1) Auburn University

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University, in the city of the same name in Alabama, has the largest such program in that state. Its graduate programs have been highly rated by U.S. News and World Report. Students can specialize in any of the following seven areas:

• Construction Engineering and Management—enhancing the effectiveness of tools and methods; covers basics of construction, both vertical and horizontal
• Environmental Engineering—concerns itself with the protection of public health
• Geotechnical Engineering—brings together disciplines like soil mechanics and pavement materials engineering
• Hydraulic Engineering—solving water problems by applying the principles of fluid mechanics
• Pavements and Materials Engineering—shows how to design, construct and maintain pavements; the student learns all about the materials used for paving and how they behave
• Structural Engineering—improving “load resistance” when designing structures; students learn how deformable materials behave
• Transportation Engineering—involves planning and designing facilities for all modes of transportation

Auburn also has two off-campus civil engineering programs, but only one of them counts towards a degree, although the other provides continuing education units.

2) Colorado State University

CSU’s Department of Civil and Economic Engineering has both undergraduate and graduate programs, with the latter divided into eleven disciplines:

• Environmental Engineering
• Geoenvironmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Groundwater Engineering
• Hydraulic Engineering/Stream Restoration and River Mechanics
• Hydrologic Science and Engineering
• Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
• Structural Engineering and Structural Mechanics
• Water & International Development
• Water Resources Planning and Management
• Wind Engineering and Fluid Mechanics

3) Iowa State University

At Iowa State University, off-campus students can get take Engineering-LAS Online (ELO) Learning and Certificates. Four programs are available:

• Construction Engineering and Management (endorsed by Associated General Contractors of America—only four other schools in the country have received such an honor)—focuses on construction operations and methods and management techniques
• Environmental Engineering Graduate Certificate—This and the other certificate programs allow the student to use advanced study to perfect his or her technical skills without pursuing a degree.
• Construction Management Graduate Certificate
• Environmental Systems Graduate Certificate

4) Kansas State University

Both graduate and undergraduate studies in civil engineering are available. The undergraduate can take part in several curricula, each of which also includes courses from other departments—mathematics, biology, chemistry and others. Civil engineering classes, all of which may be taken online, include:

• Economics of Design and Construction
• Advanced Reinforced Concrete Theory
• Responsibility in Engineering: Leadership and Development
• Structural Dynamics
• Waste water Engineering: Biological Processes
• Pavement Design

5) Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University is right now in the middle of constructing a new Civil and Environmental Engineering Complex with the cooperation of two other schools. Its civil engineering department offers eight specialties, three of which are Materials Engineering, Urban Planning and Water Resources. The second of these covers various aspects of city design—where the sewers should be located, how the streets should run, determining where residential and industrial growth should take place and the design of utilities infrastructures.

6) North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State offers the Master of Civil Engineering degree online; only students who will not be writing a thesis, however, may follow this plan. The individual who wishes to take the distance learning MCE degree program must register online at the page of the civil engineering department. It should be noted that the student does not need to be enrolled in a degree program in order to take online classes for credit.

7) Norwich University

Norwich University, in Northfield, Vermont, has an online MCE degree program, and the student taking it has a choice of four specialties to concentrate on:

• Structural Engineering
• Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
• Construction Management Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering

It can take as little as eighteen months to complete the program. In the meantime, the student can continue actively with the career at which he or she is currently working.

8) Old Dominion University

Franklin Batten College of Engineering and Technology is part of Old Dominion University, which is located in Norfolk, Virginia. The university’s undergraduate programs in civil engineering include a B.S. degree and five-year accelerated BS/MS and BS/ME programs. There are also two schedules for the graduate—one in transportation engineering and one for a coastal engineering certificate, with the latter consisting of courses in dredging and beach engineering. Only the M.S. degree may be taken online, and a thesis is required. Information on the online curriculum may be found here.

9) Trine University

Trine University’s (formerly Tri-State University, located in Angola, Indiana) Allen School of Engineering and Technology is one of the most reputable institutes of its kind anywhere. The requirements for its M.S.C.E. program are based on the body of knowledge report of the American Society of Civil Engineers. To get information on the course of study, fill out the form at the university website.

10) University of Central Florida

Civil, environmental and construction engineering are all taught at the University of Central Florida. The three undergraduate civil engineering degrees awarded are:

• B.S. in Civil Engineering—can be divided into four main areas: structures (analyzing the behavior of steel and concrete and the structures made from them, fiber reinforced plastics); geotechnical (soil dynamics, foundation design, subsurface testing, soil contamination); water resources (stormwater management and open channels are emphasized here, as are reservoirs, hydrologic characterization and groundwater systems); and transportation (planning and designing highways, airports and railroads, research in traffic safety and advanced traveler information systems).
• B.S. in Construction Engineering
• B.S. in Environmental Engineering

For the master’s degree, two options are available. The student can choose to pursue the research- or non-research-based program—if the latter, then no thesis is needed. Only those who are receiving a fellowship or a GRA from the department have the thesis option open to them.

Ranking The Top 10 Online Computer Engineering Programs

#1 Grantham University – Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology

Overview: Grantham University’s computer engineering degree program is completely flexible and 100% online. It took the top spot because of its in-depth curriculum, adjustable degree format, and affordable price. Students complete coursework around their own work hours and normally finish the degree within two years. A sampling of the courses offered by Grantham in its comprehensive computer engineering technology program include programming, computer networking, and challenging labs in electronics and circuits.

Price Tag: $265 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: This university steers military and federal employees to a variety of grants and scholarships to pay for its already affordable degree program tuition.

#2 Kaplan University – Bachelor of Science in Information Technology-Information Systems

Overview: Students participating in Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree program specializing in Information Systems learn the foundational applications programming, database management, and network security elements of computer engineering. Qualifying students receive special in-house Kaplan University scholarships and other grants to offset the school’s moderately priced tuition fees.

Price Tag: $371 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: Kaplan University demonstrates the adaptability of its computer education curriculum to the latest industry trends by offering course work about mobile computing. Mobile computing includes mobile communication technology, mobile hardware design, and software development.

#3 Walden University – Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

Overview: Walden University offers students a curriculum that focuses on the software development and network design aspects of computer engineering. Since information security skills are highly desired in today’s workforce, its undergraduate curriculum includes security and forensics courses that prepare students to design secure computer system networks and detect suspicious data about cyber crimes.

Price Tag: $290 per credit hour and $1760 technology fee for the entire four years of study.

Unique Characteristics: Walden University is a leader in online degree programs and has programs in many disciplines including business. The university leverages its expertise in business education within its bachelor of science in information technology program. Students not only learn the solid technical skills of computer engineering, but they benefit from knowing the business motivations for information technology decision-making.

