This chapter discusses preparing for an engineering career. It introduces the engineering profession and provides answers to common questions about engineering. Some key points covered include choosing an engineering discipline, traits of successful engineers, and what engineers do in different fields like civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The chapter emphasizes the importance of time management, daily preparation, attending class, getting help, and joining an engineering organization to succeed in an engineering program and career.

1. Lecture 2
Dr. Khaled Bakro
The Engineering Profession
Introduction to Engineering
and Profession Ethics

2. The objectives of this chapter are to
 Introduce the engineering profession and its various
branches
 Provide some answers to
Do I really want to study engineering?
What is engineering and what do engineers do?
What are some of the areas of specialization in engineering?
Which disciplinary area of engineering do I want to pursue?
How will I know that I have picked the best field for me?
Will the demand for my area of specialization be high when I
graduate, and beyond that?
The Engineering Profession

3.  Engineering is the practice and method of applying
scientific and empirical knowledge to the service of
humanity.
 It is distinct from the physical sciences, which are
studies of the natural universe.
What is Engineering?

4.  Engineers are problem solvers.
 Successful engineers possess good
communication skills and are team players.
 They have a good grasp of fundamental physical
laws and mathematics. Engineers apply physical
and chemical laws and mathematics to design,
develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of
millions of products and services.
 They consider important factors such as
sustainability, efficiency, cost, reliability, and
safety when designing products.
 Engineers are dedicated to lifelong learning and
service to others.
INTRODUCTION TO THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

5. National Council of Engineering
Examiners: “Engineer shall mean a person
who, by reason of his special knowledge
and use of mathematical, physical, and
engineering sciences and the principles of
engineering analysis and design, acquired
by education and experience, is qualified to
practice engineering”
OK, but really, what is an engineer.
So, What is an Engineer?

6. Individuals who combine knowledge of science,
mathematics, and economics (yes, economics, too)
to solve technical problems that confront society.
Practically;
 Engineers convert scientific theory into useful
application.
 Engineers help to provide for mankind’s material
needs and well being.
No Really, What is an Engineer?

7. What Do Engineers Do?
Engineers apply physical and chemical laws and
principles and mathematics to design millions of
products and services that we use in our everyday
lives

8.  Engineers consider factors such as cost, efficiency,
sustainability, reliability, and safety in their designs
 Engineers perform tests to ensure their designs can
withstand the loads and conditions prescribed
 Engineers continue to seek ways to improve existing
products and services
 Engineers continue to develop new, advanced
materials to make products lighter and stronger for
different applications
What Do Engineers Do?

9. Engineers design, maintain, and supervise
construction of buildings, dams, bridges, highways,
power plants, and other components of our
infrastructure system
 Engineers are responsible for extracting petroleum,
natural gas, and other materials from earth
 Engineers are responsible for the production and the
processing of crops, fruit, vegetable, and food
What Do Engineers Do?

10. 10
What is a Scientist?
Prime objective is increased knowledge of
nature and its “laws”.
Scientists use knowledge to acquire new
knowledge.
Systematic search using “scientific method”
Science
Engineering

11. Traits of Successful Engineers
Engineers
 are problem solvers
 have firm grasp of fundamental principles of
engineering
 are analytical, detailed oriented, and creative
 have desire to be lifelong learners
 have ability to work outside their area of
specialization in other related fields

12. Good Engineers
• have good communication and time management skills
• have good “people skills”
• are good team player
• have ability to use modern tools to solve various
engineering problems or to solve problems in various
ways
• are active in the profession and community
Traits of successful engineers

13. Distribution of Employment by Disciplines

14. (2009)
Average Starting Salary for Engineers

15. to learn more about what engineers do……….
Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Civil Engineering
Areas of Engineering Disciplines and Their
Corresponding Organizations

16. • ABET stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology
• ABET is the only organization in U.S. that can accredit
engineering and technology programs
• ABET examines the credentials of the engineering program’s
faculty, curricular content, facilities, and admission and
graduation standards before granting accreditation
ABET Accreditation

17. • Many states require engineers to be graduates of an ABET
accredited engineering program before they are eligible to
take the Professional Engineer (PE) exam
• Visit your state’s licensing board to learn about their
engineering licensing requirements
• Visit http://www.abet.org to see the list of all accredited
programs and learn more
ABET Accreditation

