Engineering a Team Sport
Evan Lemley, UCO Engr. and Phys.
ENGR 1112 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
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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 Math
Requirements
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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, wordprocessing, 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 Disciplines
Biomedical 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 seagoing 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
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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)