#4 American Intercontinental University – Bachelor Of Information Technology

Overview: American Intercontinental University offers a variety of information technology degree specializations. Its Bachelor of Information Technology with a specialization in Network Administration teaches computer engineering courses such as programming, hardware development, and network design principles.

Price Tag: $302 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: American Intercontinental University realizes that computer engineering is a tough career field to enter. That is why they provide students with tutoring sessions to help improve understanding of the challenging subject matter. Additionally, the school offers students challenge exams to test proficiency at any time of class room lessons learned.

#5 Colorado Technical University – Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Software Engineering Management

Overview: Requirements engineering, systems analysis, and user interface design techniques are main elements of Colorado Technical University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Software Engineering Management degree program. Although the degree focuses on the software engineering side of computer engineering, the program covers the elements of network design, systems architecture, and system security as electives to broaden the skills of participating students.

Price Tag: $325 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: Colorado Technical University is aware that most students participating in their bachelor of science in information systems software engineering management do so for the practical reason of finding a great paying job. They also know that its a tough job market even for engineering and technology graduates which is why they offer comprehensive career services for students. The services include career consultation, resume writing assistance, interview preparation, professional networking opportunities, and even access to prospective employers.

#6 Strayer University – Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Software Engineering Management

Overview: Strayer University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Software Engineering Management degree program provides students with a solid foundation in systems analysis, systems engineering, and software development which are fundamental in the field of computer engineering. In addition to advanced programming techniques, students learn requirements identification methods, the industry standard unified modeling language, and the elements of project plans and engineering documentation.

Price Tag: $378 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: Strayer University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Software Engineering Management degree program is structured for maximum flexibility and effectiveness. For example, the entire program is online, but students choose to attend synchronous courses taught by instructors real-time or asynchronous computer based interactive classes available anytime.

#7 DeVry University – Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology-Computers

Overview: Students participating in DeVry University’s Engineering Technology-Computers degree program learn the foundational principles of hardware, network, and software engineering. This computer engineering degree program seems to have a strong software bent that includes application design, code development, and integration testing of software with associated hardware.

Price Tag: $555 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: The stated mission of DeVry University’s Engineering Technology-Computers degree program does not beat around the bush at all but declares that the program is for obtaining gainful employment within the computer industry with commensurate title and compensation. Their rigorous course curriculum reflects the program’s mission.

#8 University of Phoenix – Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Software Engineering

Overview: An important part of computer engineering is software design and development and that is the main emphasis of the University of Phoenix Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Software Engineering degree program. This degree program includes electives that cover systems analysis, network design and administration, and computer network security.

Price Tag: $585 per credit hour and $95 electronic material fee per course

Unique Characteristics: University of Phoenix recognizes that the field of computer engineering and information technology is a fast-moving one, and a specially appointed Faculty Advisory Council annually reviews the school’s curriculum for relevance.

#9 Drexel University Online – Bachelor Of Science in Computing and Security Technology

Overview: Drexel University Online’s Bachelor Of Science in Computing and Security Technology teaches students the principles of computer engineering concerning network administration, web development, operating system protocols, and network security principles. Their traditional information technology and engineering courses are highly rated, and the school guarantees that its online program is of the same high quality.

Price Tag: $680 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: Drexel University promotes the higher education goals of military members. This fact is reflected in the discounted tuition rates offered to veterans and active duty service members. Additionally, the school provides a special military counselor to guide service members through the admission’s process, military financial benefits, and federal financial aid.

#10 Post University – Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems – Software Development Management

Overview: Post University’s Computer Information Systems with a specialization in Software Development Management is a comprehensive computer engineering program that includes the study of systems architecture, database management, software engineering, and project management. Students begin Post University’s flexible online curriculum for computer engineering on six optional start dates within the year and typically finish the program within 32 months.

Price Tag: $525 per credit hour

Unique Characteristics: Post University founded in 1890 is known for providing quality online degree programs, and they were the first in the New England region to offer them.

Although there are more than a dozen engineering specialties available, each with its own unique coursework and expectations, the degrees listed below are in particular demand in today’s workforce. More importantly, each can be acquired through online educational programs.

Computer Engineering

Computer engineers work in a field that essentially integrates computer science and electrical engineering. These engineers work to analyze and solve computer-oriented problems, both based in hardware and in software. They invent ways to make computers smaller, faster and more powerful, and they often work to integrate computers into other machinery and systems in order to make them more efficient and productive. In their degree programs, computer engineering students take a multitude of courses, including electromechanics, computer architecture, digital imaging, programming, software design, microprocessors and electrical circuits.

Computer engineers often receive some of the highest starting salaries of all the engineering specialties because of their necessity in so many industries. They may work in computer software companies, in cybersecurity divisions for private companies or for the federal government, in the biomedical sciences or even in automotive design. As computers continue to permeate every product industry, prospects for computer engineering jobs will see further positive growth.

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers tend to work on big-picture projects and structures, both natural and man-made, which affect our everyday lives and our physical safety. From design to supervision, they oversee large construction projects such as bridges, tunnels, dams, highways and even water and sewage treatment systems for cities. The work they do is integral in keeping transportation systems safe and functioning in every city and state in the nation. While they are most often working in offices, civil engineers also visit construction sites to advise on building projects and oversee their safety and progress. To earn their degrees, civil engineers will take classes such as highway engineering, earthquake engineering, hydraulics, geophysics, surveying and construction safety.

Civil engineers have high median salaries and the field is expected to continue to grow over the next several years. Many are employed by governments spanning from small municipalities to federal transportation agencies, but many private construction companies also employ civil engineers to oversee projects. This field of engineering is expected to see modest growth in coming years, creating positive job prospects for new graduates.

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers study and work with any devices or systems that rely on electricity and electromagnetics in order to function. They may work to develop new products that produce electricity, or they may work to redevelop existing technologies and machines so that they use electricity more efficiently. Electrical engineers study courses ranging from circuits and embedded systems to wave electronics and telecommunications in order to earn their degrees.

Electrical engineers have a broad spectrum of industries to choose from when applying for jobs, making this degree one of the most versatile in the field of engineering. These engineering professionals may work in medical technology, steel production, vehicle production and design, mobile device technology and even air traffic navigation or radar technology. As our electrical systems continue to advance, the need for more electrical engineers will grow.

Electronics Engineering

Electronics engineers are a sub-set of electrical engineers who design and redesign electronic devices and, in doing so, impact many areas of everyday life. They may invent new technologies like global positioning systems, or they may enhance existing technologies for car stereo systems or digital watches. While earning their degrees, they study areas such as device physics, audio visual design, integrated circuit design, instrumentation engineering, robotics and telecommunications.

