Most engineers have a four-year bachelor's degree in their field of study. Degrees in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering are the most common. According to Michigan State University, electrical engineering focuses on the design and development of electrical products and equipment. Students learn how to create and alter electrical circuits, electrical motors, generators and transformers. Simply put, they work on anything that uses electricity. Mechanical engineering is a broader discipline. Students learn how to design and build engines and machines, ranging from fighter jets to watches. Concepts of energy, motion and force are essential. Civil engineering deals with the planning, design and upkeep of society's infrastructure. Sub-disciplines include structural, urban and environmental engineering.
Two other common engineering degrees are chemical and computer engineering. Chemical engineering is necessary for converting raw materials into more useful products – like oil into gas. Unlike other engineering disciplines, there's an extra focus on chemistry. These engineers must be familiar with a broad range of science and technology. Computer engineering has been around for roughly 40 years and it's continuously changing amid the wide variety of newly available technologies. Students become familiar with computer architecture, networks and robotics. In addition to the aforementioned degrees, students may also be interested in industrial, biomedical, aerospace, and agricultural engineering.
Freshmen and sophomores may begin their coursework at two-year colleges that offer the basic classes required by a four-year university's engineering program. Many universities and community colleges have established programs that allow students to complete their initial coursework at the community college in order to gain automatic admission into the university. Students may also enter the workforce with an associate's degree in engineering, which helps them train for a specific career that's service-related. Coursework is dependent on the specialty chosen by the student. Usually, an Associate in Engineering Technology is the minimum requirement to enter the field.
If a degreed engineer wishes to pursue an advanced degree, a Master of Engineering offers advanced coursework that builds upon their undergraduate training; typically, students choose to remain in their undergraduate discipline. Some schools also offer five-year dual bachelor's and master's degree programs. Many universities offer dual engineering and MBA programs for engineering professionals who wish to achieve management positions in their field of work.