Introduction to

Engineering
WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

Session # 1
Learning Outcomes

Understand What is Engineering

Understand the reasons of why to become an

engineer?

Know the reality about engineering

Know the typical functions of engineers

Understand the broad disciplines of engineering

 Scientists Investigate
that which already is;
Engineer Creates that
which has never been
- Albert Einstein

What You Need To Know About

Engineering!

Engineering combines the fields of

science and mathematics to solve real
world problems that improve the
world around us.
What really distinguishes an engineer is
his/her ability to implement ideas in a cost
effective and practical approach.
The ability to take a thought, or abstract
idea, and translate it into reality is what
separates an engineer from other fields of
science and mathematics.

Reality about Engineering

Consider some things you use in your everyday life:

Buildings, roads and bridges, vehicles (cars, planes and
boats), computers and other electronic devices.
Not a single one of them would exist without engineers! You
wouldnt have been able to drive to work, check your
facebook status or even use the toilet this morning!
http://mit.tv/wJfv7y

What Does A Typical

Engineer Do?
Engineers are problem solvers, organizers,
communicators, calculators and designers.
They are capable of clearly defining a problem
and its relevant constraints (such as time,
cost, etc.) and providing a simple solution.
A senior engineer will usually perform less
technical work (calculations and designs) but
instead focus on managing a project or team
of engineers.

What does an engineer do?

Engineers do the following:
Design
Evaluate
Develop
Test
Modify
Install
Inspect
Maintain
In What? :
A wide variety of products and systems.
They also recommend and specify materials and
processes, supervise manufacturing and construction,
conduct failure analysis, provide consulting services.

How Different Engineers Work Together

An Illustration of Tunnel Design

A civil engineer who specializes in structural design (structural engineer)

would calculate the size of the tunnel, how it is to be constructed (all of
the stages) and what it is made of (reinforced concrete, etc.).

In order to provide clean air and remove as much of the vehicle

emissions as possible, a mechanical engineer is employed to design the
ventilation system. The mechanical engineer would plan for the amount
of emissions that need to removed and the process of removing them
(for instance how many of a particular type of fan would be required and
where they are to be installed. Dont forget they also have to figure out
where this air flows to).

An electrical engineer will design the lighting as well as any control

systems for hazard signs.

In some cases, specialist disciplines such as environmental engineering

are used to conduct an investigation into the sustainability and
environmental effects of building such a tunnel.

Do Engineers Work As
Individuals?
The answer for this is dependent on the
specific project, job and even field that
engineers work in.
Generally, all engineers work as part of a small
or large team.

Answer: NO

Is Engineering Boring And Repetitive?

It is inevitable in any job, really, to have to perform dull and mundane

tasks.

Engineers are required to check calculations (which are vital so

nothing explodes or collapses!), read technical papers and write
technical reports.

The true value found in engineering is the ability to combine all tasks
to create something greater (think 1 + 1 = 3!). This cant be achieved
without a team working together towards the same objective.

Consider that many other professions such as accounting, teaching

and even business studies all have their own mundane and repetitive
tasks its the ability to create something special like a two-hundred
story skyscraper or a car that runs on electricity that makes
engineering stand out!

Engineering provides you with the opportunity to contribute to

society and leave a lasting impression on the world

Follow in the footsteps of engineers like Thomas Alva

Edison whose inventions are still used today!

3 Reasons Why You Should Choose

Engineering
There will always be a demand for skilled engineers in many
different fields, some of which are brand new, emerging areas
while others have existed for 500 years.
As society develops and improves, engineers are called upon
to make these changes to create a better, sustainable world
to live in.
Deciding to study engineering is a personal choice that only
you can make; so what are the three best reasons why you
should choose engineering?

Reason #1

Engineering Is The Ultimate Field For Challenge

And Creativity

Engineers work on exciting projects and influence how our

world changes and improves.
The amazing structures, vehicles and discoveries in
modern society have been influenced and created by
engineers in some capacity.
If you are curious about how things work and have a keen
mind for applying what you learn to solve real world
problems, engineering is the perfect avenue for your
talents.
Be prepared to dedicate years of learning and practice to
master a field of engineering; dont expect to build an
A380 airbus or the next Burj Khalifa (currently the tallest
building in the world) within a year of completing your
degree.

Reason #2

Learn Skills You Can Apply Anywhere

The skills that you develop as an engineer are incredibly

valuable and highly sought after.
People will turn to you to help solve problems for them.
The ability to provide practical solutions to problems is
crucial and will give you great confidence when faced with
any challenge or obstacle.
You will develop an understanding of the feasibility of a
project from a financial and practical perspective.
You also learn how to manage your time effectively, work as
a part of a team and develop into a true leader. These skills
can be applied to any area of your life.