18.  ABET, accredited engineering programs must demonstrate that their
graduates, by the time of graduations, have:
 an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
 an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and
interpret data;
 an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;
 an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
 an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
 an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
 an ability to communicate effectively;
 the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering
solutions in a global and societal context;
 a recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning;
 a knowledge of contemporary issues; and
 an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools
necessary for engineering practice.
ABET Accreditation

19. Civil Engineers design and supervise, among
others, the construction of roads, buildings,
airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, water
supply, and water and wastewater treatment
systems. Civil engineering is concerned with
providing public infrastructure and services.
What Do Civil Engineers Do?

20. Electrical Engineers design, develop, test,
and supervise the manufacturing of
electrical equipment, including lighting and
wiring for buildings, cars, buses, trains,
ships, and aircraft; power generation and
transmission equipment for utility
companies; electric motors found in
various products; control devices; and
radar equipment.
What Do Electrical Engineers Do?

21. Electronic Engineers design, develop,
test, and supervise the production of
electronic equipment, including
computer hardware; computer
network hardware; communication
devices such as cellular phone,
television, and audio and video
equipment; as well as measuring
instruments.
What Do Electronic Engineers Do?

22. Mechanical Engineers are involved in the
design, development, testing, and
manufacturing of machines, robots, tools,
power generating equipment such as steam
and gas turbines, heating, cooling, and
refrigerating equipment, and internal
combustion engines.
What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?

23. Aerospace Engineers design, develop,
test, and supervise the manufacture of
commercial and military aircraft,
helicopters, spacecraft, and missiles.
They may work with projects dealing
with research and development of
guidance, navigation, and control
systems.
What Do Aerospace Engineers Do?

24. Biomedical Engineers apply the laws and the
principles of chemistry, biology, medicine, and
engineering to design artificial limbs, organs,
imaging systems, and devices used in medical
procedures. They also perform research
alongside of medical doctors, chemists, and
biologists to better understand various aspects of
biological systems and the human body.
What Do Biomedical Engineers Do?

25. Chemical Engineers use the principles of
chemistry and basic engineering sciences to
solve a variety of problems related to the
production of chemicals and their use in
various industries, including the
pharmaceutical, electronic, and
photographic industries.
What Do Chemical Engineers Do?

26. Environmental Engineers apply the laws and
principles of chemistry, biology, and engineering
to address issues related to water and air
pollution control, hazardous waste, waste
disposal, and recycling. They also get involved
with the development of local, national, and
international environmental policies and
regulations.
What Do Environmental Engineers Do?

27. Manufacturing Engineers develop, coordinate,
and supervise the process of manufacturing all
types of products. They are concerned with
making products efficiently and at minimum cost.
They are involved in all aspects of production,
including scheduling and materials handling and
the design, development, supervision, and control
of assembly lines.
What Do Manufacturing Engineers Do?

28. Petroleum Engineers specialize in the discovery
and production of oil and natural gas. In
collaboration with geologists, petroleum
engineers search the world for underground oil or
natural gas reservoirs. Petroleum engineers are
also involved in monitoring and supervising
drilling and oil extraction operation.
What Do Petroleum Engineers Do?

29. Nuclear Engineers design, develop, monitor, and
operate nuclear power equipment that drives its
power from nuclear energy. They are involved in
the design, development, and operation of
nuclear power plants to generate electricity or to
power Navy ships and submarines. They are also
involved in the design and development of
industrial and diagnostic medical equipment.
What Do Nuclear Engineers Do?

30. Mining Engineers, in collaboration with
geologists and metallurgical engineers, find,
extract, and prepare coal for use by utility
companies; they also look for metals and minerals
to extract from the earth for use by various
manufacturing industries. Mining engineers
design and supervise the construction of
aboveground and underground mines.
What Do Mining Engineers Do?

31. Materials Engineers research, develop, and test
new materials for various products and
engineering applications. They manipulate the
atomic and molecular structure of materials in
order to create materials that are lighter,
stronger, and more durable. They create
materials with specific mechanical, electrical,
magnetic, chemical, and heat-transfer properties
such as graphite racquets and stealth military
planes.
What Do Materials Engineers Do?

