The Importance of Engineering to SocietyBy Leah Siczkar 1A Environmental The way I see it, engineers and their practices have been encouraged for one paramount reason: benefiting humankind. In modern society, we are constantly interacting with our environment. We harvest and extract all the resources that we need to sustain human life and culture human empires. It is the role of the engineer, however, to minimize the effects of damage on the surrounding ecosystems, and design necessary infrastructures that are both efficient and safe. In the media today, people are lured into believing that trinkets and stuff that sits on a shelf and collects dust will solve their woes. In reality, these things are not necessary and only serve to satisfy the selfish and competitive nature of humankind. Engineering focuses on the development of infrastructure that serves a meaningful purpose for humankind. My observations suggest that the structures and processes engineers implement fall into four main categories: sustainability, safety, cleanliness, and connection. It is the role of the engineer to protect the environment and the people within it. Engineers aim to benefit the people of the present by employing effective structures that are intended to improve transportation and living habits of earth¶s inhabitants. By extension, engineering is planning for the continual growth of the human population and ensuring there are sufficient resources for the people of the future. Engineers must be efficient, taking into consideration construction costs, time, and the wellness of people. In this respect, they are the role-model for multi-taskers everywhere! When designing a skyscraper or bridge, the team of engineers must ensure the safety of its users. Collapses cause panic and excessive stress. In a sense, adequate engineering ensures support and comfort, not only for the structures, but in the mind of the population. Engineering manages sewage, wastes, and purification. These points do affect sustainability, but they are also crucial in defining another aspect of engineering¶s importance. Cleanliness and public health are largely defined by engineering. Without proper engineering and sewage systems, we would no doubt run out of fresh water (much sooner than we are scheduled to), and we could quite literally be living in our own fecal matter. Finally, a significant focus of engineering is that of connection and globalization. As technology and design progresses, it is important that we keep in contact with the rest of the world. The saying ³no man is an island´ quite literally comes into effect here. Every disaster, natural or not, that occurs in the world today effects everyone. Tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, terrorist attacks; the world is informed of such happenings. Without roads to get from point A to point B, or helicopters, or jets, the world would seem a very distant place. Essentially, engineering encourages a sense of awareness and togetherness. 1 Engineering serves as the calcium of society today. It continuously strengthens our pre-existing knowledge of design and, as calcium ensures healthy bones and teeth, engineering ensures a healthy and sustainable environment for humankind. The Importance of Engineering By Guest Blogger | Published: 29/03/2010 Adam Symons is the Liberal Democrat PPC for Torridge and West Devon The question on many commentators¶ lips is how the UK can invest in much needed infrastructure for transport and energy, while at the same time deal with the debt fall-out from the credit crunch. The basic truth is that we cannot stand still. The challenges of climate change, greater demand on services due to demographic changes, and scarcity of funds must not allow the UK to stagnate. Already, many parts of Europe are far ahead of us in terms of infrastructure. My belief is that by investing in this infrastructure, we will provide long-term stimulation to the economy, and actually provide a solid basis for future sustainable growth ± which should be seen as a shift away from consumerism and pollution. However, there are many barriers in our way currently. One of these is the lack of engineering skills in the UK economy. It is not to say that they are not there. However, with the scale of investment that is required, I fear that we may be short. Bodies such as the CBI have said that the lack of engineers graduating today threaten our future. Much as in teaching, engineers suffer from a lack of µkudos¶ or µsex-appeal¶. International research shows that the quality of education that children get is closely linked to how well regarded the teaching profession is. I think the same could be said about the quality of engineering in this country. It is not valued. My cousin is a tunnel engineer in Europe, and it is seen as a prestigious job. However, here, perhaps because of the overuse of the term µengineer¶, engineers do not have the same professional status as other highly trained professionals such as Doctors and Lawyers. Perhaps we need to tighten up the trade description legislation to prevent the bogus use of the term engineer? The challenges I mentioned above, specifically relating to funding can also be tackled through greater use of production engineering. This being the natural home for lean systems thinking and value management, it is time we took a microscope to what we are spending where, and identify better ways of delivering public services. Engineering is not just about building! Engineering can provide many solutions, not just to the infrastructure issues we have, but also to the remodelling of public services. We need to embrace the need for science and engineering 2 By century's end. 2. 3 . with the merest flick of a finger. sweeping winds and rushing waters. 2007 Innovation and technology in engineering has made our lives more efficient and enjoyable. he didn't hedge his bets. powered. nonstop commercial flights lasting as long as 15 hours carry hundreds of passengers halfway around the world. the workhorse of the modern world. each one of us taps into vast sources of energy²deep veins of coal and great reservoirs of oil. From electricity to the internet. Automobile When Thomas Edison did some future gazing about transportation during a newspaper interview in 1895. controlled flight lasted 12 seconds and carried one man 120 feet. the hidden power of the atom and the radiance of the Sun itself²all transformed into electricity. and some were even flying through space. Airplane Not a single human being had ever flown a powered aircraft when the 20th century began." Just what kind of motors would remain unclear for a few more years. "It is only a question of a short time when the carriages and trucks in every large city will be run with motors. Electricity Scores of times each day. It is hard to imagine life without these Top Ten Engineering Achievements listed below: 1. some of these engineering achievements have taken countless hours to perfect and many years to implement. 3. The first piloted.within the political field. and recognise it as essential to the long-term well being of any economy. "The horseless carriage is the coming wonder. Top Ten (10) Most Important Engineering Achievements of All Time By: admin Posted: August 17. flying had become relatively common for millions of people. Today." said American's reigning inventor. In previous contests the public had no way of knowing what happened on the water until spectators reached shore after the races. or brown laid out in a vast checkerboard stretching to the horizon. which has several applications in radio where a vacuum tube ordinarily is employed. Radio and Television In the autumn of 1899 a new mode of communication wedged its way into the coverage of a hallowed sports event. two sleek sailboats²Columbia of the New York Yacht Club and Shamrock of the Ulster Yacht Club in Ireland²were about to compete for the America's Cup. 7." as one newspaper reporter breathlessly put it. a coveted international trophy. the condition of existing water supply systems was abysmal² and a direct threat to public health. Across much of the American Midwest and on farmland throughout the world. 4 . and much of the West saw it as the crucial missing ingredient for development. This time. Outside New York's harbor. 