CURRENT FIELD

OF
CIVIL
ENGINEERING
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
What is Structural Engineering?
Structural Engineering is a specialty within Civil Engineering. Structural Engineers create
drawings and specifications, perform calculations, review the work of other engineers, write reports
and evaluations, and observe construction sites. A Professional Engineer’s license is required in
order to practice Structural Engineering. A license can be obtained only after completing a
prescribed amount of education and work experience, and taking a 2-day exam.

Structural engineers are trained professionals who are responsible for making sure that the
structures we use in our daily lives, like bridges and tall buildings, are safe, stable and don’t collapse under
applied loads. They do this by applying their technical knowledge to specify different types of construction
materials in various shapes and geometries and design structures that can withstand the pressures and
stresses of their environment such as gravity loads, storms and earthquakes.

“A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER ANALYZES AND DESIGNS THE GRAVITY SUPPORT AND LATERAL FORCE
RESISTANCE OF BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES.”

“ANALYZES AND DESIGNS”

The basic tasks of structural engineering relate numerical quantities of physical forces to
physical configurations of force-resisting elements. Analysis is the process of determining forces in
each element in a structure (such as a beam) when the configuration of elements is already defined.
Design is the process of configuring elements to resist forces whose values are already known.
Analysis and Design are complementary procedures in the overall process of designing new
structures. After performing a preliminary design, the designer estimates the final configuration of
elements of a structure, but only until an analysis is performed can the forces in those elements be
known. After performing an analysis, the element forces are known, and the elements can be
designed (their configuration can be chosen) more precisely. The process iterates between analysis
and design until convergence is achieved.

“GRAVITY SUPPORT AND LATERAL FORCE RESISTANCE”

Structures are subject to vertical, or “Gravity” Loads and horizontal, or “Lateral” Loads.
Gravity loads include “dead”, or permanent, load, which is the weight of the structure, including its
walls, floors, finishes, and mechanical systems, and “live”, or temporary load, which is the weight of
a structure’s contents and occupants, including the weight of snow. Lateral loads include those
generated by the wind, earthquakes, or explosions. Structural elements must be designed so that, as
a system, the structure can resist all loads that will act upon it.

“BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES”

Structures are any system that resists vertical or horizontal loads. Structures include large
items such as skyscrapers, bridges, and dams, as well as small items such as bookshelves, chairs, and
windows. Most everyday “structures” are “designed” by testing, or trial and error; while large,
unique, or expensive structures that are not easily tested are generally designed by a qualified
structural engineer using mathematical calculations. Most practicing structural engineers design and
analyze buildings, bridges, power plants, electrical towers, dams, and other large structures that are
essential to life as we know it.

The work of structural engineers does have an incredible, long-lasting impact. They design
buildings to last for 50 years, and bridges for over a 100, so our structures will be used and enjoyed
by thousands of people long after we’ve gone. They also breathe new life into old structures–
renovating or changing the use of buildings that were designed decades ago and turning them to
completely new purposes. Structural engineers make sure all our buildings and infrastructure are
safe to use. We also help society address the biggest problems, from climate change to disaster
relief. They build bridges, to help bring communities in developing nations out of isolation. They
study how to make buildings stand up during earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
They help improve the way we build, minimizing the impact construction has on our planet, and
work to make the best use of limited resources.

Structural engineers use many skills – from basic mathematical tools, through to physics,
cutting-edge technology, and communication. Most of all structural engineers are the problem
solvers in design teams, designing solutions to the challenges construction projects throw up.
Structural engineering is not easy, but it rewards hard work. They are widely respected by other
construction professionals for our skills, which are a vital part of unlocking the potential of a project,
overcoming its challenges, and most of all, ensuring that it is safe.
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
What is Construction Engineering and Management?
Construction engineering and management refers to the use of critical thinking in technical
and scientific fields to improve a construction project. This often involves designing and executing
new solutions and faster processes that can help overcome worksite obstacles and improve
efficiency. Construction engineering and management can help improve safety, productivity, natural
disaster resilience—really any aspect of the construction industry could be addressed by
construction engineering and management

Construction engineers design and execute processes for building and maintaining the
infrastructure of our world. The tools of the trade for today’s successful construction engineer
include the following: strong math, science, and computer skills; creativity; an aptitude for applying
science and engineering methods to solve problems; a love of building structures such as bridges,
airports, buildings, stadiums, dams, and highways; an interest in working indoors and outdoors;
initiative and a strong work ethic; the ability to collaborate with diverse people; good
communications skills; and a desire to learn in a constantly changing environment.

