GENG107 Engineering

Skills and Ethics

Topic 2: The Engineer and Engineering Disciplines
Reading : Chapter 2, Internet resources

Abdelaziz Bouras

Updated from Dr. Mahmoud Abdulwahed slides. 1

Introduction to Engineering

 Definitions
 Engineering Disciplines
 Technology Team
 Engineering Functions
 Career Paths
 ABET Requirements
 Engineering Profession

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Definition of Engineering/Engineer
 Engineers: are individuals who combine knowledge of
science, mathematics, and economics to solve
technical problems that confront society
 ABET Defines Engineering as: “The profession in
which knowledge of 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 mankind”
 Word Origin: The word “Engineer” is derived from
“Ingenious” which is derived from the Latin root “in
generare”
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Engineering: A Historical Background

 5000 BC – 17th Century AD: Engineering was a

profession practiced without a formal education
 18th – 19th Century AD: Engineering was taught
formally in a higher education degree for the first
time in France and UK and USA
 20th Century (first half): Increased weight of basic
science and mathematics in engineering curriculum
 20th Century (second half): Engineering education in
principle maintained very similar core to the content
and the way it has been delivered in the 19960s
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Evolution of Engineering Disciplines

3000 BC

1000 BC

1700 AD

1800 AD

1900 AD

1950 AD

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Who where the First Engineers and
Inventors?

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The First Engineers and Inventors

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Engineering, Science and Technology
in the Arabic/Islamic Civilization

Check the following links for more info:

http://www.1001inventions.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_inventions_in_the_medieval_Islamic_world
http://www.muslimheritage.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMYi4Cn1yEM (Muslim Women in Science)
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Some Islamic/Arabic Scientists and Engineers

 Fatima Al-Fihri
 Banu Musa brothers
 Al-Jazari
 Etc.

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Modern Engineering Fields
 Civil Engineering
One of the largest branches of
engineering, civil engineering is a field
that deals with buildings, bridges,
dams, roads, and other structures.
Civil engineers plan, design, and
supervise the construction of facilities
such as high-rise buildings, airports,
water treatment centres, and
sanitation plants.

 Computer Engineering
Computer engineers deal with all
aspects of computer systems
including design, construction, and
operation. Some computer engineers
specialize in areas like digital systems,
operating systems, computer
networks, and software. For example,
we rely on computer engineers to
design the software for a computer
simulation that will test stress points
in a bridge before it is built.
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Modern Engineering Fields
 Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering, the discipline that
employs the largest number of
engineers, covers everything related to
electrical devices, systems, and the use
of electricity. Electrical engineers work
on power plants, computers,
communications, control,
instrumentation, electronics, and other
electrical devices.

Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers assist with the
development of water distribution
systems, recycling methods, sewage
treatment plants, and other pollution
prevention and control systems in the
water, air, and land. Environmental
engineers constantly seek new ways to
reduce air pollution and pesticides.
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Modern Engineering Fields
• Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineers design and develop
technology for commercial aviation, the
national defence, and space exploration.

Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural engineers design farm and
food processing equipment; and develop
systems for drainage, irrigation, and waste
disposal.

Architectural Engineering
Combine the knowledge of structures and
materials with architects knowledge of
aesthetics and functionality. Architectural
engineers take the Architect’s vision and
they make it happen.

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Modern Engineering Fields
 Bioengineering/Biomedical
Engineering
Bioengineering combines biology and
engineering. Some of these engineers
work closely with biologists and
medical doctors to develop medical
instruments and artificial organs.
Others investigate questions that
involve technology and humans such
as: How does working with
computers all day affect one's health?

 Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering involves the
processing and treating of liquids and
gases. For example, some chemical
engineers are studying ways to
desalinate seawater—stripping it of
salt to make the water safe to drink.
Many chemical engineers work with
petroleum, plastics and pollution
control. 13
Modern Engineering Fields

 Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineers organize the people,
information, energy, materials, and
machines involved in the production
process. They are concerned with
plant design and management, quality
control, and the human factors of
engineering. Industrial engineers
perform tasks such as finding the best
location for a high-tech company's
new plant.

 Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing engineers design tools and
equipment and work with all aspects
of manufacturing—from production
control and materials handling to
mechanization and automation.

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Modern Engineering Fields
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers use
mechanics and energy
principles to design machines
such as engines and motors.
Many mechanical engineers
work in the areas of air-
conditioning and refrigeration,
automotive, manufacturing,
welding, and robotics.

Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear engineers design, develop,
and control plants that use
nuclear energy for fuel and
medical purposes.

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Quiz - World without Engineering!

Which engineering is missing!? 16

Quiz - World without Engineering!

Which engineering is missing!? 17

Quiz - World without Engineering!

Which engineering is missing!? 18

Quiz - World without Engineering!

Which engineering is missing!? 19

Class Activities

 Activity 1: Identify a topic or problem that

requires the cooperation between two (or
more) engineering disciplines (2 minutes)

 Activity 2: Discuss in pairs some kind of new

engineering fields that will emerge in the
future, what are they?

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The Technology Team
 Engineers are seldom to work alone; technology developments
of products and solutions requires engineers to work in what’s
called the Technology Team
 The technology team may consists of:
◦ Scientists: study nature to advance human knowledge  Typical
degree BS, MS, PhD
◦ Engineers: Apply knowledge of science, mathematics, and economics,
to develop useful devices, structures, and processes  Typical
degree BS, MS, PhD
◦ Technologists: Apply science and mathematics to well-defined
problems that does not require in-depth knowledge processed by
engineers and scientists  Typical degree is BS
◦ Technicians: Work closely with engineers and scientists to
accomplish specific tasks, e.g. laboratory procedures  Typical
degree is two-year associate degree
◦ Artisans: Have the manual skills(welding, machining, carpentry) to
construct devices specified by scientists, engineers, technologists,
and technicians  Typical degree is a high school diploma plus
practical experience
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Engineering Functions
The focus of an engineer’s work typically falls into one or more of the
following areas:
 Research - explore, discover and apply new principles

 Development - transform ideas or concepts into production or

processes
 Design - link the generation of ideas and the production

 Production and testing - manufacture and assemble components or

products
 Sales – have the technical background to sell technical products

 Operations - maintain equipment and facilities

 Construction - prior to construction organizes bids, during

construction supervises certain components of process
 Management - optimize the use of resources (equipment, labor,
finances)
 Education - teach engineering principles in university and industrial
settings
 Consulting - provide specialized engineering services the clients. May
work alone or in partnership with others.
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Classroom Activity (10-15 min):
 Think about a new smart phone and work
in small groups to refine its engineering
functions
 Define a mind map to:
- Associate the needed engineers, technicians…
to each function or group of functions
- Define a logical link between the different
functions
- etc
Engineering Societies
 Typical objectives of the international societies:
◦ Encourage research
◦ Encourage and publicize discoveries
◦ Bring engineers together for the exchange of
information and ideas
◦ Maintain and improve standards of engineering
education
 Example of Engineering Societies:
◦ Qatar society of Engineers
◦ NSPE: National Society of Professional Engineers
◦ IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

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Classroom Activity (3-5 min):
 As a young creative engineering student, you are
entrusted in a mission to propose a new engineering
societies that would benefit:
◦ Qatar?
◦ Other Arabic and Islamic Countries?
◦ Or the International Community?
 Discuss this mission with your colleges (2 or 3
students) and propose one or more new engineering
society for each category mentioned above!
 What are the major activities of your proposed
societies?

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Traits of the Successful Engineer
 Interpersonal skills  Maintaining a
 Communication skills professional library
 Leadership  Dependability
 Competence  Honesty
 Logical thinking  Organization
 Quantitative thinking  Common sense
 Follow through and  Curiosity
patience  Creativity
 Continuing Education  Anything else?

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Some Traits of The Creative Engineer!

 Possess unbounded thinking

 Has broad interests
 Stick to the problem
 Ask why
 Is never satisfied
 Learn from accidents
 Many others!, any ideas?

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The Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET) http://www.abet.org/

 ABET reviews:
The quality of the students
The competence of the faculty
The administrative support
Curriculum
 The accredited program assures that the
program meets professional standards
 Having an engineering degree from a four-year
accredited engineering program is required to
become a registered professional engineer in some
countries such as USA
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Programs Outcomes according to ABET
What should you know by the end of your engineering study?
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering.
b. An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret
data.
c. An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within
realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical,
health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
d. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
g. An ability to communicate effectively.
h. The board education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in
a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
i. A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
j. A knowledge of contemporary issues.
k. An ability to use techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.
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Stages of Engineering Education

 BSc: Normally 4-5 years

 MSc: Normally 1-2 years
 PhD: Normally 3-5 years
 CENG at QU offers now all levels of Engineering Education

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