Reason #3

Great Rewards And Opportunities

As an engineer you will rank amongst the highest paid

professions in the world, even as a graduate.
Your unique, universal skill set will enable you to work in almost
any country in the world (and beyond!).
Not many careers offer this sort of opportunity to gain
experience and explore new cultures and lifestyles.
Engineers working in multinational companies will often travel
overseas for conferences and to visit or inspect company
facilities, adding variety to their daily routines.
Ultimately, there is no perfect formula or criteria
determining your suitability to become an engineer.

for

One of the first, and easiest, steps you can take to determine if
you would enjoy engineering is to discover which industry or
discipline you would like to work in. Once you have an idea of
the field you would like to work in, find out which qualifications
you need to obtain. (www.onetonline.org )

Disciplines of
Engineering
Engineering
is broad field

that is divided
into various disciplines and sub-disciplines.
The disciplines of engineering can be
divided into three main categories:
a)Civil Engineering
b)Electrical Engineering
c)mechanical engineering.

Each main discipline will provide you with a

taste of the various skills and knowledge
required to work in any field related to the
discipline.

Role of Civil Engineer

Civil engineers:
Design
Construct
Supervise
Operate
Maintain
What? : Large construction projects and systems, including
roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and
systems for water supply and sewage treatment.
These engineers may also handle site preparation activities,
such as excavation, earth moving and grading for large
construction projects.
Additionally, civil engineers may conduct or write the
specifications for destructive or nondestructive testing of the
performance, reliability and long-term durability of materials
and structures.

Role of Mechanical
Design and Develop anything that moves.
Engineer
Mechanical engineers use basic components that have been
known and used for centuries such as wheels, axles, levers,
screws, springs and hinges to make machines such as vehicles,
farm machinery, household appliances, robots and industrial
equipment.

Mechanical engineers also design sub-assemblies for these

machines, including control systems and instruments as well as
individual parts.

Movement can be powered by the muscles of humans or animals,

heat and pressure of combustion, hydraulic or pneumatic
actuators, electromagnetism, gravity or springs of all shapes and
sizes. Therefore, a mechanical engineer must be familiar with all of
these basic motion and power components in order to design more
complex devices. For instance, in an automobile, the starter motor
uses electromagnetism; the engine is powered by expansive
pressure from the combustion of gasoline; the power steering,
brakes and automatic transmission use hydraulic pressure; and
the suspension system uses springs.

Role of Electrical Engineer

(EEE, ECE)
Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise
the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric
motors, radar and navigation systems, communications
systems and power generation equipment.
Electronics engineers design and develop electronic
equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems
from portable music players to global positioning systems
(GPS).
Todays electrical engineers design electrical devices
and systems using basic components such as conductors,
coils, magnets, batteries, switches, resistors, capacitors,
inductors, diodes and transistors. Nearly all electrical and
electronic devices, from the generators at an electric power
plant to the microprocessors in your phone, use these few
basic components.

Role of Computer
Engineers

Computer hardware engineers "research, design, develop and test computer systems and
components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks and routers. Computer
hardware includes:

microprocessors;

memory chips: random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM) and nonvolatile
rewritable flash memory;

data storage devices: hard disks, solid-state drives and optical drives;

input devices: keyboards, mice, joysticks and gaming controllers, cameras, microphones,
scanners, touch screens and remote sensors;

output devices: printers, monitors, audio devices and remote controls; and

networking components: adapters, modems, switches and routers.

An important function of computer engineers is to integrate these components into computer and
network systems. This all requires a good working knowledge ofelectrical engineering.
Another important aspect of computer engineering is software development. Computer
software includes:

operating systems;

applications: word processing, spreadsheets, accounting, database management, graphics,

computer-assisted design (CAD), computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM), audio, video, media
and games;

networking and communications: World Wide Web (WWW), voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP),
instant messaging and email;

utilities: file handling, disk management, device drivers, archiving and backup systems;

programming languages: editing, compiling and debugging; and

security: antivirus, firewalls, encryption and user authentication.

Role of Chemical Engineers

( Bio Tech, Petroleum
Engg.)
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry,
biology, physics and math to solve problems that involve the
production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food and many
other products.
Chemical engineers work in a variety of fields. For instance,
they may work at a petroleum refinery to turn crude oil into
gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, lubricating oil, solvents and
petrochemicals; at a fertilizer plant to produce ammonium
nitrate, or at a personal-care product manufacturer to mix
dozens of ingredients to produce shampoo or skin lotion.

Computing Skills : An essential

aspect for every engineer

Software Tools, Computing tools, Simulation tools have

become and integral part of engineering design in every
discipline of engineering.

Computer Coding and Programming skills are essential

to designers in every engineering discipline.

Easier, quick and accurate generation of needful designs,

processes, analytical models and techniques has made
Computer a main frame entity in professional life of every
engineer irrespective of his/her discipline of engineering