5. the most ancient of human occupations. At the heart of this transformation is a single concept: mechanization. Electronics Barely stifled yawns greeted the electronics novelty that was introduced to the public in mid1948. however. "A device called a transistor. these genuine crop circles are the sure sign of an automated irrigation system²and an emblem of a revolution in agriculture. Water Supply and Distribution At the beginning of the 20th century. water was both greatly in demand and greatly feared. perfect circles in varying shades of green.4. in the United States and in many other countries. 6. Agricultural Mechanization You often see them from the window of a cross-country jet: huge. was demonstrated for the first time yesterday at Bell Telephone Laboratories." noted an obviously unimpressed New York Times reporter on page 46 of the day's issue. gold. Cities across the nation were clamoring for more of it as their populations grew. At the same time. reports would "come rushing through the air with the simplicity of light. "will live to see this whole country covered with a network of motor highways built from point to point as the bird flies. etc. shops. the most ancient of human occupations. gold. "may be briefly described as an electrical contrivance for reproducing in distant places the tones and articulations of a speaker's voice. Across much of the American Midwest and on farmland throughout the world. these genuine crop circles are the sure sign of an automated irrigation system²and an emblem of a revolution in agriculture. founder of General Motors. Over the course of the 20th century." he said. "Most of us. this onetime luxury became an indispensable feature of the American home. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Which of the appliances in your home would be the hardest to live without? The most frequent answer to that question in a recent survey was the refrigerator." As for connecting one such contrivance to another. At the heart of this transformation is a single concept: mechanization. manufactories. or suspended overhead.5 percent of the nation's family kitchens by century's end. country houses. and he ran true to form in a 1922 interview. or brown laid out in a vast checkerboard stretching to the horizon.Highways Sweeping visions were something of a specialty for William Durant. communicating by branch wires with private dwellings.8." wrote Alexander Graham Bell in an 1877 prospectus drumming up support for his new invention. 9. Telephone "The telephone. the 5 . Bonus Engineering Achievements . perfect circles in varying shades of green." 10. Computers You often see them from the window of a cross-country jet: huge. a mainstay in more than 99. he suggested possibilities that admittedly sounded utopian: "It is conceivable that cables of telephone wires could be laid underground. and unemployment amongst professional engineers is lower than for almost any other profession. mobile communications to modern transport systems. But no one who was there²nor. Activities which provide stimulating intellectual challenges with diverse and varied tasks. no pictures were taken. though. despite its historic nature. the obstacles removed. development. Staged for a technological elite. a new kind of network that had been developed under military auspices to help computer scientists share information and enable them to harness the processing power of distant machines. its payload a 184-pound satellite called Sputnik. Traffic on the system was still very light. Why Study Engineering? Engineers belong to the greatest profession in the world. his prediction wasn't so far-fetched. 1957.Spacecraft The event was so draped in secrecy that. for that matter. Within the wide boundaries of the engineering profession. Demand for good engineers is high. on October 4. .Internet The conference held at the Washington Hilton in October 1972 wasn't meant to jump-start a revolution. in practically every country in the world. On the plains of Kazakhstan. In the IT and electronics sectors in particular. inevitably involving deadlines. . the Soviet Union had just launched the first-ever spacecraft. design. in areas such as research. its purpose was to showcase a computer-linking scheme called ARPANET. there are thousands of challenging activities. the rocket lifted from its concrete pad and thundered into the early evening sky." Given the intensity of America's love affair with the automobile. manufacture and operation of products and services. anyone else who heard of it²would ever forget the moment. With a blinding glare and a shuddering roar. soaring up and up and up until it was nothing more than a tiny glowing speck. there are world shortages of Chartered and Incorporated Engineers. and many potential users thought it was too complex to have much of a future.hills cut down. and all added to the satisfaction of real output or delivery. the dales bridged over. responsible for almost everything that makes life worth living .from leisure activities to medical treatment. 6 . as well as management. and changing employment patterns also mean that an engineering career is now a truly international one. specialising in one area whilst at University does not preclude working in another field of the profession at a later date. Minimum qualifications for entry to an Engineering degree course are normally 'A' levels or equivalent in Mathematics and Physics. circumstances and preferences of the individual student. technologies and processes are being developed all the time. For this reason. when selecting a course it is important to check what options are available. but a third subject in either the Arts or Sciences ensures a wider choice of degree options. development and tests. 7 . it is common for all students to take the same subjects in the first year(s) of a degree. dependent on the aims. with graduates in demand in almost every sector of the economy. design. Professional engineers also stand a better chance of becoming a chief executive than any other professional. Specialisations range from Automation to Power Generation and from Communications to Manufacturing. How to Qualify At school. The word used most often when referring to a career in engineering is variety. the choice of which course to take must be a personal one. many of which are discussed in the articles listed on the left. production. With the exception of a few specialist courses. outnumbering accountants by three to one! The environment in which engineering professionals work has never been more dynamic. What type of degree? There is a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses available worldwide. in the end. However. especially if undergraduates already have a specific career in mind. chemical. Students without the relevant 'A' levels have the opportunity to 'convert' on one-year pre-entry courses at selected universities. and electrical. Mathematics and Physics are usually essential. A degree can also provide a passport into the world of education. but English is also important. systems. students should take a board range of subjects covering both art and sciences. civil. Within each of these fields. there are opportunities in research. New materials. information and manufacturing engineering offer a host of alternative job opportunities for new graduates. Increasing globalisation. and a foreign language desirable. software. new markets. marine. before going on to specialise in the final year(s). marketing and sales.Engineering degrees can lead to a vast number of career opportunities. when they can choose from a number of options. However. devices. For anyone looking for a rewarding future with a wide variety of employment prospects. engineering-led industry contributes about 40% of its gross domestic product. and two years career development in a responsible position. A Rewarding Future There is little doubt that the world of engineering . The industrial and economic success of every nation is rooted firmly in its manufacturing and engineering base. or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design. there has never been a more exciting time to embark on a career in engineering. machines. economics of operation and safety to life and property. In the UK alone.After Graduation A degree is only the beginning of the formation of a professional engineer. art. social. or works utilizing them singly or in combination. and acquire a broad understanding of engineering activity outside their own branch. and is the 'goose that lays the golden eggs' for its national economy. and profession of acquiring and applying scientific. all as respects an intended function. ngineering is the discipline. each year producing a list of companies that undertake to provide accredited training. Postgraduate training also offers graduates the chance to keep their career options open. From space travel to household electrician. the role of the engineer is crucial. The ability to research. Students who were sponsored during their degree courses may already have spent time in industry. and the skills and ingenuity of its professional engineers. In order to qualify for membership of a professional engineering institution. and will have started to give their academic studies an industrial perspective. systems.