Education Guide – You may interested in following a career in Building Engineering, or Architectural Engineering, but you are not quite sure what the subject covers. The first thing to realize is that architectural engineers are not architects. While an architect may be most interested in the appearance of a building, the architectural engineer will concentrate on the engineering within that building: engineering technologies and principles which he has learned to apply to the design and construction process. If you wish to follow this type of engineering career than an architectural engineering degree is an excellent qualification to achieve.
What is the difference between an architect and an architectural engineer? An architect is a professional who designs a building. An architectural engineer is a professional who applies his knowledge of engineering techniques and technologies to ensure that the building is safe and functional.
The engineering technologies applicable to buildings are taught in degree courses in architectural engineering. Different engineering discipline are covered: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineer, civil engineering, computer aided design (CAD) etc.
Structural engineering is the study of materials and structures. Students learn about the properties of building materials such as wood, concrete, steel etc, and they learn how to analyze the performance of structures made from those materials. The performance of a structure includes the cost of materials, the ease of building the structure, and the ability to withstand the required environmental stresses. Analysis techniques will be learned to ensure that the structure can withstand hurricanes, earthquakes etc. With proper safety margins.
As well as ensuring the safety of the building the architectural engineer will also be tasked with designing the various services which the building needs. All buildings require services such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), as well as lighting, plumbing, electrics such as elevators and security systems etc. The student architectural engineer will learn the engineering basics which enable him to design these building systems. For example knowledge of thermodynamics, fluids and electrical engineering will all be vital for the designer of HVAC systems.
In the United States and Canada formal education for architectural engineering is widespread. Architectural engineering is recognized in North America as a distinct engineering discipline and degrees in architectural engineering are offered by more than 50 colleges. A bachelors degree will offer good employment prospects. Like all engineering degrees a strong school background in mathematics and science is important if you wish to succeed. Degrees which are certified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) will provide the best prospects for subsequent employment.
School students who are planning to study architectural engineering are advised to concentrate on mathematics and science courses. High mathematical standards are always required for students of all branches of engineering.
During an architectural engineering degree the student will get the chance to gain real-world experience through internships and co-ops. Many universities and colleges run co-op and internship programs for their students. If you can take part in a program like this it will look good on your resume, and help you get a job when you graduate.
Today, Most bachelor degrees will take at least four years to complete, and anyone undertaking one should be prepared to put in a diligent effort over that time. The reward for that hard work will be that on completion of the course the student will have an interesting and well paid career ahead of him.
Popularity: 8% [?]
no comment until now