Why Continuing Education Is Important for Engineers

As some of the most highly-paid and highly-skilled professionals in the nation, engineers are also expected to have a high level of education and training. However, an engineer’s education shouldn’t end just because they have obtained their desired college degree. Since engineers are the innovators within many operations, creating new products and designs, as well as coming up with solutions to everyday problems, it is absolutely essential that they obtain continuing education to keep informed on the latest developments in their profession. By being constant learners, engineers increase their capacity for creativity and learn to incorporate new ideas into their work. Continuing education for engineers includes courses covering current design trends, environmental concerns, project management, ethics and laws that affect the practice of engineering. All continuing education courses in engineering are designed to improve an engineer’s ability to perform their everyday work.

The Advantage of Taking Online Classes

Because of their busy and sometimes unpredictable schedules, engineers find online classes useful due to their sheer convenience. For engineers who must obtain continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain state licensure, online classes can meet that need. For those who are not required to take CEUs, online classes are helpful as refresher courses in areas where you need to update a particular skill set. Online courses offer the same quality of education you would expect from traditional courses, only they do not require the engineer to commute to a college campus or instructional site. Online classes offer instruction from qualified, experienced professors on topics relevant to engineers, but they are also flexible, allowing you to log in at any time of the day that is most convenient to you.

How Free Online Classes Can Supplement Your Career

Top-notch institutions are offering something revolutionary in higher education—free educational content on a number of engineering topics that are open to anyone. Called Open CourseWare, these online course materials allow students to hone their engineering knowledge online simply by selecting a course from a directory. MIT, a pioneer in providing Open CourseWare, offers instruction in topics such as Principles of Biological Engineering; Circuits and Electronics; Introduction to Quantum Mechanics; and Electromagnetics and Applications. Taking a few free online classes from well-regarded universities can strengthen your knowledge base, making you a better performer on the job.

• Perspectives in Biological Engineering: Take this course to learn how to combine biological systems and engineering to study cellular processes and more. [MIT]
• Molecular Aspects of Chemical Engineering: Study how molecular engineering can be used to learn more about chemical processes. [MIT]
• Organic Structure of Determination: Here you will learn about elucidation of organic molecule structure. [MIT]
• Thermodynamics of Bimolecular Systems: Study basic thermodynamics, microscopic and macroscopic systems, and chemical equilibrium here. [MIT]
• Introduction to Aerospace Engineering and Design: Learn about aeronautics information technology, design, LTA vehicle design, and more. [MIT]
• Engineering Apollo: Study how engineers worked on the Apollo project. [MIT]
• Introduction to Lean Six Sigma Methods: This class will introduce you to the methodologies used in many engineering systems. [MIT]
• Electromagnetic Wave Theory: This math-focused graduate course will teach you to apply Mawell’s theory. [MIT]
• Computation for Biological Engineers: Study computational methods for biological systems engineering. [MIT]
• Circuits and Electronics: Get an introduction to circuit abstraction. [MIT]
• The Structure of Engineering Revolutions: Find out how engineering is used in the real world, and how major projects are organized and executed. [MIT]
• Magnetic Materials: This course will teach you the basics of magnetic anisotropy, magnetic recording, hard and soft magnetic materials, and more. [MIT]
• Biological Engineering Programming: Learn about the theories and practices of biological engineering programming. [MIT]
• Continuum Electromechanics: Study transfer relations, electrokinetics, physiochemical systems and more. [MIT]
• Transport Processes: Study heat transfer and related topics here. [MIT]
• Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I: Take this course to learn about the Schrodinger equation, matrix methods, and other basic concepts. [MIT]
• Air Transportation Systems Architecting: Learn about the formation and engineering of flight. [MIT]
• Computational Mechanics of Materials: Learn numerical methods for analyzing nonlinenear continuum response of materials when you take this course. [MIT]
• Introduction to Communication, Control and Signal Processing: Learn how to analyze and use different signals and systems, including random processes and signal estimation. [MIT]
• Engineering Systems Analysis for Design: Learn how to leave room for real options analysis in engineering projects. [MIT]
• Photonic Materials and Devices: Learn about all aspects of photonic materials here. [MIT]
• Polymer Engineering: This is a course to teach you about synthetic polymers. [MIT]
• Engineering Ethics: Take Engineering Ethics to develop your decision-making skills and leadership potential. [MIT]
• Elements of Mechanical Design: Explore best practices for using machines. [MIT]
• How and Why Machines Work: Get an overview of the purpose of machines. [MIT]
• Process Dynamics, Operations and Control: Learn about static and dynamic behaviors of control, design of feedback, and more. [MIT]
• Engineering Chemistry: Get an introduction to chemical engineering here. [IIT Madras]
• Structural Mechanics: Learn about the engineering systems for and mechanics of high-technology structures. [MIT]
• Engineering System Design: This course will teach you about complex engineering systems and how to use quantitative and qualitative models. [MIT]
• Welding and Joining Processes: Find out how to join physical and chemical materials here. [MIT]
• Materials Processing: Study the manipulation and processing of solid materials with heat, vapor and more. [MIT]
• Introduction to Ocean Science and Engineering: Learn different methodologies for studying the ocean and designing systems for ocean science. [MIT]
• Management in Engineering: Engineering management principles like patents, human factors and innovation are discussed here. [MIT]
• Dynamics of Nonlinear Systems: Explore how nonlinear systems are designed and how they work. [MIT]
• Carrier Systems: Study transport design and carrier systems here. [MIT]
• Project Management: When you take this course, you’ll have a better understanding of construction management. [MIT]
• Introduction to Civil Engineering Design: Develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills while learning the basics of civil engineering. [MIT]
• Masters of Engineering Concepts of Engineering Practice: This graduate course will teach you about the industry and responsibilities of the modern day engineer. [MIT]
• Electromagnetics and Applications: You will learn about circuits, computer interconnects, microwave communications, radar and more in this course on electromagnetics. [MIT]
• Artificial Intelligence: Get an overview of the concepts and applications of artificial intelligence and representation. [MIT]
• Fluid Mechanics: Explore the properties, dynamics and systems of fluid engineering here. [Utah State]
• Advanced Soil Mechanics: Topics covered here include seepage, cohesive soils, hydraulic conductivity, and more. [MIT]
• System Safety: Take into consideration human error, accident causes, safety culture, safety-critical systems, software hazards and more when you take this course. [MIT]
• Satellite Engineering: Learn about the design and practical engineering of satellites. [MIT]
• Linear Algebra: You can learn about matrix theory, determinants and more in this course. [MIT]
• An Algorithmist’s Toolkit: Practice the methods for mastering modern algorithms here. [MIT]
• Theory of Computation: This very advanced course will help you explore the theory of computation. [MIT]
• Engineering Economy Module: You’ll learn how to use Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for engineering models. [MIT]
• Electricity and magnetism: Learn about the principles and applications of magnetism here. [Connexions]
• Rocket Propulsion: Topics covered in this course include hybrid rockets, thermochemistry, kinetic effects and more. [MIT]