Engineering is an important field that offers technical solutions to the practical problems of our everyday life. A career in engineering is a well-paid profession that has created revolutionary inventions, from the electric motor to the steam power engine.1 If you want to learn engineering for beginners, continue reading this article to find an introduction to engineering that may suit your interests.
When choosing an engineering major in college, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the broad range of engineering fields. In this article, we will dive into some of the engineering courses for beginners and the course providers and costs, as well as an overview of the different branches of engineering.
What Is Engineering?
Engineering refers to a discipline that uses scientific principles to design and build systems and processes to develop techniques and tools. These tools and techniques aim to make people’s lives easier, solve problems, and satisfy the technical needs of society.
Engineers use mathematics, basic physics, chemistry, biology, and economics to develop technologies that contribute to the overall progress of society. Engineering is in charge of transforming knowledge into something practical through the efficient use of resources. The different branches of engineering include mechanical, electrical, chemical, and civil engineering.
How to Learn Engineering for Beginners
- Online courses. Taking a basic engineering course is an excellent way to begin learning about the field, which is generally quick and inexpensive. Take a class to learn fundamental concepts, and you’ll discover the engineering disciplines that interest you most.
- Read papers. Reading scientific papers or journals, such as the American Society for Engineering Education Journal or the National Society of Professional Engineers, is a great way to learn about the extensive development of technology, engineering achievements, and recent discoveries in any specialized field of engineering that interests you.2
- Join the science club. If you are in high school or college, you can join your school’s science or engineering club, where you can learn a lot about engineering-related topics and acquire skills that will help you when studying for a specialized field at a college of engineering or a related engineering degree program.
- Read textbooks. If you’re old school and prefer to learn by reading textbooks and writing physical notes, you can begin your learning journey by reading books on topics such as linear algebra and calculus. Engineers use these two areas of math frequently, and they are important skills to have for learning and practicing engineering. Engineering textbooks discuss many important beginner topics, such as industrial power and the scientific principles of engineering fields.
Watch videos and tutorials. Watching YouTube videos is a great way to see the many types of engineering in action or to learn about specific engineering topics. You can also watch tutorials to learn how to start doing engineering projects and repair things at home.
Best Engineering Courses for Beginners
| Course Name | Provider | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Industrial Engineering | Alison | Free | 5 hours |
| Introduction to Electronics | Georgia Tech via Coursera | Free, certificate upgrade option available | 46 hours, self-paced |
| Introduction to Engineering Mechanics | Georgia Tech via Coursera | Free, certificate upgrade option available | 15 hours, self-paced |
| Principles of Engineering | King’s College London via Future Learn | First 4 weeks free, option to purchase course for $109 | 4 weeks, self-paced |
| Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis | MIT via edX | Free, certificate upgrade option available | 5 weeks, self-paced |
| Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering | TU Delft via edX | Free, certificate upgrade option available | 8 weeks, self-paced |
| Electrical Power Engineering Principles | Udemy | $18.99 | 1.5 hours, self-paced |
| Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know | University of California – Davis via Coursera | Free, certificate upgrade option available | 8 hours |
Intro to Engineering Courses: An In-Depth Look
Here are some basic courses for each branch of engineering, where you can obtain scientific knowledge that a professional engineer must have. You can learn about product testing, engineering text foundations, engineering ethics, and the ethical issues that the discipline of engineering encompasses.
Here are the best basic courses for each branch of engineering, where you can obtain scientific training that a professional engineer must have. You can learn about product testing, engineering text foundations, engineering ethics, and the ethical issues that the discipline of engineering encompasses.
Introduction to Industrial Engineering | Alison
This introduction to engineering course is designed for you to learn about the principles of industrial engineering and the tools and techniques commonly used in this field.3 During this free online course, you will learn about the application of engineering principles, the different types of industries and their organizational structures, and industrial-scale manufacturing.
Introduction to Electronics | Georgia Tech & Coursera
This Georgia Tech and Coursera course offers an introduction to the field of electronic engineering.4 You’ll learn about the basic operation of transistors, diodes, and operational amplifiers, which are a part of fundamental engineering tasks that electronics engineers use every day in the engineering industry. This knowledge is essential for a future career in engineering; plus, the class is offered for free.
