COEB422

ROLES OF ENGINEERS

Assoc Prof Ir. Dr. Lariyah Mohd. Sidek

Civil Engineering Department
College of Engineering

WHAT IS
ENGINEERING?
July
2008
2

E i
Engineering
i
Engineering is
Creative application of science to meet
societys needs and wants
Acquire and apply knowledge to analyse,
plan, design, construct, operate and
manage works, products and processes

July
2008

To meet an intended function taking into

consideration economics of operation and
safety to life and property
Worlds oldest profession

E i
Engineering
i
Concept of Engineering from ancient
times as humans devised fundamental
y exploiting
p
g
inventions and tools - by
basic mechanical principles
Graduated from simple tools to more
complex structures
July
2008

Ancient engineering
g
g monuments
4

WHO IS AN
ENGINEER?
July
2008
5

E i
Engineer
An Engineer is
One who practices engineering licensed
to practise
One who has completed an engineering
course

July
2008
6

E i
Engineer
The word Engineer dates back to 1325
A
An engineer
i (literally,
(lit ll one who
h operates
t
an engine) refers to a constructor of
military engines
The word engine is derived from Latin
ingenium innate quality, especially
mentall power, hence
h
a clever
l
invention
i
i
July
2008

i.e.
i e ingenuity Ingenieur
7

WHO IS AN ENGINEER?
Classical Definition:
In the UK in 19tth century,
century Engineer
Engineer was used to describe for
those who operate engines as well as the ingenious people
who devise them.
Conventional Definition:
From the
F
th Oxford
O f d dictionary,
di ti
an engineer
i
i d
is
defines
fi
as a person
who designs engines, machines, bridges, railways, etc.
Modern Definition:
Proposed
p
by
y Institution of Professional Engineers
g
in New
Zealand (1993), defined engineers as Engineers will translate
into action the dreams of humanity, traditional knowledge and
concepts
t off science
i
to
t achieve
hi
sustainable
t i bl managementt off the
th
planet through the creative application of technology.

WHO IS AN ENGINEER?

Engineers belong to the greatest profession in the world,

responsible for almost everything that makes life worth
living - from leisure activities to medical treatment, mobile
communications to modern transport systems.

Within the wide boundaries of the engineering

g
gp
profession,,
there are thousands of challenging activities, in areas such
as research, development, design, manufacture and
operation of products and services.
services Activities which provide
stimulating intellectual challenges with diverse and varied
tasks, inevitably involving deadlines, and all added to the
satisfaction of real output or delivery.
Malaysia to be fully developed country by 2020 and we
need more engineers.
engineers (Ratio 1:312 to be 1:100) or 200,000
200 000 by
2020 (currently 50,000).

Who are Engineers?

10

R l off E
Role
Engineers
i

Advance the science and practice of engineering;

Cultivate lifelong learning by our members;
Promote the contribution of the profession as widely as
possible;
Ch
Champion
i professional
f i
l and
d ethical
hi l conduct;
d
Welcome all those who wish to practice engineering;
Allow members'' aspirations to flourish; and stimulate and
learn from their creativity and innovation;
C l b t excellence
Celebrate
ll
iin engineering
i
i outcomes;
t
Draw inspiration from our engineering heritage;
S
Sustain
i the
h iintegrity
i off the
h profession;
f i
and
d
Take the lead in advocacy of the profession

A Rewarding Future

There is little doubt that the world of engineering - and all that
it encompasses -offers exciting opportunities for both men and
women. The industrial and economic success of every nation is
rooted firmly in its manufacturing and engineering base, and
the skills and ingenuity
g
y of its p
professional engineers.
g
The
ability to research, develop and apply new technologies is
essential, particularly in today's global markets.

Malaysia to be fully developed country by 2020 and we need

more engineers. (Ratio 1:312 to be 1:100)

In the UK alone, engineering-led industry contributes about

40% of its g
gross domestic p
product,, and is the 'goose
g
that lays
y
the golden eggs' for its national economy. From space travel to
household electrician, the role of the engineer is crucial. For
anyone looking for a rewarding future with a wide variety of
employment prospects, there has never been a more exciting
time to embark on a career in engineering.
12

13

Famous People who were Engineers

Neil Armstrong
Ne
st o g F
First
st man
a o
on moon
oo
Rowan Atkinson Comedian (Mr Bean),
El
Electrical
i lE
Engineer
i
Boris Yeltsin President USSR
Jimmy Carter President, USA, BS nuclear
D D
Dato
Dr IIr Zaidee
Z id Laidin
L idi President,
P id
B
Bank
k iin
Malaysia
Habibie President, Indonesia
14

Can I become an engineer?

Yes !!!!!!!
If you
o ha
havee the drive
dri e to be
creative, like working with
people,
p
p can accept
p responsibility
p
y
and have good scientific and
mathematical
i ability.
ii

How do I become an engineer????

g
You

have to

Learn those technical skills (obtained

degree from accredited degree program
(recognised university), multi-skilled (holistic and
d
dynamic
i engineer),
i
) technical
h i lk
know h
how, technical
h i l
problem solver, decision maker)
Acquire
A
i those
h
virtues
i
(ethics, integrity,
honest, good PR etc)
Build

that trustworthiness

That make you a competent, fully-respected person.

