Engineering Management &Distance Education

Chi Epsilon

Graduate Seminar

December 2002

Available from http://www.faculty.uaf.edu/ffrap/

“Real World” Engineering

• Most engineering work is done in the context of a “project.”

• Most engineering work is done in teams.

• Engineers must work productively in teams for projects to be successful.

• Engineer’s undergraduate education focuses on technical knowledge and application of that knowledge via analytical problem solving.

• Most new engineers have no education about working on teams or management of projects.

• In order to advance in the profession, engineers must master these skills.

How are we doing?

• ABET Criteria

(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs(d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility(g) an ability to communicate effectively(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a globaland societal context(i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning(j) a knowledge of contemporary issues(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

6 (g) an ability to communicate effectively

4 (h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context

3 (d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

3 (f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

3(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

2 (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues

1(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

0 (a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

0(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs

0 (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

0(i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

Engineering and Science Management

http://www.uaf.alaska.edu/esm/index.html

History

• Founded at UAF in 1959– 6th Engineering Management Program in U.S.

1966 Hilpert Memo to Dean

• The Engineering Management Program was designed for graduate engineers who have sufficient experience to be ready for supervisory and managerial assignments.– To prepare engineers in Alaska for more

responsible jobs….– To improve management of engineering

operations in the State.

From ABET

• The program must demonstrate that graduates have:– an understanding of the engineering

relationships between the management tasks of planning, organization, leadership, control, and the human element in production, research, and service organizations;

• an understanding of and dealing with the stochastic nature of management systems.– designating a process having an infinite

progression of jointly distributed random variables.– of, pertaining to, or arising from chance; involving

probability; random– from the Greek stochastikos meaning, proceeding

by guesswork.

1960’sScience Management

– Demand for professionals in management of engineering projects

– Science Management added– One program: ESM– Two degrees:

• Engineering Management, 84%

• Science Management, 16%

Productivity

• 1961-1999, Combined UAF, UAA, NTU– 560 masters degrees

• Almost all work full-time and take courses in the evenings

Main Engineering Management Subject Areas

• Financial

• Project Management

• Personnel

• Quantitative

Continuing Education

• A professional requirement

• Mandated in many states

• Most employers encourage

• Looks good on your resume

• Management or Technical?

Distance Education

• A trend?

Distance Education

• Correspondence Schools– Engineering profession resisted– 1950’s none accredited

• Accredited Schools– Correspondence courses– Video programs– “Independent Study”

Distance Ed. Electronics• Video• Televised Lectures• Electronic Classrooms• Internet

– Audio– Video– UW, Intellectual Property Click on one of 250k or 56k

buttons toward the bottom of the page. • That’s the modem speed, 250k if you are on a fast system, 56k

at home.

• The title “distance education” means many different things. Here is:

• Good Overview from the University of Idaho.

• Note many topics on left side of screen.

In General

• Distance Education from accredited schools is generally recognized and is “transferable.”

• Distance Education from un-accredited schools is usually not.