Engineering 101

ACE Team 2December 6, 2011

ABET

• ECPD – Engineering Council for Professional Development, 1932

• ABET – Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 1980

• ABET – formally renamed in 2005

Why ABET?• Simply put, accreditation is value.

• Accreditation is proof that a collegiate program has met certain standards necessary to produce graduates who are ready to enter their professions.

• Students who graduate from accredited programs have access to enhanced opportunities in areas such as employment, mobility, and providing a positive impact on society.

• ABET is an integral part of each of these areas because we accredit more than 3,100 applied science, computing, engineering, and technology programs at more than 660 colleges and universities in 23 countries worldwide. More than 85,000 students graduate from ABET-accredited programs each year.

• Accreditation impacts:– Students– Programs and Institutions– Public– Professionals in Business, Industry, and Government

ABET Programs• ABET accredits postsecondary degree-granting programs offered by regionally accredited institutions in the United

States and by nationally accredited institutions outside the United States. ABET does not accredit certification, training or doctoral programs.– Applied Science Programs

ABET's Applied Science Accreditation Commission (ASAC) accredits applied science programs at the associate's (two-year degree) level, the bachelor's (four-year degree) level, and the master's (post-graduate) level.

– Computing ProgramsABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) accredits computing programs at the bachelor's (four-year degree) level.

– Engineering ProgramsABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) accredits engineering programs at the bachelor's (four-year degree) level and the master's (post-graduate) level.

– Technology ProgramsABET’s Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) accredits technology programs at the associate's (two-year degree) level and the bachelor's (four-year degree) level.

• Differences in ABET Accreditation– For ABET accreditation, engineering and engineering technology programs are reviewed and accredited by two separate

accreditation commissions, using two separate sets of accreditation criteria: the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Technology Accreditation Commission.

ABET – Where in Illinois• Bradley University – Peoria, IL, US

• DeVry University – Downers Grove, IL, US

• Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago, IL, US

• Illinois State University – Normal, IL, US

• Northern Illinois University – Dekalb, IL, US

• Northwestern University – Evanston, IL, US

• Olivet Nazarene University – Bourbonnais, IL, US

• Southern Illinois University at Carbondale – Carbondale, IL, US

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Edwardsville, IL, US

• University of Illinois at Chicago – Chicago, IL, US

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Urbana, IL, US

ABET – Where online• What is an Online Program?

– Many academic programs in higher education have at least some content offered online, including individual courses, homework assignments, and class research projects. What constitutes an "online" program is not always well-defined. In addition, the percentage of online content for any academic program changes frequently.

– The vast majority of ABET-accredited programs are offered mostly on-site.

• The following ABET-accredited programs are offered in a 100-percent online format. This list is updated annually in October.

– Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base OH, U.S. Systems Engineering (MS)

– Capella University, Minneapolis Minnesota, U.S.Information Technology (BS)

– Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, Colorado, U.S.Surveying and Mapping (BS)

– Regis University, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Computer Information Systems (BS) Computer Networking (BS) Computer Science(CPS) (BS)

– University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.Construction Engineering Technology (B.S.)

Engineering vs. Engineering Technology• How are they different?

– Engineering and engineering technology are separate but closely related professional areas. Here are some of the ways they differ:

– Curricular Focus• Engineering programs often focus on theory and conceptual design, while engineering technology programs usually focus on application

and implementation.• In addition, engineering programs typically require additional, higher-level mathematics, including multiple semesters of calculus and

calculus-based theoretical science courses. Engineering technology programs typically focus on algebra, trigonometry, applied calculus, and other courses that are more practical than theoretical in nature.

• Career Paths– Graduates from engineering programs are called engineers. They often pursue entry-level work involving conceptual design or

research and development. Many continue on to graduate-level work in engineering.

– Graduates of four-year engineering technology programs are called technologists– Graduates of two-year engineering technology programs are called technicians

• These professionals are most likely to enter positions in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, product design, testing, or technical services and sales. Those who pursue further study often consider engineering, or facilities management, or business administration.