PROGRAM
AKADEMIK

Computer &
A t
Automation
ti

PENGKHUSUSAN

Instrumentation
& Control

KEJ.
ELEKTRIKAL

Power
Electronics

ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERING

Telecommunication
Signal
Processing

Power Systems
P
S t
Engineering

17

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
The electrical engineer is concerned with the generation,
generation transmission and
utilisation of electrical energy; with industrial control and industrial electronics;
and with application electronics to such diverse fields as communications,
computers instrumentation,
computers,
instrumentation medicine and automatic control.
control
Because of the diversity of electrical engineering, opportunities are available in
virtually every phase of industrial activity and government service. Electrical
engineers are in demand in manufacturing,
f
mining, transportation,
construction, utilities, communications,oil exploration and product
development. For those with an interest in computer hardware or software, the
i
increasing
i use off minicomputers
i i
t
and
d microprocessors
i
i instrumentation,
in
i t
t ti
medical
di l
and diagnostic services, signal processing and industrial process control has lead
to challenging opportunities. After extensive experience in any of these fields, an
electrical engineer may offer his services as a consultant.
consultant

PROGRAM
AKADEMIK

PENGKHUSUSAN

KEJ. MEKANIKAL

Thermofluids
Energy
Mechatronics
MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING
Manufacturin
M
f t i
g

Design
Materials

19

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mechanical engineers are not limited in their employment to only one or two
industrial sectors, and job openings for mechanical engineers comprise an
unending range of opportunities. The education of a mechanical engineer
covers a broad range of topics including the mechanics of materials,
machine dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, automatic control
and computer-aided
p
design.
g In addition to the traditional role of mechanical
engineers in the development of machinery, the graduates are increasingly
taking a role in the development of robots for advanced manufacturing
systems, in automation of industrial processes, in naval architecture and in
bioengineering.

PROGRAM
AKADEMIK

PENGKHUSUSAN

KEJ. AWAM

CIVIL ENGINEERING

Structural Engineering
g
g
Geotechnical
Engineering
g
g
Water Engineering
Environmental
Engineering
Transportation &
Highway Engineering
Project Management
& Construction

21

2 1 Engineers and Scientists

2.1
Scientists
S i ti t
seek
k technical
t h i l answers to
t
understand natural phenomenon
Engineers study technical problems with a
practical application
p
pp
always
y in mind
For example
Scientists study atomic structure to understand
Scientists
the nature of matter; engineers study atomic
structure to make smaller and faster microchips
microchips

22

2.1 The Engineer and the

Engineering Technologist
Main
M i difference
diff
b t
between
th two
the
t
i
is:
Engineers design and manufacture machines
and systems, while engineering technologists
have the technical know-how to use and install
the machines properly

An example:
The technologist identifies the equipment
necessary to assemble a new CD player; the
engineer designs said CD player
player

23

2 2 Engineering Functions: Research

2.2
Research engineers are knowledgeable in
principles
p
p
of chemistry,
y, biology,
gy, p
physics,
y
,
and mathematics
Computer know
know-how
how is also recommended
A Masters Degree is almost always
required, and a Ph. D is often strongly
recommended

24

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Development
Development engineers bridge the gap
between the laboratory
y and the p
production
facility
They also identify problems in a potential
product
An example is the development of concept
cars for companies like Ford and GM

25

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Testing
Testing
T ti
engineers
i
are responsible
ibl
f
for
testing the durability and reliability of a
product, making sure that it performs how it
is supposed to, every time. T.E.s simulate
instances and environments in which a
product would be used
Crash testing of a vehicle to observe effects
of an air bag and crumple zone are
examples of a testing engineers duties
26

2.2 Engineering
g
g Functions:
Design
Design aspect is where largest number of
g
are employed
p y
engineers
Design
engineers
often
work
on
components of a product,
product providing all the
necessary specifics needed to successfully
manufacture the product
Design engineers regularly use computer
design software as well as computer aided
drafting software in their jobs
27

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Design
Design engineers must also verify that the
part meets reliability
p
y and safety
y standards
required for the product
A concern always on the mind of design
engineers is how to keep the development
off a part cost effective,
ff
which is taken into
g a design
g p
process
account during

28

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Analysis
Analysis engineers use computational tools
and mathematic models to enrich the work of
design and research engineers
Analysis engineers typically have a mastery
of: heat transfer, fluid flow, vibrations,
dynamics, acoustics, and many other system
characteristics

29

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Systems
Responsible on a larger scale for bringing
together components of parts from design
engineers to make a complete product
R
Responsible
ibl for
f making
ki sure allll components
t
of a product work together as was intended
by design engineers

