GET130 Intro to Engineering Technology Fall 2015 1: Introductory Concepts GET130 Intro to Engineering Technology Fall 2015

What is a technologist? “a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems”1 Responsible for providing material things necessary for human subsistence and comfort 1. thefreedictionary.com

What is technology? Science Math Engineering Processes Technology

Why do we care about technology? It improves the quality of our lives Ex: in 1900, ½ of the US population lived & worked on farms providing food for all today, ~3% feeds the entire US plus a large part of other Earth population! How can this be???

Other examples Automobile Homes Entertainment Learning efficiency, safety, front-wheel drive Homes larger, central air, dishwashers, washer & dryers cooking… stoves vs. microwaves Entertainment audio… phonographs vs. MP3 player movies… film vs. HD digital TVs… 1970: $530 vs. 2010: $250 Learning libraries/books vs. Internet

Fast forward to 2040… “I remember smartphones, I used to use them before I got my commlink implant” “yes we had traffic lights, back before autonomous 80 mph transporterpods when humans actually drove cars” “our kitchen is so much roomier now that we got rid of the fridge and microwave, thanks to self-preserving mealpaks that instacook when you open them” “people used to actually wear eyeglasses before amorphous smart contact lenses” “cancer? That went the way of polio with the advent of cancer-killing nanobot injections”

History… …of engineering & technology pyramids of early civilizations used much science & math math: algebra & trigonometry physics: lever & inclined planes astrology: alignment with sun and teamwork! – use of many people and beasts of burden this established the need for engineering & technology for humankind

Modern Engineering began in the 1700s, developed into 5 branches… Civil: builder of our infrastructure buildings, roads, bridges, airports, utility systems Mechanical: machine tooling & manufacturing motors, generators, engines, fluid-power systems Mining/Metallurgical: mineral extraction coal, oil, gas; also materials technology Chemical: convert raw materials into useful commodities food processing, drugs, nuclear energy Electrical: production & distribution of electrical energy electronics (1904), ICs (1950s), computers, communications, machine control

Today’s Engineering Fields the original 5 have evolved into >30 fields! some new areas: See more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_engineering_fields Aerospace Electromechanical Materials Agriculture Engineering science Nuclear Architectural Environmental Petroleum Biomedical Industrial Systems Computer Marine Welding

Why so many fields? increasing population and need for specialization increasing complexity of technology with growing knowledge base need for both research for future knowledge (engineers) and application of current technology to existing problems (engineering technologist)

Engineering Grand Challenges for the 21st century… taken from www.engineeringchallenges.org Make solar energy economical Provide energy from fusion Develop carbon sequestration methods Manage the nitrogen cycle Provide access to clean water Restore and improve urban infrastructure Advance health informatics Engineer better medicines Reverse-engineer the brain Prevent nuclear terror Secure cyberspace Enhance virtual reality Advance personalized learning Engineer the tools of scientific discovery

The Industrial Team US industries are divided into 2 broad groups: manufacturing – goods producing “blue collar” support of product-to-consumer processes service – service providing “white collar” maintain computer equipment and comm. systems technologists must work as part of a team with scientists, engineers, technicians and skilled workers as well as business side – accountants, managers to provide customer satisfaction

Role of Technologist difference between technician, technologist, and engineer is amount of formal education technician is generally 2 years (A.S.) technologist is generally 4 (B.S.) engineer is also 4 but more aggressive and can go on the Master’s, PhD, etc.

Technologist Duties primary technologist responsibility: interface between scientist/engineer level and technician/skilled worker level act as communicators between management/engineering and skilled laborers need good listening, speaking, writing, and interpretation skills! be the implementers who interpret management’s ideas and make them happen allows engineers/scientists to do what they do best perform calibration and testing procedures to insure proper equipment operation

Your Career Decision where do you see yourself after graduating with an E.T. degree and how do you fit into an organization? organization chart (org chart, next slide) career outlook – 3 important considerations: employment availability job satisfaction earnings potential

Industrial Team – Org. Chart