Electronics engineers are in high demand across many industries, as Americans continue to use electronic devices at a high rate. Entry level graduates in this field typically begin working under more experienced professionals before taking on larger roles in design or management projects. They may find work in the aerospace industry, biomedical research industry or in computer hardware engineering, and industry trends show positive growth potential in this engineering specialization.

1. The Stanford School of Engineering

Stanford is widely considered to be one of the nation’s most prestigious universities and has been leading the engineering field since the early 20th century. The Stanford school of Engineering has been at the hub of breakthrough technologies that have completely altered the fields of information technology, medicine, energy and many others. The school strives to expose engineering students to liberal arts as well as to cutting edge research and development.

Unique Features
The school’s location places right near the heart of modern day technological innovation: Silicon Valley, California. Another factor that sets it apart is the fact that it has more than 80 labs and centers for student research. The Stanford School of Engineering allows students the opportunity to combine liberal arts studies with their engineering education, thus encouraging innovation. One major element that places Stanford above the rest is its emphasis on encouraging student entrepreneurship via a variety of formal and informal opportunities for experience. The school is presently ranked second in the US News & World Report’s list of best engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
Applications should be made to the graduate admissions committee in the department related to a particular field of study. Students may enter from a number of undergraduate programs including geology and physics, in addition to engineering.

2. The Institute of Technology at Carnegie Mellon University

Students there have the option of pursuing course or research-based master’s degrees and Ph.Ds are offered by most of the school’s departments. They have roughly 30 research centers on the Pittsburgh campus.

Unique Features
The Carnegie Mellon University campus is located in Pittsburgh , but the school maintains facilities in Silicon Valley as well, providing students with access to the nation’s technological nerve center. The institution is ranked 4th on the US News and World Report’s list of the best engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
A minimum TOEFL score of 84 (iBT) or 600 (paper based). Also considered are general academic performance and letters of recommendation. Applicants should have at least a “B” average.

3. The MIT school of Engineering

Since its foundation in 1861, MIT has stood at the forefront of technological development in the nation and the world. The school sees its mission as ensuring that the next generation of engineers is given the scientific and engineering knowledge needed to solve 21st century problems. MIT is known for its pioneering research as well as its challenging programs in many areas of learning. The campus provides roughly 20 research centers that deal with areas as diverse as nanotechnology and cancer.

Unique Features
Students with innovative business ideas have the opportunity to enter MIT’s entrepreneurship competition and win $100,000 in start-up money. MIT is ranked in first place on the US News & World Report list of the best engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
Students will need to have a bachelor’s degree from an acceptable school prior to enrollment.

4. The Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University

Texas A&M was founded on engineering since it came into being as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in the late 1800s. Today, the school has the Dwight Look College of Engineering to carry on its legacy of training engineers. The College of Engineering has more than 11,000 students and upwards of 350 in its faculty. This school is located in College Station, TX and has six graduate degree areas including a master of engineering degree.

Unique Features
The school’s highest rankings are in the areas of agricultural engineering and petroleum engineering. Texas A&M is ranked in the 11th spot on US News & World Report’s list of the top engineering schools in the country.

Admission Requirements
Students will need to take courses in chemistry English and math prior to enrollment. Minimum GPR for admission into the Ph.D program is 3.5. The minimum GRE is 155. For the master of engineering program minimum GPR is 3.0, the GRE is 150. Research and field experience are also considered.

5. The College of Engineering at UC-Berkeley

This campus has a reputation around the world of being a source of innovative engineering research and education. Berkeley engineers have made great breakthroughs that range from making Californian agriculture viable to pioneering the technological advances that have made Silicon Valley what it is today. Berkeley students have the option of an accelerated Professional Master’s Program that allows them to graduate in only a year and its College of Engineering offers roughly 40 research centers for student involvement.

Unique Features
This institution is located near San Francisco and offers its students access to the city as well as to nearby beaches. It is ranked in 3rd place on the US News & World Report list of the best engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree and a satisfactory scholastic average.

6. The Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University

This school’s focus is on design and it provides its students with hands-on opportunities in the area of engineering design. Among the offerings of this Evanston, IL engineering school is the state-of-the-art Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center. It forms a part of the 835,000 square feet of laboratories, classrooms and offices that make up the school.

Unique Features
The school provides a mix of full-time master’s degree programs including mechanical engineering and biotechnology. Four part-time master’s degree programs are available and these include information technology and product design. Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering is ranked 20th on US News & World Report’s list of the top engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
A resume/CV along with TOEFL scores of at least 550/213. A GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. A GRE score of over 157.

7. The College of Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology

Located in the heart of the teeming metropolis of Atlanta, GA is the largest US college of engineering. It is a leader in engineering research and education and aims to provide its graduates with the educational experience that prepares them to meet the technological needs of tomorrow’s world. The institution’s stated goal is to provide professionals who are capable and competent in areas as diverse as robotics and medical physics.

Unique Features
The Georgia Tech College of Engineering offers graduate degree programs in areas that include aerospace engineering and biomedical engineering. 19 programs in all. Georgia Tech is ranked at #5 on the US News & World Report list of the best engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
Satisfactory performance in previous degree programs and satisfactory GRE scores.

8. The College of Engineering at the University of Illinois

The graduate and undergraduate programs at this school are consistently ranked in the top five around the world and it is considered a global leader in engineering education. The College of Engineering is presently providing funding to more than 2,000 projects, to the tune of $236 million. It provides more than 50 research centers and offers more than 10 graduate degree programs.

Unique Features
The College of Engineering’s graduate students number roughly 2,700, a fifth of them being female. There is an annual $30,000 prize given to the student who comes up with the most innovative technological concept. This institution ranks fifth on the US News & World Report list of the best engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
Good performance on high school standardized tests (especially in subjects like math) along with a good GPA.

9. The Cornell University College of Engineering

The goals of this Ithaca, NY institution include the application of traditional engineering problem-solving to a vast range of areas including robotics and medicine. Graduates get the option of pursuing their master’s degrees in one year. Research centers on campus include the Center for Nanoscale Systems and the Cornell High Energy Synchotron Source.

Unique Features
In 2012 the ratio of students to faculty at the Cornell University College of Engineering was 4.6:1. The programs at the Cornell School of Engineering are focused on six areas, one of which is biomedical engineering.

Admission Requirements
Factors taken into account will include the content of the courses applicants have taken as well as their rigor and the applicant’s performance in them.