32. • Education – accredited program, BS and/or MS
level
• Professional registration
 Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
 Professional Engineering Exam
• Professional organizations
• Life-long learning
To Become an Engineer

33. Engineering Functions
Maintenance and
operations
Management
Sales
Consulting
Teaching
Research
Design
Development
Test
Production
Deployment

34. The Engineering Team
 Engineer
 Conceptual design
 Research
 Project planning
 Product innovation
 System development
 Supervision of technologists,
technicians, and craftsmen
 Technologist
 Routine product development
 Construction supervision
 Technical sales
 Hardware design and development
 Coordination of work force,
materials, and equipment
 Supervision of technicians and
craftsman
 Technician
 Drafting
 Estimating
 Field inspections
 Data collection
 Surveying
 Technical writing
 Craftsman
 Uses hand and power tools to
service, maintain, and operate
machines or products useful
to the engineering team

35. • You should have a good understanding of the
significant role that engineers play in our
everyday lives in providing water, food, shelter,
and other essential needs.
• You should have a good idea of common traits and
activities of good engineers.
• You should be familiar with the differences among
various engineering disciplines.
Summary

36. CH. 2

37. Making the transition from high school to college
requires extra effort:
you must start studying and preparing from the
first day of class.
 attend class regularly.
get help right away.
take good notes.
select a good study place.
form study groups.
consider the time management ideas.
PREPARING FOR AN ENGINEERING CAREER

38.  You belong to an elite group of students now:
 across the United States 5% of students who graduate with
a B.S. degree are engineers.
 You will learn how to ask questions to find out how things
are made, how things work, how to improve things, how
to design something from scratch, and how to take an idea
from paper to reality and actually build something.
 what you do for the next five years will affect you for the
rest of your life.
 You must take the responsibility for learning.
Making the Transition from High School to College

39.  Many of us need approximately 8 hours of sleep every
night.
 we all need to have some time for work, friends and
family, studying, and relaxation.
 With 24 hours in a given day, we have, for a one-week
period, 168 hours available. Numbers in the following
table are meant only to give you a reasonable starting
point to help you budget your time on a weekly basis.
You may prefer to spend an hour a day relaxing during
the week and use the additional social hours on
weekends. Even with generous relaxation and social
time, this sample allows 68 hours a week to devote to
your education.
Budgeting Your Time

40. you need to learn to manage your time wisely if you
want to be successful in life.

41.  You start studying and preparing from the very first day of
class!
 It is always a good idea to read the material that your
professor is planning to cover in class ahead of time.
Daily Studying and Preparation

42.  Attend Your Classes Regularly: Your professor may offer
additional explanations and discussion of some material
that may not be well presented in your textbook.
 Get Help Right Away: If for some reason you cannot see
your professor during the designated office hours, ask for
an appointment.


43.  Take Good Notes: listen carefully during the lectures so
you can identify and record the important ideas and
concepts. Some students may not realize that they should
also take notes when reading the textbook.
 Select a Good Study Place:

44.  Form Study Groups: the best way to learn something is to
teach it. You need to study on your own first and then get
together with your classmates to discuss and explain key
ideas and concepts to each other.
 Prepare for Examinations: Don’t wait until the night
before the exam to study!. Spend a few hours reviewing
your notes and sample problems. Ask your instructor
ahead of time what type of exam it will be, how many
questions there will be. Consider timing yourself when
doing your homework problems

45. There are many good reasons to join an engineering
organization. Networking, participating, listening to
technical guest speakers, attending social events,
taking advantage of learning opportunities through
short courses, seminars, and conferences, and
obtaining student loans and scholarships are a few of
the common benefits of belonging to an engineering
organization.
Getting Involved with an Engineering
Organization

46.  You should use the ideas discussed in this chapter to
make your transition from high school to college
smoothly. You should also consider the time
management ideas discussed in this chapter to arrive at a
reasonable weekly schedule.
 You should realize that you must start studying and
preparing from the first day of class, attend classes
regularly, get help right away, take good notes, select a
good study place, and form study groups.
 You should know the importance of joining an
engineering organization, and become an active
participant.
 http://www.ehow.com/video_4411644_the-engineer-profession-
world-warcraft.html
SUMMARY