2. The Engineering Profession
Chapter Overview What is Engineering? The Engineering Process Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career Engineering Disciplines Engineering Job Functions Employment Opportunities Important Fields for the Future Engineering as a Profession
What is Engineering?
What is Engineering? If someone (father, grandmother, aunt, friend, fellow student) asked you the question: What is engineering? How would you respond? Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of [hu]mankind. 2005 ABET Accreditation Yearbook
The Engineering Design Process Customer need or opportunity Problem definition/specifications Data and information collection Development of alternative solutions Evaluation of design/selection of optimal design Implementation of optimal design
The Engineering Design Process Customer need Development of alternative solutions Specifications Selection optimal design Data collection Implementation of optimal design
Case Study: Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Search on the Internet for videos related to: World Solar Challenge 2011 Presentation 1987-2005 History of the World Solar Challenge 2011 Solar Challenge
Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20 th Century 20. High performance materials 19. Nuclear technologies 18. Laser and fiber optics 17. Petroleum and gas technologies 16. Health technologies 15. Household appliances 14. Imaging technologies 13. Internet 12. Space exploration 11. Interstate highways
Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20 th Century 10. Air-conditioning and refrigeration 9. Telephone 8. Computers 7. Agricultural mechanization 6. Radio and television 5. Electronics 4. Safe and abundant water 3. Airplane 2. Automobile 1. Electrification
Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career 1. Job satisfaction 2. Varied opportunities 3. Challenging work 4. Intellectual development 5. Social impact 6. Financial security 7. Prestige 8. Professional environment 9. Understanding how things work 10. Creative thinking
Discipline 2005/06 Starting Salaries Avg. Salary Engineering $51,465 Computer Science 49,680 Engineering Technology 48,514 Nursing 45,347 Business 41,900 Mathematics and Sciences 38,217 Agriculture & Natural Resources 33,716 Education 32,438 Humanities & Social Sciences 31,290 Communications 31,110
Engineering Disciplines Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Chemical Engineering Industrial Engineering Other (Aerospace, Biomedical, etc.)
Analysis Design Test Development Sales Research Management Consulting Teaching Engineering Job Functions
Industry Sectors (Non-manufacturing) Professional, scientific, and technical services Information Construction Wholesale trade Administrative and support Management of companies and enterprises Utilities Mining
Industry Sectors (Manufacturing) Computer and electronic product Transportation equipment Machinery Fabricated metal product Chemical Electronic equipment, appliance, and component
Major Changes Affecting the Future The fall of the Berlin Wall Advances in computer technology Advances in communications The knowledge and information explosion Globalization (outsourcing, off-shoring) Increased focus on the environment Events of September 11, 2001 World population explosion
Important Fields for the Future Manufacturing frontiers Information and communication systems Smart and engineered materials Bioengineering Critical infrastructure systems Homeland security Improved health care delivery Nanotechnology Advanced environmental technology Sensors and control systems
Engineering as a Profession Professional registration 1. Graduation from ABET-accredited engineering program 2. Pass Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) 3. Complete four years of acceptable engineering practice 4. Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam Professional societies
After this Class: Read Chapter 3. Work on Homework Assignment 2. Next Class: Homework Assignment 2 is due. Quiz Chapter 3.