How Does Construction Engineering and Management Work?

Construction engineering managers are key players that bridge elements of design and
management to help push construction projects over the finish line to their successful completion.
Over the course of their career, a construction engineering manager is likely to work on and oversee
a broad range of projects. This may include the design of drainage and sewage systems, building
construction, or even larger infrastructure projects like developing highways or railroads. Others
choose to focus on one particular type of construction and build a career around it.

Before construction even begins, a construction engineering manager may be called upon to
survey the job site, address environmental issues, study local laws and codes, and take care of any
other details that need to be settled before construction begins. An engineering manager typically
prepares a report on their findings and collaborates with others involved with the project, including
governmental agencies, environmental associations, contractors, and subcontractors
 In addition to on-site work, construction engineering managers are often called upon to use
computers and construction management software to produce and analyze designs for their
projects. They are responsible for assembling teams of qualified engineers who can ensure the
completion of a given project. Construction engineering managers also need to possess the right
knowledge for controlling estimation and planning of associated costs for a project.

Once work has begun, construction engineering managers often work out of a central office,
but they may make frequent visits to job sites, and they sometimes engage in on-location work with
labor. They also tour sites regularly to inspect the work being done and to ensure that proper
standards in the construction project are being maintained.

As a construction engineer, your responsibilities may include:

• Planning and overseeing the construction operations of a project

• Conducting site layout
• Scheduling
• Selecting equipment
• Organizing the work crew
• Managing materials
• Safeguarding the environment
• Building temporary structures
• Designing both temporary and permanent structures
• Checking and modifying plans and specifications for constructability, efficiency, and safety
• Developing cost estimates and preparing bids
• Utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) software for 3D models
• Managing subcontractor firms
• Working with the owner to ensure that the project meets requirements
• Solving job site problems, moving between the field and office
• Gaining additional education and training
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
What is Geotechnical Engineering?
Geotechnical engineering is a specialization within civil engineering that involves
investigating and understanding what is beneath the ground’s surface. Geotechnical engineers figure
out the impact that geological formations may have on construction projects. They use advanced
knowledge of scientific and mathematical processes to examine the formation of the earth beneath
and around residential, commercial or industrial buildings and structures.

A geotechnical engineer’s skills are used for drilling wells, constructing production and
storage facilities, transporting petroleum products and examining ground water flow. This career has
amazing possibilities, from marine operations, to floating ice platforms in the Arctic, to mining
operations.

Geotechnical engineers tackle the geotechnical hazards and risks that are inherent in any
civil engineering project. In other words, if it’s supported by soil or rock underneath, geotechnical
engineers are responsible for finding practical solutions to make the project safe and sustainable.
Geotechnical engineers investigate and evaluate soil, rock, groundwater, and man-made materials
and their interaction with earth retention systems, structure foundations, and other civil engineering
works. They perform detailed soil investigations, which are required before building any new
structure to avoid foundation failure. The results of these investigations are used to determine the
nature and capacity of the soil to support a stable foundation. A geotechnical engineer must learn
and understand ground hazards and risks and be able to find practical solutions to these issues.
What does a Geotechnical Engineer do?
All construction takes place in or on the ground, so it is easy to see how geotechnical
engineering plays a crucial role in all civil engineering projects. Before any construction work takes
place, it is vitally important to do a site investigation. Failure to carry this out often has had negative
and expensive consequences on construction projects.

Geotechnical engineers figure out the impact that geological formations may have on
construction projects and use advanced knowledge of scientific and mathematical processes to
examine the formation of the earth beneath and around residential, commercial or industrial
buildings and structures.

Geotechnical engineers guard and maintain the earth’s physical environment during the
development of major public and private projects. Combining their expertise in civil engineering
construction and design enables them to safely investigate and analyze sites and determine their
present and future stability. Projects like these typically involve major changes to the physical
environment, and can include tunnelling and construction of major structures like buildings, bridges,
dams, airport runways, and towers.

Geotechnical engineers perform the following functions within the framework of the following jobs:

Geotechnical or Geological Engineers (General)

- Provide analysis and mapping of technical results obtained from seismic surveys, and
investigate subsurface conditions and materials to determine their properties and risks

Geotechnical or Geological Engineer (Oil Sands Projects)

- bDesign open pit walls, mine waste dumps and dam structures used in oil sands mining, and
analyze slope stability, seepage and hydraulic separation on dam structures.

