stem career day resource guide - goodyear.com · 2017-12-14 · stem career day resource guide . 2...

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STEM CAREER DAY

Resource Guide

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Index

Overview of Engineering Disciplines……………………………… 3

College Preparatory Information Sheet…………………………... 6

Aerospace Engineering Information Sheet……………………..… 9

Biomedical Information Sheet……………………………………... 11

Chemical Engineering Information Sheet………………………… 14

Civil Engineering Information Sheet……………………………… 17

Computer Engineering/Science Information Sheet……………… 19

Electrical Engineering Information Sheet………………………… 21

Environmental Engineering Information Sheet………………….. 23

Industrial Engineering Information Sheet……………………….. 24

Material Science & Engineering Information Sheet……………... 25

Mechanical Engineering Information Sheet……………………… 27

Applied Mathematics Information Sheet…………………………. 28

Useful Website Resources………………………………………….. 29

Overview of STEM Disciplines

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WHAT IS STEM?

STEM is an acronym that denotes the academic disciplines of Science,

Technology, Engineering and Math.

When people think about STEM, they often think of products like automobiles,

scientists in a lab or mathematicians working at a University. But STEM has

played an integral part in making our lives easier, cheaper and better. By studying

a STEM field you can help solve problems that are important to society. You could

be controlling and preventing pollution, developing new medicines, creating

advanced technologies, or even exploring new worlds.

Examples of STEM Disciplines

Aerospace Engineers are responsible for developing extraordinary machines, from

airplanes that weigh over a half a million pounds to spacecraft that travel over

17,000 miles an hour. They design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and

missiles and supervise the manufacturing of these products. Aerospace engineers

who work with aircraft are considered aeronautical engineers, and those working

specifically with spacecraft are considered astronautical engineers.

Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering combines biology and engineering.

Some of these engineers work closely with biologists and medical doctors to

develop medical instruments, artificial organs, and prosthetic devices. Others

investigate questions that involve the interaction between technology and humans

such as how does working with computers all day affect one's health?

Chemical Engineers are involved in the processing and treating of liquids and

gases. They help to discover and manufacture better plastics, paints, fuels, fibers,

medicines, fertilizers, semiconductors, paper, and all other kinds of chemicals.

They rely on their knowledge of mathematics and science-particularly chemistry-

to overcome technical problems safely, economically, and in an environmentally

friendly way.

Civil Engineers belong to one of the largest branches of engineering. They deal

with buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, airports, roads, and other structures. Civil

engineers plan, design and supervise the construction of facilities such as high-rise

buildings, airports, water treatment centers, and sanitation plants. Civil engineers

will be called upon to design the special rail beds for the magnetic levitation trains

of tomorrow.

Computer/Software Engineering/Science:

Computer engineers are involved in the design, construction, and operation of

computers, communication systems, and computing technologies. They study

ways to store information, perform rapid, complex calculations, correlating


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selected data to support automation. Specialized areas include Application

systems, Database systems, Networks, Web applications, Operating Systems

(Microsoft, UNIX, Linux...). Computer skills are needed in numerous occupations

(Medical - diagnostic equipment; Manufacturing -machine control programming;

Defense - aircraft, flight/weapon systems, satellites, simulation; Education;

Business - payroll, accounting systems).

Electrical Engineers cover everything related to electrical devices, systems, and

the use of electricity. Electrical engineers work on power plants, computer

systems, hardware circuit design, electrical/network wiring, and the design of

electrical power for machines/devices. Electrical engineers are designing the

dashboard computers that will monitor engine functions on automobiles of the

future.

Environmental Engineers study and develop methods to protect the environment.

They develop water distribution systems, recycling methods, sewage treatment

plants, and other pollution prevention and control systems for the water, air, and

land. Environmental engineers work closely with the EPA and regional/local

environmental regulatory agencies to ensure that environmental standards are met.

