Introduction to Engineering Fields

Study Notes

Engineering is the application of science and math to solve technical problems facing society. Engineers convert scientific theory into practical applications.
Scientists aim to increase knowledge of nature and its laws. Engineers use this knowledge to develop useful technologies for society.
Engineering functions include research, design, development, analysis, sales, management, teaching, and consulting.

Traditional fields include civil, electrical/computer, chemical, mechanical, and industrial engineering.
Other fields include aeronautical, nuclear, petroleum, environmental, and biomedical engineering.

Chemical engineers transform raw materials into everyday products, including pharmaceuticals, soft drinks, and plastics.
They are crucial to many industrial processes.
Key considerations in the field include cost of production, value of the product, safety, and the environment.

Civil engineering is a core discipline dealing with design, planning, construction, and maintenance of public infrastructure projects.
Sub-disciplines include structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, environmental engineering, and other relevant areas.
Civil engineers must consider cost, safety, and quality in their design plans.

A team is a small group of individuals with complementary skills, committed to a shared purpose and performance goals.
Teams are crucial for achieving more complex objectives than individuals.
Types of teams include pseudo teams, potential teams, real teams, and high-performing teams. High-performing teams achieve exceptional outcomes.
Team structures include roles of sponsor, team leader, and facilitator, and member coordinators who are responsible for particular areas of responsibility such as managing agendas, and meeting logistics. Other team members include roles of recorder, time keeper, and encourager.

Engineering design is the process of creating a system, component, or process to meet defined needs.
Engineers must utilize appropriate problem-solving techniques and processes to ensure high-quality and cost-effective solutions.
Key steps include identifying needs, defining the problem, generating constraints and criteria, exploring possible solutions, analyzing alternative solutions to evaluate, and communicating the final solutions.

Engineering documentation consists of both oral and written communications.
Oral communication includes group and individual presentations, along with formal and informal settings.
Written communication documents include design documents, memos, proposals, progress reports, research reports, lab reports, and manuals.

A progress report includes an introduction (with a statement of purpose and background information), a section on current status (covering what has been completed, outstanding tasks, difficulties, and strategies), and a conclusion section (including an overall appraisal, evaluation of progress, forecast for completion, and contact information).

Standard reports include cover pages, abstracts, tables of content, lists of tables/figures, introductions, body, conclusions, and appendixes. Reports must clearly present and analyze results, and adhere to legal, academic, and credibility standards.

Visuals in engineering documentation (e.g., graphs, charts, diagrams, photos, and tables) are used to efficiently share large amounts of complex information that will be easily understood.

Developing strong oral presentations involves planning, designing, creating compelling content and delivering the presentation elegantly. The presentation format should use well-designed slides that make the topic understood by the audience.

Engineering ethics is a code of conduct outlining moral and professional standards for engineers.
These standards focus on safety, health, public welfare, and honest dealing with clients and stakeholders.

Professional codes of ethics can vary by field, but generally focus on upholding the safety, health, and welfare of the public, acting professionally, maintaining ethical behavior and acknowledging the contributions and efforts of others.

Engineers are expected to expertly solve a wide variety of problems, from simple to complex ones, requiring the use of a combination of artistic and scientific techniques.
Problem identification, development of potential solutions, and critical evaluation of these potential solutions are central to solving complex problems.

Technical drawings are important in engineering as they provide a universal communication medium.
Technical drawings are crucial to help people understand ideas and communicate accurately, quickly, about projects and designs, enabling better design planning, and implementation across various countries or regions.

Effective time management is a critical skill in all aspects of engineering.
Planning, goal setting, establishing priorities, and using personal energy cycles are all important strategies for time management.