Introduction to Engineering

Skills
prepared by:. Fekadu B.

UNITY UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY
Civil Engineering Department
Course No Geng 1061
Course Objectives

1. Familiarize the students with the meaning,

history and different aspects of engineering.
2. Help the students explore future career and
provide resources for job opportunities.
3. Introduce professional practice,
responsibilities, health and safety and
engineering ethics in academia and in the
workplace.
Course Outcome
Understanding of professional and ethical
responsibilities.
Ability to study effectively.
Ability to think critically, being
innovative/creative and apply engineering
reasoning to problem solving.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Introduction
Definition of “ Engineering”
History of Engineering
Responsibilities
The value of the engineering profession
The legal framework of the engineering
profession
 Engineering Majors
Engine’er (Literally, one who operates an engine)
originally referred to “a constructor of military
engines.”

The word “engine” deriving from the Latin

ingenium, and meaning “innate (inborn) quality,
especially mental power, hence a clever invention.”
 Definition
Over the years, many definitions of engineering have
been put forth, from that of the famous scientist Count
Rumford over 200 years ago:

“Engineering is the application of science to the common

purpose of life”.

 To the current standard definition of engineering

provided by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET).
"Engineering is the profession in which a
knowledge of the mathematical and natural
sciences, gained by study, experience, and
practice, is applied with judgment to develop
ways to utilize, economically, the materials
and forces of nature for the benefit of
humankind. "
NAE of the US defines Engineer 2020 as

“understands the principals of inquiry-based

scientific methods and engineering under
constraint and be able to apply them in the
technological society.”
History of Engineering

Pre-Scientific revolution
Industrial revolution
Second industrial revolution
Information revolution
 Pre-scientific Revolution
The fore runners of engineers, practical artists and
craftsmen, proceeded mainly by trial and error.
Yet tinkering combined with imagination produced many
marvelous devices and monuments.
The ancient Egyptians temples and monuments such
as the great Pyramids are examples of craftsmanship
and intuitive engineering ingenuity.
The prehistory of modern engineering features ancient
master builders and Renaissance engineers such as
Leonardo da Vinci.
 Industrial Revolution
From the eighteenth through early nineteenth
century, civil and mechanical engineers changed
from practical artists to scientific professionals.
This phase of engineering lasted through the
First Industrial Revolution, when machines,
increasingly powered by steam engines, started to
replace muscles in most production.
While pulling off the revolution, traditional artisans
transformed themselves to modern professionals.
 Second Industrial Revolution

The second industrial revolution, symbolized by

the advent of electricity and mass production,
was driven by many branches of engineering.
In the century before World War II, chemical,
electrical, and other science based engineering
branches developed electricity,
telecommunications, cars, airplanes, and mass
production.
Information Revolution

As engineering science matured after the war,

microelectronics, computers, and telecommunications
jointly produced information technology.

Microelectronics, telecommunications, and computer

engineering joined force to precipitate the information
revolution in which intellectual chores are increasingly
alleviated by machines.
Science, Engineering & Technology
Science

The systematic observation of natural events and

conditions in orders to discover facts about them and to
formulate laws and principles based on these facts.

Organized body of knowledge that is derived from such

observations and that can be verified or tested by further
investigation.

Any specific branch of this is general body of knowledge,

such as biology, physics, chemistry, geology, or astronomy.
(Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology)
 Engineering

A discipline and profession of applying

technical and scientific knowledge and utilizing
natural laws and physical resources in order to
design and implement materials, structures,
machines, devices, systems, and processes that
safely realize a desired objective and meet
specified criteria.
Technology
It is a product of engineering and science.
In general, technology, is the relationship that
society has with its tools and crafts, and to what
extent society can control its environment
(knowledge).
The practical application of knowledge especially
in a particular area and a capability given.
Technicians and craftsmen involved in fabrication
and testing all components, as well assembling.
GENERALLY
Responsibilities of the Professional Engineer
Safety of the public
Welfare of the society
Environmental concerns
Abide by laws, regulations, standards and ethical code
Produce products/devices that have the following
characteristics:
 Adequate performance
 Cost-efficient
 Low operating and maintenance cost
Longevity/durability
Cont’d

