CHAPTERS 2&3CHAPTERS 2&3Engineering Majors

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ELEC 104, Fall 2010

Dr. McKinney

Engineers and ScientistsEngineers and ScientistsScientists seek technical answers

to understand natural phenomenon

Engineers study technical problems with a practical application always in mind

For example◦“Scientists study atomic structure to

understand the nature of matter; engineers study atomic structure to make smaller and faster microchips”

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The Engineer and the The Engineer and the Engineering TechnologistEngineering TechnologistMain difference between the two is:

◦Engineers design and manufacture machines and systems, while engineering technologists have the technical know-how to use and install the machines properly

An example:◦“The technologist identifies the

equipment necessary to assemble a new CD player; the engineer designs said CD player”

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What do Engineers do?What do Engineers do?Three variables

◦Discipline/Major◦Position/Function◦Industry

Engineering FunctionsEngineering FunctionsDesign, Development,

Research, Test, Analysis, Production, Sales, Technical Support

Get into eight groupsDevelop 2 bullet points describing the engineering function you have been assigned

Design EngineerDesign EngineerProduce dimensions and

specification for a product to ensure is works with existing systems and products

Redesign and modify parts to reduce production time and costs and to redesign products that have not lived up to expectations

Development EngineerDevelopment EngineerTest new products and see if

they will work in a large scale production

Take knowledge acquired from researchers to use on specific products

Research EngineerResearch EngineerExplore fundamental principles

through the use of experiments in order to overcome technical barriers

In order to save time they use computational techniques to solve complex problems

Test EngineerTest EngineerDevelop data acquisition and

instrumentation systems and methods to verify integrity, reliability and quality of products before they are introduced to the public

Must have a wide range of technical and problem solving skills

Analysis EngineerAnalysis EngineerSpecialize in one particular area

and provide technical expertise in that area

Serve as an interface between the test engineers and design engineers to determine the pertinent information needed by both groups

Production EngineerProduction EngineerDevelops processes to

manufacture a product by taking raw materials forming them into finished pieces considering manufacturing concerns such as cost, risk, and quality.

Keep track of equipment in the plant as well as maintain a safe and reliable workplace.

Sales EngineerSales EngineerAnswer customer concerns and

guide customer through the appropriate product selection process

Identify applications and other products for the customers to use

Technical Support Technical Support EngineerEngineerSupport and assist the customer

to ensure that they can use the product in the most efficient way

Know enough about the problem and the product to be able to find the necessary information to solve nearly any problem

Engineering MajorsEngineering MajorsBiomedical, Electrical, Computer, Chemical, Civil & Environmental, Materials, Aerospace, Mechanical

Rearrange into eight different groupsDevelop 2 bullet points describing the engineering major you have been assigned

BiomedicalBiomedicalResponsible for designing

medical equipment to make medical procedures go more smoothly

Work with any part of the biological systems

Divided into medical engineering, bio-engineering and clinical engineering

ElectricalElectricalApply principles of electricity to

solve problems and develop new technologies

Broad field which ranges from nanotechnology to power generation

ComputerComputerDesign and develop hardware for

computer systemsOptimize HW/SW interfaces,

working alongside computer scientists

ChemicalChemicalUses chemical properties and

physics, applying them in design and developmental processes to mass produce products in society

Work with various materials such as plastics, oil, and natural gasses to make various products ranging from circuit boards to artificial kidneys

Civil & EnvironmentalCivil & EnvironmentalEnvironmental engineers job is to

prevent, improve and maintain the environment in the wake of industrial activity

A Civil engineer’s primary function is to build and maintain structures to keep the economy stable

Main fields are: structural, architectural, transportation, water resources, urban planning, and construction

MaterialsMaterialsMaterial engineers innovate

current materials and develop new materials

Test and conduct experiments on materials to ensure their performances meet expectations

AerospaceAerospaceDesign and build machines to fly within

(and outside of) the Earth’s atmosphere

In addition to designing machines, they must take the physiological limitations of human beings into account

Main fields include: propulsion and energy, space and missile systems, aerospace sciences, and structure and design testing

MechanicalMechanicalDivided into two main categories:

◦Design and controls – deal with the design and testing of engineering components

◦Thermal Sciences – deal with heat transfer and also predict and study the temperatures of components in environments

Broad field ranging from fluid engineering to nuclear engineering

Homework Homework (due in one week)(due in one week)

Pick three blocks in the cube (Figure 2-1) and write a job description for that engineer.

None of your blocks can haveany similar variables.

Profiles in EngineeringProfiles in EngineeringCombine groups into four groupsEach group take one of the

specified profiled engineersStudy the bio in the textPresent this person to the group

◦What do they do?◦Where do they fit into the “cube”?◦Do they seem to enjoy engineering?◦Does their life seem to be in balance?

Raymond C. BarreraRaymond C. Barrera

Bob FeldmannBob Feldmann

Steven E. FredricksonSteven E. Fredrickson

Mark Allen PashanMark Allen Pashan

Homework (due in one Homework (due in one week)week)Imagine yourself 10 years from

now and type up a one page profile in the same format given in the book.