GET 373 Course Overview

Course Information

• Course Title: GET 373
• Institution: Kwara State University, College of Engineering & Technology, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria
• Lecturer: Dr. S. A. Bello
• Prepared by: Dr. R. A. Busari
• Updated by: Dr. S. A. Bello

Course Outline

• Philosophy of Science and Engineering
• History of Engineering and Technology
  • The engineering profession
  • Engineering literacy
  • Professional bodies and engineering societies
• Engineers' code of conduct and ethics
• Responsibilities and liabilities of an engineer
• Engineering and nation building
• Safety in engineering
• Introduction to Risk Analysis

Assessment

• Attendance, Assignments, and Tests (CA): 40%
• Exams: 60%
• Total: 100%
• Grading Scale

  • 70: A

  • 60-69: B
  • 50-59: C
  • 45-49: D
  • <45: F

References

• Elements of Professional Engineering Practice (2007) by A.O. Olorunnisola
• Compilation of Lectures on Topical Issues of Engineering Practice (edited by M.A.K. Adelabu & J.O. Akanmu, Lagos Branch)
• Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) Operational Guidelines (2011) by Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria. (Access COREN/ERM website for further information)
• Bye laws by The Nigerian Society of Engineers (2012). (See NSE website: http//www.nse.org.ng)
• Engineering Fundamentals, an introduction to Engineering (2008) by Saeed Moaveni, Chapters 1-2 & 5
• National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, Keynote address by Aare Afe Babalola, Nigerian Society of Engineers (2015) Annual Conference, Akure, Ondo State
• An Interdisciplinary Approach: Research Methodology in Education (1995) by S.A. Jimoh
• Overcoming Nigeria Monolithic Economy, 24th Engineering Assembly COREN (2015), Garki, Abuja
• Willie O. Siyanbola, Abiodun A. Egbetokun, Isola Oluseyi, Olumuyiwa O. Olamade, Helen O. Aderemi, Mohammed Sanni: Indigenous Technologies and Innovation in Nigeria: Opportunities for SMEs: National Centre for Technology Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 2012
• Liddel, Henry George; Robert (1980). A Greek-English Lexicon (Abridged Edition). United kingdom. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-910207-5

Aims & Objectives

• Move engineering to the center of society, by identifying its roles in shaping lifestyle and culture.
• Highlight the contribution of engineering to intellectual history.
• Explore how engineering has developed relevant knowledge benefiting humanity (e.g., theory, Darwinism, natural selection, world wide web, space exploration).
• Reveal and appreciate the function of engineering knowledge for society.
• Enhance understanding of engineering methods.

What is Engineering?

• Engineering is integral to daily life (e.g., consumer goods, transportation, technology).
• Engineers develop and deliver consumer goods, build transport networks (highways, air travel, internet), create medical advancements (antibiotics, artificial organs), and build technology (lasers, microwave ovens).
• Count Rumford: "Engineering is the application of science to the common purpose of life".
• Theodore Von Karman: "Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been".
• Engineering is an art
  • involves approximation
  • entails measurement and estimation (e.g., river flow, noise, pollution, earthquakes, traffic, etc.)
  • uses modeling and simulation
  • is communicative (e.g., technical reports, presentations)
• Engineering is multidisciplinary
  • combines natural and social sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, agriculture and geography, accounting, economics, marketing, copyright, patents, environmental law).

Who is an Engineer?

• Trained in the design, construction, and use of engines or machines.
• Operates or manages power plants in operation, repair, and maintenance.
• Provides expertise in a specific engineering area.
• Engages in engineering-related decision-making.

Who is an Engineer? (additional criteria)

• Holds an engineering degree from an accredited institution.
• Is a registered member of a recognized engineering society (e.g., NSE).
• possesses practical knowledge of engineering principles.

Different Roles of Engineers

• Managers
• Scientists
• Experts
• Politicians
• Academics
• Salesmen
• Entrepreneurs
• Lawyers

What is a Society?