Industrial Engineers organize people, information, energy, materials, and

machines involved in the production process. They are concerned with plant

design and management, quality control, and the human factors of engineering.

Industrial engineers perform tasks such as finding the best location for a high-tech

company’s new plant.

Materials Science & Engineering professionals deal with the science and

technology of producing materials that have properties and shapes suitable for

practical use. These materials include metals, ceramics, polymers (plastics), and

semiconductors. The activities of these engineers range from primary materials

production through the design and development of new materials to the processing

and manufacturing of a final product.

Mechanical Engineers work in many industries, and their work varies by industry

and function. Some specialties include applied mechanics; computer-aided design

and manufacturing; energy systems; pressure vessels and piping; and heating,

refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineering is one of the

broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers may work in production

operations in manufacturing or agriculture, maintenance, or technical sales; many

are administrators or managers.

Applied Mathematics:

Applied Mathematics is becoming more prevalent in a vast number of industries

because of their ability to solve real world problems using advanced numerical

methods. They are helping companies make improved business decisions through

forecasting and statistical techniques, and helping social media sites improve user

experiences through data mining to name a few. Due to its vast appeal across


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industries an applied mathematician could find themselves working on a cross-

functional team of engineers, scientists, or investment bankers.

Beyond STEM:

STEM education provides a foundation that can be applied to many other

professions. Not many other disciplines give individuals the depth and breadth of

knowledge that STEM does, as you will have one of the most useful and

transferable traits available: you will know how to approach problems logically

and have strong problem-solving skills in general. An undergraduate degree in

STEM has proved to be an excellent stepping-stone to the fields of medicine, law,

and business.

College Preparatory Information Sheet

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What type of courses will I have to take for an STEM degree?

Algebra, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Statics, Computer Programming,

etc.

2) Will I need an advanced degree to progress in my career?

Not necessarily, but in some cases it is helpful. For example, to progress in a

business-oriented career, an MBA would be helpful, to progress in a Research field

an advanced technical degree would certainly help. Often, an employer will pay

the course fees for their employees to get advanced degrees. Some employers such

as consulting firms require an engineer to obtain a Professional Engineering (PE)

License. Employers often pay higher salaries to those with a PE license. To obtain

a PE license you must have a BS degree in engineering, some practical work

experience and pass a technical test.

3) What types of skills are needed in a STEM Career?

Problem solving, communication, ability to work on a team, integrity, initiative,

adaptability, drive for excellence, and drive for results.

4) What is the average starting salary for graduates of bachelor’s degree programs in STEM? (chart sourced from naceweb.org)


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5) What might influence a higher salary?

Factors include high grades, practical work experience such as through a Co-op

program, specialties in your field of expertise, or an advanced degree.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What should I look for when deciding what college to attend?

Make sure the university or college is ABET approved. ABET stands for

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. ABET is a federation of 28

professional engineering and technical societies which provides quality assurance

of education through their accreditation.

http://www.abet.org/

2) What courses should I take in High School in order to prepare for STEM in college?

The following is a recommendation, not an absolute requirement. There are

opportunities to take some of the necessary math or science courses you will need

in college for no credit. It is encouraged to take as much math and science as

possible, while considering the normal requirements for Ohio high school

graduation which can be provided by your guidance counselor. Advanced

Placement Calculus is also encouraged when available but is not required.

4 Years of Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus)

1 Year of Chemistry

1 Year of Physics

4 Years of English

Technology Electives if available (i.e. Computer Science or Programming)

3) What is a Co-op Program?

A cooperative education program provides for a coordinated sequence of alternate

periods of classroom instruction and employment. The student has the opportunity

to find the type of work and organization in which the student can best apply their

individual ability. Often times a co-op program extends the overall time to obtain

a degree. However, the experience gained is highly valued by perspective

employers.


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4) What is an Honors Program?