10. The Princeton University School of Engineering and Applied Science

While Princeton’s reputation may be as an Ivy League bastion of liberal arts it is also a major research university. The institution’s recent investments in engineering include the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. The bulk of the school’s research is focused on topics of health, the environment and security. Princeton Engineering students have made important strides in areas such as the design of next-generation fuels. Engineering students also have access to the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering which can provide them with an education on the relationship between technology and entrepreneurship.

Unique Features
The campus is located an hour away from two major cities: New York and Philadelphia. The School of Engineering and Applied Science is ranked 17th on the US News and World Report’s list of the best engineering schools.

Admission Requirements
The GRE exam is mandatory for all applicants with the paper-based test taken by October at the latest and the computer-based test by December at the latest. Transcripts must be uploaded with the online application.

For your consideration, here are 15 awesome talks related to engineering.

1. Aubrey de Grey: A roadmap to end aging

With his thin frame, British accent, and a beard that reaches below his chest, Cambridge researcher Aubrey de Grey looks more like a wizard than a scientist. In one of the most discussed TED Talks, de Grey forcefully argues that what we consider aging is merely a disease whose effects can be mitigated or even cured altogether. We wouldn’t stand for any other disease that kills 100% of people who live long enough to get it, so why are we so dismissive of the scientific possibility that, someday soon, we may not have to age at all?

2. Adam Sadowsky engineers a viral music video

Musical group OK Go created one of the earliest viral videos of the broadband era when they filmed themselves doing a synchronized dance on moving treadmills, gaining over 50 million views. For one of their follow up videos, they asked Adam Sadowsky to create a humorously overcomplicated machine like those imagined by Rube Goldberg. The catch was that the room-sized contraption would have to actually perform its ridiculous functions in a 4 minute video with no cuts. Sadowsky explains how they got a working take… 85 attempts later.

3. Amy Smith shares simple, lifesaving design

Engineering is often thought of as being high-tech, complex designs which lead to lucrative or at least impressive inventions. Mechanical engineer Amy Smith takes the opposite approach, using simple, almost common-sense devices that a regular person in poor countries can make for low cost with local supplies. More than two million children are killed every year in the developing world by toxic fumes from indoor cooking. In this talk, Smith explains a simple tool that turns farm waste into clean-burning charcoal.

4. Arthur Ganson: Moving sculpture

Replete with working examples of his art, this involving and intensely personal talk is done little justice by its simple title. Sculptor and engineer Arthur Ganson is perhaps an even more impressive raconteur, infusing his talk about the intersection between machines and art with more humor and emotion than some stand up comedy sets.

5. Bertrand Piccard’s solar-powered adventure

Having already circled the Earth in a hot air balloon, aeronautical adventurer Bertrand Piccard proposes an even more audacious idea–making the same trip in a solar powered airplane that keeps flying even in the black of night. The inspiring talk finds many metaphors for regular life outside of flying and tries to challenge the limits of our thinking at every point. His more optimistic claims are backed up with real examples of how rapidly innovation makes its way into the mainstream, such as 200 passenger flights across the Atlantic a mere 20 years after Charles Lindberg barely did it in a single person aircraft.

6. Burt Rutan sees the future of space

“It’s not good enough for us to have generations of kids that … look forward to a better version of a cell phone with a video in it. They need to look forward to exploration.” Legendary spacecraft designer Burt Rutan gives a passionate talk that roasts the stagnation of NASA and asks private entrepreneurs to take up the torch of extending humanity to the stars. Rutan won the $10 million X-Prize in 2004 for SpaceShipOne and is working with Virgin Galactic at the forefront of space tourism.

7. Christien Meindertsma: How pig parts make the world turn

Christien Meindertsma wrote a book called “Pig 05049″ which explores how parts of an ordinary pig made it into over 185 non-pork goods ranging from ammunition to artificial human organs. Using art and craft, the captivatingly beautiful Meindertsma exposes the disconnect between modern man and the lifesaving animal-derived products he uses every day. Considering all the surprising ways they benefit us, Meindertsma thinks it’s “odd that we don’t treat these pigs as absolute kings and queens,” and after watching her talk you might just agree with her.

8. David Damberger: What happens when an NGO admits failure

In a startling talk, David Damberger discusses his work with Engineers Without Borders and how he went from using his engineering skills to make minor improvements to photocopiers to working on saving lives in Africa. Far from the usual self-congratulatory nature of these sort of talks, Damberger brings serious issues to light and asks whether or not billions of dollars of foreign aid to the developing world even works. He concludes that NGOs need to adopt the accountability, creativity, and agility of entrepreneurs.

9. David Hanson: Robots that “show emotion”

David Hanson went from being a Walt Disney Imagineer (the people who design robotic George Washingtons for the Hall of Presidents)to starting his own robotics company with the goal of creating robots with the same social graces as humans. In this short, five minute talk, Hanson explains why, as robots become more commonplace, it’s more important that they don’t just behave like humans, but actually understand us as humans.

10. David Keith’s unusual climate change idea

Environmental scientist David Keith begins by reminding us climate change is not a recent concern. It’s been making headlines since the 1950s and in that time, we’ve accomplished “nothing.” With climate change proceeding faster than the most “Chicken Little” environmental models have predicted, Keith proposes a radical and counterintuitive solution that would also be cheap and effective. All we have to do is mimic a massive volcano by injecting a huge cloud of ash into the atmosphere to deflect light and heat from the sun.

11. Eric Giler demos wireless electricity

From the earliest radio to broadband internet over WiFi, we’ve had wireless data transmission for so long that most of us can barely life without it. The bane of these powerful devices is that they still need to be plugged into a wall and remain tethered by a cord when their batteries run down. Eric Giler begins his talk by noting wireless power has been in the works since the days of Tesla. His own work at MIT indicates we won’t just be wirelessly charging our iPads and cellphones, but implants like pacemakers as well.

12. Dennis Hong: My seven species of robot

Whether they serve us like the friendly C-3PO or hunt us down like The Terminator, robots are the future. In this talk, Dennis Hong demos seven species of highly effective and mobile robots with roots in nature as well as science fiction literature. How could a three-legged “Strider” on stilts straight out of Half-Life 2 be inspired by nature? Watch and learn.

13. Leah Buechley: How to “sketch” with electronics

In this short, playful talk from TEDYouth 2011, MIT electronics designer Leah Buechley demonstrates how her team developed tools that merge the cumbersome, expensive, and slow world of circuit boards with something intuitive, cheap, and fast–simple pen and paper. For one of the more charming demos, an artist draws several squiggly lines on a sheet of paper, then plays the lines like piano keys with her finger tips. While the “sketch you can play” may seem like a mere toy, Buechley’s ideas open the door to rapid prototyping.

