Design for Engineering

Unit #1 Introduction to the Engineering Profession

Annette Beattie
ETP 2006 Annette Beattie
April 10, 2006
This material is based upon work supported by the National
Science Foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions,
findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in
this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the view of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Engineering

Engineering Definitions
Problem solving
The profession in which knowledge of the
mathematical and natural sciences gained
by study, experience, and practice is
applied with judgment to develop ways to
economically utilize the materials and the
forces of nature for the benefit of
mankind. (OSU, n.d.)

What does it take?

Drive & perseverance!
How do you get those?

Have to be willing to make the effort.

Dont let anything stand in your way.
Know what youre getting into.

Engineers have in common the desire to

make the world a better place.(VCSU, 2006)

The First Engineer

Imhotep
Designed the pyramid near Memphis,
Egypt around 2550 BC. (BBC, n.d.)

Imhotep

He set a precedent by including temples,

pavilions, corridors, chapels and halls within the
closed walls.
He was a commoner by birth.
Which means he did not have a formal
education (that was only for the rich).
At that time engineers learned the trade through
the apprenticeship system. (BBC, n.d.)

Imhotep
He became one of the kings most trusted
advisors.
His reputation lives on still today in many
fictional stories such as:
The Mummy &
The Mummy Returns

(BBC, n.d.)

Engineering School
Since the industrial revolution began in
England about 1750, most would think the
study of engineering began there, too.
But military engineering was taught in
France in the 1600s.
The Corps des Ponts et Chaussees was
the first engineering school in the world.
Opened in France in 1747. (VCSU, 2006)

American Engineering
During the Revolution, the need for
military and civil engineers became great.
George Washington, whose background
was in civil engineering, called for the
formation of engineering schools. (VCSU, 2006)

American Engineering
West Point included an engineering
school in the 1780s.
Before the Civil War, land expansion
and the growth of railroads fueled the
need for engineers.(VCSU, 2006)

American Engineering

From the Civil War to 1900 there were two major

influences affecting engineering.

The continued economic boom

Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862 - Pres. Lincoln

This provided public land to have a college in

each state.
Specified a practical education to the masses,
which lead to engineering schools. (VCSU, 2006)
NDSU, known for its engineering program, was
established through this act in 1891. (NDSU, n.d.)

American Engineering

The 1900s
The automobile & two world wars demanded
large numbers of engineers.
America was cut off from Europes scientific
knowledge because of WW II.
This exposed a weakness in science and
engineering education.(VCSU, 2006)

American Engineering

1958 - National Defense Education Act

This was set up to stimulate the
advancement of education in math and
sciences and other fields.
It established a student loan program for
colleges. (Encyclopedia.com, n.d.)

American Engineering

1963 Vocational Education Act

Funding for vocational education was greatly
increased.
Also provided work study programs.

These 2 acts greatly increased the

number of people that could enroll in an
engineering study. (VCSU, 2005/2006)

American Engineering

What else happened to increase

Americas engineers?
Hitlers Holocaust drove the best of the
scientists and engineers out of Europe and to
America.
Freedom and opportunity sealed the deal.
They stayed and helped America become a
super power.(VCSU, 2005/2006)

American Engineering

America also captured Germanys best

scientists and engineers in the field of rocketry
and brought them to America during WW II.
America didnt use them right away, but it kept
Russia from having access to their knowledge.
However, while America was falling in love with
the field of aviation, Russia put a satellite into
orbit. (The Sputnik Crisis) (VCSU,
2005/2006)

American Engineering
America quickly created NASA in 1958.
The U.S. also put a man on the moon
before Russia in 1969.
John F. Kennedy closed the missile gap
by deploying 1000 Minuteman missiles far more than Russia had. (VCSU,
2005/2006)

American Engineering
America has prospered on the educational
investments made in the 60s.
Can we sit back and relax?
Hardly, the scientists, engineers and
teachers (baby boomers) we educated in
the 60s are now about to retire. (VCSU,
2005/2006)

American Engineering

For America to secure its superpower

position, we need more engineers!
America produces 70,000 engineers/yr
India produces 350,000
China produces 600,000 (VCSU, 2005/2006)

Why study engineering?

