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Frequently Asked Questions About Engineering
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| Q |
What is engineering? |
| A |
According to the Merriam Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary, engineering is defined as: the application of
science and mathematics by which the properties of matter and
the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people.
Engineering comprises men and women who work in aerospace, biomedical,
chemicals, construction, computers, energy, manufacturing, and
many other fields that require people to create products, facilities,
and structures. |
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| Q |
What is a Professional Engineer (PE)? |
| A |
Professional Engineers (PEs) have fulfilled
the rigorous education, examination, and experience requirements,
which, under state licensure laws, permit them to offer engineering
services to the public. Although engineering licensure laws
vary from state to state, in general, to become a PE an individual
must be a graduate of an engineering program accredited by the
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, pass the
Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gain four years of experience
as an intern, and then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering
exam. PEs take legal responsibility for their engineering designs,
being bound by a code of ethics to protect public health and
safety. |
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| Q |
What do engineers do? |
| A |
Engineers take abstract ideas and apply
science and mathematics to build products to meet the needs
of mankind. |
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| Q |
How many engineers are there? |
| A |
It is estimated that there are more than two million practicing
engineers in the United States. |
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| Q |
What is the difference between
science and engineering? |
| A |
Science is knowledge based on observed
facts and tested truths arranged in an orderly system that
can be validated and communicated to other people. Engineering
is the creative application of scientific principles used
to plan, build, direct, guide, manage, or work on systems
to maintain and improve our daily lives.
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| Q |
How many types of engineering specialties
are there? |
| A |
| Listed below are the 19 major
branches of engineering: |
| 1. Aerospace |
11. Geotechnical |
| 1. Agricultural |
12. Industrial |
| 3. Biomedical |
13. Manufacturing |
| 4. Chemical |
14. Mechanical |
| 5. Civil (General & Structural) |
15. Mining |
| 6. Computer |
16. Nuclear |
| 7. Control Systems |
17.Petroleum |
| 8. Electrical & Electronics |
18. Sanitary |
| 9. Environmental |
19. Traffic |
| 10.Fire Protection |
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| Q |
What recent major breakthroughs
are attributed to engineers in improving the quality of our
everyday lives? |
| A |
From the mass production of the automobile to
space travel, from the telephone to the Internet, and from bioengineered
foods to clean water, engineers have applied their expertise
to improve the quality of our lives. For more information, go
to www.Greatachievements.org. |
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| Q |
Has there been an increase or
decrease in student enrollment in engineering programs at colleges
and universities across the country? |
| A |
According to the Engineering Workforce Commission,
between 1986 and 1998, the number of students receiving bachelor's
of engineering degrees declined by 19.8 percent, while the number
of students receiving bachelor's degrees overall increased by
nearly 20 percent. Statistics published by the American Society
for Engineering Education also show a general trend downwards
in the number of engineering graduates. In addition, there is
a lower percentage of engineers in both the female and minority
segments of the population. |
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| Q |
What are some of the top U.S.
undergraduate engineering schools? |
| A |
All engineering programs that are accredited
by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
have met demanding standards and produce excellent engineers.
The best school for a particular person is impossible to define
on a ranking list. For more information about ABET-accredited
engineering schools, go to www.abet.org
or www.asee.org. |
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| Q |
Who was the world's first engineer?
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| A |
As with other learned professions, today's
engineer is defined by formal education and training. Even
before the days of formal education, most cultures pursued
such things as navigation, the medicinal and healing arts,
and the building of structures. Many of those structures showed
the ingenuity that is characteristic of engineering. Perhaps
Imhotep, the builder of the Step Pyramid in Egypt in 2250
B.C., was the first engineer.
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| Q |
Who are some famous people who have earned
engineering degrees? |
| A |
Entertainers
- Arthur Charles Nielsen, creator of the Nielsen television
ratings system
- Bill S. Nye, television host
- Sammy Kaye, bandleader
- Tom Scholz, musician with the rock band "Boston"
Sports Figures
- Jair Lynch, 1992 and 1996 Olympic gymnast
- Roger T. Staubach, football player for the Dallas Cowboys
- Debi Thomas, 1988 Olympic figure skater
Leading Corporate Executives
- Jeff Bezos, founder and chief executive officer of Amazon.com
- Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., chairman and chief executive
officer of IBM
- Roberto C. Goizueta, former chairman and chief executive
officer of Coca-Cola
- Charles O. (Chad) Holliday, Jr., P.E., chairman and chief
executive officer of DuPont
- Dr. Jack E. Little, former president and chief executive
officer of Shell Oil Company
- John F. "Jack" Welch, Jr., P.E., chairman and chief executive
officer of General Electric Company
- William S. Harley, co-founder of Harley-Davidson Motor
Company
Astronauts
- Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 mission
- Neil Armstrong, commander Apollo 11 mission, commander
Gemini 8 mission
- Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, STS-89 mission specialist
- Alan Bean, Apollo 12 mission
Presidents, Leaders, and Former Administration Officials
- Andrew Card, White House chief of staff for President
George W. Bush
- Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States
- General Douglas MacArthur, United States Army
- Joe L. Barton, P.E., Congressman from Texas
- Jim Geringer, Governor of Wyoming
- Bill Ratliff, P.E., Lt. Governor of Texas
- John E. Sununu, former White House chief of staff for
President George Bush, former governor of New Hampshire
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