Hydrogeological Engineer

- Provide design and analysis of ponds containing discarded oil sands materials, water
extraction from soil and sand, and steam injection into wells; and evaluate underground
water layers trapped in rocks (aquifers). They also provide advice on environmental
restoration.

Reservoir Geomechanics Engineer (Oil & Gas Operations)

- Analyze the strength of soils, drill hole stability, stress constraint, permeability of rock
formations and the degree of trapped hydrocarbons in underground reservoirs
Geomechanics Engineers (Marine Operations)

- Analyze the relationship between physical structures and marine geology, anchoring
systems, sediment erosion, slope stability, and foundations for offshore and coastal
structures

What is the workplace of a Geotechnical Engineer like?

Geotechnical engineers spend most of their time working in comfortable office settings.
They occasionally visit operation sites, and are sometimes exposed to potentially hazardous
conditions and inclement weather. Extended visits do occur and on occasion, relocation may be
required.

What other skills are important for Geotechnical Engineering?

As with all engineering fields, in daily practice, geotechnical engineers must have excellent
communication skills. A large part of the job involves writing clear, concise, technically accurate
reports. Geotechnical engineers must also be able to write about site characterizations, their
implications on the design, and other analyses they perform in a way that even non-technical
readers can understand.

Geotechnical engineers should also be prepared to work outdoors and in various

environmental and weather conditions. They typically split their time between working on site and
in offices. And geotechnical engineers should possess excellent computer skills, as they will be
expected to use specialized geotechnical software programs and databases.

Responsibilities
The basic responsibilities of a geotechnical engineer is to collect the soil samples from the
site, analyze it and design the support structures for accommodating roads, buildings, dams, tunnels
etc. They have to consider various factors like soil stress bearing capacity, stability of soil, design
load, etc. To accurately design the supporting structures. The geotechnical engineer is responsible
for establishment of earth-support structures like concrete or steel retaining walls which would
prevent earth from collapse or caving holding the soil firmly. Temporary earth-support structures are
provided for the safety of workers during the excavation work in the site.

Before any kind of construction can begin, a geotechnical engineer must conduct a detailed
investigation of the area in question to ensure that it is safe and to determine the best way to go
about building the structure in question. A geotechnical engineer is responsible for assessing the
unique risks posed by any given area and is usually also responsible for helping to design earthworks
and foundations to use in a given set of conditions.

Usually, geotechnical engineers don’t have to perform much of the work at construction site,
as computers have offered much more effective and accurate methods for analyzing the site. There
are lot of softwares available for analyzing and modeling site conditions. Computer modeling allows
engineers to run tests and simulations of an area based on information they gather and program
into the computer. From this mathematical modeling and simulation, they can predict things such as
slope stability and earthquake potential, which are very essential for designing buildings or any other
structures.
Geotechnical engineers can be employed by the following types of organizations:

• Colleges and universities

• Construction contractors

• Electrical utility companies

• Engineering consulting firms

• Mining companies

• Municipal, regional and federal governments

• Oil and gas exploration, production and transportation companies

• Petroleum services companies

• Public and private research organizations

• Real estate development companies

WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERING
What is Water Resource Engineering?
Water resources engineering is the quantitative study of the hydrologic cycle – the
distribution and circulation of water linking the earth’s atmosphere, land and oceans. Surface runoff
is measured as the difference between precipitation and abstractions, such as infiltration (which
replenishes groundwater flow), surface storage and evaporation. Applications include the
management of the urban water supply, the design of urban storm-sewer systems, and flood
forecasting.

Hydraulic engineering consists of the application of fluid mechanics to water flowing in an

isolated environment (pipe, pump) or in an open channel (river, lake, ocean). Civil engineers are
primarily concerned with open channel flow, which is governed by the interdependent interaction
between the water and the channel.

Applications include the design of hydraulic structures, such as sewage conduits, dams and
breakwaters, the management of waterways, such as erosion protection and flood protection, and
environmental management, such as prediction of the mixing and transport of pollutants in surface
water. Hydroelectric-power development, water supply, irrigation and navigation are some familiar
applications of water resources engineering involving the utilization of water for beneficial purposes.
More recently, concern for preserving our natural environment and meeting the needs of
developing countries has increased the importance of water resources engineering.
What Does a Water Resource Engineer Do?
Water Resource Engineering is a specific kind of civil engineering that involves the design of
new systems and equipment that help manage human water resources. Some of the areas Water
Resource Engineers touch on are water treatment facilities, underground wells, and natural springs.

