About Engineering Courses

Engineering is the most desired course after class 12^th by science stream students. It involves the study of various scientific principles which are applied to design, develop and generate structures, machines, manufacturing processes etc. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more specialized fields of engineering, each with a more specific emphasis on particular areas of applied mathematics, applied science, and other types of application. 

In India engineering courses are available in the following main formats 

Diploma in Engineering

Diploma in Engineering programs are 3 years long. There exist numerous Diploma Engineering programs in India which focus on a particular branch (for example – mechanical, electrical, civil etc). 10^th /12^th passed students are eligible to pursue Diploma in Engineering programs. In India, Government and Private polytechnics are known to offer these courses.

After completing Diploma in Engineering program candidates may secure admission right into the second academic year of a relevant B.E. or B.Tech. program. This entry is called lateral entry.

B.E. or B.Tech. (Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Technology)

B.E. or B.Tech. programs are 4 years long. There exists numerous B.E. and B.Tech. programs in India, which focus on a particular branch (for example – mechanical, electrical, civil etc). 10+2 passed with Science stream (PCM subjects) is the minimum eligibility required to pursue B.E. or B.Tech. programs (PCM and/or B subjects in cases of few branches). In India, there exists numerous Government and Private Engineering colleges, which offer these courses.

M.E. or M.Tech. (Master of Engineering or Master of Technology)

M.E. and M.Tech. are Master’s level programs. The academic program is 2 years long. The minimum qualification required to pursue M.E. or M.Tech. is – passed relevant B.E. or B.Tech. program.

PhD programs

PhD programs are Doctoral level programs. You must complete relevant Master’s Degree course in order to take up a PhD program!

Engineering Courses after 12th

As I mentioned before, there are numerous branches within the broad field of engineering. It is based on these branches that we have B.E., B.Tech. and Diploma in Engineering programs.

B.E. OR B.TECH. Courses

Here are some notable B.E. or B.Tech. courses (based on various engineering branches) –

• B.E. or B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Electrical Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Civil Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Computer Science Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. IT Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. IC Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. EC Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Electronics Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Petroleum Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Aeronautical Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Aerospace Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Automobile Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Mining Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Biotechnology Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Genetic Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Plastics Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Food Processing and Technology
• B.E. or B.Tech. Agricultural Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Dairy Technology and Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Agricultural Information Technology
• B.E. or B.Tech. Power Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Production Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Infrastructure Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Motorsport Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Metallurgy Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Textile Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Environmental Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Marine Engineering
• B.E. or B.Tech. Naval Architecture

Course duration is 4 years. There also exists 5 years long integrated programs. Notable integrated programs are –

• B.E./B.Tech. + M.E./M.Tech.
• B.E./B.Tech. + MBA

In order to secure admission into reputed engineering colleges, one must crack relevant entrance tests! Some of the notable entrance tests are – JEE, state-wise tests and institute-wise tests.

Diploma in Engineering Courses

Here are some notable Diploma courses (based on various engineering branches) –

• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• Diploma in Electrical Engineering
• Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Diploma in Chemical Engineering
• Diploma in Mining Engineering
• Diploma in Computer Science Engineering
• Diploma in Marine Engineering
• Diploma in EC Engineering
• Diploma in IC Engineering
• Diploma in Metallurgy
• Diploma in Sound Engineering
• Diploma in Textile Engineering
• Diploma in Automobile Engineering
• Diploma in Dairy Technology
• Diploma in Power Engineering

Career prospects after Engineering

Job prospects for engineering graduates have always been good. Candidates can either join the private sector, public sector or the government. In the government sector, engineers can appear for the "Indian Engineering Services" exam conducted by the UPSC at the national level or join various departments at the state level through their respective exams. The armed forces also induct a number of engineering graduates every year. Other departments such as the civil aviation department also recruit engineers. Engineers can also join the Merchant Navy. Due to the huge potential for infrastructure development, there is a good demand for engineers. With liberalization of the economy and opening of new companies and sectors, an engineering graduate has a myriad of options to start his career.

With the globalization of the economy private sectors have been setting up their companies in India and thereby creating job opportunities for engineers. The software industry leads in the recruitment of engineers. Offshoring of engineering work has also benefited India as all major companies have their offshore offices in India where they can get quality work in a much reduced rate than in the parent country.

Hope this article helps you choose the right career option.