EGR 105 Introduction to Engineering
Week 1 Engineering Skills Lecture
Engineers and the Engineering Profession
Today in Class:
Introductions and Explanation of Syllabus
Class Expectations
The Engineering Profession
Type of Engineering Classification
Current Salary and Job Trends
Background and Training Required
The Engineering Curriculum
Lecture 01 Homework:
Wednesday in Lab:
Bring your laptop computers with you to class on Wednesday. You will
begin using SolidWorks software to work with Computer Aided Drafting.
If you'd like to use your time more efficiently, you can download the
software by referring to the document
SolidWorks 2014 Installation Instructions
which is available at the website:
http://myweb.loras.edu/cm418218/
Follow along with today Lecture notes on-line @:
http://myweb.loras.edu/cm418218/WpClassesEGR105.htm
The Engineering Profession:
Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop
economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link
between perceived social needs and commercial applications. Engineers
consider many factors when developing a new product.
For example, in developing an industrial robot an engineer’s work might
include:
-- precisely specify the functional requirements
-- design and test the robot’s components
-- integrate the components to final the design
-- evaluate the design’s overall effectiveness, cost,
reliability, and safety.
Such a process applies to the development of many
different products, such as chemicals, computers, gas
turbines, helicopters, food, and toys.
Engineer’s work may include testing, production, trouble shooting, and/or
maintenance. This might include work such as:
-- supervise production in factories
-- determine the causes of component failure
-- test manufactured products to maintain quality
-- estimate the time and cost to complete projects
-- work in management or technical sales
Engineers become experts in using computers:
-- to analyze and compare possible designs
-- to simulate and test how a machine, structure, or system operates
-- to generate specifications for parts and document project details
-- to monitor product quality and control process efficiency
-- to use as the brain of smart systems with sensors and actuators
What traits does a creative engineer have?
Stick-to-itness…does not give up.
Asks why…curious about the world and wants to understand
Is never satisfied…Compelled to do things better
Learns from accidents….grows from unexpected results
Makes analogies…solutions are often found along parallel paths
Generalizes…looks for a broader implication
Develops qualitative and quantitative understanding
Has good visualization skills…thinks and communicates in 3-D
Possesses unbounded thinking…able to think outside the box.
Has broad interests…helps balance career, family, and life.
Collects obscure information…more knowledge is never bad.
Works with nature, not against it…sometimes the best solution
Keeps an engineering "toolbox"...build a set of tools as you learn.
Major Branches of Engineering:
Most engineers specialize. Numerous specialties are recognized by professional
societies and the major branches of engineering have numerous subdivisions. For
example, structural and transportation engineering are often considered subdivisions
of civil engineering.
Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles and
supervise the manufacture of these products. Those who work with aircraft are called
aeronautical engineers, and those working specifically with spacecraft are astronautical
engineers. Aerospace engineers develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense
systems, and space exploration, often specializing in areas such as structural design,
guidance, navigation and control, instrumentation and communication, or production
methods.
Biomedical engineers develop devices and procedures that solve medical and
health-related problems by combining their knowledge of biology and medicine with
engineering principles and practices. Many do research, along with life scientists, chemists,
and medical scientists, to develop and evaluate systems and products such as artificial
organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health
management and care delivery systems. Most engineers in this specialty need a sound
background in another engineering specialty, such as mechanical or electronics
engineering, in addition to specialized biomedical training.
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry to solve problems involving the
production or use of chemicals and biochemicals. They design equipment and processes for
large-scale chemical manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing products and
treating byproducts, and supervise production. Chemical engineers also work in a variety
of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing
energy, electronics, food, clothing, and paper. They must be aware of all aspects of
chemicals manufacturing and how the manufacturing process affects the environment and
the safety of workers and consumers.
Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of roads, buildings, airports,
tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage systems. They must consider many
factors in the design process, from the construction costs and expected lifetime of a
project to government regulations and potential environmental hazards such as
earthquakes. Civil engineering, considered one of the oldest engineering disciplines,
encompasses many specialties. The major specialties are structural, water resources,
construction, environmental, transportation, and geotechnical engineering. Many civil
engineers hold supervisory or administrative positions, from supervisor of a construction
site to city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching.