[2][3][4] 8 . develop and apply new technologies is essential. apparatus. or manufacturing processes.and all that it encompasses -offers exciting opportunities for both men and women. materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of people. mathematical. particularly in today's global markets. The IEE accredits industrial training programmes. or to qualify for Chartered Engineering status. and practical knowledge to design and build structures. machines. Embarking on a training programme in a major industry enables new graduates to develop experience of a wide range of jobs. graduates will often have a minimum of two years industrial training. The American Engineers' Council for Professional Development (ECPD. or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions. as the opportunity to experience the work of different sectors of an industry can open up new areas of interest not previously appreciated. economic. the predecessor of ABET)[1] has defined "engineering" as: [T]he creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures. 9 . the free dictionary. lever. and wheel.1 Problem solving o 3.3 Art o 5. e. Contents [hide] y y y y y y y y y 1 History o 1.3 Modern era 2 Main branches of engineering 3 Methodology o 3. The term engineering itself has a much more recent etymology.. when an engine¶er (literally. The broad discipline of engineering encompasses a range of more specialized subdisciplines.´[5] In this context. exploiting basic mechanical principles to develop useful tools and objects.. the U. deriving from the word engineer. Ingenieur or European Engineer.2 Renaissance era o 1. Army Corps of Engineers.1 Ancient era o 1. which itself dates back to 1325. The concept of engineering has existed since ancient times as humans devised fundamental inventions such as the pulley.g.One who practices engineering is called an engineer. Incorporated Engineer.4 Other fields 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links History Look up engineering in Wiktionary. Notable exceptions of the obsolete usage which have survived to the present day are military engineering corps. Chartered Engineer. an ³engine´ referred to a military machine.e. a catapult).2 Computer use 4 Social context 5 Relationships with other disciplines o 5. each with a more specific emphasis on certain fields of application and particular areas of technology. i. a mechanical contraption used in war (for example.S.2 Medicine and biology o 5. Each of these inventions is consistent with the modern definition of engineering. and those licensed to do so may have more formal designations such as Professional Engineer.1 Science o 5. now obsolete. one who operates an engine) originally referred to ³a constructor of military engines. Some of Archimedes' inventions as well as the Antikythera mechanism required sophisticated knowledge of differential gearing or epicyclic gearing. Ancient Greece developed machines in both the civilian and military domains.. With the rise of engineering as a profession in the eighteenth century. ultimately deriving from the Latin ingenium (c. allowing for the beginnings of mass production. The earliest civil engineer known by name is Imhotep.´[6] Later.C. 1250). Greek and Roman armies employed complex military machines and inventions such as artillery which was developed by the Greeks around the 4th century B. Renaissance era The first electrical engineer is considered to be William Gilbert. Similarly. among many others. the Trebuchet was developed. especially mental power. the pyramids in Egypt. the Great Wall of China. the ballista and the catapult. as the design of civilian structures such as bridges and buildings matured as a technical discipline.The word ³engine´ itself is of even older origin. stand as a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the ancient civil and military engineers. with his 1600 publication of De Magnete. two key principles in machine theory that helped design the gear trains of the Industrial revolution. The Antikythera mechanism. in addition to military and civil engineering the fields then known as the mechanic arts became incorporated into engineering. the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Greece.[10] Chinese. the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. hence a clever invention.[12] The first steam engine was built in 1698 by mechanical engineer Thomas Savery. the first known mechanical computer. he probably designed and supervised the construction of the Pyramid of Djoser (the Step Pyramid) at Saqqara in Egypt around 2630-2611 BC. the term civil engineering[4] entered the lexicon as a way to distinguish between those specializing in the construction of such non-military projects and those involved in the older discipline of military engineering. Ancient era The Pharos of Alexandria.[8][9] and the mechanical inventions of Archimedes are examples of early mechanical engineering. Teotihuacán and the cities and pyramids of the Mayan. the Roman aqueducts. and are still widely used today in diverse fields such as robotics and automotive engineering.[7] He may also have been responsible for the first known use of columns in architecture[citation needed].[13] The development of this device gave rise to the industrial revolution in the coming decades. meaning ³innate quality. 10 . the term became more narrowly applied to fields in which mathematics and science were applied to these ends. Djosèr. Via Appia and the Colosseum. Inca and Aztec Empires.[4] As one of the officials of the Pharaoh. In the Middle Ages. who was the originator of the term "electricity".[11] the trireme. Electrical engineering can trace its origins in the experiments of Alessandro Volta in the 1800s.[4] The inventions of Thomas Savery and the Scottish engineer James Watt gave rise to modern Mechanical Engineering.[15] The first PhD in engineering (technically.[4] Aeronautical Engineering deals with aircraft design while Aerospace Engineering is a more modern term that expands the reach envelope of the discipline by including spacecraft design.[4] Chemical Engineering. 11 . The development of specialized machines and their maintenance tools during the industrial revolution led to the rapid growth of Mechanical Engineering both in its birthplace Britain and abroad. The later inventions of the vacuum tube and the transistor further accelerated the development of electronics to such an extent that electrical and electronics engineers currently outnumber their colleagues of any other Engineering specialty. like its counterpart Mechanical Engineering.[14] Its origins can be traced back to the aviation pioneers around the turn of the century from the 19th century to the 20th although the work of Sir George Cayley has recently been dated as being from the last decade of the 18th century.[16] Only a decade after the successful flights by the Wright brothers. The work of James Maxwell and Heinrich Hertz in the late 19th century gave rise to the field of Electronics.Modern era The International Space Station represents a modern engineering challenge from many disciplines. the 1920s saw extensive development of aeronautical engineering through development of World War I military aircraft. the experiments of Michael Faraday.