Water Resource Engineers must create new equipment and systems to increase the
effectiveness and efficiency of water treatment and aquatic resource management. A typical
workday involves the analysis of data from relevant areas, then designing new or improved facilities
to enhance the cleansing effects of the water treatment system. A Water Resource Engineer must
take budgetary constraints, government regulations, and other factors into consideration when
designing these systems. A Water Resource Engineer may then oversee the construction and
implementation of these systems to ensure that they are properly assembled. After completion,
they may manage the maintenance of these systems.

Why is water Resources Engineering important?

Resources, by their very nature, are finite. There are only a small handful that are naturally
renewable – such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass. While water may be renewable in terms of the
many different ways it can be used and reused, it’s not as abundant as it once was, which many
earth scientists and climatologists point to as a function of climate change.

The Bureau of Reclamation provides some perspective as to just how limited this resource is
in terms of usability, despite its vastness. If the world’s water supply were roughly 26 gallons, the
amount of freshwater available for safe usage would be the equivalent to 0.003 liters. That’s equal
to roughly a half-teaspoon.

Water resource engineers may be charged with developing new systems or processes for
private or government entities that can preserve freshwater sources and find new ones. This may
require the assistance of civil engineers involved as well, designing water purification methods
through desalination or creating new equipment for contaminant transport when water is used for
irrigation purposes. Understanding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to water resource
management is often a combined effort and may involve a number of different analyses, including
hydrologic, which is the study of the water cycle and directions in which it flows, which may be
influenced by weather and other environmental forces.
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
What is Transportation Engineering?
Transportation engineering is a branch of civil engineering that is involved in the planning,
design, operation, and maintenance of safe and efficient transportation systems. These systems
include roadways, railways, waterways, and intermodal operations. Typically, the demand is the
amount of traffic (people, cars, railcars, barges) that is expected to use a particular transportation
facility, while the supply is the quantity and type of infrastructure components (roadways, bridges,
pavements, etc.). These systems are typically large and expensive.

Transportation engineering, as practiced by civil engineers, primarily involves planning,

design, construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation facilities. The facilities support
air, highway, railroad, pipeline, water, and even space transportation. The design aspects of
transport engineering include the sizing of transportation facilities (how many lanes or how much
capacity the facility has), determining the materials and thickness used in pavement designing the
geometry (vertical and horizontal alignment) of the roadway (or track). Beside these operations
planning, logistics, network analysis, financing, and policy analysis are also important to civil
engineers, particularly to those working in highway and urban transportation. Every country has
some organization providing the guidelines and specifications for design and operation of transport
systems.

There are a number of attributes of transportation engineering that affect the types of
statistical theory that are used in the profession. One important aspect of transportation
engineering is that the transportation engineer is not only interested in the infrastructure (e.g.,
bridges, rails, etc.) and the individual units (cars, trucks, railcars) that use the infrastructure, but also
the user. Often it is necessary to understand the interaction of all three of these entities—
infrastructure, individual units, and user—to understand the system as a whole. Typically the
infrastructure and units are considered the supply side of the equation, while the users are
identified with demand.
 Transportation engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering which deals with the
application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation and
management of facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide the safe, rapid,
comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and
goods (transport).

As per American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), there are six divisions related to
tranportation engineering i.e. Highway, Air Transportation, Pipeline, Waterway, Port, Aerospace,
Coastal & Ocean and Urban Transportation out of 18 technical divisions within the ASCE (1987).

The planning aspects of transport engineering relate to urban planning, and involve
technical forecasting decisions and political factors. Technical forecasting of passenger travel usually
involves an urban transportation planning model, requiring the estimation of trip generation (how
many trips for what purpose), trip distribution (destination choice, where is the traveler going),
mode choice (what mode is being taken), and route assignment (which streets or routes are being
used). More sophisticated forecasting can include other aspects of traveler decisions, including auto
ownership, trip chaining (the decision to link individual trips together in a tour) and the choice of
residential or business location (known as land use forecasting). Passenger trips are the focus of
transport engineering because they often represent the peak of demand on any transportation
system.

