THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Engineering is one of the most ancient occupations in history. Without the skills included in the broad field of engineering, our present-day civilization never could have evolved. The first toolmakers who chipped arrows and spears from rock were the forerunners of modern mechanical engineers. The craftsmen who discovered metals in the earth and found ways to refine them were the ancestors of mining and metallurgical engineers. And the skilled technicians who devised irrigation systems and erected the marvelous buildings of the ancient world were the civil engineers of their time.

Engineering is often defined as making practical application of theoretical sciences such as physics and mathematics. Many of the early branches of engineering were based not on science but on empirical information that depended on the observation and experience.

The great engineering works of ancient times were constructed and operated largely by means of slave labour. During the Middle Ages people began to seek devices and methods of work that were more efficient and humane. Wind, water, and animals were used to provide energy for some of these new devices. This led to the Industrial Revolution that began in the eighteenth century. First steam engines and then other kinds of machines took over more and more of the work that had previously been done by human beings or by animals. Since the nineteenth century both scientific research and practical application of its results have escalated.

Engineering is concerned with the implementation of a solution to a practical problem. A scientist may ask "why?" and proceed to research the answer to the question. By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem and how to implement that solution. In other words, scientists investigate phenomena, whereas engineers create solutions to problems or improve upon existing solutions. A scientist builds in order to learn. An engineer learns in order to build. The difference between science and engineering was explained well by Theodore Von Karman, an aerospace engineer. As he stated: "Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never was."

Engineer typifies the century we live in. He is making a vast contribution to design, engineering and promotion. An engineer can be responsible for designing or inventing new products or testing them, analyzing product performance, making drawings and specifications. All these powers determine his specialty. So, there are project engineers, design engineers, machine engineers, civil engineers, electrical engineers, power engineers and many others.

The profession of an engineer is multi-faceted. It requires:

- good communication skills,

- higher ethical standards,

- ability to think critically, creatively and independently,

- work in a team,

- sound knowledge of engineering fundamentals such as math, physics, statistics, information technologies and other sciences,

- flexibility,

- deep insight of design and manufacturing processes,

- basic understanding of the context in which engineering is practiced (economy, history, environment, customer and social needs).

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1435