Honors Programs offer benefits including a variety of scholarships, special faculty

advising, early registration opportunities, special curriculum opportunities in place

of standard requirements and much more. Most Honors Programs have admission

requirements that may include a minimum high school GPA, a minimum ACT or

SAT score, a minimum class rank and possibly more.

5) What does a Women in Engineering Program Offer?

Women in Engineering programs provide support for young women who are

interested in a career in engineering, through mentoring programs, group activities,

meetings and tutoring. Often times, Women in Engineering programs include

college students as well as high school students and professional women.

Aeronautical Engineering Information

Some information obtained from the following:

www.tjhsst.edu/~jleaf/pe/careers/aerospace/field .htm

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Aerospace engineers do? Aerospace engineers design, analyze, model, simulate and test aircraft, spacecraft,

satellites, missiles and rockets. Those who work with aircraft are typically called

aeronautical engineers, and those that work with spacecraft are typically called

astronautical engineers. Aerospace technology extends to many other applications

of objects moving within gases or liquids. Examples are golf balls, high speed

trains, high performance automobiles, hydrofoil ships and tall buildings in the wind.

2) What types of courses will I have to take for this degree? You will need to take general engineering courses such as mechanics of solids,

dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and statics. You will also need to take

course that are specific to the Aerospace industry such as aerospace guidance

systems, extreme altitude material science, physics of high altitude radiation,

propulsion, flight vehicle stability and control, aerospace structures. The specific

coursework will vary by University and chosen specialty major.

3) What types of industries/companies employ aerospace engineers? Aircraft Manufacturers – places that design, test, and build aircraft for the airline

industry, the government, and private use. (Lockheed, Gulfstream, Airbus, Cessna,

Boeing, and others)

Airline Industry – work on technical problems associated with the operation and

maintenance of a fleet of aircraft. (Continental, United, Delta, American, and others)

Engine Manufacturers – design and develop new technologies for engines for aircraft. (Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, GE and others) Helicopter Manufacturers – work for a company to enhance the performance

and reduce maintenance requirements of helicopters for commercial, industrial and

military uses. (Sikorsky, Robinson, Boeing, Bell and others)

Space Agency (NASA) – design, test, and build spacecraft for exploring our solar

system and universe.

U.S. Military, Defense Industry and Federal Government – design, test and

build modern fighter aircraft, vertical take-off and landing or short take-off and

landing aircraft, bombers, and missiles for military services. You may work for the

government directly or for a company that is contracted with the government.

Communication Industry - work in areas related to communications and satellites.

Aeronautical Engineering Information


www.tjhsst.edu/~jleaf/pe/careers/aerospace/field .htm

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3) What types of jobs can Aerospace Engineers obtain?

Analytical - Analytical engineers use mathematics and physics to analyze data

collected from an experiment, such as analyzing the stresses on an object.

Computational Fluid Dynamics - C.F.D engineers use fast computers to

analyze nonlinear fluid motion, such as the movement of air over a lifting surface.

Cost Analysis - Cost analysis engineers provide analysis of cost and resources to

offer bids on contracts or in determining the best applicant to fill a contract.

Design - Design engineers use creative new ideas to determine the arrangement or

function of a component, or create a design to meet the criteria established for the

problem. An example is the designing of an airplane.

Field Service - This section of aerospace involves the relaying of maintenance and

service information to the customer to ensure that the product is used properly. The

representatives work with the Design engineers to build improved designs.

Flight Test - Flight test engineers plan and collect data from test flights to analyze

the successfulness of accomplishing the design criteria. An example is the analysis

of the data from the flight test of the F-22 to establish the faults that need to be

corrected.

-Illities - The -illities are taken into consideration in all steps of the production of

the product. The -illities are reliability, maintainability, vulnerability, survivability,

and overall supportability of the final product.

Management - Management positions are usually for experienced personal with

good leadership qualities. Like any other manager, a manager in the field of

aerospace must be able to deal with human problems, business decisions, and

technical activities.

