PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
READING
EX.1 What are the major activities of an
engineer? Look at this diagram and fill in the
What activities are not mentioned?
gap.
???
Development
Construction
MAJOR
Service
Manufacturin
g
ACTIVITIES
???
???
Operation
EX.2 Read the text about the major engineering functions, underline words that
you don’t know and can’t guess, check with other students to see if they know the
meaning. Next, check with your teacher or the dictionary the meanings of words
you are still aren’t sure of.
WHAT DO ENGINEERS DO?
All engineers have in common the work they do: applying scientific knowledge to solve technical problems
and develop products and services that benefit society. Engineering work is by its very nature
interdisciplinary, often bringing together engineers with diverse expertise in not only electronics and power
engineering, but also in mechanics, chemistry, physics, mathematics, materials sciences, and many other
areas. The basic functions of engineering are defined by the sequencing of engineering work: research, design
and development, testing, manufacturing, construction, service and maintenance, and management.
Engineers also apply their expertise in non-engineering jobs such as purchasing, sales, law, human resources,
education, and consulting.
ENGINEERING FUNCTIONS
Research. Using mathematical and scientific
and scientific concepts, experimental
techniques, and inductive reasoning, the
research engineer seeks new principles and
processes. Research jobs often involve
starting with an idea or a need. Theories are formulated, tested and prototyped.
Jobs in research can be found at universities, national laboratories as well as
private
institutions
and
corporations.
Development. Development engineers apply the results of research to useful
purposes. Creative application of new knowledge may result in a working model of
a new electrical circuit, a chemical process, or an industrial machine.
Design. In designing a structure or a product, the engineer selects methods,
specifies materials, and determines shapes to satisfy technical requirements and to
meet performance specifications.
In design and development, the results of research are applied to practical
problems. The term, development, refers to the early stages of a project. Design
refers more to the later stages of a project when the basic methodology is
established. In some companies, research and development are combined.
Construction. The construction engineer is responsible for preparing the site,
determining procedures that will economically and safely yield the desired quality,
directing the placement of materials, and organizing the personnel and equipment.
Production. Plant layout and equipment selection are the responsibility of the
production engineer, who chooses processes and tools, integrates the flow of
materials and components, and provides for testing and inspection. Although
usually not directly in charge of production personnel, engineers are responsible
for solving problems associated with the manufacturing process.
Operation. The operating engineer controls machines, plants, and organizations
providing power, transportation, and communication; determines procedures; and
supervises personnel to obtain reliable and economic operation of complex
equipment.
Testing and evaluation can take place in the lab or in the field, often working
with equipment, software, systems and the end users. Those who test are not the
designers.
Management. In some countries and industries, engineers analyze customers’
requirements, recommend units to satisfy needs economically, and resolve related
problems. Management jobs often require elements of leadership, planning,
coordination, supervision; working with staff, budgets and administration.
Maintenance and Service. Engineering and technical jobs concerned with
operations- maintaining and making modifications to hardware and systems.
Other functions
Sales engineers sell technical solutions to clients. Customer service reps solve
critical problems that occur in the field. Engineers serve on marketing teams and
some have gone from engineering to a career in human resources.
Problem solving is common to all engineering work. The problem may involve
quantitative or qualitative factors; it may by physical or economic; it may require
abstract mathematics or common sense. Of great importance is the process of
creative synthesis or design, putting ideas together to create a new and optimum
solution.
Although engineering problems vary in scope and complexity, the same general
approach is applicable. First comes an analysis of the situation and a preliminary
decision on a plan of attack. In line with this plan, the problem is reduced to a more
categorical question that can be clearly stated. The stated question is then answered
by deductive reasoning from known principles or by creative synthesis, as in a new
design. The answer or design is always checked for accuracy and adequacy.
Finally, the results for the simplified problem are interpreted in terms of the
original problem and reported in an appropriate form.
EX.3 Discuss these questions:
 What is significant to all engineering work?
 What are the main steps of problem solving? What activities do you find the
most interesting?
 What would you enjoy about some of these activities?
 What would you dislike about some of these activities?
EX.4 Vocabulary Practice. Explain the underlined words from the text.
EX.5 Which of the words from the text could these words replace?
1) staff 2) obligation, duty 3) to get 4) to control 5) to choose 6) to regulate 7) to
look for 8) clientage 9) safe, trustworthy 10) complication 11) precision 12)
proper, suitable
EX.6 Match the words (column A) with the Russian equivalents (column B). Then,
in pairs make sentences using them.
A
research and development
management and organization
service and operation
problem solving
production engineer
operating engineer
development engineer
construction engineer
design engineer
research engineer
technical requirements
inductive reasoning
electrical circuit
specify
apply
in terms of
B
технические требования
инженер по эксплуатации
проектно-конструкторская деятельность
точно определять
инженер-разработчик
организационно-управленческая деятельность
электрическая схема
индуктивное рассуждение
инженер-строитель
инженер-проектировщик
применять
на основании, исходя из
технолог
решение задач
сервисно-эксплуатационная деятельность
инженер-исследователь
EX.7 Do you agree with the following statements?
Engineering is not science. Engineers generally don't "do" science. Science is
about discovering the natural. Engineering is creating the artificial.
‘Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never
was’.
Theodore von Karman, Aerospace Engineer