Chapter 2 The Engineering Profession The Engineering Profession

Chapter 2 The Engineering Profession

The Engineering Profession l l l l l What is Engineering? The Engineering Process Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20 th 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? 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. ”

Learning More about Engineering Chapter 2 of Studying Engineering l. Search the web l. Talk to engineering professionals l. Attend career days l. Other? l. Study

The Engineering Design Process Customer need or opportunity l Problem definition/Specifications l Data and information collection l Development of alternative solutions l Evaluation of design/selection of optimal design l Implementation of optimal design l

Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20 th Century 20. High performance material 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 (continued) 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Job satisfaction Varied opportunities Challenging work Intellectual development Social impact Financial security Prestige Professional environment Understanding how things work Creative thinking

2004/05 Starting Salaries Discipline Computer Science Engineering Technology Construction Sc/Management Business Nursing Sciences Agriculture & Natural Resources Education Communications Humanities & Social Sciences Avg. Salary $51, 042 49, 619 47, 109 41, 566 40, 934 38, 788 37, 280 30, 930 30, 700 30, 266 29, 061

Engineering Disciplines l l l l Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering Chemical Engineering Industrial Engineering Other (Aerospace, Biomedical, etc)

Engineering Job Functions l l l l l Analysis Design Test Development Sales Research Management Consulting Teaching

Industry Sectors (Non-manufacturing) • • Mining Utilities Construction Wholesale and retail trade Transportation Information Professional, scientific and technical services

Industry Sectors (Manufacturing) l l l l Petroleum and coal products Chemical Fabricated metal product Machinery Computer and electronic product Electronic equipment, appliance, and component Transportation equipment

Major Changes Affecting the Future l l l l Internationalization of engineering The end of the “cold war” Advances in computer technology Advances in communications Increased focus on environment Shift to “service” economy World population explosion

Important Fields for the Future l l l l Advanced manufacturing technologies Information and communication technologies Advanced materials and processing Biotechnology Civil infrastructure systems Improved health care delivery Advanced environmental technologies

Engineering as a Profession • Professional registration Graduation from ABET-accredited engineering program Pass Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) Complete four years of acceptable engineering practice Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam • Professional societies

Group Discussion Exercise Motorized Beach Wheelchair Working in your group, develop a list of specifications for a motorized wheel chair that could be used on a sandy beach. Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what you come up with

Alternative Group Discussion Learning More About Engineering In your group, “brainstorm” a list of tangible things you can do to learn more about engineering. Be bold and creative! Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what you come up with