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Engineering is the application of scientific and technical knowledge to solve problems. It is often defined most simply as “design under constraint.” Engineers use imagination, judgment, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills to apply science, technology, mathematics, and practical experience into workable solutions in areas ranging from basic science to medicine to business. The result is the design, production, and operation of objects or processes that serve to enhance and simplify our lives. Because Harvard students in e ngineering and applied sciences are part of a liberal arts environment, they are able to combine their strong technical skills with broader-based knowledge in areas ranging from art to zoology. As a result, they have a variety of career possibilities from which to choose and may specialize in research, investment banking, consulting, computer design or programming, entrepreneurship, planning, design, manufacturing, construction, management, teaching, writing, or sales. Engineering graduates have excellent prospects for finding employment in private industry, government, military service, or academia.
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. Aerospace engineers develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and space exploration, often specializing in areas such as structural design, guidance, navigation and control, instrumentation and communication, or production methods. They often use computer-aided design (CAD) software, robotics, and lasers and advanced electronic optics. They also may specialize in a particular type of aerospace product, such as commercial transports, military fighter jets, helicopters, spacecraft, or missiles and rockets. Aerospace engineers may be experts in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, celestial mechanics, propulsion, acoustics, or guidance and control systems. They specialize in the areas of analytics, design, materials and processes, systems, software, manufacturing, research, and testing/service.
Although aerospace engineers typically are employed in the aerospace product and parts industry, their skills are becoming increasingly valuable in other fields. In the motor vehicles manufacturing industry, for example, aerospace engineers design vehicles that have lower air resistance and, thus, increased fuel efficiency. Aerospace engineers can also be found in the design and production of deep-diving vessels used to conduct research in the oceans and high-speed magnetic levitation trains that “hover” above their tracks.
Biomedical Sciences & Engineering
Biomedical engineering analyzes and solves problems at the intersection of biology and medicine. The field develops and implements advanced technology applications in response to the complex problems of medical care. Areas of specialization include: molecular, cellular, and nanosystems bioengineering; biomaterials and tissue engineering; biomechanics and rehabilitation engineering; physiologic systems and bioinstrumentation; and computational bioengineering and biomedical imaging. Graduates in biomedical engineering may pursue a variety of career paths in research facilities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, consulting firms, universities, businesses, hospitals, and government agencies.
Computer Engineering
Computing professionals might find themselves in a variety of environments in academia, research, industry, government, private and business organizations -- analyzing problems for solutions, formulating and testing, using advanced communications or multi-media equipment, or working in teams for product development. Students concentrating in Computer Engineering can prepare for careers in business information technology; technical consulting, defense and intelligence technology, scientific computing careers in various types of laboratories; technical careers with computer manufacturers and software companies; programming careers for applications in almost any field imaginable; technical writing positions in industry or media, and academic careers in universities, secondary schools and industry.
Computing professionals build computers that simulate human learning and reasoning ability via artificial intelligence. They design new computer circuits, microchips, and other electronic components. They create new computer instruction sets, and combine electronic or optical components to provide powerful but cost-effective computing. They build and manage information systems that support a business or organization. Computer Engineers develop methods for the production of software systems on time, within budget, and with few or no defects. They can investigate the fundamental theories of how computers solve problems, and apply the results to other areas of computer science. And of course, they apply computing and technology toward solving problems outside the computer field - in education or medicine, for example.
Digital Media Design
Professionals today in fields as varied as medicine, law, science, business and architecture use digital products, along with traditional uses in newscasts, movies, and advertising, to enhance their organizations. Through incredibly complex multimedia, student pilots run flight simulations, professional trainers build interactive instructional programs, software developers create the next generation of games and entertainment, architects and engineers develop 3-D walk-through designs, law enforcement officials recreate crime scenes to solve cases, and doctors diagnose diseases and simulate scenarios to prepare for surgery. The career opportunities in digital media design will only increase as technology continues to advance and penetrate all aspects of society today.
Electrical and Systems Engineering
Electrical engineers integrate concepts from physics, chemistry, and materials science to control and transform energy and information. They design huge power-generating systems to electrify entire cities as well as tiny circuits that keep ships on the correct route in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean . Electrical Engineers create the electronic components that operate computers, entertainment systems, assembly lines, and improve the transmission of messages by laser light through fiber optics. Most electrical engineers are employed by industries that manufacture electrical and electronic equipment, especially equipment related to computer production. There are also opportunities with consulting and research firms, government agencies, and with utility and telecommunications companies. Sample job titles include: Power Distribution Engineer, Communication Engineer, Electronics Engineer, and Controls Project Engineer . Systems Engineers often integrate aspects of other engineering fields into the work they perform, with the goal of streamlining a given system. They may be called upon to design the network services needed for a cellular communications system, contribute to a design project to create a heart defibrillator, or perform a simulation of a proposed operational concept for a new product.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers work to protect the environment from the urban and industrial byproducts of our civilization. They are trained to understand the chemical, physical, and biological processes underlying pollutant transport and control so that they can improve and maintain the quality of the earth's atmosphere, land areas, and water resources. Because of their vital role in building and maintaining our society's infrastructure, a large percentage of environmental engineers serve the public by working in local, state, and federal government agencies. They also work for construction and transportation companies, as well as consulting firms in a wide area of specializations. With the continued threat of serious environmental and urban problems, environmental engineers are being called upon to design solutions that are workable and cost-effective. Sample job titles include: Environmental Wetlands Consultant, Urban Planning Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a broad profession creatively engaged in the design, production and operation of devices, machines, and systems which extend our physical abilities. Mechanical engineers are involved in activities such as research and development of composite materials, materials science, energy conversion and utilization, machinery design, manufacturing processes, automatic control, biomechanics, and transportation of all forms. They work in a broad variety of environments, from transportation and textile manufacturers, to medical device, chemical, and biotech firms. Mechanical engineers are also found in the energy sector, especially the petroleum and mining industries. Sample job titles include: Design Engineer, Test Engineer, Plant Engineer, and Applications Engineer.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field, encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and technology. Nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ in fundamental and valuable ways from the properties of individual atoms and molecules or bulk matter. Nanotechnology research and development is directed toward understanding and creating improved materials, devices, and systems that exploit these new properties. One area of nanotechnology R&D is medicine. Medical researchers work at the micro- and nano- scales to develop new drug delivery methods, therapeutics and pharmaceuticals. Nanoscale materials are also being integrated in biotechnology, defense, energy, environmental science, information technology, telecommunications, transportation, and various consumer goods.
Additional Career Paths in Engineering
Harvard Engineers are prized for their strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Those skills, among the many others developed as an Engineering Sciences concentrator, are easily transferable to many industries and job functions. Some graduates choose to enter journalism, communications, education, operations, finance, banking, consulting, business, or marketing.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics , US Department of Labor
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of occupations related to this major.
Specific requirements based on education level for each occupation may vary.
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