What is Engineering? An overview Michael Karweit Dept. Chemical Engineering Johns Hopkins University

What is Engineering? According to Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary: Engineering is “the application of mathematical and scientific principles to practical ends, as the design, construction, and operation of economical and efficient structures, equipment, and systems.” But is there more...?

Engineering is art. Aesthetics as well as function counts The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain Frank Gehry, architect The Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England 1779

More art... Pont du Gard, France, 100AD Maillart bridge, Switzerland

Engineering is approximation. The mathematics of engineering systems are often too complicated to solve analytically.

Engineering is measurement and estimation. River flow, noise in a communication system, scatter in a laser beam, earthquake characteristics--all require measurement

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 tested in the NASA Langley Mach 20 helium wind tunnel

Engineering is communication. Making presentations, producing technical manuals, coordinating teams for large scale projects are all fundamental to engineering practice. Richard Feynman during the Challenger disaster hearings. $125M communication error

Engineering is politics. The best functional solution is not necessarily the best practical solution. Three-mile island NIMBY Alaskan pipeline

Engineering is finance. Design, construction, operation, and maintenance costs determine the viability of projects. The Big Dig: Boston’s $14.2 billion construction project

Engineering is invention. New devices, materials, and processes are developed by engineers to meet needs that existing technologies do not address.

Engineering is ethics. Engineering is safety. Engineering is public service.. This list is not exhaustive, but it does suggest a far broader scope than Webster’s II definition

What is Engineering? The course. From a substantive point of view: 1) Strength/behavior of materials 2) Statics/structures 3) Uncertainty, statistics, measurment 4) Robotics 5) Digital logic/circuitry 6) Separation processes 7) Diffusion, heat transfer

From a “process” point of view, i.e., what an engineer does 1) Communication a) proposal presentation b) development of assembly/construction plans c) reporting and interpreting of laboratory results d) research synthesis (written) 2) Project management a) time/team management b) design c) construction d) testing

“process” (cont.) 3) Experimentation a) measurement b) application of principles c) application of data 4) Tools a) approximation b) statistics c) computer software i) simulation ii) spreadsheet/presentation iii) graphics/drawing

Expose yourself to engineering!