[4] Industrial scale manufacturing demanded new materials and new processes and by 1880 the need for large scale production of chemicals was such that a new industry was created. Georg Ohm and others and the invention of the electric motor in 1872.S. developed in the nineteenth century during the Industrial Revolution. it was also the second PhD awarded in science in the U. Early knowledge of aeronautical engineering was largely empirical with some concepts and skills imported from other branches of engineering. applied science and engineering) awarded in the United States went to Willard Gibbs at Yale University in 1863.[4] The role of the chemical engineer was the design of these chemical plants and processes. dedicated to the development and large scale manufacturing of chemicals in new industrial plants. electromagnetic/electromechanical devices. especially in the areas of the application of sciences to their disciplines such as physics. water supply and treatment etc. Although initially an engineer will usually be trained in a specific discipline. throughout an engineer's career the engineer may become multi-disciplined. These disciplines concern themselves with differing areas of engineering work. A new or emerging area of application will commonly be defined temporarily as a permutation or subset of existing disciplines. architectural. sources vary on other main branches. Electrical engineering a very broad area that may encompass the design and study of various electrical & electronic systems. motors. naval engineering and mining engineering were major branches. as well as designing new specialty materials and fuels. research to provide fundamental background science continued by combining theoretical physics with experiments. telecommunications and electronics. aerospace/aircraft products. the first search engine was built by computer engineer Alan Emtage. and vibration isolation equipment. compressors. Beyond these four. Modern fields sometimes included as major branches include aerospace. transportation products engines. much like other science." One key indicator of such emergence is when major universities start establishing departments and programs in the new field.). weapon systems. electronic circuits. optoelectronic devices. Historically. such as infrastructure (roads. such as power and energy systems. generators. In 1990. Civil engineering The design and construction of public and private works. there is often gray area as to when a given sub-field becomes large and/or prominent enough to warrant classification as a new "branch. having worked in several of the outlined areas. computer systems. kinematic chains. optical fibers. 12 . electronic devices. is a broad discipline which is often broken down into several sub-disciplines.[citation needed] New specialties sometimes combine with the traditional fields and form new branches. Main branches of engineering Main article: List of engineering branches Engineering. powertrains. chemistry and mathematics. For each of these fields there exists considerable overlap.[19] industrial and nuclear engineering. railways. biomedical. such as electrical circuits. bridges and buildings. vacuum technology.Meanwhile. Mechanical engineering The design of physical or mechanical systems. with the rise of computer technology. Engineering is often characterized as having four main branches:[17][18] y y y y Chemical engineering The exploitation of chemical principles in order to carry out large scale chemical process. Engineers apply the sciences of physics and mathematics to find suitable solutions to problems or to make improvements to the status quo. Constraints may include available resources. rotor and stator as well as the steam cycle all need to be carefully designed and optimised. economics. as a result. The blades. It is usually not enough to build a technically successful product. mathematics. engineers are now required to have knowledge of relevant sciences for their design projects. and to test potential solutions. By understanding the constraints. Problem solving Engineers use their knowledge of science. and interpret the constraints on a design in order to produce a successful result. safety. More than ever. flexibility for future modifications and additions. and appropriate experience or tacit knowledge to find suitable solutions to a problem. productibility. engineers derive specifications for the limits within which a viable object or system may be produced and operated. physical. imaginative or technical limitations. Creating an appropriate mathematical model of a problem allows them to analyze it (sometimes definitively).Methodology Design of a turbine requires collaboration of engineers from many fields. logic. such as requirements for cost. marketability. The crucial and unique task of the engineer is to identify. understand. and serviceability. engineers weigh different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best matches the requirements. and other factors. they keep on learning new material throughout their career. electro-magnetic and chemical processes. If multiple options exist. it must also meet further requirements. 13 . as the system is subject to mechanical. Engineers typically include a factor of safety in their designs to reduce the risk of unexpected failure. One of the most widely used tools in the profession is computer-aided design (CAD) software which enables engineers to create 3D models. after gathering statistics on a large number of patents. when careful analysis is needed to establish the cause or causes of the failure. CAD together with Digital mockup (DMU) and CAE software such as finite element method 14 . and schematics of their designs.Usually multiple reasonable solutions exist. Testing ensures that products will perform as expected. As well as the typical business application software there are a number of computer aided applications (Computer-aided technologies) specifically for engineering. while at a higher level the best design is one which eliminates the core contradiction causing the problem. Computers can be used to generate models of fundamental physical processes. nondestructive tests. and can help the product designer in evaluating his or her design in the light of real conditions. simulations. scale models. and stress tests. such as bridge collapses. They use. The discipline is of greatest value after disasters. The study of failed products is known as forensic engineering. Computer use A computer simulation of high velocity air flow around the Space Shuttle during re-entry. among other things: prototypes. 2D drawings. Solutions to the flow require modelling of the combined effects of the fluid flow and heat equations. Genrich Altshuller. Engineers typically attempt to predict how well their designs will perform to their specifications prior to full-scale production. so engineers must evaluate the different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best meets their requirements. computers and software play an increasingly important role. As with all modern scientific and technological endeavors. the less efficient the design may be. suggested that compromises are at the heart of "low-level" engineering designs. Engineers as professionals take seriously their responsibility to produce designs that will perform as expected and will not cause unintended harm to the public at large. However. destructive tests. the greater the safety factor. which can be solved using numerical methods. [23] 15 . the design and use of Sport utility vehicles and the extraction of oil. electrical currents and voltages.[22] Sub-Saharan Africa in particular has a very small engineering capacity which results in many African nations being unable to develop crucial infrastructure without outside aid. These allow products and components to be checked for flaws. or a government. Almost all engineering projects are beholden to some sort of financing agency: a company. Engineering projects can be subject to controversy. study ergonomics. and AEC software for civil engineering. Engineering is a key driver of human development.[21] Social context This section may contain original research. By its very nature engineering is bound up with society and human behavior. EDA for printed circuit board (PCB) and circuit schematics for electronic engineers. temperatures.