What is ENGINEERING?
Not an easy question to answer....
In a nutshell, engineers solve problems....SUCH AS
Buildings and bridges, high-tech running shoes and sports equipment,
washing machines, space shuttles, palm pilots, computers, cell phones,
Nintendos, VCR's, oil refineries, planes, trains and automobiles...
traffic patterns, MRI's, automatic doors, packaging, fabric and textiles,
nuclear power plants, environmental solution, quality control and
reliability, strawberry harvesting machines, artificial organs and limbs,
"lasers"(thanks, Dr. Evil), even those annoying but very effective
high strength bags that potato chips come in.
HOW IS ENGINEERING DIFFERENT FROM ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY...FROM SCIENCE?
In another nutshell, SCIENCE deals with the discovery of knowledge and the
understanding of phenomena around us.
ENGINEERING uses the findings of scientists to solve practical problems.
Engineering and ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY sound similar, and in fact, deal with
similar situations. Engineers and technologists/technicians often work together
on teams. However, there are subtle but important differences.
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Comparison Point
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ENGINEERS...
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ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS...
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Education
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4-year Bachelor of Science degree in a field of engineering
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2-year Associate of Applied Science degree in a field of engineering technology typically
4-year degrees available
(Note: the 2-year degree is not transferable to college except toward a 4-year
Bachelor of Technology degree. The 4-year degree is only partially transferable
toward an engineering degree.)
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Nature of Work
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Design, Development, Analysis, Testing, Project Management
Generally based on a strong theoretical background
...work with new or improving technology
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Hands-on, physical interaction
...work with existing technology
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Given an Example:
A Machine that makes widgets
Setting:
A manufacturing facility
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...design the machine
...analyze its performance
...analyze failures or problems
...determine root cause and solution
...redesign and test
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...operate the machine
...perform maintenance
...perform routine repairs
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Promotion
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into management and supervision is highly likely.
Possibilities include captains of industry or US President
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Shift supervisor, foreman
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Salary
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entry level is $35,000 - 55,000
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entry level is $15,000 - 25,000
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ADVANTAGES of AN ENGINEERING DEGREE
It is TERMINAL (sounds bad, doesn't it?, but it is GOOD).
It means a bachelor degree provides enough preparation to go out and
work as an engineer for the rest of your life. In most professions,
such as law or medicine, a graduate degree requiring
2-5 years beyond the bachelor level is necessary before professional
status is attained.
It is EFFICIENT
An engineering curriculum is jam-packed with course work and it is
definitely challenging. The time a student spends pursuing engineering
is a direct investment in him- or herself. Hard work for 4 years can pay off with a
rewarding and satisfying career for 20, 30 or 40 years.
There is STATUS and SALARY that go with an engineering degree.
Engineering CAREERS tend to be SATISFYING and CHALLENGING.
For another answer to the question, What is Engineering?, go to the link below - our sister 2+2 Program at UNC- Wilmington.
UNC-Wilmington's 2+2 Program
Copyright © 2008 NCSU Engineering at UNCA
Revised May 8, 2008
Email to the: Webmaster
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