed to supply you with the intellectual and practical skills you need to succeed in the vast field of engineering.