[20] There are also many tools to support specific engineering tasks such as Computer-aided manufacture (CAM) software to generate CNC machining instructions. digital logic levels. Manufacturing Process Management software for production engineering. Engineering design is a very powerful tool to make changes to environment. and kinematics. Many engineering societies have established codes of practice and codes of ethics to guide members and inform the public at large. and its application brings with it a great responsibility. Every product or construction used by modern society will have been influenced by engineering design. assess fit and assembly. a set of investors. In recent years the use of computer software to aid the development of goods has collectively come to be known as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). society and economies. More details may be available on the talk page. some western engineering companies have enacted serious corporate and social responsibility policies. and to analyze static and dynamic characteristics of systems such as stresses. (July 2010) Engineering is a subject that ranges from large collaborations to small individual projects. MRO applications for maintenance management. the Three Gorges Dam. fluid flows. electromagnetic emissions.analysis or analytic element method allows engineers to create models of designs that can be analyzed without having to make expensive and time-consuming physical prototypes. In response. Access and distribution of all this information is generally organized with the use of Product Data Management software. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. The attainment of many of the Millennium Development Goals requires the achievement of sufficient engineering capacity to develop infrastructure and sustainable technological development. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. The few types of engineering that are minimally constrained by such issues are pro bono engineering and open design engineering. Examples from different engineering disciplines include the development of nuclear weapons. Both use mathematics and classification criteria to analyze and communicate observations. Montréal. for the moment. 16 . scientists. in the process of developing technology engineers sometimes find themselves exploring new phenomena. Both areas of endeavor rely on accurate observation of materials and phenomena. Canada There exists an overlap between the sciences and engineering practice. in engineering. thus becoming. First. Scientists may also have to complete engineering tasks. engineers create the world that has never been. Theodore von Kármán Bioreactors for producing proteins. In the book What Engineers Know and How They Know It.All overseas development and relief NGOs make considerable use of engineers to apply solutions in disaster and development scenarios. one applies science. Scientists are expected to interpret their observations and to make expert recommendations for practical action based on those interpretations[citation needed]. A number of charitable organizations aim to use engineering directly for the good of mankind: y y y y Engineers Without Borders Engineers Against Poverty Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief Engineers for a Sustainable World Relationships with other disciplines Science Scientists study the world as it is. but the problems themselves are too complex to solve in an exact manner. Conversely. such as designing experimental apparatus or building prototypes. it often deals with areas in which the basic physics and/or chemistry are well understood.[24] Walter Vincenti asserts that engineering research has a character different from that of scientific research. NRC Biotechnology Research Institute. As stated by Fung et al. a material. a method. Medicine and biology 17 . chemistry. a computing program. an innovative experiment. Second. Often they have to add to the sciences relevant to their profession. as well as legal considerations such as patent infringement or liability in the case of failure of the solution. they are limited by insufficient scientific knowledge. and design something that people can use. Thus engineering sciences are born. in the revision to the classic engineering text. or the use of Miner's rule to calculate fatigue damage. To embody an invention the engineer must put his idea in concrete terms. physics. biology and mechanics. dimensions. Engineers try to make things that do not exist in nature. Most often. it must have its geometry. Engineers stress invention. engineers must also take into account safety. Thus they study mathematics. engineering research employs many semi-empirical methods that are foreign to pure scientific research. Foundations of Solid Mechanics: "Engineering is quite different from science. Almost all engineers working on new designs find that they do not have all the needed information. one example being the method of parameter variation. Since a design has to be concrete. That something can be a device. efficiency. a new solution to a problem."[25] Although engineering solutions make use of scientific principles. reliability and constructibility or ease of fabrication. economy. a gadget. Scientists try to understand nature. and characteristic numbers.Examples are the use of numerical approximations to the Navier-Stokes equations to describe aerodynamic flow over an aircraft. or an improvement on what is existing. and robotics.[32] the skeleton is like a linked structure with levers. is an important common link between medicine and some engineering disciplines.[26] He is also known for his studies on human anatomy and physiognomy The study of the human body. has many functions that can be modeled using Engineering methods. such as systems modeling and computational analysis. for example. brain implants and pacemakers. There are also substantial interdisciplinary interactions between engineering and medicine. albeit from different directions and for different purposes.[31] The heart for example functions much like a pump. as a biological machine. neural networks.[27][28] The fields of Bionics and medical Bionics are dedicated to the study of synthetic implants pertaining to natural systems. has been described as the epitome of the artist/engineer. This has led to fields such as artificial intelligence. studies the function of the human body. seen here in a self-portrait. enhance and even replace functions of the human body. Modern medicine can replace several of the body's functions through the use of artificial organs and can significantly alter the function of the human body through artificial devices such as. such as Systems biology. The human body. if necessary. to the description of biological systems.[29][30] Both fields provide solutions to real world problems. Medicine. through the use of technology. led to the development of the field of biomedical engineering that uses concepts developed in both disciplines. Engineering is applied to design. and are dedicated to emulating many of its functions by replacing biology with technology.Leonardo da Vinci. Newly emerging branches of science. 18 . with emphasis on function and the utilization of mathematics and science. in part.[34] These similarities as well as the increasing importance and application of Engineering principles in Medicine. Conversely. are adapting analytical tools traditionally used for engineering. This often requires moving forward before phenomena are completely understood in a more rigorous scientific sense and therefore experimentation and empirical knowledge is an integral part of both. fuzzy logic. some engineering disciplines view the human body as a biological machine worth studying. Medicine aims to sustain.[33] the brain produces electrical signals etc.[31] Art A drawing for a booster engine for steam locomotives. for example.[35] they are direct in some fields. which deal with forming political and social structures using engineering methodology coupled with political science principles. architecture. an engineering professor.[35][36][37][38] The Art Institute of Chicago. for instance. has developed a course that connects art and engineering.[26][42] Other fields In Political science the term engineering has been borrowed for the study of the subjects of Social engineering and Political engineering. and a prime example of the nexus between art and engineering.