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Introduction Introduction
500.101 500.101
What is Engineering?
Introduction Introduction
500.101 500.101
What is Engineering?
How does it differ from science?
Science:DESCRIBEEXPLAIN
Parameters: θ, Ψ, ρ, σ2,☺,λ, Ǻ, g, ћ, H2C5OH, . . .Starting salary: $38K (chemist)
Engineering:INVENTDESIGNBUILD
Parameters: $Starting salary: $54K (chemical engineer)
iPod
spandex
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If it moves, it's mechanical engineering;If it doesn't move, it's civil engineering;If you can't see it, it's electrical engineering;If it smells, it's chemical engineering.
Engineering: What are its fields?Thirty years ago. . .
Today, it’s a blur. . .
Biomolecular-, nano-, computer-, materials-, robotic-, biomedical-, environmental-, . . .
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What is Engineering?
According to Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary:
Engineering is “the application of mathematical andscientific principles to practical ends, as the design,construction, and operation of economical and efficientstructures, equipment, and systems.”
But is there more. . .?
“Engineering. . .to define rudely but not inaptly is the art of doing that well with one dollar, which any bungler can do with two after a fashion”--Arthur Mellen Wellington, The Economic Theory of Railway Location (1911)
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Perspectives of engineering
1)by discipline (mechanical, bio-medical, . . .)
2)by vested interest (cultural, political, aesthetic, technical, . . .)
3)by scope (size, time scale, cost, . . .)
4)by impact (individual, community, world)
5)by technical level (research, adaptation of technology,design, sales)
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Engineering is art. Aesthetics as well as function counts
The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, SpainFrank Gehry, architect
The Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale,England 1779
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Art that lasts a long time . . .
Pont du Gard, France, 100AD
Boring - see Civil Engineers --UK Yellow Pages
Pyramids, Egypt, 2500BC
(tallest manmadestructures for 3800 years)
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Engineering is problem-solving
One solution Two solutions
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Engineering is approximation. The mathematics of engineeringsystems are often too complicated to solve analytically.
“Engineering problems are under-defined, there are many solutions,good, bad and indifferent. The art is to arrive at a good solution.This is a creative activity involving imagination, intuition, anddeliberate choice.”--Ove Arup
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Engineering is measurement and estimation. River flow,noise in a communication system, scatter in a laser beam,earthquake characteristics--all require measurement
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Engineering is modeling and simulation.
Often the only efficient means to confirm that an idea or design will work is to experiment with a scale model or computer simulation.
Model of the X-33 being testedin the NASA Langley Mach 20helium wind tunnel
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Engineering is communication. Making presentations,producing technical manuals, coordinating teams for largescale projects are all fundamental to engineering practice.
Richard Feynmanduring the Challengerdisaster hearings.
$125M communication error
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Engineering is politics. The best functional solutionis not necessarily the best practical solution.
Three-mile island
NIMBY
Alaskan pipeline
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Engineering is finance. Design, construction, operation,and maintenance costs determine the viability ofprojects.
The Big Dig, Boston: $14.2B ($22B as of 7/2008)
The Channel tunnel: $21B
($1B = 666 Eiffel towers)
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500.101 500.101Engineering is invention/design/innovation. New devices, materials, and processes are developed by engineers to meet needs that existing technologies do not address.
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Most Lucrative College Degreesby Julianne Pepitone
Friday, July 24, 2009provided by
. . .engineering diplomas account for 12 of the 15 the top-paying majors. NACE collects its data by surveying 200 college career centers.
. . .salaries for graduates who studied fields like social work command tiny paychecks, somewhere in the vicinity of $29,000. English, foreign language and communications majors make about $35,000.
“. . .few grads offer math skills, and those who can are rewarded."
Engineering is an outstanding salary.
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Engineering is ethics.
Engineering is safety.
Engineering is public service.
. . .
“Architects and engineers are among the most fortunate of men since they build their own monuments with public consent, public approval and often public money”--John Prebble
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Engineering is new materials. . . and the space elevator
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A 21st century Eiffel Tower? (Chosen for London 2012 Olympics)
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Engineering isn’t only about big things.
It’s also about nano-bio, bottom-up, tailored structures
quantum dotbiological markers
SWCN switches nano-robots
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500.101 500.101Engineering is haptics and robotic surgery
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500.101 500.101Engineering is quick response problem-solving
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Global engineering challenges: global warming
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500.101 500.101Engineering is long-range problem-solving
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Global engineering challenges: potable water
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Global engineering challenges: the cost of water
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Pumping Punjab dry (IEEE Spectrum, 2010)
From hand-operated pumps to 4 hrs/day freeelectricity, subsistence farmers are lowering the water table to dangerous levels.
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500.101 500.101Expose yourself to engineering!