• A large group of people living together and sharing tasks in an organized way.
• Engineers play an essential role in society to ensure well-being for all its members.

Road Construction

• Ongoing road construction through civil engineers.

Building Construction

• Ongoing building construction through building engineers.

Telecommunication

• Engineers provide communication systems (voice and data).

Broadcasting

• Engineers are crucial for an informed society by providing television and radio broadcasting systems.

Manufacturing Industries

• Production engineering is foundational for manufacturing industries.
• Engineers ensure efficiency and reduced costs.
• Automated systems are vital in manufacturing.

Food Production

• Agricultural engineers are responsible for food production.
• Mechanized farming and animal husbandry ensure societal food security.

Water Resources

• Water engineers provide drinkable water through borehole systems.

Electricity

• Electrical engineers manage power generation, transmission, and distribution.
• This is essential for businesses and societal economic growth.

Transportation

• Transportation engineers facilitate easy movement across land, sea, rail, and air.

Security

• The efficiency and effectiveness of a society's security system are contingent on engineers and their innovations.
• Engineers aid security through policing and defense.

Banking Industries

• Banking industries depend on engineers for improved service delivery through networking and computerization systems.

Oil Exploitation (FPSO)

• FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) platforms are permanently moored on the seabed.
• They can be detached for weather reasons.
• Some FPSO use spread moorings and turret moorings.

Philosophy of Science vs. Engineering

• Engineering uses scientific knowledge for practical solutions.
• Philosophical debates about science relate to engineering.
• Science can be used as instruments for predictions, and not just descriptions or descriptions of the world.

Engineering Design

Based on scientific principles for solving societal problems.

• Design's purpose is to fulfill societal needs and aspirations.

Engineering Design Phases

• Problem identification
• Research (literature review)
• Requirements specification
• Solution brainstorming and selection
• Solution development/prototyping
• Solution testing
• Results communication

Engineering Design - Needs to Consider

• Technical details of function.
• Economic concerns.
• Social values (aesthetics and aspiration).
• Impacts on society (including risks).
• Environmental factors.

Engineering Design - Importance of Society

• Society's needs differ globally, making engineering design flexible and sensitive to context.
• A good design must balance function and form.
• Priorities should be set considering public interest.

Engineering Design - Crucial Questions

• Goal for the design, societal problems to solve
• Needed skills and abilities
• Necessary materials and resources
• Importance of the design for society.

Engineering Design Failure

• Causes include: human factors, design flaws, material failure.
• Extreme operating conditions or overloads.
• Environmental factors
• Preventative measures: regular maintenance, replacement at end of service life.
• Consequences of corruption in human factors.

History of Engineering

• Precedented by social sciences.
• Significance expanded after World War II.
• Ancient origins including; instruments like wedge, lever, wheel, and pulley.
• Engineering term derived from early military contractors and builders.
• Scientific advancements and research broadened engineering disciplines.
• Marked by revolutions; Pre-Scientific Revolution, Industrial Revolution, 2nd industrial revolution, IT Revolution, and Material Revolution).

History of Engineering by Disciplines

• Civil engineering: Oldest; Construction of the stepped pyramids.
• Military Engineering: Used during times of war
• Mechanical Engineering: Utilized to construct machinery during the industrial revolutions, use of mechanical computations (e g., Antikythera mechanism)

Professional Bodies (COREN History)

• COREN was established in 1970 as the regulatory body for engineering practice in Nigeria.
• Expanded in 1992 to include regulation and control of engineering practice.
• Present function include regulation and control, ethical code enforcement, standard of practice, training, and accreditation guidelines, registration of people and firms.
• Various units include the secretarial administration, management committee, and zonal offices.

Engineering Regulation and Control

• COREN has specific regulations in Act. CAP EII 2004 for upholding safety, ethics, and standards.
• Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) oversees these regulations.
• ERM's roles involve ensuring adherence to codes, protecting public safety and investment.
• ERM employs inspectorates spread across geopolitical zones.
• Specific methodologies include visits, report submissions, actions and enforcement.