[39] Robert Maillart's bridge design is perceived by some to have been deliberately artistic. held an exhibition about the art of NASA's aerospace design. and indirect in others. see Engineer (disambiguation). through a grant with the National Science Foundation. Engineer From Wikipedia. Financial engineering has similarly borrowed the term.[40] At the University of South Florida. 1868 Occupation Names Type Activity sectors Engineer Profession Applied sciences Description 19 . landscape architecture and industrial design (even to the extent that these disciplines may sometimes be included in a University's Faculty of Engineering). Engineer Conference of Engineers at the Menai Straits Preparatory to Floating one of the Tubes of the Britannia Bridge. by John Seymour Lucas.[36][41] Among famous historical figures Leonardo Da Vinci is a well known Renaissance artist and engineer.There are connections between engineering and art. the free encyclopedia For other uses. meaning "cleverness". project manager An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering. mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. management skills Education required Engineering education Fields of employment Related jobs Research and development. business Scientist.Competencies Mathematics.[3] Engineers are grounded in applied sciences. industry. Engineers design materials.[1][2] The word engineer is derived from the Latin root ingenium.[1] 20 . concerned with applying scientific knowledge. scientific knowledge. and their work in research and development is distinct from the basic research focus of scientists. safety and cost. machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality. structures.[2] The work of engineers forms the link between scientific discoveries and the applications that meet the needs of society. architect. and transferring information. Much of an engineer's time is spent on researching. and making decisions.3 Specialization 2 Ethics 3 Education 4 Regulation 5 Controversy o 5.4 United States o 5.Contents [hide] y y y y y y y y 1 Roles and expertise o 1. the responsibilities of the engineer may include defining problems. Analysis 21 .[4] Engineers must weigh different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best matches the requirements.5 International professional bodies 6 Perception 7 References 8 See also Roles and expertise Design Engineers develop new technological solutions.2 Analysis o 1. analyzing criteria. During the engineering design process.3 Europe and Latin America o 5. and interpret the constraints on a design in order to produce a successful result. finding and analyzing solutions.1 Design o 1. understand. locating. conducting and narrowing research. applying.2 United Kingdom o 5. Their crucial and unique task is to identify.1 Canada o 5. Many engineering societies have established codes of practice and codes of ethics to guide members and inform the public at large. which the members pledge to uphold. such as motor vehicles. to generate specifications for parts. and polymer engineering. Analytical engineers may supervise production in factories and elsewhere. Each engineering discipline and professional society maintains a code of ethics. Engineering analysis involves the application of scientific analytic principles and processes to reveal the properties and state of the system. employers and the profession. such as turbines or semiconductor materials.[5][6][7][8] Many engineers use computers to produce and analyze designs. for example. structure.[1] Numerous specialties are recognized by professional societies. Engineering analysis proceeds by separating the engineering design into the mechanisms of operation or failure. Engineers also may specialize in one industry. or in one type of technology. and test output to maintain quality.[1] Ethics Main article: Engineering ethics The Challenger disaster is held as a case study of engineering ethics. Engineers have obligations to the public. or maintenance. Depending on their specializations. or system operates. Specialization Most engineers specialize in one or more engineering disciplines. Supervisory engineers are responsible for major components or entire projects. production. device or mechanism under study. 1954 Engineers apply techniques of engineering analysis in testing. metallurgical. their clients. and re-combining the components. analysing or estimating each component of the operation or failure mechanism in isolation.Engineers conferring on prototype design. 22 . to monitor the quality of products. to simulate and test how a machine. includes structural and transportation engineering. They also estimate the time and cost required to complete projects. and to control the efficiency of processes. determine the causes of a process failure. and materials engineering includes ceramic. and each of the major branches of engineering has numerous subdivisions. Civil engineering. They may analyse risk. a ring made of iron or stainless steel that is worn on the little finger of the dominant hand. also are required. In the United States.[9][10][11] Some graduates of engineering programs in North America may be recognized by the Iron Ring or Engineer's Ring. the practice was adopted by several colleges in the United States including members of the Order of the Engineer. Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions and some research and development programs. sometimes accompanied by a computer or laboratory class or both. general courses not directly related to engineering. whistleblowing. recognizing the substantial equivalency in the standards set by many major national engineering bodies. Many experienced engineers obtain graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology and broaden their education. along with courses in both mathematics and the physical and life sciences. where the ring serves as a symbol and reminder of the engineer's obligations for the engineering profession. Many programs also include courses in general engineering. post-secondary degree programs in engineering are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. product liability laws. In much of Europe and the Commonwealth professional 23 . is part of the curriculum of most programs. one of the oldest and most prestigious engineering schools in France Most engineering programs involve a concentration of study in an engineering specialty.engineers may also be governed by specific statute. This tradition began in 1925 in Canada with The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer. Numerous high-level executives in government and industry began their careers as engineers. Accreditation is the process by which engineering program are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met. A design course. The Washington Accord serves as an international accreditation agreement for academic engineering degrees. In 1972. such as those in the social sciences or humanities. but is not required for the majority of entry-level engineering jobs. Education Main article: Engineering education École centrale Paris. Often. and often the principles of business ethics. Eng allowing one to practice engineering. Several nations are currently dealing with the definition of the term in both the legal arena and between professional bodies. professional engineer titles and accredited engineering degrees are regulated and certified by the Ordem dos Engenheiros. In Canada. licensure is generally attainable through combination of education. In the Czech Republic. and trust engineers to use professional judgement regarding their individual competencies. Regulation Main article: Professional Engineer In many countries. preexamination (Fundamentals of Engineering exam). the academic title of "Diploma Engineer" is awarded after completion of the five-year engineering study course and the title of "Certified Engineer" is awarded after completion of the four-year course of engineering studies at a Technological Educational Institute (TEI).) is given to people with a (masters) degree in chemistry. For instance. In Greece.Eng is common in North America. Each state tests and licenses Professional Engineers. Controversy Controversies over the term "engineer" stem from the traditional uses in design and analysis. must be approved by a licensed engineer.accreditation is provided by Engineering Institutions. such as the Institution of Civil Engineers or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers from the United Kingdom. the status of professional licensing is often indicated with the use of post-nominal letters. Latin America. this is the favoured approach of the professional societies.