If you’ve used a road, electronic device, or appliance today, it’s likely time to thank an engineer.
Engineers are skilled, trained, and qualified professionals who reinforce bridges, design spacecraft, create computer processors, and develop new materials that also follow environmental regulations and fuel the energy sector.
Furthermore, engineers with an Engineering degree work in a variety of sectors, industries, and occupations, including architecture, management, computer and mathematical, business and financial operations, and even sales-related occupations, and can expect to earn a median annual salary of $97,000, all according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
In today’s blog, we’ll briefly discuss what you can expect from an Engineering degree program and what you can do with an Engineering degree, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering degrees.
What is an Engineering Degree?
Engineering is the science behind design, technology, and innovation that creates everything from our modern conveniences, like our phones and cars, to new technologies that improve our lives and bring resources to growing communities.
Undergraduate and graduate Engineering programs alike train students for high-paying, in-demand careers, and these degrees are often offered in many different disciplines, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, and biomedical engineering.
Overall, engineering schools at colleges and universities provide interdisciplinary, professional, and comprehensive education and research opportunities in engineering, sciences, and the application and management of technology. For a more specific description, here is the goal and purpose for some of the different types of Engineering programs:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Mechanical Engineering: Combines in-depth studies with lab and project experience to help students apply the principles of motion, force, energy, and materials in order to design development, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance of mechanical systems.
- Master of Science (MS) degree in Mechanical Engineering: Provides advanced study and focus on advanced concepts in the design, development, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems to enable candidates to pursue leadership roles in their engineering careers.
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical Engineering: Teaches students to deal with power, controls, signals and systems, materials, communications, and micro-nano electronics to transform our modern world.
- Master of Science (MS) degree in Electrical Engineering: Addresses the need for graduates with skills in computer programming, computer hardware, and computer networks and provides students with the opportunity to focus on application and implementation rather than theory and design.
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Computer Engineering: Bridges the gap between electrical engineering and computer science to understand how both fields come together in the technology we use daily.
- Master of Science (MS) degree in Computer Engineering: Prepares candidates for advanced professional work in the computer engineering field and further study leading to the doctorate.
- Master of Science (MS) degree in Biomedical Engineering: Takes an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to advance and develop graduates’ knowledge of fundamental issues where engineering, biology, and medicine intersect.
Interested in learning more about one of UB’s engineering programs? Learn more about The School of Engineering today!
Careers You Can Pursue With an Engineering Degree
Much like the different types of Engineering degrees, the career opportunities available to students with Engineering degrees cover a broad range of industries and roles.
All median annual salaries are reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What Can You Do With a Degree in Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineering is the broadest and most diverse discipline, and candidates with this degree have the skills to work in almost every industry that requires the design, development, testing, and manufacture of parts, devices, or systems.
Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering go on to careers as:
- Mechanical engineers who make a median annual salary of $96,310
- Mechanical engineering technicians earn a median yearly salary of $61,990
- Industrial engineers who make a median annual salary of $96,350
Candidates with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering can secure advanced roles and leadership positions with higher salaries, such as:
- Manufacturing engineers
- Mechanical design engineers
- Senior mechanical prototyping engineers
- Lead mechanical principal engineers
What Can You Do With a Degree in Electrical Engineering?
Electrical engineering graduates go on to traditional careers like electronic designers and non-traditional careers as government procedural analysts.
Additionally, graduates with a Master’s Electrical Engineering degree find jobs in information technology, machine control, cell phone troubleshooting, and even power plant design. Electrical engineers work for banks, manufacturing companies, engineering companies, politicians, and many more people, organizations, and companies.
Bachelor and Master Electrical Engineering degrees prepare students for careers as:
- Electrical and electronics engineers – $104,610
- Sound engineers – $60,670
- Management consultants and analysts – $95,290
- Software developers – $124,200
Like most advanced degrees, a Master’s in Electrical Engineering enables candidates to obtain higher salaries and senior-level positions such as broadcast engineers, technical authors, and technical sales engineers.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Computer Engineering?
Computer engineers work behind the scenes, creating and designing practical solutions to networking and computing problems that affect our interconnected systems and world.
Graduates of both Bachelor’s and Master’s in Computer Engineering secure well-paying jobs in chip design, software engineering, robotics, computer networks, and network security. Some roles that candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineer include:
- Computer and information systems manager – $164,070
- Computer systems analysts – $102,240
- Computer hardware engineers – $132,360
Jobs available to candidates with a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering include:
- Computer and information research scientists – $136,620
- Engineering managers – $159,920
What Can You Do With a Degree in Biomedical Engineering?
Through a Biomedical Engineering degree program, students learn about the evolutionary process, how things function, and how several branches of engineering and science are connected. Through their studies, graduates are ready to help improve human health through cross-disciplinary research and application.
Master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering lead to a variety of careers, including:
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers – $99,550
- Biostatistician – $99,960
- Biologists and biological scientists – $87,300
University of Bridgeport School of Engineering
University of Bridgeport’s School of Engineering prepares undergraduate and graduate students for leadership and technology positions in industry, government, and academia. It allows them to contribute to their profession and community locally, nationally, and globally.
Our stimulating environment, modern research laboratories, and distinguished programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels ensure graduates possess the creative, innovative, and analytical skills needed for research, technical excellence, ethical conduct, and cultural, societal, and global well-being.
Plus, with our accelerated Bachelor of Science (BS) to Master of Science (MS) program, we make it easier and faster than ever for undergraduate students to pursue a graduate degree in engineering.
Contact us today and take the next step toward an exciting, financially rewarding, and personally satisfying engineering career.