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of
electrical equipment. Some of this equipment includes electric motors; machinery controls,
lighting, and wiring in buildings; automobiles; aircraft; radar and navigation systems; and
power-generating, -controlling, and transmission devices used by electric utilities. Although
the terms “electrical” and “electronics” engineering often are used interchangeably in
academia and industry, electrical engineers have traditionally focused on the generation
and supply of power, whereas electronics engineers have worked on applications of
electricity to control systems or signal processing. Electrical engineers specialize in areas
such as power systems engineering or electrical equipment manufacturing.
Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems using the
principles of biology and chemistry. They are involved in water and air pollution control,
recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues. Environmental engineers conduct
hazardous-waste management studies in which they evaluate the significance of the
hazard, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent
mishaps. They design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment
systems. They conduct research on the environmental impact of proposed construction
projects, analyze scientific data, and perform quality-control checks.
Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways to use the basic factors of
production—people, machines, materials, information, and energy—to make a product or
to provide a service. They are mostly concerned with increasing productivity through the
management of people, methods of business organization, and technology. They develop
management control systems to aid in financial planning and cost analysis, and design
production planning and control systems to coordinate activities and ensure product
quality. They also design or improve systems for the physical distribution of goods and
services, as well as determine the most efficient plant locations. Many industrial engineers
move into management positions because the work is closely related to the work of
managers.
Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture, and test tools,
engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power-producing
machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas
turbines, as well as power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning
equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial
production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Mechanical engineers also
design tools that other engineers need for their work. Mechanical engineering is one of the
broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers may work in production operations
in manufacturing or agriculture, maintenance, or technical sales; many are administrators
or managers.
Earnings and Salary Information:
Excerpts from the Editorial Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 12:00 am | Updated: 6:38 am, Wed Aug 20, 2014.
Earnings for engineers vary significantly by specialty, industry, and education. Even
… The
U.S.
needs more
students
the STEM
of science,
engineering
so, as
a group,
engineers
earninsome
of thefields
highest
averagetechnology,
starting salaries
amongand
mathematics.
Why?
Because that's
where the jobs are. STEM education is gaining attention and
those holding
bachelor’s
degrees.
support. But will it be too little too late? The shortage of students pursuing degrees and careers
in these fields, as well as the ways these subjects are being taught, jeopardize our nation's
leadership position in commerce and technology. There is ample and sobering evidence that the
U.S. is not keeping up with its global counterparts…
The big deal is that employers -- in the U.S. and around the world -- have lots of jobs requiring an
educational foundation in STEM. And they will have more of them in the future. Already,
according to the Council on Foreign Relations, six out of 10 U.S. employers say they are having
trouble finding qualified workers….
We are already in the middle of the decade (2008-18) when STEM occupations are expected to
grow 1.7 times faster than non-STEM occupations, according to the White House's Office of
Science and Technology and Policy. The number of jobs in STEM fields grew faster than jobs in
non-STEM fields, the federal Department of Commerce noted. This country will need about 1
million more STEM professionals than are projected to graduate in the next decade.
These jobs are in high demand, and employers are paying higher salaries to fill them. The
number of jobs and size of paychecks are expected to grow further. Even five years ago, the
average salary in a STEM job was $77,880, compared to $43,460 for non-STEM occupations,
reported the National Governors Association, which noted that 47 percent of people with
bachelor's degrees in STEM occupations earn more than Ph.D.s in non-STEM occupations…
College major analysis: Engineers get highest salaries
by Mary Beth Marklein for USA TODAY
Updated 5/24/2011 6:01 PM
An analysis of the projected lifetime earnings of 171 college majors provides a clearer picture of what one
bachelor's degree means compared to another in the labor market. And the answer can be as much as $3.64
million. That's the difference between what petroleum engineering majors can expect to earn over a 40-year
career ($4.8 million) and what counseling psychology majors could earn ($1.16 million). Even the lowestpaying major beats the $770,000 average earnings of a person who holds only a high school diploma.
"Getting a (college) degree matters, but what you take matters more," says Anthony Carnevale, director of
Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, which released its analysis today. It's based
on data on undergraduate majors across all age groups, collected for the first time in the Census Bureau's
2009 American Community Survey and released last year. Estimates were based on 319,081 responses from
bachelor's-degree holders who work full time over a full year…(read more at
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-05-23-College-majors-engineering-higher-education_n.htm)
Education, Training, Licensing, and Advancement:
A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level
engineering jobs. However, engineers trained in one branch may work in related
branches. It also allows engineers to shift to fields with better employment prospects
or to those that more closely match their interests.
