Civil engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the construction and maintenance of public and private buildings, dams, roads, canals, and other structures. Mechanical engineering is the field of engineering that involves working on physical machines based on the theories of force, work, and motion.
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Civil engineering deals with the construction as well as maintenance of buildings, canals, dams, roads, and other construction works, whereas mechanical engineering focuses on the employment of the theories of work, force, and motion on the working of machines.
Irrespective of the discipline chosen, it is important to devote time to studying the subject thoroughly for a comprehensive understanding of the subject. When given to choose one option, the students must choose the subject as per one’s interest, and also according to the job opportunities offered by the subject.
What is Civil Engineering?
Civil engineering is associated with the construction, design, and maintenance of buildings, bridges, canals, roads, dams etc. The specialisations under civil engineering include water resources, forensics, environment, construction and architecture.
The sectors for which civil engineers work include public, private, cities, and governments. The various projects included in civil engineering include airports, dams, bridges, hydraulic systems, environmental effects, etc.
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineering is associated with the designing and construction of equipment or machines. The work in mechanical engineering is analysed through the principles of motion, work, and force. A mechanical engineer will ensure that the equipment functions safely and efficiently and in an economic way.
There are several disciplines under mechanical engineering, which include aerospace, energy, design, acoustics, robotics, composites, biotechnology, etc.
Also Check: Aeronautical Engineering vs Aerospace Engineering - Which Has a Better Scope?
Differences Between Civil Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering
There are major differences between civil and mechanical engineering when it comes to the areas they cover and the job scopes. The differences have been charted in the table below:
Parameters |
Civil Engineering |
Mechanical Engineering |
Focus Areas |
Pavements, bridges, buildings, dams, roads, design and manufacture of materials with which construction is done |
Product development and design, industrial fluid mechanics, dynamics and strength of structures |
Major Elements |
Surveying, materials science, coastal construction, transportation, etc. |
Mechatronics, robotics, thermodynamics, mechanics, fluid, mechanics, etc. |
Job Profile |
Mining Engineer, Coastal Engineer, Structural Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer |
Electrical Engineer, Automotive Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Industrial Engineer |
Average Salary (Annual) |
INR 4,60,000 |
INR 4,30,000 |
Top Recruiters |
IRCON International Ltd., L&T ECC, Punj Lloyd Group, Gammon India Ltd., Hindustan Construction Company |
Tata Consultancy Services, L&T Technology Services, Larsen & Toubro, Tech Mahindra, HCLTech |
Also Check: Electrical Engineering Vs Electronics and Communication Engineering: Which One to Choose?
Shared below are few of the top colleges in India for Civil Engineering. Students who wish to study civil engineering can take a look at the list below:
- IIT Madras
- IIT Delhi
- VNIT Nagpur
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Thapar University
- NIT Trichy
- VIT Vellore
- COEP
- MANIT Bhopal
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Also Check: Top Civil Engineering Colleges in India
Top Colleges for Mechanical Engineering
Students who are interested in Mechanical Engineering can check the list of the top colleges in India for mechanical engineering:
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Roorkee
- NIT Rourkela
- BITS Pilani
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- Amity University
- IIT Madras
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Hyderabad
Also Check: Top Mechanical Engineering Colleges in India
Skills Required for Civil Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering
Needless to say both the branches of engineering need a separate set of skills. It is important for the students to acquire these skills while doing their courses. These skills are what the employers look for when they recruit candidates for different job profiles.
The skills required for civil and mechanical engineering have been shared in the table below:
Civil Engineering |
Mechanical Engineering |
Project Management |
Project Management |
Technical Writing |
Computer Aided Design (CAD) & Visualization |
Maintenance of Infrastructure |
Mechanical Analysis |
Planning and Designing of Buildings/Constructions |
Manufacturing |
Also Check: Skill Development Courses List for Students
Job Scope for Civil Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering
Both the fields of engineering, namely Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, have a wide range of options when it comes to career. A civil engineer is required to give technical ideas in the construction and maintenance of buildings, roads, dams, etc.
The job scope of a civil engineer includes the following areas:
- Water resources
- Construction
- Hydraulic engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Transportation engineering
A mechanical engineer has a wider range of responsibilities and job scope. A mechanical engineer requires a sound knowledge of maths and physics.
The job scope of a mechanical engineer includes the below-listed areas:
- Aerospace
- Control and instrumentation
- Research and development
- Maintenance
- Thermodynamics
- Mechanics
- Kinematics
Also Check: Top 10 Trending Jobs in India
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