14. Neil Gershenfeld on Fab Labs

Although this video is over 6 years old, remains relevant in a world where some people still think of 3D printing as a gee-whiz fad, rather than the future. Gershenfeld gives a wide ranging TED Talk that compares the march of miniaturization and mainstreaming of computer mainframes to the same process of 3D printing facilities, while treating conventional wisdom about both with absolute irreverence. To wit: “Computer science is one of the worst things that ever happened to either computers or to science.” An example of what one of his students at MIT gets a laugh: a web browser for parrots that lets parrots talk to other parrots. Just as blogging takes communication that was once done by monolithic newspapers, he argues the future is personal fabrication for a market of one (you). In the 80s and 90s, the computer democratized printing, but now “Fab Labs” and 3D printers will do the same thing for physical creations, blurring the line between the digital and physical spaces. Gershenfeld is entertaining and inspiring, but has an annoying habit of showing several videos at once and even talking over them sometimes. When he slows down long enough to talk about one thing at a time, he’ll blow your mind.

15. Anthony Atala: Printing a human kidney

In this talk, surgeon Anthony Atala takes the 3D printing technology shown by Neil Gershenfeld a step further, asking, “Can we grow organs instead of transplanting them?” That’s exactly what his lab at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is doing. Thanks to a technology similar to the one he demos onstage, one of Dr. Atala’s young patients received a newly engineered bladder 10 years ago. How is the patient doing? Find out when he joins Dr. Atala on the TED stage.

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The sudden, terrifying collapse of huge buildings has caused countless tragedies throughout history, highlighting the importance of sound, safe and ethical engineering. Seemingly rock-solid structures all over the world have cracked, split, and disintegrated right beneath people’s feet. In some cases, it has taken no more than ten seconds for towering edifices to come crashing down, transformed into smoldering mounds of mangled debris and burying everyone inside. While many man-made buildings are both inspiring and beautiful, human error, a lack of proper safety standards, and unenforced building codes can lead to truly horrifying catastrophes.

10. Ronan Point, London, England

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In East London, on May 16, 1968, a single match triggered the collapse of an entire corner of this massive 22-story building. Ivy Hodge, a 56-year-old cake decorator living on the 18th floor, got up early to make herself a cup of tea. However, she got a lot more than she’d bargained for.

When Miss Hodge lit her stove, the spark from the match triggered a devastating gas explosion. The blast tore through the joints connecting the walls to the floor and threw her to the ground. The load-bearing walls came apart, leaving the four apartments above her without any kind of structural support. One by one, they came down, tearing through the floors below like falling dominoes until an entire corner of the building lay in ruins.

The building was in fact new, its construction completed just five days prior to the collapse. When Ronan Point came tumbling down, 260 people were in residence. Surprisingly, only four were killed in the disaster, while 17 were injured.

Although the building was rebuilt and the joints strengthened, public confidence in high-rise tower buildings took a huge knock. Many high-rise blocks, including Ronan Point, were eventually pulled down to make room for less intimidating low-rise housing. Ivy Hodge was treated for burns, but ultimately she and her gas stove, which she took with her to her new address, both survived.

9. Highland Towers, Selangor, Malaysia

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At 1:35 pm, on December 11, 1993, a landslide with the force of 200 jumbo jets slammed into the foundations of Block One of the Highland Towers apartment complex. Eyewitnesses described watching the building fall in “slow motion,” which was followed by silence, “deafening silence.”

The Highland Towers complex consisted of three 12-story residential buildings built at the base of steep hill just outside of Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur. The retaining walls and drainage system had been poorly designed and badly maintained.

The situation grew more dangerous when another development company began construction on a ridge just above Highland Towers. The land was stripped and exposed to erosion, and some of the drainage pipes were blocked with branches.

Ten days of non-stop rain put an enormous amount of pressure on the pipes. At various points on the hill, the pipes burst, and the water content of the soil rose to dangerous levels. Eventually, a landslip took down a large retaining wall.

One hundred thousand square meters of mud slid into Block One, carrying it forward and eventually snapping it. Three people were pulled out alive on the first day, but 12 days of frantic searching failed to unearth any more survivors. In the aftermath, 48 bodies were recovered. Block Two and Block Three were evacuated and stand empty to this day, like grim, overgrown tombstones.

8. Delhi Building Collapse, New Delhi, India

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On November 15, 2010, monsoon rains and a swollen river proved too much for a poorly constructed tenement building in New Delhi, India. Tragically, 67 people died in the collapse and a further 150 were injured.

The multi-story building housed around 400 migrant workers from rural parts of eastern India. With most earning barely enough to cover basic costs, they had turned to living in crowded, illegally built apartment blocks.

Sixty-seven tenants of this New Delhi building paid the price with their lives when the structure crashed to the ground without warning at 8:00 pm. Rescuers used sniffer dogs in an attempt to discover survivors in the wreckage and pounded through large pieces of the building with jackhammers.

Bodies were pulled from the twisted remains all night long, with anxious family members standing by, waiting to hear the news: dead or alive?

7. Skyline Plaza, Virginia, USA

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On March 2, 1973, tragedy struck the Skyline Plaza complex in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia. One of the complex’s towering apartment buildings collapsed, leaving a huge, eerie cloud of dust and debris where it once stood. Perhaps surprisingly, construction hadn’t even completed at the time of the disaster. The building was not due to open until August.

Although there was no flaw in the design per se, the forms supporting the concrete columns on the 22nd floor were prematurely removed. The cement hadn’t yet hardened completely and couldn’t bear the weight of the 24th floor.

The failure of these columns put an increased amount of pressure on the rest of the columns on the 23rd floor until the entire floor buckled and slammed down on the floor below. The building had not been engineered to withstand such a huge increased load, and the tremendous weight proved catastrophic. Each floor gradually succumbed and plummeted onto the story below in a devastating ripple effect.

Fourteen construction workers died and 34 were injured. Michael Hill, 31, ran all the way down the stairs from the 23rd floor when he saw cracks appear in the ceiling. He made it to the fourth floor when he was forced to jump out of a window. He broke both his arms but survived.

6. Royal Plaza Hotel, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

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On August 13, 1993, at around 10:00 am, the once splendid six-story Royal Plaza Hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand came crashing down in less than 10 seconds, that’s 1.6 seconds per floor! Tragically, 137 people were killed and 227 more were injured in the collapse.

Rescuers dug through the rubble with jackhammers and crowbars, desperately searching for signs of life. According to rescue teams, trapped survivors had been using their cell phones to call for help. On August 15, a pregnant woman was pulled from the mangled pile of steel and debris.