Most engineering programs involve a concentration of study in an engineering
specialty, along with courses in both mathematics and the physical and life sciences.
Courses not directly related to engineering, such as those in the social sciences or
humanities, are often a required component of programs. Design courses are part of
the curriculum of most programs.
Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions and many research
and development programs, but is not required for the majority of entry-level
engineering jobs. Many engineers obtain graduate degrees in engineering or business
administration to learn new technology and broaden their education. Many highlevel executives in government and industry began their careers as engineers.
All 50 States and the District of Columbia require licensure for engineers who offer
their services directly to the public. Engineers who are licensed are called
professional engineers (PE). This licensure generally requires a degree from an
accredited engineering program, 4 years of relevant work experience, and successful
completion of a State examination.
Engineers should be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and detail oriented. They should
be able to work as part of a team and to communicate well, both orally and in
writing. Communication abilities are important because engineers often interact with
specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.
Beginning engineering graduates usually work under the supervision of experienced
engineers and, in large companies, also may receive formal classroom or seminartype training. As new engineers gain knowledge and experience, they are assigned
more difficult projects with greater independence to develop designs, solve
problems, and make decisions. Engineers may advance to become technical
specialists or to supervise a staff or team of engineers and technicians. Some may
eventually become engineering managers or enter other managerial or sales jobs.
As of July 2013:
From http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report-2013/majors-that-pay-you-back
from: http://www.theiet.org/students/studying-engineering/why-engineering/why-study-engineering.cfm
Why study engineering?
Good money, lots of variety, the chance to be part of a renowned group of professionals and
always in demand - what's not to like about a career in engineering?
Engineering and technology may not be the easiest areas of study, but they're subjects that continue to be
in demand, and because they are challenging, those studying them stand out from the crowd. You're also
more likely to find employment quickly and work your way up the career ladder with an engineering or
technology degree under your belt.
For example, nuclear power is one such sector where engineering roles look set to be plentiful.
“Nuclear power will be a future growth area requiring engineering and technology graduates. EDF Energy is
looking for all sorts of skills including - electrical, mechanical, civil and material engineering, math, physics,
chemistry and environmental science,” highlights EDF Energy graduate recruitment manager Ranjini
Sachin.
Career satisfaction
Those that are drawn to an engineering or technology course will also find enjoyment and satisfaction
throughout their career, as IT marketing expert Richard Brandon highlights.
"Students drawn to a technology course probably do so because they find the subject interesting, and they
will find employment in engineering and technology will continue to be interesting for the rest of their
careers," he says. "It's an area that is guaranteed to continue to change and evolve so that, in a way, even
experienced professionals are continually learning and refreshing their knowledge. For many of us in the
field it's this constant change that is so appealing."
Develop specialist and transferable skills
An engineering-based education also allow students exposure to various technical subjects and skill sets.
"They will be able to develop skills that are transferable to most industries such as problem solving,
decision making, innovation, project management, team working and communication," says Tony Dearsley,
Computer Forensics, Kroll Ontrack Legal Technologies. "They will also have the knowledge that they are
contributing to a rapidly changing technological environment."
Good money and prospect-based benefits of studying engineering
The key benefits of studying engineering are both financial and prospect based. Financially, the starting
salaries are among the best across all industry sectors.
"In many areas, the demand for well-qualified, skilled graduates outstrips supply, and businesses are
struggling to find recruits for vacancies. New engineering graduates can expect to earn around £22,000,
which is ahead of sectors sales, human resources and even finance," says Allan Pettman, UK managing
director, Global Knowledge.
"From a prospect perspective, ICT and engineering are getting increased prominence in business circles particularly in service based industries and strong rounded candidates can also expect to progress quickly
within organisations," he continues.
Wide variety of career progression opportunities
An engineering-based education also gives you a great base to branch into different sectors and also work
your way up to high level management.
"Engineers find themselves in finance, investment banking, human resources, IT, business development
and administration areas," says Patrick Hapsel, senior program manager, Strategic University
Relationships, Cadence Design Systems. "The industrial and economic success of every nation is rooted
firmly in its manufacturing and engineering base, and the skills and ingenuity of its professional engineers."
"Looking at blue chip global organizations, it is not unusual for engineers to make it all the way to the
boardroom, especially as engineers are usually very pragmatic and good with numbers - crucial qualities for
senior executives," adds John Doherty, business development manager, CBSbutler.