30

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Manufacturing & Construction
Work individually or in teams
Responsible for molding
molding raw materials
into finished product
Maintain
M i t i and
d keep
k
records
d on equipment
i
t
in plant
Help with design process to keep costs
low
31

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Operations & Maintenance
Responsible for maintaining production
line
Must have technical know-how to deal w/
problems
Responsible for inspecting facility and
equipment, must be certified in various
inspection methods

32

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Technical Support
Works between consumers and producers
Not necessarily have in depth knowledge of
technical aspects of product
Must
M t have
h
good
d iinterpersonal
t
l skills
kill

33

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Customer Support
Often have more of a technical knowledge
pp , because they
y must be
than Tech. Support,
able to work with basic customers
Evaluate whether or not a current practice
is cost effective via feedback from
customers

34

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Sales
Sales
engineers
have
technical
background,
g
, but are also able to
communicate effectively w/ customers
Job market for sales engineers is growing,
due to the fact that products are becoming
more and more technically complex

35

2.2 Engineering Functions:

Consulting
Are either self-employed, or work for a firm
y manufacture
that does not directly
products
Consulting engineers might be involved in
design, installation, and upkeep of a
product
Sometimes
Sometimes required to be a registered
professional engineer in the state where
he/she works
36

2.3 Engineering Minerals

Nuclear Engineering
Most concerned with producing and
g energy
gy from nuclear sources
harnessing
Propulsion and electricity are the main uses
of nuclear power
Engineers also responsible for disposal of
the nuclear waste byproduct, and how to
keep people safe from harmful nuclear
products
37

Introduction to Engineers & Society

The aim
To address issues not normally
covered in a typical engineering
course which is the social

dimension of engineering.

Social Dimension of Engineering

1. Sensitivity to the impact on society and
environment in which they live and work
2 Competence
2.
in
communication
communication,
industrial
relations and management of people, cost and
resource
3. Able to function in multidisciplinary teams
4. An understanding of professional and ethical
responsibility
ibilit
5. A knowledge of contemporary issues
6 Health
6.
H lth and
d safety
f t issues
i
7. Standards and quality
8 Technology transfer
8.

40

41

Definition
Society :
People in general living together in
organized communities,
communities with laws and
traditions controlling the way they behave
towards one another
Engineers:
In the nineteenth century the word Engineer
Engineer
refers to
A) people who
ho operate engines
B) people who create engines

Engineering
g ee g Education
duca o a
and
d the
e rise
se o
of the
e
Engineering Profession
In ancient times, engineers built roads and structures by
trial and error, learning from their own mistakes. Today,
college training prepares an engineer to work in a certain
b
branch
h or field
fi ld off engineering.
i
i
Early
y engineering
g
g Education

In Britain through the whole period of the

Industrial Revolution formal training as an
engineer normally involved paying a substantial
fee for five year apprenticeship in an engineers
office
In the United State in the early days engineering
education consist of apprenticeship and
learning by trial and error

Engineering Education and rise of the

Engineering Profession
Structured
St t d and
d centrally
t ll di
directed
t d approach
h tto
training engineers
In Britain the first formal engineering school was
established at London and Glasgow Universities towards
the end of its industrial revolution in 1840.
In the United State, its first engineering school was
established in 1802 at the Military Academy at West Point.
The first non military engineering school in America is the
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
established in 1823
France establish the first professional engineering school,
the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees in 1747. It
was
as followed
o o ed in 1794
9 by tthe
e Ecole
co e Polytechnique.
o ytec que

Germany establish its University of Berlin in

1809 and a number of polytechnics,
polytechnics the first at
Karlsruhe in 1825.
I Japan
In
J
Th Imperial
The
I
i l College
C ll
off Engineering
E i
i
was established in Tokyo in 1873. Military
training centers,
centers including the Japanese Naval
Academy established in 1870 were also
important center for engineering education.
education

Engineering Societies
As
A
th engineering
the
i
i
profession
f
i
spread
d and
d new
specializations emerged during the nineteenth
y, p
practitioners began
g
forming
g p
professional
century,
bodies to support their work and advance the
reputation and status of the profession. Other
reasons engineers formed associations included :
To make business contacts
To learn from one another
To increase the influence of their disciplines with
go ernment and the p
government
public
blic
To experience the brotherhood of like-minded people

The above reasons still exist today.

However, the associations are now
much larger,
larger better organized,
organized and
more powerful and offer much
more to
t their
th i members
b

Where would I work as an Engineer?

SYARIKAT UTAMA
TEMPATAN

SYARIKAT UTAMA
ANTARABANGSA

PENGAJIAN PASCA
IJAZAH
Univ. New
South Wales

48

What will happen to you?

Many will be directly supervising other
people the first year after graduation
p in a managerial
g
role
About 50% will end up
Many will move into other, very different
disciplines
You will become wider, more polished, more
people skilled
And all of you, as educated and professional
people,
l
will
ill materially
t i ll contribute
t ib t to
t
th
the
development of our society and the future
progress off the
th nations.
ti