The concept of engineering has existed since ancient times as humans devised fundamental inventions such as the pulley, lever and wheel. Each of these inventions is consistent with the modern definition of engineering, exploiting basic mechanical principles to develop useful tools and objects.
Engineering, much like science, is a broad discipline which is often broken down into several sub-disciplines. There are any number of courses that come under the various university schools of engineering, including but not limited to computer and software engineering, electronic engineering, civil engineering, sound engineering, mechanical engineering and construction engineering.
You can tell by simply looking at the names of the disciplines that come under the general heading of engineering that there are vast differences between the different types and choosing the right one for you is important. However, if you want to undertake an engineering course then the chances are that you have a good idea of the area in which you are most interested.
The engineering courses available to students greatly vary in content. There are foundation level courses in the majority of the disciplines of engineering, as well as undergraduate courses and master's courses. There is a common perception that all engineering courses are university based and require full time attendance, but that is not always the case.
There are courses available for individuals just wanting a taste of engineering, for those wanting to enter at foundation level, those wanting to enter via a degree and for those wanting to enhance their existing knowledge and skills.
The minimum length of time that any engineering course will last is a year of full time study. Part time courses can last anything up to six years, but the majority of courses will require a year in industry to enhance knowledge and consolidate what you have gained from the course itself.
The basic content will be the same for the majority of courses of the same type. However, the content will vary depending on the degree of difficulty of the course itself and the level of knowledge required to forge a good career path to follow after you have completed your chosen course.
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1. Althone Institute of Technology ? This school offers a wide range of courses, from foundation level engineering to Masters degrees in software engineering and electronics.
2. Trinity College Dublin - Trinity College offers one degree in engineering but you can choose the specialist area that you want when on the course so there is no need to decide in advance!
3. Institute of Technology Blachardstown ? Offering higher certificates and bachelor?s degrees in electronics, ITB offers a course in which you choose later specialization as well as several that are specialist from the start.
4. Dublin City University ? This course is for those individuals that do not have the qualifications to meet the entry requirements of other similar courses and is thus an open course to give more opportunities in the field.
5. NUI Maynooth - Offering nine courses in engineering, the choice offered here is one of the best in the Irish education system and is well worth a look.
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