• Question: What makes engineering special and why is it such a good subject?

    Asked by AJ K to Dominic, Maedeh, Matthew, Matt, Monica on 8 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Matthew Oldfield

      Matthew Oldfield answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      I think the thing that separates engineering from other sciences and maths is that it has a practical application. It is not just about new theories but making the world better by creatively applying scientific ideas. The ability to solve problems in a very practical way is exciting and not necessarily a part of the pure sciences.

      A physicist may understand how a car’s gearbox works or current flows through a circuit. It’s often engineers who use this information practically or try to improve our everyday existence with what they know. That sense of understanding and contributing to the world is really exciting.

    • Photo: Dominic Eggbeer

      Dominic Eggbeer answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      Matt’s done a good job in summarising this. It’s the mix of theory and practice. Understanding the principles of how something does or should work is great, but being able to put a theory into practice, evaluate and re-engineer sets this discipline apart and makes it worthwhile.

    • Photo: Monica Rozeik

      Monica Rozeik answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      Likes others said, engineering can use principles from maths, physics and other subjects to apply them to a practical solution. If you enjoy design technology and science, it’s a good way to combine both to improve things like health, transport, equipment and space travel.

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