What is Engineering?

What is

engineering?

According to Webster’s

Dictionary:

Engineering

The application of

math and science by

which the properties

of matter and the

sources of energy in

nature are made

useful

to people.

Engineers apply math and science for the

betterment of society through:

Design Manufacturing Research & Development

Management Continual Improvement

Logistics

Above all, engineers are problem solvers who make

things work better, more efficiently, quicker and

cheaper.

SCIENCE ENGINEERING

SCIENCE

Analysis: ask questions, look for patterns, develop knowledge

Produce knowledge

Characteristic activity: research ( learn about nature)

Study of what is

http://www.tryscience.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science

Synthesis: integrate bits of knowledge to create something new

Produce processes and things (part of technology)

Characteristic activity: creative design

Study of what never was

http://www.tryengineering.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering

SCIENCE vs. ENGINEERING

taken from “ Engineering: How is it related to Science ,Technology, math, and Society?” – Dr. Alexander Flueck.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Types of engineering

Types of engineering are referred to as “disciplines.”

Just as science is divided into separate fields such as biology, chemistry and physics… engineering is divided into a variety of disciplines. The five largest engineering disciplines are…

Engineering Disciplines

Major Disciplines Other Disciplines

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Chemical

• Civil

• Industrial

• Automotive

• Aerospace

• Agricultural

• Biomedical

• Computer

• Environmental

• Materials

• Nuclear

• Robotics

• Safety

Engineers within all of these disciplines

can work in product-oriented

companies, government, or academia.

Mechanical Engineering

• Concerned with design, manufacture &

operation of a wide range of components,

devices, or systems:

• microscopic parts (nanotechnology) to

gigantic gears

• heating, ventilation, refrigeration

• manufacturing equipment (tanks, motors,

pumps)

• laser technology

• biomedical applications

• automotive industry

• computer-aided design, automation,

robotics

Broadest of all the engineering disciplines in its range of activities

Chemical Engineering

Applying chemistry to the solution of practical problems

•Gasoline

• Plastic

• Energy (natural gas, oil heating, coal)

• Adhesives

• Clothing

• Building Materials

Electrical Engineering

Play a role in almost everything we

interact with on a daily basis. They

design smaller, cheaper, and better:

• cell phones

• computers

• power systems

• appliances

• robots

Apply specialized skill to the design, manufacture, application,

installation, and operation of electrical products and systems.

Civil Engineering

• Create solutions to cope with:

• air quality issues

• decaying cities, roadways and

bridges

• clogged airports and highways

• polluted streams, rivers and lakes

Design solutions to cope with many of our planet’s most serious

problems.

Industrial Engineering

• Design data processing

systems

• Integrate activities of finance,

engineering and management

• Develop systems for planning,

cost analysis, production and

quality of products

Stresses design, improvement, and installation of integrated

systems of people, material, and equipment for the effective

production of goods or services in all types of industries

Good Traits for Engineers

• Enjoy solving problems

• Like working with other people (strong teamwork skills)

• Interested in serving human needs

• Want to make things work better

• Strive for continual improvement

• Able to adapt to a changing environment

• Good communication skills

• Strong study skills

• Desire to constantly learn new things

• Data analysis skills

• Strong computer skills

Salary Comparisons

Career College (years) Average Salary* Hourly Rate Factor (thousands)**

Fast Food Cook 0 $18,230 $8.76/hr -

Cosmetologist 0 $27,070 $13.02/hr -

Auto Mechanic 0 $37,880 $18.21/hr -

Realtor 0 $53,100 $25.53/hr -

Reporter 4 $43,270 $20.80/hr 11

Physical Therapist 8 $76,220 $36.64/hr 9

Chemist 4 $72,740 $34.97/hr 22

Veterinarian 8 $90,110 $43.32/hr 11

Accountant 4 $67,430 $32.42/hr 16

Registered Nurse 4 $66,530 $31.99/hr 16

Pharmacist 6 $106,630 $51.27/hr 17

Computer Programmer 4 $74,690 $35.91/hr 18

Computer Engineer 4 $91,540 $44.01/hr 22

Mechanical Engineer 4 $80,580 $38.74/hr 20

Electrical Engineer 4 $86,250 $41.47/hr 21

Civil Engineer 4 $81,180 $39.03/hr 20

Chemical Engineer 4 $91,670 $44.07/hr 22

Petroleum Engineer 4 $119,960 $57.67/hr 30

Medical Doctor 10 $168,550 $81.03/hr 16

Lawyer 6 $129,020 $62.03/hr 21

Higher Factor

Is Better!

*Average salaries from May 2009, Bureau of Labor Statistics Website

**Factor is average salary / years of college

Most recent data:

ARCHITECTURE AND

ENGINEERING OCCUPATIONS

Earning Potential vs. Minimum Wage

Engineers have high earning potentials over the course of their career. Since

2000, engineering salaries have increased by ~35%.

15,000

25,000

35,000

45,000

55,000

65,000

75,000

85,000

95,000

105,000

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

B.S. (Engineering)

M.S. (Engineering)

Ph.D. (Engineering)

HS (min. wage)

Years AFTER H.S. Graduation (based on 1998 salary data)

College Entrance Requirements

Required

Algebra I & II Geometry

Trigonometry Calculus

Physics Chemistry

Computer Programming Social Studies

Foreign Languages Fine Arts/Humanities

Highly Recommended – Not Required

AP Chemistry AP Physics

AP Calculus AP Biology

Any Advanced Placement classes really help prepare you for college and in

most cases drastically help “lighten your load.”

What hours do engineers work?

Most engineers work weekdays, Monday through Friday. That's what some people would call a 'day job'. Typically they work from 8 to 10 hours per day. There are some companies that have very flexible work schedules such that their engineers come in for some 8-hour period during the day (say from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.)! Sometimes engineers work at a job site where something is happening 24 hours a day and they work a 'shift' schedule. Usually these assignments are temporary, such as for a new plant startup. http://www.discoverengineering.org

Cooperative Education

Typically a five year program with alternating periods of book learning

(school) and application (work, typically in industry).

Year Fall Spring Summer

1 School School School

2 Work Work Work

3 School School School

4 Work Work Work

5 School School School

Benefits of a Cooperative Education

• Pay for your college education ($36,000/YR or more)

• Gain valuable experience, real engineering work

• Increase your market value at graduation (considerably)

• Usually assures job offer from co-op company

• Offers well deserved and beneficial break from school!

Additional Things

Many engineers seek a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.

http://discoverengineering.org

http://www.egfi-k12.org/ PE

College Advice

The next 2-3 years in high school and especially the following 4-8 years

in college drastically impact the quality of your adult life!!!

Summary

Engineers have been involved in almost everything you see, touch, or rely upon

Engineering can be an exciting career full of opportunities

Job market is generally good

Pay and benefits are among the top for the level of education

Opportunities for leadership, global travel, and benefiting humankind abound

An engineering degree can open many doors to careers in other exciting areas such as medicine, law, business administration, PhD (research, teaching, etc.)