Activity 1.

6 Discover Engineering - Yusef

Sabra
Procedure
1. What is engineering?
I would define engineering as the process of turning non-physical ideas into physical
manifestations in order to improve the quality of life, solve specific problems, or
satisfy particular conditions.
2. Describe the four major disciplines of engineering and identify problems or
projects that an engineer in each discipline might encounter.
Chemical engineering
Applies the natural (or experimental) sciences (e.g. chemistry and physics)
and life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology and biochemistry) together with
mathematics and economics to produce, transform, transport, and properly
use chemicals, materials and energy.
Civil engineering
Deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and
naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams,
and buildings.
Electrical engineering
Deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and
electromagnetism. An electrical engineer may try to build his own computer
chip fitting particular needs.
Mechanical engineering
Applies the principles of engineering, physics and materials science for
analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. A
mechanical engineer may try to find a way to streamline mass production for
a design.

1. Choose a discipline of engineering (other than chemical, civil, electrical and

mechanical) that is of interest to you. Describe this engineering field and explain
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how it is an extension of, specialization within, or combination of one or more of

the four major engineering disciplines. (Optional create a PowerPoint slide to
describe your chosen engineering discipline.)
Included in class presentation - Audio Engineer
Choose one of the achievements listed and read the information provided about
your selected achievement. Then, based on what you learn, respond to the
following.
2. Describe your selected achievement in a few sentences.
Electrification is quite simply the process of powering through the usage of
electricity. It can be subdivided into particular sectors of the economy such as
rural and factory electrification. Without electrification, the electric devices we use
every day would be powerless and most likely non-existent.
3. Which major discipline of engineering do you think was most involved in the
development of this achievement? Justify your answer.
Electrical engineering was most involved with the development of electrification.
Electrical engineering specifically deals with the study and application of
electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. Electrification allows us to harness
these things which is essentially what electrical engineers do on a daily basis and
so it seems obvious that the two coincide with each other.
Visit the National Academy of Engineering website on the Grand Engineering
Challenges at http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/. Review your choice
of an engineering discipline in number 3 and consider how an engineer within
this discipline could contribute to the solution of one or more of the grand
challenges.
4. If you were an engineer within the discipline that you chose in number 3, which
engineering grand challenge would you like to work on?
Enhance Virtual Reality
5. Describe your selected grand challenge.
To enhance virtual reality is to work to make the illusory environment presented by
virtual reality technologies as realistic, useful, efficient, and interactive as
possible.
6. Why is a solution to this challenge important to the world?
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The applications of virtual reality technologies are ostensibly infinite. Virtual reality
could be used in classrooms and take modern education to levels previously thought
impossible. It could also diversify an individuals list of personal experiences without
requiring any costly movement or effort, creating a less egocentric world. The list
goes on.
7. How could you, as an engineer in your chosen discipline, contribute to a solution
to this challenge?
As an audio engineer, I would work in order to make all of the sounds produced
within the virtual reality system appear in their best, or perhaps more realistic,
form. Hearing is one of the major five senses and so it is highly important that it
be taken into consideration when developing virtual reality technology, otherwise
immersion becomes impossible.

Conclusion
8.What is it about engineering that is common to all disciplines of engineering?
They all work to improve life in some way by finding solutions to the problems
presented to them.
9.Why do you think engineering has been called the stealth profession? (Hint: there
are many internet resources that address this question.)
Engineering has been called the stealth profession because of the ludicrous
amount of the work produced in the field which goes by unnoticed despite being
literally everywhere in the modern world. The engineers are ultimately underappreciated.
10.How is an engineer different from a scientist?
An engineer works to solve problems whereas a scientist is more focused on the
discovery of knowledge relating to the natural world.
11.What interpersonal characteristics do you think are important to the success of an
engineer of any discipline?
An engineer of any discipline must be able to effectively communicate with peers,
take the ideas of others into consideration, negotiate, and take the time in order to
consider and possibly implement the ideas of others.

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