The first engineer was said to be Imhotep, an Egyptian who could be credited for the design of the Pyramid of Djoser but the formal instruction of engineering probably began in France. The need probably stemmed from the demand to bring the formal study of engineering into the academic setting. Mathematics and science are the foundations of engineering education. There are different kinds of engineering degrees that match the different branches of engineering that are practiced today. One of the oldest is civil engineering. There are also new specializations that are being opened to match the needs of today’s technology. Examples of these are the courses for computer engineering specializations, nanotechnology, bioengineering and energy engineering.
Before you send an application to any university, find out what you can about the particular branch of engineering you are interested in taking. If you simply want to apply at a particular school whatever engineering course you qualify for then it probably won’t matter much. It does pay to have a goal, though so that you’ll be able to research about it once you do get accepted. Some engineering schools require a particular grade average for students planning to get accepted into an engineering program. If you’re still in high school then it would be great if you can be aware of it so that you can work toward getting your grades into the bracket they accept.
Engineering students should have plenty of hands on experience so choosing a school that has sufficient facilities for the training of their students is a great benefit. The top engineering schools usually boast of having the best training facilities for engineering students. If you are planning to get involved in research then choose schools that are known for having excellent research laboratories. Some universities have tie-ups with industry partners to whom they send their students to for on job training. This may provide an opportunity for the student to become hired for in that company in the future. Better yet, talk to or find an engineering student and ask why they like their school.
There are both private and public schools that offer the study or engineering. Traditionally, more men took up engineering courses but women have made their own mark as well. In fact, high school girls are encouraged to take up engineering courses and there are organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers who have programs for this very purpose. But basically, any student or individual who has a love for math and science can benefit from enrolling in engineering schools.