INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING

ELE1102
CHAPTER TWO
Science
Science is the body of, and quest for, fundamental
knowledge and understanding of all things natural
and man-made; their structure, properties, and how
they behave.
 Pure Science is concerned with extending this
knowledge for its own sake.
 Applied Science extends this knowledge for a
specific purpose.
Scientist
Scientists have as their prime objective increased
knowledge of nature. In the quest for new
knowledge, the scientist conducts research in a
systematic manner (research steps = Scientific
method).
An open and inquisitive mind is an obvious
characteristic of a scientist.
Engineering
Engineering is the knowledge required, and the process
applied, to conceive, design, make, build, operate,
sustain, recycle or retire, something of significant
technical content for a specified purpose; - a concept, a
model, a product, a device, a process, a system, a
technology.
“ The profession of engineering takes the knowledge of
mathematics and natural sciences gained through study,
experience, and practice and applies this knowledge
with judgment to develop ways to utilize the materials
and forces of nature for the benefit of all humans.”
Engineering
The end result of an engineering effort—generally referred to as
design—is a device, structure, system, or process that satisfies a need.

A successful design is achieved when a logical procedure is followed to

meet a specific need. The procedure, called the design process, is similar
to the scientific method with respect to a step-by step routine, but it
differs in objectives and end results. The design process encompasses the
following activities (all of which must be completed):
1. Define the problem to be solved.
2. Acquire and assemble pertinent data.
3. Identify solution constraints and criteria.
4. Develop alternative solutions.
5. Select a solution based on analysis of alternatives.
6. Communicate the results.
Engineer
An Engineer is a professional man with sufficient
theoretical knowledge and practical experience, to
enable him take responsibility, for technical
innovation.
An engineer is a person who possesses the
knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences,
and through the principles of analysis and design
applies this knowledge to the solution of problems
and the development of devices, processes,
structures, and systems.
The Engineer vs. Scientist
Both the engineer and scientist are thoroughly
educated in the mathematical and physical
sciences, but the scientist primarily uses this
knowledge to acquire new knowledge, whereas
the engineer applies the knowledge to design
and develops usable devices, structures, and
processes.
“In other words, the scientist seeks to know,
the engineer aims to do.”
Technology & innovation
Technology is an enabling package of knowledge,
devices, systems, processes, and other technologies,
created for a specific purpose.

Innovation is the successful introduction of

something new. Innovation may be wholly new or a
significantly better version of something that
already exists.
The Engineering
profession
Imagine the number of engineers
who were involved in the design of
the windmill related to
construction, material choices,
electrical systems, and mechanical
systems.
The Engineering Profession
When considering a career in engineering or any closely related
fields, you should explore the answers to several questions:
◾ What is engineering?
◾ What are the career opportunities for engineers?
◾ What are the engineering disciplines?
◾ Where does the engineer fit into the technical spectrum?
◾ How are engineers educated?
◾ What is meant by professionalism and engineering ethics?
◾ What have engineers done in the past?
◾ What are engineers doing now? What will engineers do in the
future?
◾ What are the workplace competencies needed to be a successful
engineer?
Extension of man - J.D Bernal (1970)
a) By increasing the efficiency of our body via tools; from small
hand tools to automatic machine tools, by giving it mobility
through transport systems or housing it in greater comfort than
nature provides.
b) By increasing the efficiency of our senses, via instruments,
which enable repeatable measurements to be made, which
amplify sight and sound or measure phenomena not directly
perceivable by senses.
c) By increasing the efficiency of our intellect via aids to
memory, intelligence and communication e.g. printing,
photography, computing machines and telecommunication
systems.
The Engineering functions
The Engineering functions
1) Research
2) Development
3) Design
4) Production and testing
5) Construction
6) Operations
7) Sales
8) Management
9) Consulting
10) Teaching
Education for Engineering – desirable characteristics
The most important characteristics for an engineering student can be
summarized as follows:
1. A strong interest in and ability to work with mathematics and science taken
in high school.
2. An ability to think through a problem in a logical manner.
3. A knack for organizing and carrying through to conclusion the solution to a
problem.
4. An unusual curiosity about how and why things work.
5. The desire to design new and innovative products, processes, or systems to
solve everyday problems.
6. A passion for helping solve modern-day challenges (e.g., renewable, non-
polluting energy; abundant clean water; modern health care; sustainable
agriculture and manufacturing; safe roads and bridges; designs for natural
and man-made disasters).
The Universe of
Engineering
 The disciplines
Civil Engineering including
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Bio-
Structural Engineering and Building
sciences and Materials Science
Services

These are engineering disciplines

These are fundamental studies,
associated with the creation,
knowledge and understanding of
improvement and
disciplines in applied
maintenance of both the built and natural
mathematics and applied science.
environment.
 The disciplines
Mechanical Engineering and
Electrical Engineering including
Aerospace, Marine and Agricultural
Power Generation and Transmission
Engineering

These are engineering disciplines

These are engineering disciplines
associated with the generation,
associated with machines and motion.
transmission and,
distribution and application of electrical
power.
 The disciplines
Electronics Engineering including
Chemical Engineering and Mining, Oil,
Communications, Computing and
Gas and Nuclear Engineering
Control Engineering and the field of IT

These are engineering disciplines These are the hardware and software engineering
associated with the process of natural and disciplines associated with
synthetic electronics, photonics, and their application in
materials, liquids and gases. fields such as communications, computing
and control.
 The disciplines

Medical Engineering and Bio-

Engineering

These are disciplines involved in

developing products and systems to
diagnose, monitor
support and treat patients.
The applications 06
Energy & Natural
resources

01 Healthcare & Social 07 Defence & Security

Leisure &
02 Entertainment 08 Transport

03 Education 09 Agriculture & Food

Commerce, Trade
04 & Finance
10 Engineered Materials

Communications &
05 IT 11 Built Environment
The Engineering
Process
Engineering Process is about
responding to a requirement and
involves:
 Requirement
 Analysis
 Synthesis & Evaluation
 Execution
An engineering process generally
works to meet a requirement within
constraints such as time, cost or a
performance envelope.
 The Scientific
process
The scientific method is a logical procedure for
gathering and testing ideas.
It begins with a problem or question arising from an
observation.
Scientists next form a hypothesis, or unproved
assumption.
The hypothesis is then tested in an experiment or on the
basis of data.
In the final step, scientists analyse and interpret their
data to reach a new conclusion. That conclusion either
confirms or disproves the hypothesis.
Thank
you