Engineering – A Team Sport

Evan Lemley, UCO Phys. And Engr.August 24, 2004

ENGR 1111 Introduction to Engineering

University of Central Oklahoma

Organization

• What is Engineering?• What is an Engineering Team?• Who should be an Engineer and

Why?• Engineering Disciplines.• How to become an Engineer.

What is Engineering? Compare and Contrast

• Engineering– Learn Math and

Physics– Apply math and

physics to build new devices

– Design of applications that solve a given problem is the emphasis

• Physics– Learn Math and

Physics– Apply math and

physics to understand workings of universe

– Design of experiments that help understand workings of universe is the emphasis

What is Engineering?

• Def.: Use of technology to solve problems– Industrial – apply science and math to solve

manufacturing problems– Consulting – apply science and math to design

things from scratch or assess existing designs– Research and Development – apply newer

science and math to create new products and devices

– Academic Research – Apply science and math to previously unsolved problems (short term significance may not quite exist)

• Help discover new science

What is an Engineering Team?

• Many problems are solved by teams– Scientists – Generalists, Design, Is there any

thing we forgot?– Engineers – Design and Analyze– Technicians – Build, Test, and Debug

• Engineering and other work is moving more this direction.

• Engineering degree programs are more focused this direction… labs and design projects

Cold Fusion – Univ. of Utah Early 1990’s

• What: “Table-Top” fusion… really big deal• Who: Drs. Pons and Fleishman• Who else: Team from of Los Alamos• Why: Is it real• How: Neutron and other detectors• What happened: NO NEUTRONS OR

ANYTHING ELSE• What kind of Engineers?

Columbia Disaster - 2003

• Large Team of Scientists, Engineers, and Technicians

• Government – NASA, Industry –Contractors, Independent Board (CAIB)

• CAIB – Columbia Accident Investigation Board (www.caib.us)

• Cause: Foam insulation hits Leading Edge? – Southwest Research Institute

Air Gun

Target

Foam Impact

Is Engineering For You?

• Do you like to take things apart and put them back together? (understanding how things work)

• Do you like solving difficult problems?• Are you interested in Science and Math?• Do you like working with other technical

people?

Why Become an Engineer? - ASEE

• Job Satisfaction• Variety of Career Opportunities• Challenging Work• Intellectual Development• Potential to Benefit Society• Financial Security• Prestige• Professional Environment• Technological and Scientific Discovery• Creative Thinking

Why Become an Engineer? - Lemley

• Fame -probably not• Money -a few rich engineers• Security – pretty secure• Good at it and like it• Idealistic – contribute in a positive

way to use of technology

Science and MathRequirements

• Physics – cornerstone of technology• Chemistry• Biology• Materials – microscopic details of how materials fit

together and how they respond to outside forces Math – Engineering is applied mathematics– Algebra, Trig, Calculus, Differential Equations,

Linear Algebra• Computers – running software, spreadsheets,

word-processing, writing programs, CAD, ProE, specific engineering software

Aeronautical Engineering

• Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics• Design and build aircraft,

spacecraft, land vehicles• Big companies with large-scale

projects

Agricultural Engineering

• Hydrology, Soil Mechanics, Biology• Produce food on a large scale

Engineering DisciplinesBiomedical Engineering

• Modern engineering methods to solve problems in medicine and human health.

• Health and medical-related industries

• High growth rate

Chemical Engineering

• Chemistry to design and manufacture production systems where chemical reactions are involved

• Chemistry, fluid mechanics, heat transfer

• Petroleum, chemical, plastics, electronics (small – large scale)

Civil Engineering

• Design and construction of roads, bridges, and other large structures

• Wastewater, water supply, erosion, environmental engineering

• Government, large construction, and consulting firms

Computer Engineering

• Hardware, software, and digital communication

• Formerly part of electrical engineering

• Small – Large Scale Employment

Electrical Engineering

• Use and control of electromagnetic energy

• Microelectronics to power distribution, data communication, fiber optics, power systems, microprocessor design

Engineering Physics

• Engineering + Physics = EP• Good Engineering Problem Solvers that

know the background physics very well• Job Options

– Engineer, physicist, software engineer, Graduate School (physics or engineering)

• Curriculum = Standard Physics + Basic Engineering Science Courses

Industrial Engineering

• Design of devices and systems for mass production and manufacturing facilities

• Heavy-duty statistics• Industrial Manufacturing

employment

Mechanical Engineering

• Designing and building physical structures

• Mechanical Design -- Machines• Fluid/Thermal Design

– HVAC– Industrial Processes

• Very wide employability

Mechatronics Engineering

• Mechanical engineering plus electronics plus computers

• Solve problems that a mechanical or electrical engineer could not solve alone

Naval Engineering

• Design of ships, subs, and other sea-going vessels

• Oil platforms• Government and private sector

Nuclear Engineering

• Design of systems that involve nuclear reactions

• Reactor engineer, radiation protection

• Strong ties to mechanical and to physics

• Engineering Physics majors are good nuclear engineers

Other Engineering

• Petroleum Engineering– Production of oil and gas from resources

• Systems Engineering– Design, implementation, and control of

large-scale systems (computer, utilities, governments)

– Data processing, power generation, transmission, communications, aerospace

How to Become an Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree Required• Engineering vs. Engr. Tech.• Engineering Core 1.5 years• Math and Physics – 1 year• Engineering Physics – more physics• Some projects need a “licensed” engineer

– Esp. when public use and safety are involved– Approve Design– Some Legal Responsibility

How to Become an Engineer

• Licensed Engineers are P.E.s– Professional Engineers

– Process to be Licensed• Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE)

– Senior year, General and Specific Sections

• Engineering Intern Period (at least four years of engineering practice)

• Prof. Engr. Exam (in chosen area)

– Not necessary for many engineers

– Helpful to be eligible for PE (pass the FE Exam)