The Engineering

Profession

Subject Overview

What is Engineering?
Technology Team
Engineering Functions
Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th
Century
Engineering Job Functions
Employment Opportunities
Important Fields for the Future
Engineering as a Profession
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Does He an Engineer?

Does He an Engineer?

Does He an Engineer?

Does He an Engineer?

Does He an Engineer?

Does He an Engineer?

Does He an Engineer?

What is Engineering?

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and

Technology (ABET) defines engineering: 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 mankind.

What is Engineering?

Engineering is a profession like medicine, law,

etc. that aspires to high standards of conduct
and recognizes its responsibility to the general
public.

What is Technology?
The application of scientific knowledge for
practical purposes, especially in industry.
Technology refers to the collection of tools,
including machinery, modifications,
arrangements and procedures used by
humans. Engineering is the discipline that
seeks to study and design new technologies.
Technology is Outcome of Engineering

Technology Team

Scientist - Like an engineer, but a primary goal

is the expansion of knowledge and
understanding physical processes.
Engineer - Applies knowledge of math and the
physical sciences to the efficient design and
construction of usable devices, structures and
processes.

Technology Team

Technologist - Technologists focus on direct

application of established engineering
principles and processes. Math, the physical
sciences, and underlying engineering theory
receive limited coverage. More interested in
hardware and processes.

Technology Team

Technician - Completes a 2 year degree in a

narrow technical area such as electronics,
drafting, or machining.
Artisans - Training may be a combination of
schooling and work experience. Examples
include, welders, machinists, electricians,
carpenters, painters, steel workers, and artists.

Engineering Functions
The focus of an engineers work typically falls
into one or more of the following areas:
Research - explore, discover and apply new
principles
Development - transform ideas or concepts
into production processes
Design - link the generation of ideas and the
production

Engineering Functions

Production and testing - manufacture and

assemble components or products
Sales - market engineering products
Operations - maintain equipment and facilities
Construction - prior to construction organizes
bids, during construction supervises certain
components of process

Engineering Functions

Management - optimize the use of resources

(equipment, labor, finances)
Education - teach engineering principles in
university and industrial settings
Consulting - provide specialized engineering
services the clients. May work alone or in
partnership other engineers.

Greatest Engineering
Achievements of 20th Century
1. High performance materials
2. Nuclear technologies
3. Laser and fiber optics
4. Petroleum and gas technologies
5. Health technologies
6. Household appliances
7. Imaging technologies
8. Internet
8. Space exploration
10. Interstate highways

Greatest Engineering Achievements of

the 20th Century (continued)
11. Air-conditioning and refrigeration
2. Telephone
13. Computers
14. Agricultural mechanization
15. Radio and television
16. Electronics
17. Safe and abundant water
18. Airplane
19. Automobile
20. Electrification

Some Engineering Achievements

Engine

Power Plant

Some Engineering Achievements

Space Shuttle

Artistic Sky Scraper

Some Engineering Achievements

Microcontroller

Air Conditioner

Some Engineering Achievements

Bridge

Artifisial Heart Valve

Engineering Job
Functions

Analysis
Design
Test
Development
Sales
Research
Management
Consulting
Teaching

Industry Sectors
(Non-manufacturing)
Professional, scientific, and technical services
Information
Construction
Wholesale trade
Administrative and support
Management of companies and enterprises
Utilities
Mining

Industry Sectors (Manufacturing)

Computer

and electronic product

Transportation equipment
Machinery
Fabricated metal product
Chemical
Electronic equipment, appliance, and
component

Major Changes Affecting the Future

Advances in computer technology

Advances in communications
The knowledge and information explosion
Globalization (outsourcing, off-shoring)
Increased focus on the environment
World population explosion

Important Fields for the Future

Manufacturing frontiers
Information and communication systems
Smart and engineered materials
Bioengineering
Critical infrastructure systems
Homeland security
Improved health care delivery
Nanotechnology
Advanced environmental technology
Sensors and control systems

Mechanical Engineering
Oxford English Dictionary defines the adjective
mechanical as skilled in the practical
application of an art or science, of the nature of
a machine and relating to or caused
movement, physical forces, properties or
agents such as is dealt with by mechanics.

30

What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?

31

Design, develop and produce many of tools used by other engineer

(innovations)

Study the behavior of the materials when forces are applied to them or
when they are heated or cooled. Using this knowledge, they design
machines such as automobiles, air conditioners and submarines.

Involve with all forms of energy utilization and conversion,

manufacturing (production) material and processes and engines.

Use mathematics and physical sciences to analyze problem

Expected to constantly improve, re-design and invent equipment

May work in maintenance, technical sales, or as administrators or

managers.

What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?

Concerns with the design,

development and manufacture of
machines and mechanical
engineering systems

32

What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?

Will lead you into one of a broadest

area engineering. There are job for
Mechanical Engineer in nearly every
area of industry.

33

Mechanical Engineering Domain

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Development (Analysis, Research)

Design
Manufacture
Maintenance of mechanical system
Consultation

Major areas of Specialization

Combustion and Fuel

Heat transfer
Energy systems
Fluid Flow (mechanics)
Innovation and design
Material Selection
Control systems
Turbomachinery

Noise and vibration

control
Automatic control
Computer Aided
Engineering
Management of project
Biomedical engineering
Aeronautics
Robotics

How do you become a Mechanical

Engineer?

1.

A strong interest in mathematics and science

A strong social awareness and concern for the quality
of life

A desire to put ideas into action

A curiosity about how things work and how to make

them better

A good academic background

Ability and determination to succeed and to continue

self education upon completion of your studies

Good communication

Sample of Job Tittles:

Design engineer
Test engineer
Application engineer
Computer science engineer
Materials handling engineer
Project engineer
Industrial engineer
Packaging engineer
Sales engineer

Manufacturing engineer
System analyst
Mechanical engineer
Aerospace engineer
Consultant
Machine designer
Lecturer
Domestic engineer

Where will you work?