"Hot" engineering and technology sectors to work in
There will always be employers in all sectors who're continuously seeking new blood, however at the
moment there are some "hot" sectors for work opportunities. These include environmental solutions,
security, medical engineering and green power.
"Green engineering is the most often cited example of an area that needs fresh blood, but this often
conjures up images solely of wind turbines or solar power. In reality, there are opportunities throughout the
power industry, looking at ways to increase energy efficiencies and develop other sustainable sources,"
says Professor Ken Grattan, Dean of the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and the School
of Informatics at City University London.
"Safety and security is another key area for growth, whether that be physical defenses or cyberwarfare," he
continues. "Dealing with the world's aging population will also be a challenge for engineers over the coming
years - from developing new healthcare technologies to creating the types of advanced robotics that we see
in Japan, to help elderly citizens. A key skill is to be inter- and cross-disciplinary in approach - bringing to
bear all of the requisite approaches to problem solving."
"High performance engineering is also another area growing rapidly in the UK," adds Alec Reader, director
of NanoKTN. "Rolls-Royce is based in the UK, UK manufacturers produce the wings for Airbus, there's a
huge demand for trained professionals in this area and this will continue to increase as technology
becomes more and more advanced and the number of numbers will continue to increase."
So there you have it. If you're considering studying engineering or already on an engineering or IT degree,
you now have a number of ways to answer the question why study engineering? A good starting salary,
great career prospects, employment security and a wide range of exciting areas to work in: why would you
ever choose to study anything else?
EGR 105 Intro to Engineering
Lecture Work 01:
Fall 2014
Due Monday, Sept. 8
1) Read Pages 1-54 from Chap 1and 2 in your textbook “Concepts in Engineering”.
Submit answers to items 2, 3, and 4 as attachments to an email submitted via
clark.merkel@loras.edu
2) What were the top three positives experiences I’ve had in my life, and why were
they meaningful to me?
3) I have posted the profiles of a number of engineers on the class website:
http://myweb.loras.edu/cm418218. You are to review the profiles and then answer
the following questions (write a short paper which is no more than 1 to 2 pages in
length).
a) Which three profiles of these people are the most appealing to you?
b) What aspects of their careers and positions do you or would you find appealing?
c) What aspects of their careers and position do you find negative or would you not
like?
4) Create a list of at least three different businesses, offices, industrial companies, or
agencies within the Dubuque or surrounding communities in which the services of
an engineer are employed. For each listing, document the business, company, or
agency with a mailing addresses and phone number. Write a short paragraph for
each company about the type of work you think is done by the company. Feel free
to use resources such as a phone book, the internet, the library, or people you know
to identify these businesses or companies.
References: (tables, graphs, and articles presented in this lecture were found from the following sources)
--Oakes, Leone, and Potter, Engineering Your Future, published by Great Lakes Press
--U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
on the web at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm
--Hotzapple and Reece, Foundation of Engineering, published by McGrawHill
--ASME International, Mechanical Engineering, http://www.memagazine.org
-- The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) web site. http://www.theiet.org
-- The Dubuque Telegraph Herald Aug. 20, 2014, http://www.heraldonline.com
-- USA Today, May 24, 2011 http://www.usatoday.com
EGR 105 Intro to Engineering I
Assignment 1 Grading Rubric:
Prob2) What were the top three positives experiences I’ve had in my life, and why were they
meaningful to me?
Grading:
_____ Completion: (did they list and explain 3 experiences)
(4 points)
_____ Grammar and Readability: (is it well written and clear)
(3 points)
_____ Depth of Content: Is the content superficial or does it express thought and reflection)
(3 points)
______ Total:
Comments:
Problem 3) Engineering Profiles
a) Which three profiles of these people are the most appealing to you?
b) What aspects of their careers and positions do you or would you find appealing?
c) What aspects of their careers and position do you find negative or would you not like?
Grading:
________ Identified three of the profiles
(3 points)
________ Identified Positive aspects for each
(3 points)
________ Identified Negative aspects for each
(3 points)
________ Written as short paper in paragraph form.
(2 points)
________ Correct length (1 to 2 pages)
(2 points)
________ Well written and clear
(5 points)
_______ Include some type of intro and conclusion to the paper
(2 points)
_____________ Total
Comments:
Problem 4) List of companies with addresses and phone number
________ 2 points per company with 1 point for the name, address, and phone number
and 1 point for short written paragraph explaining the business.