Engineering and Science

Suzette R. Burckhard, PhD, PECivil and Environmental Engineering

South Dakota State UniversityJune 11, 2012

Engineering the Future Workshop

Goals

• To explain in your own words what engineering is

• To describe basic differences and similarities between engineering and science

What is science?

1. a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws: the mathematical sciences. 2. systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. 3. any of the branches of natural or physical science.•From Dictionary.com

Who is a scientist?

• Chemist• Biologist• Earth scientist• Geologist• Geographer• Physicist• Others ???

Science Process

Is it Mad Scientist or Mad Engineer?

Who are Engineers?

Who are Engineers?

• Casey Jones, practicing engineer

Engineering quote

• It is a great profession. There is the fascination of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper. Then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings jobs and homes to men. Then it elevates the standards of living and adds to the comforts of life. That is the Engineer’s high privilege.

• The great liability of the engineer compared to men of other professions is that his works are out in the open where all can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance.

• He cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like the doctors.

• He cannot argue them into thin air or blame the judges like the lawyers.

• He cannot, like the architects cover his failures with trees and vines.

• He cannot, like the politicians, screen his shortcomings by blaming his opponents and hope the people will forget.

• The engineer simply cannot deny he did it. If his works do not work, he is dammed…

• On the other hand, unlike the doctor his is not a life among the weak. Unlike the soldier, destruction is not his purpose. Unlike the lawyer, quarrels are not his daily bread. To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort, and hope.

• No doubt as years go by the people forget which engineer did it, even if they knew. Or some politician puts his name on it. Or they credit it to the promoter who used other people’s money…But the engineer himself looks back at the unending stream of goodness which flows from his successes with satisfactions that few professions may know. And the verdict of his fellow professionals is all the accolade he wants.

• Who do we contribute this quote to?

Herbert Hoover

• Engineer, Administrator, Humanitarian

• 31st President of the United States (1929-1933)

• Born in Iowa, Studied Mining Engineering at Stanford University

How many engineers (surveyors are civil engineers) were presidents?

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States_by_occupation

Engineering defined

• From The American Heritage College Dictionary

• The application of science to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of structures, machines, and systems.

• Skillful maneuvering or direction.• From Lat. Ingenium ability

Engineer defined

• From The American Heritage College Dictionary

• One who is trained or professionally engaged in a branch of engineering

• One who operates an engine• One who is skillfully or shrewdly manages an

enterprise

Engines defined

• From The American Heritage College Dictionary

• A machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion

• A mechanical appliance, instrument, or tool• A locomotive

How would you define Engineering?

How would you define engineering?

• Engineers make nouns and adjectives

How does your definition relate to technology?

How does engineering compare to engineering technology?

Branches of Engineering

• Aerospace• Ceramic/Materials• Chemical• Civil• Electrical/Computer• Environmental• Industrial• Manufacturing• Mechanical

• Agricultural• Biological• Bioengineering• Biochemical• Biomedical• Geological/Geophysical• Mining • Nuclear• Marine/Ocean/Naval• Petroleum

Engineering periods in history

• Food-Producing Revolution (6000-3000 BC)• Appearance of Urban Society (3000-2000 BC)• Birth of Greek Science (600-300 BC)• Revolution in Power (Middle Ages)• Rise of Modern Science (17th Century)• Steam and Industrial Revolution (18th Century)• Electricity and the beginnings of applied science (19th

Century)• Age of Automatic Control (20th Century)

– Engineering in History by Kirby, Withington, Darling, and Kilgour

Engineering Scavenger hunt results

• How did you characterize – Mechanical– Agricultural– Electrical– Civil– Other

• How are they different/similar?• Do they overlap?

Which is ‘better?’