Structure of Engineering and Engineering Majors

1. Structure of Engineering and Engineering Majors Professor: Dr. Miguel Alonso Jr.

2. Outline • Introduction • Engineering Functions • Engineering Majors • Emerging Fields • Closing Thoughts • Engineering and Technical Organizations

3. Introduction • What does an engineer do? • Frequently, students enter engineering programs because: • The have proficiency in math and science • It is suggested by a counselor • Knows an engineer • Money • This sections outlines the role of engineers, engineering job functions, and various disciplines

4. The Scientist and the Engineer • Two closely related fields, but different in their focus • Both use math and science to answer technological questions • Scientist: Obtain knowledge of why a phenomenon occurs • Engineer: Application oriented

5. Scientists • Scientists work in many of the same fields that engineers work in. • Science is about discovering new things or acquiring new knowledge. • WHY??? • They advance the knowledgebase in a specific area, but maybe of an abstract nature • e.g. the origin of the universe

6. Engineers • Engineer also asks why, but when it comes to a problem related to a product or service. • Application is first when asking why? • Supply, demand, cost of a product, or new science preventing the product from being realized. • Environmental and sociological impact.

7. Engineering Technology • Related to engineering, but different goals. • Use existing technology to produce goods and services. • ABET • Engineering technology is that part of the technological field which requires the application of scientific and engineering knowledge and methods, combined with technical skills in support of engineering activities; it lies in the occupational spectrum between the craftsman and engineering at the end of the spectrum closest to the engineer.

8. Homework Part I • Part I • Provide a two sentence description of each of the engineering majors listed on the following slide • Include one picture that you think captures the essence of that discipline • If your major is not included in the list, add it as part of the report • Please be sure to site any material/content that is not your own

9. Engineering Majors

10. Homework Part II • Part II • How do scientists and technologists fit into YOUR specific engineering discipline? (If you do not have one, chose one that interests you the most from the list on the previous page) • Research your discipline to see how both scientists and technologist contribute to the profession. • Based on the definitions of science and technology, use the internet to research current scientific developments and technological advancements and describe one example for each. (Hint: pg 30 and 31)

11. What do engineers do? • Engineering profession cube, pg 31 • Review example 2.1

12. Engineering Functions

13. Research • Closest to that of a scientist • Research fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to overcome barriers preventing advancement in their fields • Interested in the application of their breakthrough • Design and implementation of experiments and statistical analysis of their results • Computation techniques for solving complex problems • Ph.D. is often needed (lab environment or center)‏

14. Development • Bridge the gap between lab research and full-scale production • Also coupled with research • Research and Development (R & D)‏ • Take the research and apply it to a specific product or application • Example: • Concept Cars • Beckman Coulter, Coulter Principle

15. Testing • Design and implement tests to verify the integrity of reliability and quality of products before they reach the public • Simulate conditions the product will be subject to • Usually evaluate early prototypes • The challenge is to simulate the conditions at a relatively low cost • Aging, Human Body • Data acquisition and analysis

16. Design • Read example 2.2 on pg 35 • Design engineer provides the detailed specs of the product • Usually only responsible for a portion of the product, not the entire thing • Ergonomics, reliability, safety, redesign of existing products

17. Analysis • This is in conjunction with design, development and research. • Use mathematical models and computational tools to provide the necessary information to design, development, and research engineers • Specialists in an area that is important to the product or service • Heat transfer, fluid flow, vibrations, dynamics, system modeling, acoustics, etc.

18. Systems • Work with the overall design, development, manufacture and operation of a complete system or product • Integration of components designed by design engineers • Proper interface and work as a unit • Identifying design requirements

19. Manufacturing and Construction • Turns the product into reality • Work with technicians on assembly lines, to management • Take the raw materials and change them into the finished pieces using latest machines and processes • Reliability and quality is increasingly more important in the manufacturing process • Construction engineer does same process for production of large items, buildings, dams, roads

20. Operations and Maintenance • Facilities maintenance, operation and performance • Maintain a production line • Electrical, mechanical, computer expertise • Safety inspections • Medical equipment operation

21. Technical Support • Serves as the link between the product and the customer • May be included as part of the purchase of the product • Site visits for start-up • Interpersonal skills, problem solving, and technical expertise of the product

22. Customer Support • Similar to tech support, but involved in the business aspect of the customer relationship as well • Engineers are sometimes chosen because of their skill and problem solving skills

23. Sales and Consulting • Sales • Good for marketing, and customer relations • Can answer questions about the product • Consulting • Self-employed, or firm based • Provides technical expertise to companies that make the products • Subcontract portions of the product

24. Management and Other fields • Skills that make you a good engineer, usually transfer to management • Usually taken as a promotional step after several years in the industry • More than half of the engineers in industry will perform some management duties • Some engineers enter into other professions, such as medicine, law, or business, upon completing their engineering degree.

25. Group Homework • Read the section on the different engineering disciplines. • In your groups, select two disciplines different from the group disciplines, and describe one engineering problem that span these two disciplines. Provide one reference citation. • Prepare a two slide power point presentation to be presented in the last half of the class on your findings. • List the disciplines you chose, along with a summary of the problem and any breakthroughs associated with the problem.

26. Emerging Fields • As new technologies emerge, new classifications must take place • Areas that are not traditionally linked, are coming together • Example: Computer and Civil Engineering, Adaptable Buildings • Biology • Custom Pharmaceuticals • Alternative Energy • Environmental Reclamation

27. Nanotechnology • Tiny structures, built atom by atom, or molecule by molecule • New materials with super strength, super conductivity, heat resistance • Micromachines for diagnostics and repair • Nano computers • “gene chips” to detect harmful biological or chemical substances in the air or blood • Self-assembling molecular electronics

28. Profiles of Engineers • Individual Exercise • Select one profiles of an engineer in your discipline. • Read the article and summarize • Their reason for becoming an engineer • Their Current Professional Activities • Their life outside of work

29. Prepare a profile of yourself with a similar format answering the following questions • Why did you choose to become an engineer • What professional activities do you intend to pursue once you have completed your degree and join the workforce • What do you envision your life outside of work to be for yourself. • Be ready to discuss next time

30. Homework • Using the Internet, complete homework exercises (To be included in the career portfolio)‏ • 2.2 • 2.4 • 2.5 • 2.8 • 2.13