– Of course, there is much overlap between the fields. Engineers may pursue MBAs and open their own consulting firms, while technologists may spend their entire careers in design capacities.

Types of Engineering/Technology• Architectural Engineering/Technology• Civil Engineering/Technology• Computer Engineering/Technology• Construction Engineering/Technology• Drafting and Design (General, Mechanical)• Electrical and Electronics Engineering/Technology• Fire Protection Engineering/Technology• Information Systems• Information Technology• Mechanical Engineering/Technology• Telecommunications Engineering/Technology

Types of Engineering/Technology• Aeronautical Engineering• Aerospace Engineering/Technology• Agricultural Engineering• Air Conditioning Engineering Technology• Automotive Engineering Technology• Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering/Technology• Biological Engineering• Ceramic Engineering• Chemical Engineering/Technology• Computer Science• Electromechanical Engineering Technology• Engineering Management• Engineering Mechanics• Engineering Technology (General)• Engineering, Engineering Physics and Engineering Science

Engineering• Environmental Engineering/Technology• Environmental, Health, and Safety• Forest Engineering Technology• General Criteria Only (ASAC, CAC, EAC, TAC)• Geological Engineering• Health Physics• Industrial and Quality Management

• Industrial Engineering/Technology• Industrial Hygiene• Information Engineering Technology• Instrumentation and Control Systems Engineering Technology• Manufacturing Engineering/Technology• Materials Engineering• Metallurgical Engineering• Mining Engineering/Technology• Naval Architectural and Marine Engineering/Technology• Nuclear and Radiological Engineering/Technology• Ocean Engineering• Optics• Optics Engineering/Technology• Petroleum Engineering/Technology• Photonics• Photonics Engineering/Technology• Quality• Safety• Software Engineering• Surveying and Geomatics• Surveying and Geomatics Engineering/Technology• Systems Engineering/Technology• Welding Engineering/Technology

Professional Engineering Licensure• In the United States, the regulation of licensed professional engineers

is handled at the state level. Thus, requirements for licensure can and do vary by state. The basis for most of the state legislation however is the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Model Law.

• There are four main components of obtaining professional engineering licensure:

1) Education2) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam3) Work Experience4) Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam

Education• In most cases it is required that an engineering program of 4 years or

more be successfully completed (i.e. a bachelor’s degree is required). Usually the program needs to be accredited by the EAC/ABET, or the equivalent. Certified proof of graduation is generally required.

• Education received outside of the US can be evaluated and approved in some cases (NCEES Credentials Evaluations).

• There is an effort underway to increase the amount of education required to include an additional 30 credits of acceptable upper-level undergraduate or graduate-level coursework from approved course providers or a master’s degree (Bachelor+30).

EducationBachelor of Science –Engineering

•4-year engineering degree – Accredited university

Bachelor of Science – Architectural Engineering

•4-year engineering degree – Accredited university

•Specialize after 2-year in Mechanical/Plumbing/Electrical/Structural

•5-year dual major in AE and CM

Graduate Programs

•Structural

Bachelor of Science Architecture + 2 Years Master of Architecture - Structural Option (UIUC)

Master of Science Structural Engineering

•MEP

2 Years Master of Engineering or Business

Fundamentals ofEngineering (FE) Exam

• This test is an 8-hour written examination in the fundamentals of engineering. Some jurisdictions allow this test to be taken prior to graduation, however one is not an “engineer intern” or “engineer in training” until graduating and passing the exam.

• The FE exam covers a comprehensive range of subjects in engineering; subject matter that is typically taught in a EAC/ABET-accredited baccalaureate engineering program.

• The FE exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions. – Morning session, all examinees take a general exam common to all disciplines. – Afternoon session, examinees can choose to take a general exam or a discipline-specific

(chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, or mechanical) exam.