Devastatingly, at the time of the collapse, the hotel was being used for several meetings and seminars, including a large teacher conference and a Thai oil company meeting with more than a hundred attendees. The tragedy also claimed the life of U.S. Air Force sergeant Ramon Canda, who was in town installing telephone lines at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

Police detained the owner of the Royal Plaza Hotel, the architect, and an engineer over allegations that three stories had been added to the building in 1990 without proper architectural review. Also, a huge amount of water was being stored on the roof of the hotel ahead of an expected water shortage.

5. Lotus Riverside Compound, Shanghai, China

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On June 27, 2009, Block 7, one of eleven 13-story apartment buildings making up the Lotus Riverside compound in Shanghai, toppled over, completely intact. The high-rise was still under construction, and luckily, most of the workers were able to evacuate the building when they felt it start to fall over. Unfortunately, one man wasted too many precious seconds collecting his tools. He was then forced to jump out of a window as the building began to go down. He fell to his death.

Block 7 met its demise just one day after 272 feet of a nearby riverbank collapsed, proving the area was unstable and that the soil was loose. Laborers worked through the night to shore up the river, but it was no use. People in the area reported that it felt like an earthquake when the building fell. When they ran outside, they said they saw the massive structure lying flat with its foundation pillars uprooted.

The development company, it turned out, had been working illegally for five years, raising huge concerns over building practices across China. Only the year before, 7,000 schools had collapsed during an earthquake in Central China.

4. Hotel New World, Singapore

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On March 15, 1986, all six stories of Hotel New World collapsed in less than 60 seconds. The building housed a hotel, a bank and a nightclub, all of which disintegrated into piles of rock and twisted metal, burying 50 people inside. It was the worst disaster Singapore had experienced since World War II, and it shocked the nation.

Singapore’s newly formed Civil Defense Force launched rescue and recovery efforts immediately, and they continued for seven days. Engineers and other experts from around the world were called in to assist the delicate rescue operation.

At first, they merely removed beams and other remains from the top and sides of the ruins, but not many bodies were recovered. On the second day, assisted by foreign experts who were in Singapore to build a mass transit system, rescuers began to tunnel into the rubble. Sound-detection equipment was used to help locate the 17 lucky survivors.

After intensive research, investigators discovered a terrible error in the original design of the building. The structural engineer had completely left out the building’s “dead load,” in other words, the weight of the building itself, during the design process. As a result, it wasn’t strong enough to hold itself up. Tragically, Hotel New World was doomed from the beginning.

3. Three High-Rise Office Buildings, Rio, Brazil

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On January 26, 2012, a 20-story building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil spontaneously collapsed. The gigantic high-rise crashed into another ten-story building and a smaller “three or four” story building, reducing all three structures to one huge pile of rubble. The impact sent an enormous wave of dust and detritus through the streets of Cinelandia square, killing at least 17 people.

If the disaster had occurred just a few hours earlier, it would have resulted in mass casualties. Fortunately, the district, home to many office buildings and Brazil’s prized Municipal Theater, was pretty desolate due to the late hour of the collapse.

Authorities suggested that illegal construction work had weakened the 20-story building and caused it to fragment, which triggered a chain reaction and brought down the two smaller buildings. This catastrophe has led Brazilian authorities to call for reforms and stricter building and renovation regulations, especially ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

2. Sampoong Department Store, Seoul, South Korea

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On June 29, 1995, in the space of 20 seconds, the Sampoong Department Store in Seoul, South Korea fell to the ground, killing 502 people and injuring 937. Criminal negligence, blatant disregard for ethical engineering practices, and shoddy construction led to the largest peacetime disaster in South Korean history. The problems can be traced almost exclusively to the future chairman of the building, Lee Joon. Under his insistence, the building was changed from being an office building to a department store halfway through its construction.

To install the escalators, several key support columns had to be eliminated. When the contractors refused to continue building after the changes, they were fired, and Joon hired his own company. Later, Joon had a fifth floor added to the building. Despite warnings, Joon once again hired his own company. Not only was the building not meant to support a fifth story, but his extra level was made with a thick, super-heavy, heated floor.

Air conditioning units that were added to the roof quadrupled the load the structure was designed to sustain. To make matters worse, the building was constructed with substandard concrete and had only half the 16 steel reinforcing bars it needed. Also, the concrete columns were thinner than necessary and were reduced even more when fire shields were installed around the escalators.

In April 1995, extensive cracks were spotted, yet nothing was done. These fractures grew exponentially on the day of the disaster, but because management didn’t want to lose the day’s revenue, they refused to evacuate the building. Top executives, however, left as a precaution. Seven minutes before the collapse, the building began to pop and crack, and employees sounded the alarm, but it was too late to avert disaster, and 1,500 people were trapped inside.

1. Twin Towers, New York City, USA

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Without a doubt, the most devastating building collapse in history was that of the World Trade Center, on September 11, 2001. The Twin Towers were masterfully engineered using lightweight steel, a central core, and an egg-crate design creating a “redundant” structure. In other words, if one column or support were to fail, another would take its place.

What’s more, each building was made to handle 5,000 tons of lateral wind-load. The weight of the jets didn’t come close to overcoming the strength of these perimeter columns. The real problem proved to the 90,000 gallons of burning jet fuel that sent plumes of black smoke trailing into the sky over New York City. The fire itself didn’t melt the steel columns holding up the building; it only weakened them.

And, though reduced to 50 percent of their previous strength due to the temperature of the inferno, the columns were still capable of holding up the building. The real issue came down to the uneven temperature of the fire, which distorted the steel on one side of skyscraper. The stress proved too much, and eventually the floors buckled and began a domino collapse, pancaking down one on top of the other.

Each tower weighed 500,000 tons. And it took just ten seconds for these immense buildings to collapse, hitting the ground at 124 mph. Despite the fact that there were no specific engineering flaws involved in the design of the Twin Towers, engineers continue to study the buildings to learn more about redundant design and progressive collapse; and most importantly, with the aim of formulating life-saving safety and evacuation procedures in the future.

Bonus entry: Katowice Trade Hall, Silesia, Poland

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On January 28, 2006, in the midst of a frigid Polish winter, the Katowice Trade Hall was hosting the 56th National Exhibition of Carrier Pigeons. What the 700 people attending didn’t know was that the managers of the building had not had the snow and ice removed from the roof. Damningly, the roof had buckled under the winter snow four years earlier and been rebuilt without being properly inspected or tested.

On this fateful day, the accumulation of snow overloaded the roof of the building by 100 percent, and the roof smashed down on the exhibition, trapping hundreds of people beneath its weight, and exposing them to dangerous sub-zero temperatures.

Rescue teams poured in from the surrounding areas, braving the terrible weather. The building, however, was still unstable, and a second section of the roof collapsed during the rescue effort.