Introduction to Engineering Mechanics | Georgia Tech & Coursera
Georgia Tech and Coursera offer this course on the principles of mechanics in engineering solutions that teaches you to solve real-world problems by modeling static equilibrium problems.5 Knowledge of basic physics and basic mathematics is necessary in order to have a good understanding of the engineering methodology used during the course
Principles of Engineering | King’s College London & Future Learn
In this course, you will learn methodologies for engineering solutions, how to think like an engineer, and take a look at what the term engineering looks like in practice.6 This is an introductory course for you to develop the mental power needed to learn about the design, processes, and current technologies used in the engineering sector. At the end of the course, you’ll have the necessary skills to approach engineering tasks, such as the design of bridges.
Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) & edX
This MIT and edX course offers an introduction to the fundamental principles of circuit analysis. You’ll explore voltage, current, and resistance, and apply essential concepts such as Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws to analyze basic circuits.7 The course emphasizes practical problem-solving and provides the analytical skills needed to understand and design electrical systems. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation in circuit analysis that prepares you for more advanced study in electronics and engineering.
Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering | TU Delft & edX
In this course, students will get an introduction to aeronautics and the extensive development of aerodynamic design.8 In three blocks, you will learn about the principles of aerodynamics and how aerospace engineering deals with aircraft design. You’ll also learn aeronautical history, the history of flight, aviation pioneers, and everything that aeronautical engineering deals with. By the end of the course, you will have the skills of an engineer responsible for building airplanes.
Electrical Power Engineering Principles | Udemy
This is a course offered by Udemy, in which the instructor and professional engineer Stephen Brooks will teach you the basic concepts of electrical engineering, and the design, construction, and operation of electrical power systems.9 You’ll learn the basic theories and principles on which electrical power is based, engineering communication, and how electricity and magnetism are linked.
Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know | University of California & Coursera
In this course, students will learn about the science of materials commonly used in the engineering sector, how they are manufactured, and their mechanical and electrical properties.10 During the course, you will also learn about the modern applications of these materials in engineering, such as the use of blocks of granite. It is a great course for both engineering majors and beginner learners interested in the engineering design process.
Is Learning Engineering Worth It?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering jobs are projected to grow “faster than the average for all other occupations,” as of May 2024.11 Engineering fields are especially exciting thanks to the numerous technological advances of the 20th century, such as programmable machines like the smartphone, and even technological improvements in fields like biology.
Learning about the fields of engineering is a great first step toward your future career in engineering. In an introduction to engineering course, you can learn to develop the knowledge and passion needed to master the engineering design process. The creative application of your knowledge of engineering will allow you to perform the crucial engineering tasks of an engineering profession.
Introduction to Engineering FAQ
Engineering is a field that uses science, such as mathematics and physics, to design products and processes. Engineers are in charge of the application of engineering principles to develop current technologies, such as bridge design and machine tools.
What are the principles of engineering?
The principles of engineering are based on math, physics, and the fundamental concepts needed to engineer complex systems. The use of machine tools, the development of electronics, the manufacturing process, and the economics of operation are basic areas that an engineer must handle in their daily work.
What are the different types of engineering?
The different types of engineering include electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and chemical engineering. From these, additional branches of engineering have emerged, such as electronic engineering, clinical engineering, business engineering, and electrical and computer engineering.
What is the origin of engineering?
Classic engineering dates back to the fifth century or even earlier, when the world’s first engineers began to design and build military fortifications. It could be said that the first engineer was a military engineer.
Since then, numerous engineering achievements have followed, such as the steam-powered engine, the electric telegraph, the electric motor, and other great inventions by historical figures of the 18th century, such as Alessandro Volta, who invented the electric battery.
Since then, numerous engineering achievements have followed, such as the steam-powered engine, the electric telegraph, the electric motor, and other great inventions by historical figures of the 18th century such as Alessandro Volta, who invented the electric battery.
Sources:
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/engineering/engineering-field-of-degree.htm
2 https://www.asee.org/publications/journals/division-journals
3 https://alison.com/course/introduction-to-industrial-engineering
4 https://www.coursera.org/learn/electronics
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5 https://www.coursera.org/learn/engineering-mechanics-statics
6 https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/principles-of-engineering
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