Introduction 500 101 What is Engineering Introduction 500

Introduction 500. 101 What is Engineering?

Introduction 500. 101 What is Engineering? How does it differ from science? i. Pod Science: DESCRIBE EXPLAIN Parameters: θ, Ψ, ρ, σ2, ☺, λ, Ǻ, g, ћ, H 2 C 5 OH, . . . Starting salary: $38 K (chemist) Engineering: INVENT DESIGN BUILD spandex Parameters: $ Starting salary: $54 K (chemical engineer)

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering: What are its fields? Thirty years ago. . . If it moves, it's mechanical engineering; If it doesn't move, it's civil engineering; If you can't see it, it's electrical engineering; If it smells, it's chemical engineering. Today, it’s a blur. . . Biomolecular-, nano-, computer-, materials-, robotic-, biomedical-, environmental-, . . .

Introduction 500. 101 What is Engineering? According to Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary: Engineering is “the application of mathematical and scientific principles to practical ends, as the design, construction, and operation of economical and efficient structures, equipment, and systems. ” But is there more. . . ? “Engineering. . . to define rudely but not inaptly is the art of doing that well with one dollar, which any bungler can do with two after a fashion”--Arthur Mellen Wellington, The Economic Theory of Railway Location (1911)

Introduction 500. 101 Perspectives of engineering 1) by discipline (mechanical, bio-medical, . . . ) 2) by vested interest (cultural, political, aesthetic, technical, . . . ) 3) by scope (size, time scale, cost, . . . ) 4) by impact (individual, community, world) 5) by technical level (research, adaptation of technology, design, sales)

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is art. Aesthetics as well as function counts The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain Frank Gehry, architect The Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England 1779

Introduction 500. 101 Art that lasts a long time. . . Pont du Gard, France, 100 AD Pyramids, Egypt, 2500 BC (tallest manmade structures for 3800 years) Boring - see Civil Engineers --UK Yellow Pages

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is problem-solving One solution Two solutions

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is approximation. The mathematics of engineering systems are often too complicated to solve analytically. “Engineering problems are under-defined, there are many solutions, good, bad and indifferent. The art is to arrive at a good solution. This is a creative activity involving imagination, intuition, and deliberate choice. ”--Ove Arup

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is measurement and estimation. River flow, noise in a communication system, scatter in a laser beam, earthquake characteristics--all require measurement

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is modeling and simulation. Often the only efficient means to confirm that an idea or design will work is to experiment with a scale model or computer simulation. Model of the X-33 being tested in the NASA Langley Mach 20 helium wind tunnel

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is communication. Making presentations, producing technical manuals, coordinating teams for large scale projects are all fundamental to engineering practice. $125 M communication error Richard Feynman during the Challenger disaster hearings.

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is politics. The best functional solution is not necessarily the best practical solution. Three-mile island NIMBY Alaskan pipeline

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is finance. Design, construction, operation, and maintenance costs determine the viability of projects. The Big Dig, Boston: $14. 2 B ($22 B as of 7/2008) The Channel tunnel: $21 B ($1 B = 666 Eiffel towers)

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is invention/design/innovation. New devices, materials, and processes are developed by engineers to meet needs that existing technologies do not address.

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is an outstanding salary. Most Lucrative College Degrees by Julianne Pepitone Friday, July 24, 2009 provided by . . . engineering diplomas account for 12 of the 15 the top-paying majors. NACE collects its data by surveying 200 college career centers. . salaries for graduates who studied fields like social work command tiny paychecks, somewhere in the vicinity of $29, 000. English, foreign language and communications majors make about $35, 000. “. . . few grads offer math skills, and those who can are rewarded. "

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is ethics. Engineering is safety. Engineering is public service. . “Architects and engineers are among the most fortunate of men since they build their own monuments with public consent, public approval and often public money”--John Prebble

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is new materials. . . and the space elevator

Introduction 500. 101 A 21 st century Eiffel Tower? (Chosen for London 2012 Olympics)

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering isn’t only about big things. It’s also about nano-bio, bottom-up, tailored structures quantum dot biological markers SWCN switches nano-robots

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is haptics and robotic surgery

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is quick response problem-solving

Introduction 500. 101 Global engineering challenges: global warming

Introduction 500. 101 Engineering is long-range problem-solving

Introduction 500. 101

Introduction 500. 101 Global engineering challenges: potable water

Introduction 500. 101 Global engineering challenges: the cost of water

Introduction 500. 101 Pumping Punjab dry (IEEE Spectrum, 2010) From hand-operated pumps to 4 hrs/day free electricity, subsistence farmers are lowering the water table to dangerous levels.

Introduction 500. 101 Expose yourself to engineering!