Before making any sort of planning, the Engineer must take an account of the database of
the area or if it is appropriate, the previous system in place. This inventory or database must include
information on:

▪ Population
▪ Land use
▪ Transportation facilities and services
▪ Economic activity
▪ Travel patterns and volumes
▪ Regional financial resources
▪ Community values and expectations
▪ Laws and ordinances

These inventories help the engineer create system models to accurately forecast the future demand
or conditions.

Highway Engineering

Highway engineering is an engineering discipline which involves the design, construction and
maintenance of Highway Roads & Systems, urban streets as well as parking facilities. Important
aspects of highway engineering include overall planning of routes, financing, environmental impact
evaluation, and value engineering to compare alternatives. Traffic engineering involves planning for
the volumes of traffic to be handled, the methods to accommodate these flows, the lighting and
signing of highways, and general layout.Older techniques include signs, signals, markings, and tolling.
Newer technologies involve intelligent transportation systems, including advanced traveler
information systems (such as variable message signs), advanced traffic control systems (such as
ramp meters), and vehicle infrastructure integration. Similarly, pavement and roadway engineering
involves setting of alignments, planning the cuts and fills to construct the roadway, designing the
base course and pavement, and selecting the drainage system. Whereas, bridge engineering involves
the design of highway bridges, retaining walls, tunnels, and other structures. Engineers in this
specialization:

• Handle the planning, design, construction, and operation of highways, roads, and other
vehicular facilities as well as their related pedestrian realms.
• Estimate the transportation needs of the public and then secure the funding for the project.
• Analyze locations of high traffic volumes and high collisions for safety and capacity.
• Use civil engineering principles to improve the transportation system.
• Utilizes the three design controls which are the drivers, the vehicles, and the roadways
themselves.

Railway Engineering

It is a branch of civil engineering concerned with the design, construction, maintenance, and
operation of railways. Railway engineering includes elements of civil, mechanical, industrial, and
electrical engineering. Railway engineers handle the design, construction, and operation of railroads
and mass transit systems that use a fixed guideway (such as light rail or even monorails). Typical
tasks would include determining horizontal and vertical alignment design, station location and
design, construction cost estimating, and establishment of signalling & controlling system. Railroad
engineers can also move into the specialized field of train dispatching which focuses on train
movement control.

Railway engineers also work to build a cleaner and safer transportation network by reinvesting and
revitalizing the rail system to meet future demands. In the United States, railway engineers work
with elected officials in Washington, D.C. on rail transportation issues to make sure that the rail
system meets the country’s transportation needs.

Port and Harbor Engineering

Port and harbor engineers handle the design, construction, and operation of ports, harbors,
canals, and other maritime facilities. A harbor (or haven) is a place for ships to enter and find shelter
from storms or other natural phenomena. The modern harbor is a place where ships are built,
launched, and repaired, as well as a terminal for incoming and outgoing ships. There are four
principal classes of harbors; commercial, naval, fishery, and refuge for small craft. Harbor may be
natural or artificial.

A port is a harbor with the necessary terminal facilities to expedite the moving of cargo and
passengers at any stage of a journey. A good harbor must have a safe anchorage and a direct
channel to open water, and must be deep enough for large ships. An efficient port must have
enough room for docks, warehouses, and loading and unloading machinery. Geographically, a port
or harbor is usually limited to a comparatively small area of usable berthing space rather than an
extended coastline. Some ports along exposed coastal areas, for example, the western coast of
South America, have little harbor area.

Airport Engineering

Airport Engineering encompasses the planning, design, and construction of terminals,

runways, and navigation aids to provide for passenger and freight service. Airport engineers design
and construct airports. They must account for the impacts and demands of aircraft in their design of
airport facilities. These engineers must use the analysis of predominant wind direction to determine
runway orientation, determine the size of runway border and safety areas, different wing tip to wing
tip clearances for all gates and must designate the clear zones in the entire port.

Pipeline Engineering

Pipeline engineering embraces the design and construction of pipelines, pumping stations,
and storage facilities. Pipelines are used to transport liquids such as water, gas, and petroleum
products over great distances. Also, products such as pulverized coal and iron ore can be transported
in a water slurry.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY ENGINEERING
What is Environmental and Energy Engineering?
Energy and environmental engineering is a branch of energy engineering which seeks to
efficiently use energy and to maintain the environment. Energy engineers require knowledge across
many disciplines. Careers include work in the built environment, renewable and traditional energy
industries.

