Question: What is the difference between science and engineering?

Neil Bowles answered on 17 Mar 2014:

In someways, engineering is how?, and science is about why? E.g. why does the Sun shine? How can I make energy from Sun shine on Earth?

When you are actually ‘doing’ engineering though, the difference is often in the approach to solving a problem. An engineer is trained how to build things, a scientist may not be. So, for example, an engineer is what you want if you are building a bridge or a space station – something that people’s lives depend on. An engineer has been trained to design it with all the tolerances and safety factors you need! You can learn to be both, depending on the job.