工学

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 工学 (こうがく) is the discipline of applying scientific knowledge to practical design and technology. 環境工学 is a field compound; 工学の知識 is knowledge used in design.
• Basic usage: One context studies environmental engineering at university; the other applies engineering knowledge to a small bridge.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Engineering as a field of study and knowledge applied to design
  • Preceding 環境 narrows the engineering field; following の知識 presents an applicable body of knowledge. It is not simply synonymous with natural science in general.