Job satisfaction
The No. 1 cause of unhappiness is job
dissatisfaction.
Important to find a career you enjoy.

Variety of career opportunities

Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Carter, and Alfred

Hitchcock all started with an engineering
education. (ASEE, 2004)

Why study engineering?

Challenging work
Problems will be open-ended
No single answer
No answer in the back of the book
No teacher to tell you that you are right or
wrong
You find a solution and persuade others
that yours is the best one (ASEE, 2004)

Why study engineering?

Intellectual development

An engineering education will develop your ability to

think logically and to solve problems

Benefit society

You can choose projects that benefit society

Cleaning the environment
Developing prosthetic aids for disabled persons
Finding new sources of energy (ASEE, 2004)

Why study engineering?

Financial security
This should not be your only reason for
choosing a career in engineering
However, you will be well paid
Engineering graduates receive the highest
starting salary of any discipline (ASEE, 2004)

Why study engineering?

Prestige

Engineers greatly help

sustain our nation's international competitiveness

maintain our standard of living
ensure a strong national security
protect public safety

People know that engineering requires hard work

and strong technical skills. As a member of this
profession, you will receive a high amount of
prestige. (ASEE, 2004)

Why study engineering?

Professional environment

You will work in a professional environment in which

you will be treated with respect and have some
freedom in choosing your work.

Creative thinking

We are in a time of rapid social and technological

changes, therefore, the need for engineers to think
creatively is greater than ever before. (ASEE, 2004)

Why study engineering?

Technological and scientific discovery

Do you know why golf balls have dimples?

When you drive on a mountain road, do you look
at the guard rails and understand why they were
designed the way they are?
Do you know why split-level houses experience
more damage in earthquakes?
An engineering education can help you
understand how many things in the world work.
(ASEE, 2004)

ENGINEERING IS
EVERYWHERE

Engineering gives shape to our world

We all know cars, computers, airplanes, and
bridges are all products of imaginative
engineering
But did you know bubble gum, baseball bats,
movie special effects, roller coasters, and
synthetic human tissue replacements are also
engineering products? (ASEE, 2004)

ENGINEERING IS
EVERYWHERE

Engineers design, create, or modify nearly

everything we touch, wear, eat, see, and hear in
our daily lives.
Their innovations and inventions fuel economic
growth, fortify national security, improve
healthcare, and safeguard the environment.
(ASEE, 2004)

Sources

ASEE. (2004). The top 10 benefits of an engineering career. Retrieved April 15, 2006 from the website:
http://www.engineeringk12.org

BBC. (n.d.). Imhotep (fl. 2667-2648 BC). Retrieved April 15, 2006 from the website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/imhotep.shtml

Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). National defense education act. Retrieved April 15, 2006 from the website:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/N/NatlD1efe.asp

North Dakota State University. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2006 from the website: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu

Ohio State University. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2006, from Ohio state University website:
http://www.matsceng.ohio-state.edu/about/

Valley City State University. (2005/2006). Technology education 675 research and assessment in technology
education unit 1 reading assignment realizing excellence. Retrieved April 15, 2006 from the website:
http://www.vcsu.edu

Valley City State University. (2006). Technology education 660 design for engineering unit 1 reading
assignment. Retrieved April 15, 2006 from the website: http://www.vcsu.edu

Standards

Standard 1: Students will develop an understanding of the

characteristics and scope of technology
K. The rate of technological development and diffusion is increasing
rapidly.

Standard 7: Students will develop an understanding of the

influence of technology on history
H. The evolution of civilization has been directly affected by, and
has in turn affected, the development and use of tools and materials.
I. Throughout history, technology has been a powerful force in
reshaping the social, cultural, political and economic landscape.
N. The industrial revolution saw the development of continuous
manufacturing, sophisticated transportation and communication
practices and improved education and leisure time.