Chapter 2

The Engineering Profession

The Engineering Profession

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?

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

Study Chapter 2 of Studying EngineeringSearch the webTalk to engineering professionalsAttend career daysOther?

The Engineering Design Process

Customer need or opportunityProblem definition/SpecificationsData and information collectionDevelopment of alternative solutionsEvaluation of design/selection of optimal

designImplementation of optimal design

Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20th Century

20. High performance material19. Nuclear technologies18. Laser and fiber optics17. Petroleum and gas technologies16. Health technologies15. Household appliances14. Imaging technologies13. Internet12. Space exploration11. Interstate highways

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

Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20th Century (continued)

Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career

1. Job satisfaction2. Varied opportunities3. Challenging work4. Intellectual development5. Social impact6. Financial security7. Prestige8. Professional environment9. Understanding how things work10. Creative thinking

2004/05 Starting Salaries

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

Engineering Disciplines

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

Engineering Job Functions

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)

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

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

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 ExerciseMotorized 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 DiscussionLearning 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