Science is a Latin word "Scientia" which means "knowledge" and in the other words, it is any systematic knowledge-base or prescriptive practice capable of resulting in prediction. It is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena. It is the process of gaining knowledge through study or practice.
However, Engineering is the branch of science and technology. Engineering is the application of principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. In general, it is the combination of science and mathematics to solve real-world problems that improve the living way of people. Engineering is generally concerned with the design, building and use of engines, machines and structures.
What is Science?
Humankind has always shown keen interest to understand why things behave in a certain way and trying to link observation with prediction. This is where science works. Science is the product of two things; truth and understanding. There are three main goals of science, first one is research to understand, and the second one is research to solve a particular problem (applied research) and the last one is dispensing solutions.
Classification of Science
The study of science is classified into various types; Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Applied Sciences, Health Sciences. These all kinds are explained below:
- Natural Science: It is the study of objects and phenomena existing in nature, especially biology, chemistry, physics and their interdisciplinary related sciences. Natural science consists of five main studies.
- Astronomy: It is the branch of science which deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole. Astronomy is the study of the sun, moon, stars, planets, comets, gas, galaxies, gas, dust and other non-earthly bodies and phenomena.
- Biology: It is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origin, and distribution. The science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behaviour.
- Chemistry: It is the branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed, the investigation of their properties and reactions, and the use of such reactions to form new substances. It is a physical science, and it is the study of the properties of and interactions between matter and energy. In other words, chemistry is a way to study the properties, characteristics, and physical and chemical changes of matter.
- Physics: Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms. It also consists of the study of forces such as heat, pressure, gravity and the way that they affect objects.
- Earth Science: It is the branch of science dealing with the physical constitution of the earth and its atmosphere such as geology and geography that are concerned with the study of the earth.
- Social Science: Social Science generally deals with the scientific study of human society and social relationships. Social science also has many subtypes of studies which are a group of academic disciplines that examine society and how people interact and develop as a culture. Social science as a field of study is separate from the natural sciences. Studies like Anthropology, Archaeology, Communication, Economics, Ethnology, Geography, Linguistics, Political science, Semiotics, Sociology comes under social sciences.
- Behavioral Science: In short words, it is the scientific study of human and animal behaviour. Behavioural sciences generally disregard the existence of mind and concentrate on the patterns of response to external stimuli. See also behaviourism. There are some fields like Ethology, Psychology, Social psychology, Sociobiology comes in this category.
- Applied Science: It is the discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems. Studies like Acoustics, Agriculture, Applied mathematics; Architecture, Computer science etc. are the kinds of applied science.
- Health Science: Science which deals with human and animal health is called as the health science. Its main focus is on health, or healthcare, as core parts of their subject matter. The science fields like Bioengineering, Dentistry, Epidemiology, Healthcare, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social work, Veterinary medicine etc come under this category.
What is Engineering?
Engineering is the process of designing the human-made world. It is the systematic application of knowledge and experience to solve problems and protect and improve lives. Engineering teaches how to use knowledge and creativity to find solutions to society’s problems and to improve the quality of life for humankind. Engineering takes a thought, or an abstract idea, and translates it into reality. Engineering helped create almost every human-made object that we interact with on a daily basis.
Classification of Engineering
Engineering is often broken down into several sub-disciplines. There various types of engineering based on different themes as listed below.
- Civil Engineering: Civil engineering is the design and construction of public and private works, such as dams, bridges and other private and public large infrastructure projects. It is everything you see that’s been built around us. Civil Engineering is one of the broadest and oldest of the engineering disciplines.
- Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline that applies the principles of engineering to the design and construction of machines and their parts. It helps us to understand the working mechanisms of heavy tools and machineries. It is also one of the oldest types of engineering.
- Chemical Engineering: It is the branch of engineering concerned with the design and operation of industrial chemical plants. In broad terms, chemical engineering helps to conceive and design processes to produce, transform and transport materials, beginning with experimentation in the laboratory followed by implementation of the technology in full-scale production.
- Electrical Engineering: Electrical engineering is the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism for the development and maintenance of electrical and electronic types of equipment such as electric motors, navigation systems, medical devices, broadcast and communication systems, power generation systems, electrical distribution systems, electric grids etc.
- Electronics Engineering: Electronics engineering is a form of engineering associated with electronic circuits, devices and the equipment and systems that use them. Electronics engineering is kind of an electrical engineering discipline which utilizes non-linear and active electrical components (such as semiconductor devices, especially transistors, diodes and integrated circuits) to design electronic circuits, devices, microprocessors, microcontrollers and other systems.
- Computer Science Engineering: This engineering focuses on the basic elements of computer programming and networking. It consists of a variety of topics that relates to computation, like analysis of algorithms, programming languages, program design, software, and computer hardware.
- Other Branches: There are many more other branches of engineering like manufacturing engineering, acoustical engineering, corrosion engineering, instrumentation and control, aerospace, automotive, communication, petroleum, environmental, systems, audio, software, architectural, agricultural, biosystems, biomedical, geological, textile, industrial, materials and nuclear engineering.
Difference between Science and Engineering
There are some aspects which differentiate the science and engineering:
- Science is a set of knowledge and validated systems while engineering is the utilization of these systems and knowledge to create devices and structures and make the living standards comfortable.
- Engineering uses different scientific fields in its pursuit of suitable designs and methods of producing devices for the benefit of man.
- Science has several classifications like natural science, social science, empirical and applied sciences while engineering has four main branches which are chemical, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.
- Well, science is the study of systematically arranged facts that can be logically explained whereas engineering is a branch of science that deals with the discipline of gaining and using scientific, mathematical, economic, and practical knowledge to design and produce machines and devices that are useful to man.
- Science doesn’t have to do with the building as engineering does. Scientists work in labs most of the times and engineering works in different places. Science is more of physical and chemical changes and engineering is more of a hand working project.
However, they are also similar to each other in some prospects. As engineering is a branch of science. So, therefore it is similar to science because it is science. Also, science is technology, and engineering deals with technology. So they are similar in the way of technology.
Eventually, I would like to say that science is the mother of engineering. As engineering is the part of science called applied science. However, both fields have their own importance in human’s life.
