Engineering
Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Chapter 1
The Engineering Profession
Chapter Objectives
• Understand the role of engineering in the world
• Understand how to prepare for a meaningful
engineering career
• Understand the role of an engineer in the
engineering workplace
• Describe the responsibilities and roles of the
most common engineering disciplines
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
2
An Engineering Career
Questions to consider:
• What is engineering?
• What are the career opportunities for engineers?
• What are the engineering disciplines?
• Where does the engineer fit into the technical spectrum?
• How are engineers educated?
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
3
An Engineering Career cont’d
More questions to consider:
• What is professionalism and engineering ethics?
• What have engineers done in the past?
• What are engineers doing now?
• What will engineers do in the future?
• What workplace competencies are
needed to be a successful engineer?
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
4
The Technology Team
• Scientist
• Engineer
• Technologist and Technician
• Skilled Tradespersons/Craftspersons
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
5
Scientist
Scientists conduct research in seeking new knowledge.
The systematic research steps (or scientific method) are:
1. Formulate a hypothesis to explain phenomenon.
2. Conduct experiments to test the hypothesis.
3. Analyze test results and state conclusions.
4. Generalize the hypothesis into a law or theory.
5. Publish the new knowledge.
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
6
Engineer
Engineers:
• Apply knowledge of math and science
• Conduct design and analysis
• Solve problems
• Develop
− devices
− processes
− structures
− systems
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
7
Engineering Design Process
The design process includes:
1. Define the problem.
2. Acquire pertinent data.
3. Identify constraints.
4. Develop alternative solutions.
5. Select a solution based on analysis of alternatives.
6. Communicate the results.
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
8
Technologist and Technician
• Technologists
− Apply their education
and experience
− Modify designs as needed
• Technicians
− Perform computations and
experiments
− Prepare design drawings
− Perform tasks as requested by
engineers and scientists
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
9
Skilled Tradespersons/Craftspersons
• Do not need in-depth knowledge of science and
engineering
• Often trained on the job
• Often serve apprenticeships
• Learn to build and operate specialized equipment
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
10
Engineering Profession
Engineers must demonstrate:
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Initiative
Professionalism
Engineering knowledge
Teamwork
Innovation
Communication
Cultural adaptability
Safety awareness
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Customer focus
General knowledge
Continuous learning
Planning
Analysis and judgment
Quality orientation
Integrity
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
11
The Engineering Functions
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Research
Development
Design
Production and Testing
Construction
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Operations
Sales
Management
Consulting
Teaching
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
12
Engineering Disciplines
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Aerospace
Agricultural
Biosystems/Biological
Chemical
Civil
Computer
Electrical
Environmental
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Industrial
Mechanical
Metallurgical
Petroleum
Others?
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
13
Engineering Degrees by Discipline
68 206 engineering degrees
were awarded in 2008.
(data from ASEE Profiles in Engineering and
Technology Colleges, 2008 Edition.)
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
14
Engineering Challenges
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Energy
Infrastructure
Clean Water
Food supply
Global design
Others?
Engineering: Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 6e
Eide  Jenison  Northup  Mickelson
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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