Engineering

Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Chapter 1
The Engineering Profession

Chapter Objectives
Understand the role of engineering in the world
Understand how to prepare for a meaningful
engineering career
Understand the role of an engineer in the
engineering workplace
Describe the responsibilities and roles of the
most common engineering disciplines
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

An Engineering Career
Questions to consider:
What is engineering?
What are the career opportunities for engineers?
What are the engineering disciplines?
Where does the engineer fit into the technical spectrum?
How are engineers educated?

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

An Engineering Career contd

More questions to consider:
What is professionalism and engineering ethics?
What have engineers done in the past?
What are engineers doing now?
What will engineers do in the future?
What workplace competencies are
needed to be a successful engineer?

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Technology Team

Scientist
Engineer
Technologist and Technician
Skilled Tradespersons/Craftspersons

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Scientist
Scientists conduct research in seeking new knowledge.
The systematic research steps (or scientific method) are:
1. Formulate a hypothesis to explain phenomenon.
2. Conduct experiments to test the hypothesis.
3. Analyze test results and state conclusions.
4. Generalize the hypothesis into a law or theory.
5. Publish the new knowledge.

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Engineer
Engineers:
Apply knowledge of math and science
Conduct design and analysis
Solve problems
Develop
devices
processes
structures
systems
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Engineering Design Process

The design process includes:
1. Define the problem.

2. Acquire pertinent data.

3. Identify constraints.
4. Develop alternative solutions.
5. Select a solution based on analysis of alternatives.
6. Communicate the results.
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technologist and Technician

Technologists
Apply their education
and experience
Modify designs as needed

Technicians
Perform computations and
experiments
Prepare design drawings
Perform tasks as requested by
engineers and scientists
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Skilled Tradespersons/Craftspersons
Do not need in-depth knowledge of science and
engineering
Often trained on the job
Often serve apprenticeships
Learn to build and operate specialized equipment

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

10

Engineering Profession
Engineers must demonstrate:

Initiative
Professionalism
Engineering knowledge
Teamwork
Innovation
Communication
Cultural adaptability
Safety awareness

Customer focus
General knowledge
Continuous learning
Planning
Analysis and judgment
Quality orientation
Integrity

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

11

The Engineering Functions

Research
Development
Design
Production and Testing
Construction

Operations
Sales
Management
Consulting
Teaching

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

12

Engineering Disciplines

Aerospace
Agricultural
Biosystems/Biological
Chemical
Civil
Computer
Electrical
Environmental

Industrial
Mechanical
Metallurgical
Petroleum
Others?

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

13

Engineering Degrees by Discipline

68 206 engineering degrees
were awarded in 2008.
(data from ASEE Profiles in Engineering and
Technology Colleges, 2008 Edition.)

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

14

Engineering Challenges

Energy
Infrastructure
Clean Water
Food supply
Global design
Others?

Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e

Eide Jenison Northup Mickelson
Copyright 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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