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the surface. However, one of the dispersant chemicals used in
the Deepwater Horizon cleanup turned out to be harmful to the
ecosystem of the gulf. Solving these kinds of problems effectively
but safely are among the many important challenges facing envi-
ronmental engineers.
Materials Engineers
Materials engineers, who are also civil engineers, help develop
new materials for use on projects ranging from submarines to
spacecraft and from highways to computer chips. They are ex-
perts in the properties of metals, ceramics, concrete, wood, fab-
rics, and other materials used to build things. They must know
how various materials will stand up to extreme temperatures, how
they will conduct electricity, and whether they will corrode or lose
their strength over time.
Computer-Aided Design
Whether it is designing a sewer system or a skyscraper, the work of any civil
engineer will, at some point, require computer-aided design (CAD). CAD
is computer software that civil engineers use to create precise, detailed
drawings or technical illustrations. Engineers can create two-dimensional
or three-dimensional (3-D) models using CAD. These programs are part
of a civil engineer’s training and everyday work. A version of CAD, called
AutoCAD, is a standard tool used by most civil engineers around the world.
In addition to being able to design buildings and other projects on the
computer, CAD helps engineers solve geometry and physics equations
associated with their designs. Files can be easily saved and sorted. Build-
ings, water lines, roads, and other parts of a project can be placed in a va-
riety of positions within a job site on the computer. CAD also has a feature
that allows an engineer to send a CAD image to a 3-D printer that creates
a model of the design. High school students can start learning CAD at
school, at home, or at a technical school in their community. Experience
with CAD can be a valuable asset when starting an engineering education.