In this area, solar radiation is important and must be understood. Solar radiation affects the
Earth’s weather and daylight available. This affects not only the Earth’s environment but also the
smaller internal environments which we create.

Energy engineering requires at least an understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics,

mathematics, materials, stoichiometry, electrical machines, manufacturing processes and energy
systems.

Environmental engineering can be branched into two main areas: internal environments and
outdoor environments.

- Internal environments may consist of housing or offices or other commercial properties. In

this area, the environmental engineering sometimes stands for the designing of building
services to condition the internal environment to a comfortable state or the removal of
excess pollutants such as carbon dioxide or other harmful substances.
- External environments may be water courses, air, land or seas, and may require new
strategies for harnessing energy or the creation of treatment facilities for polluting
technologies.

This broad degree area covers many areas but is mainly mechanically and electrically biased. It
seeks to explore cleaner, more efficient ways of using fossil fuels, while investigating and developing
systems using renewable and sustainable resources, such as solar, wind and wave energy.
Environmental Engineering:
Environmental engineering is the branch of engineering that is concerned with protecting
people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as pollution, as well as improving
environmental quality. Environmental engineers work to improve recycling, waste disposal, public
health, and water and air pollution control.

The practice of environmental engineering dates back to the dawn of civilization. Ever since
groups of people began living in semi-permanent settlements, they have had to deal with the
challenges of providing clean water and disposing of solid waste and sewage. With the growth of
cities and the advent of large-scale farming and manufacturing, people have also had to worry about
air quality and soil contamination.

The first environmental engineer is said to have been Joseph Bazalgette. According to an
article in the Postgraduate Medical Journal, Bazalgette oversaw the construction of the first large-
scale municipal sanitary sewer system in London in the mid-19th century. This was prompted by a
series of cholera epidemics, as well as a persistent unbearable stench, that were attributed to the
discharge of raw sewage into the Thames River, which was also the main source of drinking water
for the city. This “great stink,” which was so noxious that it caused Parliament to evacuate
Westminster, gave then-Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli grounds to ask for 3.5 million pounds to
improve the city’s sewage disposal system.

One of the most important responsibilities of environmental engineering is to prevent the

release of harmful chemical and biological contaminants into the air, water and soil. This requires
extensive knowledge of the chemistry and biology of the potential contaminants as well as the
industrial or agricultural processes that might lead to their release. With this knowledge, new
processes can be designed, or existing processes can be modified, to reduce or eliminate the release
of pollutants.

Another important function performed by environmental engineers is detecting the

presence of pollutants and tracking them back to their source, the BLS says. In some cases, this can
present a significant challenge. For instance, the source of contamination in a lake could be
anywhere within several thousands of acres of land surrounding the lake and its tributaries.
Contamination of oceans can present even greater challenges in identifying the source.

Once the environmental engineer identifies a source of contamination, it must be stopped

or significantly reduced. Simply shutting down a business is not always a viable option, because of
the potential for severe economic consequences. Environmental engineers often work with
businesses to determine ways to avoid or reduce the production of pollutants or to separate them
so they can be disposed of in a safe manner.

Critical skills needed by environmental engineers include a working knowledge of chemical

engineering, fluid dynamics, geography, geology and hydrology. Also, because of the numerous legal
issues involved and the prevalence of litigation in environmental issues, environmental engineers
must be familiar with applicable laws, and many of them are also practicing attorneys.
Energy Engineering:
Energy engineering or Energy Systems Engineering is a broad field of engineering dealing
with energy efficiency, energy services, facility management, plant engineering, environmental
compliance, sustainable energy and renewable energy technologies. Energy engineering is one of
the more recent engineering disciplines to emerge. Energy engineering combines knowledge from
the fields of physics, math, and chemistry with economic and environmental engineering practices.
Energy engineers apply their skills to increase efficiency and further develop renewable sources of
energy.

The main job of energy engineers is to find the most efficient and sustainable ways to
operate buildings and manufacturing processes. Energy engineers audit the use of energy in those
processes and suggest ways to improve the systems. This means suggesting advanced lighting,
better insulation, more efficient heating and cooling properties of buildings. Although an energy
engineer is concerned about obtaining and using energy in the most environmentally friendly ways,
their field is not limited to strictly renewable energy like hydro, solar, biomass, or geothermal.
Energy engineers are also employed by the fields of oil and natural gas extraction.