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