Engineers are responsible of

development of civilizations.
They provide:
Shelters
Infrastructure
Communication to link people
Products to make our lives easier
and more enjoyable.
THE ENGINEERING PROCESS

The heart of Engineering is, the engineering

process, sometimes called the engineering
design process.
The engineering design process is a step-
by-step method to produce a device,
structure, or system that satisfies a need.
The complete step-by-step design process
can be illustrated by the schematic below.
Figure: Schematic presentation of Engineering process.
Cont’d

 During the design process, a number of constraints

may be identified. Whatever these constraints may be e.g.,
availability of parts and materials, personnel, and/or
facilities the final design must not only meet all design
specifications but also satisfy any constraints.

 Many iterations through the engineering design process

may be required before a final design is selected.
Fabrication of some of the designs may be required in
order to test how well each meets the performance
specifications.
It should be noted that the engineering
design process is part of the broader product
development cycle that begins with the
perception of a market opportunity and ends
with the production, sale, and delivery of a
product.
REWARDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF AN ENGINEERING CAREER

Engineering is a unique and highly selective profession.

The overwhelming majority of people employed in this
country do something other than engineering.
So why choose to study engineering? Why strive to
become one of those college graduates who receive
their B.S. degree in engineering?
The benefits of an engineering education and the
rewards and opportunities of a career in engineering
are numerous.
Top 10 awards and benefits
Cont’d

With so many benefits and job opportunities

a career in engineering promises, you'd think
that college students would be declaring
engineering majors in droves.
I guess engineering really is a unique and
highly selective profession.
Therefore, Consider yourself lucky to be one
of the "chosen few !!!"
 ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES

Aerospace engineers
Design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and
missiles and supervise the manufacture of these
products.
Those who work with aircraft are called
aeronautical engineers, and those working
specifically with spacecraft are astronautical
engineers.
Develop new technologies for use in aviation,
defense systems, and space exploration.
Agricultural engineers
• Apply knowledge of engineering, technology
and science to agriculture and the efficient use
of biological resources.
• Design agricultural machinery and equipment
and agricultural structures.
• Develop ways to conserve soil and water and
to improve the processing of agricultural
products.
Bioprocess engineers
Develop device and procedures that solve medical
and health-related problems by combing their
knowledge of biology and medicine with
engineering principles and practices.
May do research, along with life scientists,
chemists, and medicinal scientists, to develop and
evaluate systems and products such as artificial
organs, prostheses (artificial devices that replace
missing body parts), instrumentation, medical
information systems, and health management and
care delivery systems.
Biochemical engineers
Biochemical engineers study the chemical
reactions and processes that occur naturally in
living systems (plants and animal) so that these
processes can be copied and used for human
benefit.
For example, biochemical processes are used in
brewing beer, sewerage and waste water
treatment and in many food manufacturing
processes.
Petroleum and petrochemical engineers
Engineers in this field search the world for reservoirs
containing oil or natural gas based on geological study.
Once these resources are discovered, petroleum
engineers work with geologist and other specialists to
understand the geologic formation and properties of
the rock containing the reservoir, determine the
drilling methods to be used and monitor drilling and
production operations.
They design equipment and processes to achieve the
maximum profitable recovery of oil and gas.
Process control engineers
Process control engineers are concerned with creating
and maintaining computer software and systems
designed to control the quantity and quality of a
particular products.
Computers are used in a chemical plant to control
such as temperature, pressure and liquid level in the
tank.
It is also important to ensure that the maximum
amount of waste material is produced during
manufacturing.
Nuclear engineers
Design, develop, monitor, and operate nuclear
plants to generate power.
They may work on the nuclear fuel cycle, the
production, handling, and use of nuclear fuel and
the safe disposal of waste produced by the
generation of nuclear energy or on the development
of fusion energy.
ENGINEERING JOB FUNCTIONS
Another way to understand the engineering
profession is to examine engineers from the
perspective of the work they do or the job functions
they perform.

