|
| |
1.1. Definition
Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical or physical
sciences gained by study, experience and practice is applied with judgement to develop
ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of
mankind (ABET)Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347.7700.
(Annual Report). Like the fields of medicine and law, engineering is
considered a profession. But what is a profession, and how is it characterized? In a very
general sense, a person's occupation is often referred to as his or her profession. In a
stricter sense, however, a profession is characterized by special qualifying
characteristics. According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, as quoted in Engineers and
Their Profession by John H. Kemper [1], a profession requires specialized knowledge and
often requires considerable preparation in skills, methods, and principles. Professions
also maintain high standards of achievement and conduct, encourage life long learning, and
engage in public service.
1.2. Engineering vs. Science.
Engineers and scientists take many mathematics, chemistry, and physical courses in common
in their undergraduate programs. However, their paths diverge as they begin to take
courses in their majors, with engineering majors taking courses that are more applied and
science majors taking more courses in the basic sciences, being more interested in
discovering knowledge with less regard to its immediate application.
On the job, engineers create tangible devices or systems such as computers, engines, and
other products that perform a function. Engineers may also be involved with the process of
designing systems such as satellite communications systems and robotics control
systems, or with the development of a practical solution to a meet human need.
Scientists also solve problems and may develop new products, but the emphasis is on the
science rather than the product.
1.3. Engineering vs. Technology
The development of an engineering system may require both the creative activity and
mathematical modeling activities of engineers as well as the "hands on" work of
technologists. Technology curricula teaches students how to apply established techniques
to current technical problems. Engineering curricula, however, include some analytical and
design procedures based on basic understanding of mathematical models, physical
principles, and underlying theory. Technology programs offer two different degrees, the
two-year associate degree and the four year bachelors degree. Associate degree curricula
prepare students to become technicians, while the bachelor degree prepares students to use
existing technology to solve technical problems.
Except in special cases, such as for two-year junior colleges, there are no associate
degrees in engineering, only bachelors degrees and advanced degrees. The latter includes
the masters degree and Ph.D. degree. In these degrees, the emphasis is on theory and
design principles. It should be noted that while many engineering courses are generally
accepted for transfer into technology programs, few technology courses are transferrable
to engineering programs.
1.4. Engineering Disciplines
Undergraduate engineering offers degrees in various branches: electrical, computers,
mechanical, civil/construction, chemical, industrial, aerospace, nuclear, manufacturing,
and others (bioengineering, petroleum, material, environmentaletc.)
1.5. Electrical Engineering Disciplines
Electrical Engineering covers a wide varieties of specialties, including:
 | Communications, including radio, television, radar, telephones, etc. |
| Computers, including architecture, design, software and hardware, etc |
| Electrical Power, including utility, machinery, power conversion, power electronics, etc |
| Control Systems, including large scale systems, automation, optimization, etc |
| Solid State Electronics, including solid state analog/digital devices, microprocessors,
etc |
| Electromagnetics, Wave Propagation and Antennas, including low frequency and high
frequency devices, wave guides, transmission lines, etc. |
| Bioengineering, including applications of other disciplines to solve problems related to
human body. e.g. radiation, ultrasounds, tomography, instrumentations, etc. |
| Electronic Manufacturing, including the design and manufacture of electronic systems
using computer aided manufacturing. |
| Digital Signal Processing, DSP multimedia applications, including image, video, speech,
etc. |
| Neural Networks, including software and hardware algorithms as an alternative to signal
processing. |
| Applied Superconductivity, including low power and high power applications using
superconducting materials operating at low temperatures. |
| Robotics, including automation, vision, voice recognition, etc. |
1.6. Engineering Positions Engineers perform a wide range of functions
when enter work force. Some are fortunate work on the design and development of
interesting products, using the latest technologies. Engineers find work in sales, where
communication skills play a big role in success, and in the manufacturing industries,
where hands-on skills are valuable. They find work in research, discovering new knowledge,
and they work for consulting firms that perform work on a contract basis, such as in the
construction of a bridge or the design of a factory or airport. Engineers also find jobs
in the teaching profession, usually in an engineering program or a technology program, and
many make the transition to a management position, performing a business function rather
than a design function. Sales engineers do more than sell engineering products. They serve
as a bridge between the customer and the design engineer.