[12] and engineering experience (typically in the area of 5+ years). however. and chemical plants. Eur Ing in Europe. at least one of the examinations required by most states is actually focused on a particular discipline. In Continental Europe. the profession in each province is governed by its own engineering association. technology or economics for historical and traditional reasons. as compared to newer uses of the term. Most commonly titled as Professional Engineer or Chartered Engineer. but rather provide generalized licensure. Despite this. the title "engineer" (Ing. while CEng and IEng is used in the United Kingdom and CEng in much of the Commonwealth. In Italy. Turkey and elsewhere the title is limited by law to people with an engineering degree and the use of the title by others is illegal. PE or P. In Portugal. Currently most states do not license by specific engineering discipline. 24 . the title is limited to people who both hold an engineering degree and have passed a professional qualification examination (Esame di Stato). engineering tasks such as the design of bridges. in the Province of British Columbia an engineering graduate with four or more years of post graduate experience in an engineering-related field and passing exams in ethics and law will need to be registered by the Association for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (APEGBC) [13] in order to become a Professional Engineer and be granted the professional designation of P. candidates for licensure typically choose the category of examination which comes closest to their respective expertise. examination (Professional Engineering Exam). electric power plants. In the United States. the I. Several licensing bodies for professional engineering contend that only licensed professional engineers are legally allowed to use the title "Engineer". 2.000 for misusing the "engineer" title by referring to MCSE graduates as "engineers". after complaints from the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers. it is considered illegal to practice engineering. a court in Quebec fined Microsoft Canada $1. without a professional engineer's license P.[22] In the UK. United Kingdom In general. generally safety related. The use of the term "engineer" was an issue between professional bodies. and. Microsoft have since changed the title to "Microsoft Certified Professional". The incorporation of the word "engineer" in "Power Engineer" or "Stationary Engineer" can itself cause confusion. other than in Quebec and Ontario. claiming that "The Respondent's situation is such that it cannot be contended that the public is likely to be deceived. technicians. The I. For example. there is no restriction on the right to practice as an engineer in the UK or to call oneself an engineer or professional engineer. confused or jeopardized by his use of the term«"[18] APEGGA also lost the appeal to this decision. and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) against Raymond Merhej for using the title "System Engineer".T.[16] Court rulings regarding the usage of the term "engineer" have been mixed.T. One such example would be power engineers or stationary engineers. These title holders never presented themselves as "Professional Engineers". This is conflicting with the title often used in the electrical industry for professional engineers designing related equipment. on the other hand. regulate only the use of term "Professional Engineer".T. Provincial laws. Geologists. The I. 25 . where companies or associations may issue certifications or titles with the word "engineer" as part of that title (such as security engineer or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer). and thesecurity industry. machinists.[17] Conversely. Additional confusion has taken place over similarly named occupations.Canada In Canada.[19] The Canadian Information Processing Society[20]and in particular CIPS Ontario[21] have attempted to strike a balance between the professional engineering licensing bodies and the IT industry over the use of the term "engineer" in the software industry. draftsmen. industry. counters that: 1. There are a few fields of practice. which are reserved by statute to licensed persons. the term "engineer" is often applied to non-degreed vocations such as technologists. and not any title with the word "Engineer" in it. Graduates of a two-year (in Nova Scotia) college level Power Engineering Technology program may use the title "Power Engineer" or "Stationary Engineer". or use the title "Engineer". the term "Engineer" is protected by both the Engineers Act[14] and by section 32 of the Professional Code[15]). an Albertacourt dismissed the lawsuit filed by The Association of Professional Engineers. 3. industry. in Quebec and Ontario. industry has used the term "engineer" since the dawn of the computing industry in the 60s. but so far no major agreements or decisions have been announced.Eng. This is the reason why graduates of these degrees are generally allowed to use the legally-protected title of "Engineer" within these countries. and to accredit academic programmes and professional development schemes.K. as three selections occurs: in high school. and semi-skilled occupations. In Germany and some other European and Latin American countries. "registered engineer". such as civil engineering in Germany). [24] While Engineering Council is the primary body registering Engineers in U. "aircraft engineer" and many hundreds of derivatives. Many of these occupations adopt the term "engineer". repair people. There are over 30 institutions licensed to register professional engineers with Engineering Council. there are other professional societies that register engineers as well. Chartered Engineer is a second-cycle qualification usually reserved for holders of integrated Master of Engineeringdegrees or Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science degrees. Both IEng and CEng require substantial professional experience (4±8 years post graduate). there is no professional registration or licence in engineering (with a very limited number of exceptions. Engineering Council grants licences to engineering institutions allowing them to assess candidates for inclusion on its Register of Professional Engineers and Technicians. "heating engineer". It corresponds to a highlyselective Master degree level. Under its Royal Charter. and for the diploma delivering. electricians. This highly-selective process and the 26 y y . and not a professional registration or license. "gas engineer".K. to hold that one is a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer unless so registered with Engineering Council.[23] Incorporated Engineer is a first-cycle qualification for Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science degree holders(Sydney Accord. "professional engineer". after two years of classes preparatoires. "drainage engineer". In France. has other "professional" engineering titles registered via the Engineering Council UK (ECUK): Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). The Diploma Engineer is therefore a university degree. engineer title can be used pretty liberally. It is illegal in the U.K. plumbers. British Gas describe their installation and maintenance mechanics as registered professional engineers. However. The title of "Engineer" by itself is not regulated in the U. with the name of the profession as used in the country. and is often attributed based on professional position rather than initial qualification..mechanics. however the title Ingénieur diplomé (Diploma Engineer) is reserved to people having followed one of the trainings listed by [[Commission des titres d'ingénieur] (Commission for Engineer Titles).K. equivalent to Technologist). "automobile engineer". the term Diploma Engineer implies that the person has completed typically one more year of academic work beyond the basic engineering bachelor's degree. in Germany and most other countries where the Diploma Engineer degree exist. a professional review and interview. The U. Europe and Latin America y Engineers in Europe table showing all countries in which this profession is regulated. each state has its own licensing procedure.