All engineering students have to take certain basic courses that teach skills and information required by all professional engineers, regardless of their specialization. One of the first of these is generally a course in statics, which is the study of the physics of non-moving systems of supports and joints. An understanding of statics will help everyone from civil- to electrical-engineers, and can be built on by later, field-specific courses. Another common course, usually taken in sophomore or junior year, is an introductory engineering design course. This teaches engineering students the principles of the design process for a product or device as it commonly occurs in the industry.
There are a vast number of specialized fields in engineering. Mechanical, electrical, aerospace, nuclear, and civil engineering are just a few of these, and each forms an engineering "major" in which students can focus. For each of these majors there are a number of required courses. Nuclear engineering students, for instance, will be required to take courses in the atomic structure of matter, radiation safety, and shielding methods. In addition to core courses, students take a variety of "electives," or classes on topics they find interesting or consider important to the part of their field they will be focusing on in their careers.
Most engineering programs also require students to take one or more courses that seek to foster an awareness of the professional standards and ethics that engineers should have, and the role that engineers should play in society. These courses are similar to standards-seminars given by many companies, in that they both teach participants how to work together as engineers in today's dynamic workplace.
Many students undertake a program of independent study for credit. These independent studies can focus on one part of a student's field that he finds particularly fascinating. Alternatively, the student may use an independent study so he can delve into a topic on which his school does not offer a formal course.