Manufacturing - Manufacturing engineers work closely with Design engineers to

create economically produced components. In addition the manufacturing engineer

plans the producing of the product according to the specifications. An example is the

producing of a wing for a jet liner.

Marketing - Sales engineers attempt to sell the product to the customers, acting as a

liaison to the customer and the corporation, and making sure the customer receives

quality goods. The sales engineer also predicts which products will be needed in the

future.

Materials and Processes - Material engineers test materials to evaluate the

qualities of that material. An example is the testing of a composite alloy for its

tensile strength.

Systems Software - Systems engineers design the software to run on a system.

An example is in the designing of an electronic flight control system.

Biomedical Engineering Information


http://www.bmes.org/careers.asp

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Biomedical Engineers do?

A Biomedical Engineer uses traditional engineering expertise to analyze and solve

problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement of health care. The

biomedical engineer works with other health care professionals including physicians,

nurses, therapists and technicians. Biomedical engineers may be called upon in a wide

range of capacities: to design instruments, devices, and software, to bring together

knowledge from many technical sources to develop new procedures, or to conduct

research needed to solve clinical problems.

2) Where do Biomedical Engineers Work?

Biomedical engineers are employed in universities, in industry, in hospitals, in research

facilities of educational and medical institutions, in teaching, and in government

regulatory agencies. In industry, they may create designs where an in-depth

understanding of living systems and of technology is essential. Government positions

often involve product testing and safety, as well as establishing safety standards for

devices. In the hospital, the biomedical engineer may provide advice on the selection and

use of medical equipment, as well as supervising its performance testing and

maintenance. In research institutions, biomedical engineers supervise laboratories and

equipment, and participate in or direct research activities in collaboration with other

researchers. Some biomedical engineers are technical advisors for marketing departments

of companies and some are in management positions.

3) What types of things might I work on as a biomedical engineer?

There are a wide variety of areas in which a biomedical engineer might work, such as: Artificial organs (hearing aids, cardiac pacemakers, artificial kidneys and hearts,

blood oxygenators, synthetic blood vessels, joints, arms, and legs).

Automated patient monitoring (during surgery or in intensive care, healthy persons

in unusual environments, such as astronauts in space or underwater divers at great

depth).

Blood chemistry sensors (potassium, sodium, O2, CO2, and pH).

Advanced therapeutic and surgical devices (laser system for eye surgery, automated

delivery of insulin, etc.).

Application of expert systems and artificial intelligence to clinical decision making

(computer-based systems for diagnosing diseases).

Design of optimal clinical laboratories (computerized analyzer for blood samples,

cardiac catheterization laboratory, etc.).

Medical imaging systems (ultrasound, computer assisted tomography, magnetic

resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, etc.).

Computer modeling of physiologic systems (blood pressure control, renal function,

visual and auditory nervous circuits, etc.).

Biomaterials design (mechanical, transport and biocompatibility properties of

implantable artificial materials).

Biomechanics of injury and wound healing (gait analysis, application of growth

factors, etc.).

Sports medicine (rehabilitation, external support devices, etc.).





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4) How Should I Prepare for a Career in Biomedical Engineering?

High school preparation for biomedical engineering is the same as that for any other

engineering discipline, except that life science course work should also be included.

Good communication skills are also important, because the biomedical engineer

provides a vital link with professionals having medical, technical, and other

backgrounds.

5) What are some of the specialty areas within the field of Biomedical Engineering?

Bioinstrumentation is the application of electronics and measurement techniques

to develop devices used in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Biomaterials include both living tissue and artificial materials used for

implantation. Understanding the properties and behavior of living material is vital in

the design of implant materials.

Biomechanics applies classical mechanics to biological or medical problems. It

includes the study of motion, material deformation, flow within the body and in

devices, and transport of chemical constituents across biological and synthetic media

and membranes.