[27] See also: Debates within software engineering 27 . This is because what is legally recognized as engineering work (and thus requiring licensure to be practiced) is held to strict criminal liability. Both countries conced the degree through universities (most common) and certain institutions (most rarely). In Puerto Rico." after their names on resumes. a minor degree in applied sciences and a technical degree. However. and the license is valid only in the state that granted it. have license requirements for such a title that are in line with the requirements for more traditional engineering fields. dependent on the state and the enforcement of its engineering certification board. use of the title Professional Engineer is restricted to those holding a Professional Engineer's license." before their names on resumes. Ingeniería. The term is frequently applied to fields where practitioners may have no engineering background. which requires a major degree in basic sciences plus a technical degree. However. y In Chile. the term refers to a professional degree conceded by an educational institution. both from a university (usually five years of formation). and other communication.[26] With regard to the term "software engineer". which requires an academic major degree in basic sciences.s (with exception to those in the industries of medicine and veterinary science) makes the Ingénieur title very prestigious. the title of Engenheiro (engineer) and in Argentina[25] the title of Ingeniero can only be legally used by someone with a five or six-year engineering degree. These people have the right to add the letters "P. First. in many jurisdictions. for example sanitation engineer. In all cases. business cards. the usage of this term is limited to internal use by a company. which only requires a degree in applied science and a technical degree. many states. the Ingeniero (engineer) title is regulated by law. yet it can only be given by certain institutions when all legal requirements are met.French undervaluing of Ph. In Argentina most universities have a five or six-year engineering degree (Around 3500 4000 hours of classes or aprox 240-250 credits. and Ingeniería Civil. such as Texas and Florida. Jurisdictions such as these tend to refer to the position of network engineer as a technician. Other uses of the term "engineer" are legally controlled and protected to varying degrees. business cards. and other communication. the Ingeniería de Ejecución. from a university or a technical institute (usually four years of formation). which distinguishes at least three different kinds of professional engineering titles. one credit = 16 contact hours).E.D. all from a university (usually six or six and a half years). In Brazil. These people have the right to add the letters "Ing. use of the title Ingeniero (engineer) is restricted to those holding an engineer's license registered by the College of Engineers and Land Surveyors of Puerto Rico. y y United States In the United States. rather than in a professional or marketing aspect. or the work has no basis in the physical engineering disciplines. if said company is not licensed to perform engineering work. with the engineering or other creative career functions..) are quite different from those required to deal with the physical design dimension. Telford and their contemporaries but now 28 . based on scientific principles and techniques. cost engineering practitioners need to share a common understanding. planning and scheduling.g. Perception Statue of engineer Robert Fulton at the United States Capitol The perception of engineering varies across countries and continents.International professional bodies The AACE. etc. software analysts. play producers. cost estimating. From that difference. The perception and definition of engineering in some English speaking countries is confused. Whether they have technical. In continental western Europe. British school children in the 1950s were brought up with stirring tales of 'the Victorian Engineers'. Middle East. Cost engineering practitioners work alongside of and are peers with engineers. The contemporary British public perceive engineers as skilled or semi skilled maintenance workers but this is a recent development. the Stephensons. Latin American and Canada engineering and engineers are held in very high esteem. finance and accounting. but they do not necessarily have the same background. eastern Europe. and other creative career fields to handle the cost dimension. Asian. or other backgrounds. operations. the field of cost engineering was born. architects. a professional body for Cost Engineers. chief amongst whom were the Brunels. explains why a technical engineering background is not required for their profession with the following statement:[28] The skills and knowledge required to deal with costs (e. [31] Fred Brooks Jr says that managers think of senior people as "too valuable" for technical tasks. In the UK "engineering" is defined as an industry sector consisting of employers and employees loosely termed as "engineers" who range from semi skilled trades to chartered engineers. In his book The Mythical ManMonth. even a lawyer. Several Star Trek characters are engineers. inviting thousands of applicants to show their ability in highly competitive entrance examinations. occasionally. a 2002 study by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers revealed that engineers are the third most respected professionals behind doctors and pharmacists. even though they benefit from their work every day. British Gas refer to their gas repair mechanics as registered "professional engineers". In the US and Canada. In Egypt. In companies and other organizations in some English-speaking countries (UK) there is a tendency to undervalue people with advanced technological and scientific skills compared to celebrities.British people often incorrectly use the term 'Engineer' to describe Plumbers and Mechanics.[29] In the Indian subcontinent. in the typical run of ordinary life. One difficulty in increasing public awareness of the profession is that average people. engineering is defined as a regulated profession whose practice and practitioners are licensed and governed by law. the educational system makes engineering the second-most-respected profession in the country (after medicine). such as Bell Labs. engineers are often portrayed as highly knowledgeable and respectable individuals who understand the overwhelming future technologies often portrayed in the genre. the corresponding managerial and technical rungs are equivalent. 29 . By contrast. Brooks recommends that structures need to be changed. the chartered accountant at tax time. the boss must give a great deal of attention to keeping his managers and his technical people as interchangeable as their talents allow. and pharmacy) to be among the "pinnacle colleges" ( kull y t alqimmah). it is common to visit a doctor at least once a year. The definition of what engineering is varies across countries.[30] For example. engineering is one of the most sought after undergraduate courses." IBM maintain a dual ladder of advancement. engineering colleges at Egyptian universities require extremely high marks on the General Certificate of Secondary Education (Arabic: al-Th nawiyyah al-` mmah)²on the order of 97 or 98%²and are thus considered (with colleges of medicine. natural science. Russia and China. fashion practitioners. do not ever have any personal dealings with engineers. In science fiction. and. and that management jobs carry higher prestige. entertainers and managers. the cartoon character Dilbert is an engineer. In Canada. abolish all job titles to overcome this problem: a professional employee is a "member of the technical staff. In some English speaking countries engineering has been seen as a somewhat dry. He tells how some laboratories. uninteresting field in popular culture and has also been thought to be the domain of nerds.