Saturday 12 July 2014

Agricultural Engineering Inside-Out

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About Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural engineering is an engineering discipline that applies engineering science and technology to agricultural production and processing. Agricultural engineering combines the disciplines of animal biology, plant biology, mechanical, civil and chemical engineering principles with knowledge of agricultural principles.
When the knowledge of engineering and biological science is applied to agriculture, it is called agricultural engineering. Agricultural engineers are responsible for designing agricultural tools and equipment as well as machinery and plants. These engineers can either specialize in designing power and machine systems (for environmental or agricultural purposes) or be involved in food and bioprocess. Soil and water conservation as well as agricultural processing are some of their concerns. Agricultural engineers may work in R&D operation or sales or management.
In the past, nearly one-third of all agricultural engineers were employed in professional, scientific and technical services and provided consultancy services to agricultural workers and farming and agro industries. The rest of them were employed in other agriculture –related industries like crop and livestock as well as manufacturing and government concerns.
Course Duration 
4 years BE/ B.Tech
Education Stream
Science
Specialization
The bachelor's degree courses covers basic physical, engineering, and agriculture sciences, Soil conservation, drainage method, irrigation practices, firm machinery, dairy engineering etc.
Will The Course Suit Me?
If you want to become an Agricultural Engineer, you should posses the following qualities:
  • You should have a keen interest in understanding of agriculture, horticulture or forestry and the ways that these industries work.
  • You should have a very practical and logical approach to problem solving and a strong mechanical interest.
  • You should be able to analyze problems clearly and then produce workable solutions.
  • In addition to your technical and engineering skills, you would need good communication skills to explain technical issues to others who do not have your expert knowledge.
What Does an Agricultural Engineer do?
Agricultural Engineers may perform tasks such as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, perform environmental impact assessments, agricultural product processing and interpret research results and implement relevant practices.
A large percentage of agricultural engineers work in academia or for government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture or state agricultural extension services. Some are consultants, employed by private engineering firms, while others work in industry, for manufacturers of agricultural machinery, equipment, processing technology, and structures for housing livestock and storing crops.
Agricultural engineers work in production, sales, management, research and development, or applied science.
Work Prospects 
Agricultural Engineers find employment in:
  • Departments of agricultural engineering
  • Water management
  • Area development projects
  • Minor irrigation projects
  • Agricultural machinery manufacturing organizations
  • Tea gardens
  • Food Corporation of India
  • National Seeds Corporations
  • Dairy and food industries
  • Agro industries
  • National Dairy Development Board
  • NABARD and other banks
  • Agricultural finance corporations
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
  • Agricultural universities and non government voluntary organizations. 
  • Some Agricultural Engineers are also self employed as consultants or have their own production units for manufacturing agricultural implements or processing agricultural products
Scope of Agricultural Engineering
Demand for agricultural engineers is supposed to multiply almost as quickly as the demand for all other occupation. The global trend toward standardization of all agricultural products and equipment will lead to greater demand for agricultural engineers.
The increasing demand for agro-products, the efforts toward attaining greater efficiency in the agricultural industry and the emphasis of conservation of scare resources would result in higher job opportunities in this sector.

Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering Inside-Out

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About Aeronautical Engineering:
Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering is one of the most challenging fields of engineering with a wide scope for growth. This field deals with the development of new technology in the field of aviation, space exploration and defense systems. It specializes in the designing, construction, development, testing, operation and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecrafts and their components as well as satellites and missiles.
As Aerospace engineering involves design and manufacture of very high technology systems, the job requires manual, technical as well as mechanical aptitude. Aeronautical engineer's usually work in teams under the supervision of senior engineers, bringing together their skills and technical expertise. Though highly paid, the work is very demanding. An aeronautical engineer needs to be physically fit and fully dedicated to his work. One needs to be alert, have an eye for detail and should have a high level of mathematical precision to be successful.

The specializations includes areas like structural design, navigational guidance and control systems, instrumentation and communication or production methods or it can be in a particular product such as military aircrafts, passenger planes, helicopters, satellites, rockets etc. Engineers may work in areas like design, development, maintenance as well as in the managerial and teaching posts in institutes. They find a very good demand in airlines, aircraft manufacturing units, air turbine production plants or design development programmes for the aviation industry. Aerospace environment is sophisticated with rewarding career opportunities involving leading-edge technology. 

Specialization:
  • Aerodynamics
  • Dynamics & Control
  • Aerospace Propulsion
  • Aerospace Structures
  • Systems Design and Engineering 

Will The Course Suit Me?
  • Aerospace Engineers also should possess the following skills:
  • Mathematics
  • Communication skills
  • Inventiveness
  • Creativity
  • Organizational skills
  • Other similar traits 

What Does an Aeronautical Engineer do?
An aeronautical engineer designs aircrafts, air control systems, propulsion systems, flight simulators, communications systems and other structures related to aviation while overseeing their development and manufacture. Typical job duties for an aeronautical engineer include creating prototypes and models for new aircrafts, designing test procedures, conducting tests on the prototype and then modifying his or her design based on the results. Aeronautical engineers make use of wind tunnels, computer visualization software and mathematical equations to test their models for performance, safety and efficacy.