Exam Pass Rates• FE (First Time/Repeat)

– Chemical 83% 51%– Civil 70% 27%– Electrical 68% 30%– Environmental 79% 32%– Industrial 69% 29%– Mechanical 82% 34%– Other Disciplines 71% 34%

Work Experience• In most cases it is required that the applicant has 4 years or more of

progressive work experience. This usually would need to be on engineering projects of a grade and a character which would indicate to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering. In some states, the work experience must be under the direction of an active professional engineer.

• Work experience requirement is often dependent on education level (i.e. a person with an appropriate doctorate degree may need less work experience). To confirm and validate the work experience, written references from associates and/or supervisors is often required, although the number of references and type of documentation varies by state.

Coordinate w/utility company to provide gas, water, sanitary, electrical, telephone and cable servicesWork with architects, other engineers, structural and consultants to develop drawings and specifications.• Mechanical

• Design heating and cooling systems and all routing of associated ductwork• Plumbing

• Design domestic water, sanitary piping routing and storm drainage piping routing and bathroom plumbing fixtures

• Design fire protection systems and life safety systems• Electrical

• Design lighting & lighting controls, power to equipment, motors, conveying systems, etc

• Design low voltage systems (Fire Alarm, Nurse Call, Public Address, Audio Visual, Security, etc) and telecommunication

infrastructure

Construction AdministrationProvide guidance and consultation during construction (job site visits, punchlists and RFI’s)Review shop drawings – documentation of what was ordered to be installed on job

Daily Activities - MEP

Principles and Practice ofEngineering (PE) Exam

• The PE test is an 8-hour written examination in the principles and practice of engineering. The Principles and Practice exams test academic knowledge and knowledge gained in engineering. Discipline specific PE exams cover a comprehensive range of subjects in that field of engineering.

• The engineering disciplines include Agricultural, Architectural, Chemical, Civil, Control Systems, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Fire Protection, Industrial, Mechanical, Metallurgical and Materials, Mining and Mineral, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Nuclear, Petroleum, and Structural.

PE Exam – State Requirements• It is vital to carefully review your state’s specific requirements and carefully follow their directions. Completing the

application form accurately and completely while providing the documentation requested is an important part of obtaining a professional engineering license in a timely fashion.

• Professional Engineering is administered in the USA at the state level. Thus, information about becoming a professional engineer (PE) and continuing to be a PE can often be found somewhere on the state’s official web site.

• For example, in the State of Illinois, there is a “Department of Financial and Professional Regulation” to regulate and license PE’s, among other professions. Their web site is http://www.idfpr.com/. From this web site you can use the “Professional License Look Up” page to search the database by name or license number. You can also go to the specific web page for PE’s at http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/pe.asp.

• From there you can

– View information such as the Professional Engineering Act, Professional Engineering Rules, and the Design Code Manual– Request Certification/Verification– Email Questions about this Profession– Change your Address– Search for disciplinary information– View meeting minutes of the state board of professional engineers

Exam Pass Rates• PE (First Time/Repeat)

– Agricultural 68%50%– Chemical 82%36%– Civil 62%27%– Control Systems 69%47%– Electrical and Computer 66%35%– Environmental 77%48%– Fire Protection 52%29%– Industrial 80%44%– Mechanical 73%37%– Metallurgical and Materials 64%50%– Mining and Mineral Processing79%46%– Naval and Marine85%75%– Nuclear 57%50%– Petroleum 80%44%– Structural I47%21%– Structural II 54%24%

About the Presenters

• Mike Pietsch, PE1. Education

• Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN• BS Electrical Engineering 2003

2. FE Exam• Taken at end of senior year

3. Work Experience• 1-1/2 yrs in Indianapolis• 7 years at Cannon Design

4. PE Exam• Taken in October 2008

About the Presenters

• Michael Brinkman1. Education

• Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI• BS Architectural Engineering 2007

2. FE Exam• Taken and passed as a senior

3. Work Experience• 4 years at Cannon Design

4. PE Exam• Eligible now, to be taken in future

About the Presenters

• Fatima Chippo1. Education

• Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL• BS Electrical Engineering 2010

2. FE Exam• To be taken in 2012

3. Work Experience• 1 year at Cannon Design

4. PE Exam• Eligible to take test in 2014