Cellular, Tissue and Genetic Engineering involves more recent attempts to

attack biomedical problems at the microscopic level. These areas utilize the

anatomy, biochemistry and mechanics of cellular and sub-cellular structures in order

to understand disease processes and to be able to intervene at very specific sites.

With these capabilities, miniature devices deliver compounds that can stimulate or

inhibit cellular processes at precise target locations to promote healing or inhibit

disease formation and progression.

Clinical Engineering is the application of technology to health care in hospitals.

Medical Imaging combines knowledge of a unique physical phenomenon (sound,

radiation, magnetism, etc.) with high speed electronic data processing, analysis and

display to generate an image.

Orthopedic Bioengineering is the specialty where methods of engineering and

computational mechanics have been applied for the understanding of the function of

bones, joints and muscles, and for the design of artificial joint replacements.

Rehabilitation Engineering enhances the capabilities and improves the quality of

life for individuals with physical and cognitive impairments.

Systems Physiology is the term used to describe that aspect of biomedical

engineering in which engineering strategies, techniques and tools are used to gain a

comprehensive and integrated understanding of the function of living organisms

ranging from bacteria to humans.





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5) What are some of the specialty areas within the field of Biomedical Engineering? (con’t)

These specialty areas frequently depend on each other. Often, the biomedical

engineer who works in an applied field will use knowledge gathered by biomedical

engineers working in other areas. For example, the design of an artificial hip is

greatly aided by studies on anatomy, bone biomechanics, gait analysis, and

biomaterial compatibility. The forces that are applied to the hip can be considered in

the design and material selection for the prosthesis. Similarly, the design of systems

to electrically stimulate paralyzed muscle to move in a controlled way uses

knowledge of the behavior of the human musculoskeletal system. The selection of

appropriate materials used in these devices falls within the realm of the biomaterials

engineer.


Chemical Engineering Information

Some information obtained from the following: www.aiche.org/careers/

www.stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos029.htm 14

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Chemical Engineers do?

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry and engineering to solve

problems involving the production or use of chemicals, building a bridge between

science and manufacturing. Those working in the Chemical Process Industries (CPI)

design and operate processes and systems to combine, transport, separate, handle,

recycle, and store chemicals and their by-products. Chemical engineers also work in

a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as

electronics, clothing, pulp & paper, and photographic equipment.

2) What types of courses will I have to take for this degree?

In addition to general engineering courses, you will take courses in thermodynamics,

reaction kinetics, mass transfer, heat transfer, transport phenomena, control theory,

organic chemistry, physical chemistry, etc.

3) What types of industries/companies employ Chemical Engineers?

Industries – Chemical Process Industries (e.g.- Agricultural, Paints,

Petrochemicals, Polymers, Pulp & Paper, Rubber, Soaps, etc.); Biotechnology;

Design & Construction; Electronics; Food & Beverages; Fuels; Advanced Materials;

etc.

Companies – Goodyear, Dow, DuPont, Shell, ExxonMobil, Bayer, PPG, Procter

& Gamble, BASF, BP, Eastman, etc.

4) What types of jobs can Chemical Engineers obtain?

Chemical engineers work in Manufacturing, Research & Development, Marketing,

Sales, Legal, Project Management, Consulting, etc. Here are some examples of job

functions chemical engineers have:

Process Design Engineer – Designs manufacturing facilities and the equipment

and material used inside.

Environmental Engineer – Develops techniques to reduce and recover usable

materials from waste created during manufacture of a product. Environmental

engineers may be responsible for monitoring all systems in a facility for compliance

with government environmental regulations.

Plant Process Engineer – Provides technical support to staff and troubleshoots

processes in a production facility to keep a plant running efficiently. Plant process

engineers work closely with equipment operators to get feedback on the operations

of each process and determine how to avoid shut-downs. They may also be involved

with some design work for improvement projects.