The lacerated metal acted like a freezer, further endangering survivors. Still, rescuers couldn’t heat the air under the ruins because parts of the building were supported by nothing more than piles of snow.

In the end, 65 people died and more than 170 were injured. The architects and managers of the building all faced criminal charges.

So you are considering a job in the engineering field but you want to maximize your profit potential? The engineering field is a great field to go into, and one can make a good amount of money with a career that is both satisfying and challenging.

There are four main and several smaller branches of the engineering field to choose from, each has its own benefits and some fields pay more than others. Of course, the numbers described below are just averages, but they will give you a good idea of how much each of the various types of engineers get paid.

Chemical Engineering
Focusing on the use of the physical and life sciences such as physics and biology and combining them with mathematics and economics to convert raw materials and chemicals into useful forms on a commercially viable scale, Chemical Engineers deal with such things as biofuel and nanotechnology. As demand for these products becomes higher and higher, this particular branch of engineering becomes more and more valuable. Combine this with the fact that there are far fewer chemical engineers than there are engineers of the other three main branches, and the salary potential is very impressive indeed.

Of the four main branches of engineering, chemical engineering commands the highest salary. On the lower end of the spectrum, chemical engineers can pull off an annual salary of $59,380. The median salary for a chemical engineer is $92,930 annually and the top 10% of chemical engineers make an average of $146,650 per year.

Civil Engineering
Civil engineers design and help build vital structures such as roads, buildings, canals and bridges. There are many subcategories of civil engineering, and civil engineers are needed on all levels. From the roads you drive on to the house you live in, chances are somewhere along the way a civil engineer had a hand in the project.

Because civil engineers provide such essential services, it might come as something of a shock that, of the big four branches of engineering, civil engineers have the lowest annual salary on average. At the lower end of the spectrum, civil engineers have a salary of about $50,370 per year. Median annual salaries for civil engineers run about $77,990, and the top average annual salary for a civil engineer is in the neighborhood of $119,620.

Electrical Engineering
The cellular telephone you probably have in your pocket and the lights making your room bright and shiny are all the end products of the electrical engineering discipline. The electrical engineering field became a recognized field with the commercialization of the electronic telegraph and has been around ever since.

At least in the United States electronic engineering, dealing with computers and other smaller-scale electronics, is generally considered a part of electrical engineering.

At the low end of the salary spectrum, electrical engineers pull down an average of around $54,710 annually, while the median salary is $85,920 annually. The top paid electrical engineers make an average of around $131,660 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering takes physics and marries it with materials science for the manufacture and design of machines and tools and is one of the broadest (and oldest) of the engineering disciplines. They’re also the guys that get to design new guns and mad science death rays.

Just kidding about the death rays. Maybe.

Starting mechanical engineers make around and average of $51,340 annually. The median annual salary for a mechanical engineer is around $79,230 and at the high end of the spectrum a potential mad scientist can look at making an average annual salary of $119,950.

The Other Branches
While the above four are normally considered to be the main four branches of engineering, they are not the only disciplines out there and some of these “smaller” branches actually pay more than the main branch.

Many people may consider these smaller branches to be subbranches of the larger engineering disciplines, but as you can see below, there can be a substantial difference in the average annual salary for a seemingly related engineering discipline.

Naval engineers have an average annual salary that runs from $51,060 to $145,790 with a median salary of around $84,850 annually.

Mining, mining safety and geological engineers’ salaries run $50,620 annually at the low end, rise to $84,300 at the median and cap out at around $136,800 per year.

Nuclear engineers bring in between $67,100 and $147,670 on average per year.

Aerospace engineers can look at an average annual salary of $65,310 to $147,810.

Industrial engineers bring home about $50,350 annually on average at the low end of the spectrum and around $115,340 at the high.

Architectural engineers can look forward to average annual salaries of $39,640 to $120,380.

There’s a lot of money to be made in oil, and petroleum engineers are no exception, pulling down an astounding $69,850 to $172,040 on average per year. The median average annual salary for a petroleum engineer is a nice, respectable $122,280.

So What’s the Best Choice
Although all branches of engineering pay quite well, the best choice if you look strictly at average annual salaries would be to pursue a job as a petroleum engineer with aerospace engineers rank 2nd and nuclear engineers come in at a close third.

Managed correctly, student loans are a solid financial tool for aspiring engineers. With a variety of government and private grants and loans available, you can have enough money for college and defer repayment until you find work. Keep in mind, that excessive borrowing can lead to financial difficulty, and you can often reduce your debt load while gaining experience by working in your chosen field while you are a student.

The FAFSA process
The first step in obtaining financial aid is to fill out the federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for federal funding. You can complete your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or turn it in to your school’s financial aid office. Visit the site to learn more about federal loan requirements and benefits.

Government loans for engineering programs
After filling out your FAFSA, you should see what government loans are available to you as an aspiring engineer. The four types of federal students loans are Stafford loans, Perkins loans, PLUS loans, and consolidation loans. Stafford and PLUS loans are the most common types of student financial aid, while Students with the greatest financial need can apply for Perkins loans. You may want to consider a consolidation loan when you graduate to lump all of your loans into a single interest rate and payment. Government loans are often easier to obtain than private loans, have lower interest rates, more repayment options, and better forgiveness programs. Try to get as much of your financial aid through government loans as you can.

Discounted Stafford loans
The private institutions that fund government subsidized Stafford loans sometimes offer discounts for prompt payment, direct deposit, and academic performance. These discounts can add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of your loan.

Private loans for engineering programs
If your savings and federal loans are not enough to cover your tuition and living expenses while in school, you may want to consider a private student loan to make up the difference. Banks and other lending institutions provide private loans to engineering students and may have different requirements than federal loans. Unlike need based federal programs, private loans are based on your credit history. Interest rates are variable, and depending on your credit score, you may need a cosigner.

Loan forgiveness programs
The government forgives federal student loans for various reasons. People who teach in certain low-income schools for at least five years can have a portion of their loans forgiven. Loans can also be cancelled for people who have made at least 120 monthly payments and work in a public service job. Perkins loan holders can have some or all of their debt repaid through service in the peace corps or ACTION program, through work in the armed forces, or employment in fields such as teaching, law enforcement, child and family services, and early intervention programs. Student loans are almost never discharged during bankruptcy; however, federal loans do have forbearance and deferment options to help people in financial difficulty.

Local loan forgiveness and cancellation programs
Private loan forgiveness is rare, but there are options for debt forgiveness. One of the most common debt elimination solutions is through an employer. Many larger companies offer student loan repayment as a benefit to their employees after a certain number of years of service. Options range from partial payments for studies in any area to complete loan repayment for studies directly related to the employee’s line of work.

