Page 1              March 4th,1999

 About Engineering     

 Written by: Glenn Francis, P.Eng 
   



 What is Engineering :   

Engineering is derived from the latin word "ingenium"  which means genius, cleverness or native ability. 

    * Engineering is a dynamically changing profession. It is introspective, and continually asking
       itself : what it is? where it is going? and why it is going there?

    * Engineering is the science of applying knowledge : of matter,  and natural sciences to the
       practical problems of industry.

    * Engineering applies the theories and principles of science and mathematics to the       
       economical solution of technical problems.

    * Engineering is a self-regulated profession like law or medicine. And engineers operate 
       under a code of ethics.

Engineering is difficult to define because it encompasses such a broad range of activities and
offers a wide range of job opportunities.

There is a difference between Science and Engineering Science ( e.g. thermodynamics). 
Engineering Science seeks new knowledge for the specific purpose of facilitating the design and development process.While science seeks knowledge without regard to its application. 
Engineering activities are usually some combination of engineering research and engineering design and development.

 Who is an Engineer :     

   
   *Scientists primarily produce knowledge, while Engineers primarily produce things.

   * Science and Engineering are intimately related. The basic task of the scientist is to 
      perform research ( create new knowledge ). The basic task of the engineer is to perform
      design, and development ( create new things ).

   * Scientists employ induction ( generalities are induced from specifics), while Engineers
      employ deduction.

    * A scientist is  primarily a theoretician and experimentalist and the final output is a
       published report in a scholarly journal.

     * Many engineers are engaged in intangibiles, such as processes, systems, liaison, 
        consulting, testing, manufacturing and agents of government bodies. Although they
        are not directly involved in design, design is at the core of their activities. And their 
        role is to interpret the design and see that it is carried out correctly.

      * Engineers are members of their liciensing association, and of one or more professional
         societies in their area of specialization.

      * Engineers are easily identified by a chiseled, stainless steel ring on their little finger of the
         right hand. This ring is given at a cermony "The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer",
         a few months before graduation at university. And Professional Engineers use the 
         title  "P.Eng" after their names (e.g. Glenn Francis, P.Eng ).
  
        * The broad role of an engineer is to build bridges between science and mankind and to
         do so with ingenuity, sensitivity, and economy.

      * An engineer is a creator of new devices, systems, structures and processes.
         A university graduate that goes on business trips. A person who is ambitious and believes
         he can advance by going into management. He has a high standard of living. He is 
         intellectual and a white collar worker. The characteristic activity of a engineer is one of
         intellectual effort, directed towards creative design.

        * Engineers build professionalism by :
           --Becoming better communicators
           --Advancing in technical competence
           --Being better aware of how to fit into the company as a whole

The definition of a Profession, is that it is a calling requiring specialized knowledge and long
intensive preparation. It is maintained by organization, standards of achievement, and conduct.
The title "Professional Engineer", is protected by law.
A professional employee is one who :
         --Engages in mainly intellectual work
         --Exercises discretion and judgement in it's performance
         --Requires advanced knowledge
 

 Engineering Ethics and Responsibility :        

Ethics is concerned with the concepts of right and wrong. It constitutes the basic code and
constraints of civilized behaviour. Human progress is due to man's ability to develop and 
abide by codes of conduct, which advance the aims of most people.
Antitrust laws were established to preserve competition.
While medicine gives man improved health, humanities gives man pleasure, and technology
gives man time.
But an engineer's influence for good comes with responsibility for human safety. Engineers
outnumber every other professional group except teachers. And most often engineering
progress is born out of frustration, setbacks, and disappointments.
IBM, and Bell Labs make the cultivation of an engineer into a religion. And their salaries
rise about 6% each year.
Engineers have to consider not only the interest of the client/employer, but also the result of their
actions on society. Therefore engineers stand closer to the public than the scientist, in making
scientific discoveries available to man.


 Professional Engineering :    

The practise of  " Professional Engineering" means providing and having responsibility for, 
or otherwise taking responsibility for, any act that involves safeguarding life, health, property,
or the public welfare, and that requires the knowledge, understanding, and utilization of
engineering principles. The scope of such acts includes: designing, advising, opining, 
certifying, evaluating or reporting, directing, and supervising or managing. But it does not
include practising as a natural scientist.



Why Choose Engineering :        

You can ask yourself a few questions to determine if engineering is for you.

     * Are you interested in science and it's applications ?
     * Do you do well in math ?
      * Are you interested in how things work and enjoy it?
      * Do you like to work with others?
      * Are you creative and immaginative?
      * Are you willing to work long hard hours?
      * Do you like reading technical books and magazines?

You can learn about engineering careers now by talking to many practising engineers. 
 Most engineers choose different career paths. You should learn how a career path evolves,
 because preparation and positioning for opportunity are important.

I was always interested in how electronic radios and gadets worked. And then I got good
at fixing and solving problems. I bought books to understand phenoma and practical things.
And my hobby was my future career. I got good in school, especially math, by doing my
home work every night. I practised exercises and solved math problems every night, after
school. But environment was also very important, I had my own room with a study desk
and it was quiet and peaceful while I did my work. And I never watched TV during the 
week.


Related Careers in Engineering:    

University careers are knowledge-oriented. And these workers are engineers.
College careers are skills-oriented. And these workers are Technologists and Technicians.

Todays complex economy relies on a technical team where the Engineering Scientist or
Engineer conducts research which leads to new knowledge for development.
The Engineer develops practical applications of this knowledge. The technologist uses existing
technology. And the technician assists both the scientist and the engineer and may supervise
skilled tradesmen or technicians.
The most striking aspect differentiating these roles is academic training and knowledge.


Subfields of Engineering :          

The classical engineering disciplines are based on the areas of science (e.g. physics, chemistry).
Other disciplines (aeronautical), draw upon a wide variety of disciplines. So it is possible to
have an infinite number of specializations and multi-disciplinary combinations.

Some subfields of Electrical Engineering are :
    * Power Systems
    * Communications and Information Systems
    * Control Systems and Instrumentation
    * Electronics
    * Lighting and Optics

Some subfields of Computer Engineering are :
    * Hardware Design :
          - Microprocessor circuit design
          - Memory design
          - Firmware design

    * Software Design :
         - Operating system design
         - Application program design
         - Drivers and other utility design


 How to Study :   

This is very important, because these techniques and methods propell you on to compete,
succeed and excell.

  * Lean to compete
  * Do well in math, physics, and chemistry
  * Learn how to write well
  * Economics and Engineering law are less important
  * It's most important to learn how to learn, function in teams, and get along with people

It takes several years after getting a degree to become a productive engineer. And many 
engineers work with technologies that did not exist when they obtained their degrees. And
many work in rapidly advancing technologies. So it is very important to learn how to learn.
But engineers can't learn everything so they specialize in a particular field.