Work Prospects:
  • Job opportunities for an Aeronautical Engineer in India, lies with
  • Various airlines like Air India, Indian Airlines, Helicopter Corporation of India, flying clubs, private airlines and government owned air service and aircraft manufacturers like the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) with its factories at Bangalore, Nashik, Koraput, Kanpur etc. 
  • Defense Research and Development Laboratories, National Aeronautical Lab (NAL), Aeronautical Development Establishment, Civil Aviation Department etc. 
  • The Defense services and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) also happen to be two major employers.
Scope of Aeronautical Engineering:
Scope in India: 
In India aeronautical engineers are mostly employed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) and the Defense Ministry. One can also look for jobs available with the Civil Aviation Department, National Aeronautical Laboratory, Defense Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 
Scope Abroad:
A lot of job opportunities for aeronautical engineers are also available in countries like United States of America, France, UK and Germany. Therefore, aeronautical engineers from India as well as from all other parts of the world flock to these countries. A good percentage of Indians constitute the work force of engineers and technical professionals in NASA.  

Marine Engineering Inside-Out

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A Brief Intro to Marine Engineering......

Three quarters of the earth’s surface is surrounded by water and for that reason itself Marine engineering is a very exciting and challenging field for those who are passionate about sea and are fond of working with tools. Even though waterways are comparatively used less for traveling, above 80% of the goods transportation happens through sea. For international export and import of freights, countries mainly depend on ships and other water vessels. Marine Engineering is the most basic profession as far as ships and navigation is concerned.

Marine engineering is a branch of Engineering that deals with nautical architecture and science. The term 'Marine Engineering' is meant for research conducted in oceans and coastal or inland waters connected to the sea. Marine Engineering courses deal with construction and maintenance of ships and other sailing vessels. There are three main professions in this field of engineering namely Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering and Ocean Engineering.

All are interrelated and sometimes may be confusing.
Naval Architects are those who are involved with basic ship design, starting with hull forms and overall arrangements, power requirements, structure and stability. Ocean Engineers study the ocean environment to determine its effects on ships and other marine vehicles and structures.

They may design and operate stationary ocean platforms, or manned or remote-operated sub-surface vehicles used for deep sea exploration. Marine Engineers have the complete responsibility of the ship's technical management. They are responsible for selecting the ships' machinery, which may include diesel engines, steam turbines, gas turbines; and for the design of mechanical, electrical, fluid and control systems throughout the vessel. They are the members of a ship's crew who are in charge for managing a team of marine technicians and craftspeople.

The construction, operations and maintenance of the engine room are the main obligation of a Marine engineer. That means the Marine engineer deals with the technical area of the ship. In fact, they are the overall in-charge of the engine and its crew, and ensure the safety and standards of the marine body. The role of Marine Engineers has widened and smoothened with modern development and electronic navigation.
A four year BE in Marine Engineering is the basic educational qualification needed to become a Marine engineer.

This is a career that offers vast job opportunities including off-shore jobs and the most attractive part is its huge remuneration and NRI status. Many Indian and foreign institutes offer courses in Marine Engineering. Immense job opportunities are waiting for Marine engineers and they have nearly 100% placement rates. The demand for Marine Engineers in public and private shipping companies has risen sharply, with the increase in international global sea traffic.Course Duration:

4 years BE/ B.Tech
Will The Course Suit Me?

A marine engineer should be:
  • Responsible
  • Practical and adaptable
  • Accurate
  • Quick and efficient
  • Calm
"You need to be able to operate under pressure. If something goes wrong, you've got to look at the situation in a cool and calm manner so you can make a rational decision." Peter Harding, Marine EngineerWhat Does a Marine Engineer do?
  • Marine engineers are responsible for the design and construction of ships, the construction of ports and waterfront cargo facilities, and the operation of ships and support vessels.
  • They design, construct and develop nautical equipments.
  • They are also responsible for selecting the ships machinery, which may include diesel engines, steam turbines, gas turbines or nuclear reactors.
  • They are also responsible for the design of mechanical, electrical, fluid and control systems throughout the vessel.
  • They also make sure of the safety of the ship while it is in the sea.
Work Prospects:
Public and private shipping companies are the main job creators for Marine engineers. Navy, engine production firms, ship building and designing firms, research bodies are some of the other firms where Marine engineers are highly in demand. Marine Engineers can take up employment in different foreign and Indian shipping companies and with the port and harbor departments.
The latest developments in moving natural gas from ports to the pipeline offer excellent opportunity for future graduates looking to work portside. They are in great demand in the oil and gas industry where they have to design and build pipelines and other equipment.
Marine Engineers are also employed in the areas of designing, research and consultancy. They have opportunities in designing and building firms and even in the teaching or training profession. They can also opt for any job that a mechanical or electrical engineering graduate hunt for.
Scope of Marine Engineering:
 
Jobs in this field are extremely lucrative. This is because it is a tough academic choice that requires hard work and intelligence. You may very well be starting off with over 40000 once you graduate. Job seekers on oil tankers are even higher paid.
Marine engineer have a number of job opportunities on shore as well. Ports require the services of trained marine engineers and so does the shipping industry in general. Then you have a number of openings in the government sector of Directorate General of Shipping. You can also continue in the field of teaching marine engineering in an institute.
Many international companies are willing to recruit fresh graduates in the field. They offer them training along with generous compensations that makes it a great career line. There are plenty of job opportunities in France and the U.K as well.

Tuesday 8 July 2014