Process Safety Engineer - Designs and maintains plants and processes that are

safer for workers and communities. Process safety engineers may conduct safety

analyses of new and existing equipment, and train employees on how to safely

operate a new piece of equipment.

http://www.aiche.org/careers/

http://www.stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos029.htm




4) What types of jobs can Chemical Engineers obtain? (cont’d) Project Engineer - Oversees the design and construction of specific processes in a

facility. After construction, they may assist in equipment testing, operator training,

and plant start-up.

Consultant - Works for many different customers and brings specialized

knowledge to individual projects. Consultants in a construction company may work

with teams of engineers to design and construct an expansion project for a

pharmaceutical company.

Product Engineer - Product engineers may work with marketing and R&D to

ensure that a product will meet the needs of customers then sees the product through

production. They may work on new products or special variations of existing

products.

Manufacturing Production Engineer - Responsible for the day-to-day

operation of a specific manufacturing process. Manufacturing production engineers

work directly with operators to ensure that a particular product is made according to

specifications.

Research & Development Engineer - Seeks out new and more efficient ways

of using and producing existing products. Explores and develops new processes and

products and determines their usefulness and applicability.

Project Manager - Oversees the overall design and construction of a facility, then

manages ongoing operations. Project managers may manage a group of project

engineers during the design and construction of a new facility.

Attorney - Specializes in intellectual property law, patent law, technology transfer,

environmental compliance, and safety issues. Patent attorneys obtain patents for

clients and monitor the marketplace for possible patent infringements.

Technical Manager - Responsible for the engineering staff and programs at a

facility. Manages people, research programs, and daily operations of the engineering

functions.

Business Coordinator - Develops budgets and capital projections for a facility or

process. Business coordinators work closely with production and design team

members to ascertain the exact needs of a new process, then plans the capital needs

necessary to implement the program.

Professor - Instructs students in the field of chemical engineering and conducts

research in pertinent areas. Professors may teach several classes in chemical

engineering, be members on university committees, and conduct research using

funding from government, corporate, or private grants.






Quality Control Engineer -Monitors the manufacture of a product to ensure that

it meets specifications. Also, tests materials to determine how they perform over

time.

Regulatory Affairs Engineer - Researches, develops, and monitors policies and

procedures that companies must follow to ensure the proper handling of chemicals

and chemical components.

Technical Services Engineer - Works with customers, usually on-site, to solve

production problems caused by a specific process or machine. Chemical engineers

working in technical services may represent the manufacturer of a specific machine

to determine why it is not performing as designed.

Sales and Marketing Engineer - Assists customers in solving production and

process problems by providing products and services to meet their specific needs.

Chemical engineers in sales use their technical knowledge to sell chemicals,

equipment, and other products, and provide follow-up services and training where

needed.



Civil Engineering Information

Some information obtained from the following: www.asce.org/

http://www.engineeringk12.org/ www.nae.edu/nae/cwe/cwemain.nsf 17

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Civil Engineers (CEs) do?

Civil Engineering, one of the largest branches of engineering, is a field that deals

with buildings, bridges, dams, roads, and other structures. CEs plan, design, and

supervise the construction of facilities such as high-rise buildings, airports, water

treatment centers, and sanitation plants. They use computer technologies and

advanced materials to design structures that meet the needs of a growing population

while protecting the environment, reducing the dangers from natural phenomenon

like storms, and considering future needs of the community.

Examples:

Build skyscrapers, bridges, or tunnels.

Design structural supports for human colonies in space or on the moon.

Construct dams or flood control structures to create wetlands or recreation areas.

Plan and supervise the development of new roads, railways, or airports. Demolish old buildings by implosion: plant and detonate explosives in such a way

that the structure falls into itself.

2) What types of courses will I have to take for this degree? A four-year college degree is required for most civil engineering jobs. Many CEs

specialize in structural, hydraulic, water resources, environmental, transportation, or

management positions and will seek engineering degrees specific to those fields.