Student loans provide opportunities for students pursuing an education in an engineering program. It is best to use government loans for the majority of your expenses and private funding to fill in any shortfall. Always remember that while deferment options exist for some loans, eventually you have to replay what you borrow. Enjoy your college experience, but learn to be frugal so that you will still have financial freedom when you graduate.

You have made the decision to pursue an engineering degree so the first thing you need to do is make the decision about which engineering program you wish to study. This may be in mechanical, electrical, architectural, bio-medical or one of many other specialties. With whatever program you choose, you will want to find the best school for that specialty based on your personal needs.

Next you will need to investigate the schools that offer courses in your desired engineering specialty, and create a list of the schools that offer what you are looking for. Then you may begin to narrow the list down based on a number of variables. You will want to know whether you plan on attending school on-campus of if an on-line school better fits your schedule and lifestyle. On-line schooling can be very convenient, but requires a high level of self-discipline.

After you have a short list of schools that fit your initial requirements, you may begin applying some filters to the list to eventually find the one school you wish to attend. The process of filtering should consider a list of what is most important to you and fits your needs.

To begin this process, you want to consider the accreditation of the schools, and how they each appear to employers and future clients. The reputation of the school can make all the difference in your future success. The degree that the school offers in your program should be accepted by the industry as one of high value. Some schools offer degrees that are not looked upon as highly and might not be of value in the future. Also, some schools will not accept prior credits and may not even transfer credits to another school should you choose to switch schools or seek a further degree.

Scheduling and curriculum are both important aspects of schooling and you will want to choose a school that offers schedules that meet your lifestyle and that have the curriculum that will allow you to make progress at a good pace.

One very important thing to consider is if the school offers student co-op work opportunities. This can be an extremely valuable resource for you especially in the latter half of your schooling. The experience gained by working for a firm or employer as you continue your schooling will be a big selling point on your resume and will give you valuable insight into what parts of the curriculum you may need to pay particular attention to.

If you plan on attending on-campus, then the location of the school will be of major importance. In this case, you may be able to commute to school, but if the school chosen is further away you will need to think about relocation and living accommodations.

If you have made the decision to attend schooling on-line, you need to be aware of the advantages and difficulties this will bring. Attend on-line is convenient and can be scheduled to fit your needs, but it also requires a level of commitment and self-discipline. You will have little or no direct motivation and will need to have good communication with your school adviser, instructors and classmates. You will also want to be particularly careful in evaluating the schools degree, course offerings and support available.

Engineering is a huge field and has many benefits, but also has quite a large amount of competition and the choices you make early in the process will affect your career and future as an engineer.

Paying for college is tough, and paying back loans after spending a long time in school is not exactly a walk in the park either. Instead of worrying about paying huge sums of money either now or later, focus on applying to some of these scholarships to fund your educational studies.

1. Cognizant’s Making the Future Scholarship
Cognizant is looking to provide scholarship opportunities to individuals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students must submit a hands-on project to be considered for this scholarship.
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2. MRR Scholarship
Many communities are in need of some help, and Mortgage Refinance Rates is offers scholarships to those who are committed to building up communities for the future.
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3. SMART Scholarship
Standing for Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation, SMART is dedicated to helping students reach their goals in the fields of science, technology and engineering.
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4. Association for Iron and Steel Technology Foundation
Are you planning to go into a field that has to do with modern steel making? If that’s the case, look toward this organization for funding for your educational career. This group wants to help these students make their dreams come true.
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5. American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineering Scholarship
Since 1991, this organization has provided over $1 million in scholarships. The scholarships that they provide range from $3,000 to $10,000.
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6. ANS Undergraduate Scholarship
If you have completed at least one year of study in a nuclear related field, you are eligible for this annual scholarship.
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7. Edward S. Roth Manufacturing Engineering Scholarship
In order to apply for this opportunity, you must have a GPA of at least 3.0. Additionally, this scholarship is available to those seeking both undergraduate and graduate degrees from certain universities.
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8. IIE Marvin Mundel Memorial Scholarship
With an application deadline of November 15 each day, this scholarship is available to those in Canada, Mexico or the United States and its territories.
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9. North Carolina Space Grant Freshmen/Sophomore Scholarship
Are you absolutely in love with the idea of playing a role in space exploration one day? If so, check out this opportunity with a yearly application deadline date of February 24.
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10. Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship
Remember that scholarships of all sizes help. This scholarship provides a $1,000 award to one lucky student.
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11. James “Jim” Rankin Memorial Scholarship
Are you interested in pursuing a career in project management? Well then, this is the scholarship for you.
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12. The Siemens Competition
Get your creative and technical juices flowing as you’ll be required to engage in a project-either as an individual or team-to qualify for this great scholarship.
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13. ASME-ASME Auxiliary FIRST Clarke Scholarships
With seven awards totaling $5,000 each, this is certainly one of the scholarship opportunities that high school seniors should look towards.
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14. American Electric Power Scholarship
Don’t miss out on this scholarship opportunity if you are going into your junior and senior year and have a love for the mechanical engineering profession.
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15. ASME Foundation Scholarships
Some of these scholarship foundations have a number of awards to give, and this is one of them. 20 students entering sophomore, junior or senior year will be selected
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16. F.W. “Beich” Beichley Scholarship
This award is based on several factors including character, financial need and academic ability.
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17. Kate Gleason Scholarship
Are you a female in this field? Well then, apply for this scholarship named in honor of the first female member of ASME.
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18. Kenneth Andrew Roe Scholarship
This $12,500 award is available for residents of the United States and North America.
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19. Lucy and Charles W.E. Clarke Scholarship
When you are working on your graduate or doctoral program, here is one of the many scholarship opportunities that you do not want to miss.
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20. Bruce J. Heim Foundation Scholarship
Here’s another award for individuals who one day hope to work on space exploration efforts. This scholarship is for $1,500.
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21. NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program
NASA offers an extensive array of help and assistance for students interested in this field. It’s not just limited to scholarships, as this organization offers internship opportunities as well.
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22. General Motors Engineering Scholarship
If you are in a minority group, then this is the source to which you want to head. General Motors specializes in scholarships for minority groups.
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23. Yanmar America Corporation Scholarship
Sometimes, students feel a bit down when they are getting to the end of their scholarship year. Fortunately, this corporation offers a $1,000 renewable scholarship to eligible students.
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24. Society of Women Engineers Scholarship
Once again, we have a source for women in the field. Check out this society for scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
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25. National Society of Black Engineers Scholarship
Requiring a paid membership, this society presents some terrific financial opportunities for engineering students.
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Start applying today, so you don’t miss any of these excellent opportunities.