Instruments of Operation of ERM

• BMF (Board Membership Form) - ensures qualified personnel are in suitable leadership positions in engineering practices.
• PCF/PRF (Project Control Form / Project Responsibility Form) - ensures that only qualified/ registered personnel are involved in engineering projects to guarantee public safety.
• Questionnaires and scoresheet - to monitor the compliance status of firms/ institutions.

Professional Bodies (COREN Family)

• Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) - covers Engineers
• National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) - covers Technologists
• Nigerian Society of Engineering Technicians (NISET) - covers Technicians
• National Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC) - covers Craftsmen

COREN Entry Qualifications

• Specific qualifications (BSc, BEng, BTech, HND, PGD, Diploma) are needed for professionals.
• Necessary experience with compliance.
• Some routes for entry to corporate membership (a.k.a. professional registration).

NSE (Nigerian Society of Engineers)

• Has various branches in Nigeria
• Handles professional development.
• Provides a platform for professional development for Nigerian engineers.
• Sets and maintains codes of ethical conduct.
• Maintains close relations with the body regulating engineers.

NSE (cont.)

• Aims to promote, protect, maintain high standards of engineering practice, and present views to the government.
• A member needs to be up to date with dues (first day of July).
• Different paths to membership exist
• A member in arrears to the society's dues looses membership benefits.

NSE (cont)- Fellowship

• There are two ways to attain the fellowship grade:
• Direct Application -
• Invitation: requires minimum 20 years relevant working experience.

NSE (cont.)-Corporate Membership

• There are seven routes for admittance to corporate membership.

NSE (cont.) - Beneficial membership conditions

• The society provides various programs , workshops, conferences, career advice, etc.

Code of Ethics in Engineering

• Moral responsibilities of engineers for quality work.
• Maintain good reputation
• Client's interests (faithfulness)
• Prevent conflict of interests e.g., concurrent participation in dual positions.
• Avoid accepting or exerting influence to receive gratification
• Prevent disputes or rivalry among engineers.
• Obligations to clients and employers; providing services based on competence, avoiding unethical work or usage, respectful use of client/employer resources.

Importance of Codes of Ethics

• Codes of ethics are key to uphold public safety, welfare, and environmental integrity.
• Adherence to standards increases public trust in the profession and contributes to a healthy environment for engineers to execute their works.

Obligations to Clients and Employers

• Engineers must act appropriately and in accordance with the client/employer's interests.
• Must abide by their mandate of ensuring the job is performed with competence.
• Should not use designs acquired or obtained unethically.
• Should only use employer/ client resources as approved or with consent.

Inherently Safer Design

• Design eliminates or minimises hazards .
• Reduces the need for safety systems and measures.
• Involves principles such as eliminate, simplify, minimise and substitute hazards,

Safety Colour

• Various colours used in workplaces to highlight safety matters:
• Red - used for prohibitions and stop signs.
• Yellow - cautions and warning signs.
• Green - Indicates safe condition/ areas
• Blue - Mandatory actions.

Safety

• Means freedom from conditions that cause death, injuries, etc
• Management of complexity to ensure completeness and consistency.
• Important aspects include safety culture, workplace safety, PPE, hazard and risk management.

Hazard and Risk Management

• Steps include identify hazards, evaluating likelihoods of events, evaluating consequences of hazards, developing mitigation strategies to manage potential effects, and evaluate risk assessment procedure steps.

Workplace Hazards

• Ergonomic risks
• Psychosocial risks
• Chemical risks
• Biological risks
• Physical risks
• High-risk activities

Hierarchy of Safety Controls

• Elimination or substitution
• Engineering controls
• Warnings
• Administrative controls
• Personal protective equipment

Test your knowledge about the GET 373 course structure and grading criteria. This quiz covers topics such as assessment methods, grading schemes, and engineering literacy. Perfect for students looking to understand their course better.