Whatever the specific work that is done by engineers, they all play a part in developing
products that serve a purpose. We could generalize by saying that engineers design and
develop products that help mankind, but history is full of examples where engineering
products hurt some people while helping others. Also, we know that engineering products go
beyond helping people and help animals and vegetation.
1.7. Electrical Engineering at IUPUI and Job Outlook
At IUPUI, the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Degree (B.S.E.E.) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347.7700.
Currently, in
addition to intense preparation in traditional EE topics, students can usually obtain in
their last two years specialized courses in one of the following areas: Communications and
Signal Processing, Control Systems and Robotics, Electronics and Manufacturing, and
Computer Engineering. Senior level courses are also available in bioengineering and power
systems. EE students gain a variety of experiences during the four year curriculum: 14% of
the curriculum is humanities and social sciences, 14% in mathematics, 7% in written and
oral communications, 12% in physics and chemistry, and 53% in electrical engineering.
Students learn to write computer programs and use software packages to assist in the
design and analysis of complicated electronic circuits, control systems, communications
systems, etc. Our graduates qualify for jobs related to wireless communications, TV/video
compression applications, medical instrumentations, power and control devices, computer
integrated manufacturing, intelligent controls based on expert systems and neural
networks, advanced microprocessor applications using Motorola and Intel processors,
sensors, transducers, and computer control of machines and processes. Starting salaries
for recent B.S.E.E. graduates average $35,000.
1.8. Professional Licensing and Professional Societies Unlike practicing
physicians and lawyers, practicing engineers are not all required to pass certification
exams. The requirement to be licensed depends upon the position of employment. If you take
a job in which services are directly offered to the public, such as a consulting engineer
who takes on public projects, registration is generally required. A rule of thumb is that
registration is required for engineers to work on static items, such as bridges and
highways, but not for dynamic items such as cars, airplanes, and locomotives [2]. Another
rule of thumb is that engineers who do not work directly with the public, such as
engineers that work for companies that produce consumer products, are also exempt from
professional licensing. However, any rule of thumb has exceptions, and each engineer
should check the laws of the state to determine if professional registration is required
for the position held.
As a rule, professions are governed by professional societies which have codes of ethics
that guide the practitioner's behavior and ethics. For electrical engineers, membership in
the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the National Society of
Professional Engineers(NSPE) are of primary importance.
1.9 After the Bachelors Degree Education for engineers does not end with
the completion of the bachelors degree, and continued learning takes several forms for
engineers. First of all, there is on-the-job learning, where the practicing engineer
attends industry or university sponsored workshops on new technologies and applications.
Engineers also continue their education by pursuing advanced degrees such as a masters
degree in engineering, law, or medicine. Sometimes, a practicing engineer pursues a second
bachelors degree.
A master degree in engineering is often a key to a promotion, particularly in a high tech
company, where advanced engineering degrees are considered essential for advancement. A
degree in law is often a key to a position in patent law, and a degree in medicine may
lead to a career path in biomedical engineering. A second bachelors degree in engineering,
while uncommon in major universities, may give an engineer a diversity that opens up
additional career opportunities.
Many engineering graduate students have been able to receive support in various forms.
Some receive outright grants often cover tuition, books, and living expenses with work
responsibilities. These grants are highly competitive and require excellent credentials.
Some students receive stipends with teaching responsibilities, where perform the duties as
a teaching assistant. They may serve as graders, tutors, laboratory assistants, or
laboratory instructors. With experience, teaching assistants have been given
responsibilities for lecture courses under the supervision of a faculty member. Research
positions are also available to qualified graduate students, where the student performs
research under the supervision of a faculty member.
Exercise 1:
1. Write a two-page report on the different activities for the IEEE, or NSPE professional
societies.
2. Write a two-page report on the different topics covered in power systems, and
electromagnetics.
3. Write a two-page report on one of the specialties in the EE program that you may be
interested in.
4. Write a one-page report on two employers who hire EE graduates. You may want to contact
the companies and ask for brochures.
5. Use library search to write a one-page report on a magazine article related to
electronic manufacturing.
References
[1] Webster's Third New International Dictionary, G.C. Merriam Co., 1966.
[2] Engineers and Their Profession, Fourth Ed., Saunders College Publishing, 1990.
|