Following is a description of the nine main

engineering job functions.
 ANALYSIS
The analytical engineer is primarily involved in the
mathematical modeling of physical problems.
Using the principles of mathematics, physics, and
engineering science and making extensive use of
engineering applications software.

The analytical engineer plays a critical role in the

initial stage of a design project, providing
information and answers to questions that are easy
and inexpensive to obtain.
 DESIGN
The design engineer converts concepts and
information into detailed plans and specifications that
dictate the development and manufacture of a product.
Recognizing that many designs are possible, the design
engineer must consider such factors as production cost,
availability of materials, ease of production, and
performance requirements.
Creativity and innovation, along with an analytic mind
and attention to detail, are key qualifications for a
design engineer.
TEST
The test engineer is responsible for developing and
conducting tests to verify that a selected design or
new product meets all specifications.
Depending on the product, tests may be required
for such factors as structural integrity,
performance, or reliability all of which must be
performed under all expected environmental
conditions.
Test engineers also conduct quality control checks
on existing products.
DEVELOPMENT
In a more general context, the development
engineer is instrumental in turning concepts into
actual products or applying new knowledge to
improve existing products.

Here, the development engineer is responsible for

determining how to actualize or apply what the
researcher discovers in the laboratory, typically by
designing, fabricating, and testing prototypes or
experimental models.
SALES
The sales engineer is the liaison person between
the company and the customer.
In this role, the sales engineer must be technically
proficient in order to understand the product itself
and the customer's needs.
That means he/she must be able to explain the
product in detail: how it operates, what functions it
can perform, and why it will satisfy the customer's
requirements.
RESEARCH
Engineering researchers are interested in ways
to apply the knowledge to engineering
practices and principles.
Research engineers are thus explore
mathematics, physics, chemistry and
engineering sciences in search of answers or
insights that will contribute to the
advancement of engineering.
MANAGEMENT
Line Management
Production Management
 CONSULTING
Depending on the client's specific needs, the
consulting engineer's work can vary considerably.
Investigations and analyses
preplanning
design and design implementation
research and development
construction management and
recommendations regarding engineering-related
problems are just a few examples.
TEACHING
Teaching includes not only classroom instruction,
but also course and curriculum development,
laboratory development, and the supervision of
student projects or theses.
"Service" is a catch-all term that refers to the many
other functions expected of engineering professions.
These include such activities as community
involvement, participation in faculty governance,
public service, and consulting.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
When you graduate in engineering, you will face a number of
choices.
The first will be whether you want to continue your education full
time or seek work as a practicing engineer.
Manufacturing sectors
Computer and electronic product manufacturing
Transportation equipment manufacturing
Machinery manufacturing
Chemical manufacturing
FOOD, BEVERAGE and PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTION
Electrical equipment, appliance, and component
manufacturing.
Cont’d

SERVICE SECTORS
Technical services
Construction.
Wholesale trade
Administration and support
Management of companies and
enterprises
…..
ENGINEERING AS A PROFESSION & ENGINEERING
ETHICS
When you receive your B.S. degree in engineering, you
will join the engineering profession.
Engineering may be considered as a profession in so far
as it meets the following characteristics:
Knowledge and skill in specialized fields
A desire for public service and a willingness to
share discoveries for the benefit of others
Establishment of a relation of confidence between
the professional and client or employer
Acceptance of overall and specific codes of conduct
Cont’d

Formation of professional groups and

participation in advancing professional ideals
and knowledge.
Recognition by law as an identifiable body of
knowledge.
 Engineering Ethics
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor,
and dignity of the engineering profession by:
Using their knowledge and skill for the
enhancement of human welfare;
Being honest and impartial, and serving with
fidelity (loyalty, faithfulness, reliability) the public,
their employers a and clients; and
Striving to increase the competence and
prestige/respect of the engineering profession.
 Therefore,….

Engineering ethics will defined as the rules and

standards governing the conduct of engineers in
their role as professionals.
Hence, In general
Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the
quality of life for all people.
Accordingly, the services provided by engineers
require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity,
and must be dedicated to the protection of the
public health, safety, and welfare.
BE PROUD OF BEING
AN ENGINEER!

THANK YOU!!!