It is highly recommended to obtain a Professional Engineering license as a Civil

Engineer.

3) What types of jobs can I get?

Construction Engineering Construction engineers are builders of our future. The construction phase of a

project represents the first tangible result of a design. Using technical and

management skills, construction engineers help turn designs into reality -- on time

and within budget. They apply knowledge of construction methods and equipment,

along with principles of financing, planning, and managing to turn the designs of

other engineers into successful facilities.

Environmental Engineering The skills of environmental engineers are becoming increasingly important as we

attempt to protect the fragile resources of our planet. Environmental engineers

translate physical, chemical, and biological processes into systems to destroy toxic

substances, remove pollutants from water, reduce non-hazardous solid waste

volumes, eliminate contaminants from the air, and develop groundwater supplies. In

this field, you might be called upon to resolve problems of providing safe drinking

water, cleaning up sites contaminated with hazardous materials, cleaning up and

preventing air pollution, treating wastewater, and managing solid wastes.

http://www.asce.org/

http://www.engineeringk12.org/

http://www.nae.edu/nae/cwe/cwemain.nsf

Civil Engineering Information

Some information obtained from the following: www.asce.org/

http://www.engineeringk12.org/ www.nae.edu/nae/cwe/cwemain.nsf 18

3) What types of jobs can I get? (cont’d)

Geo-technical Engineering Almost all of the facilities that make up our infrastructure are in, on, or with earth’s

materials, and geotechnical engineering is the discipline that deals with applications of

technology to solve these problems. Examples of facilities in the earth are tunnels, deep

foundations, and pipelines. Highway pavements and many buildings are supported on the

earth. And earth dams, levees, embankments, and slopes are constructed with the earth.

In addition, many soil-like waste materials are deposited in containment areas. To design

these facilities, geotechnical engineers must conduct analyses based on the principles of

mechanics and mathematics. These analyses require input data to quantify the properties

of the earth materials, and this information is usually obtained from laboratory or field

tests.

Structural Engineering Structural engineers face the challenge of analyzing and designing structures to ensure

that they safely perform their purpose. They must support their own weight and resist

dynamic environmental loads such as hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, and floods.

Stadiums, arenas, skyscrapers, offshore oil structures, space platforms, amusement park

rides, bridges, office buildings, and homes are a few of the many types of projects in

which structural engineers are involved. Structural engineers develop and utilize

knowledge of the properties and behaviors of steel, concrete, aluminum, timber, and

plastic as well as new and exotic materials. To make certain that the plans are being

followed, structural engineers are often on the construction site inspecting and verifying

the work.

Transportation Engineering Because the quality of a community is directly related to the quality of its transportation

system, your function as a transportation engineer will be to move people, goods, and

materials safely and efficiently. Your challenge will be to find ways to meet the

increasing travel needs on land, air and sea. You will design, construct, and maintain all

types of facilities, including highways, railroads, airfields, and ports. An important part

of transportation engineering is to upgrade our transportation capability by improving

traffic control and mass transit systems, and by introducing high-speed trains, people

movers, and other new transportation methods.

Urban Planning As a professional in this area, you will be concerned with the full development of a

community. Analyzing a variety of information will help you coordinate projects, such

as projecting street patterns, identifying park and recreation areas, and determining areas

for industrial and residential growth. To ensure ready access to your community,

coordination with other authorities may be required to integrate freeways, airports, and

other related facilities. Successful coordination of a project will require you to be people-

oriented as well as technically knowledgeable.

Water Resources Water is essential to our lives, and as a water resources engineer, you will deal with

issues concerning the quality and quantity of water. You will work to prevent floods, to

supply water for cities, industry and irrigation, to treat wastewater, to protect beaches, or

to manage and redirect rivers. You might be involved in the design, construction, or

maintenance of hydroelectric power facilities, canals, dams, pipelines, pumping stations,

locks, or seaport facilities.

http://www.asce.org/



Computer Engineering/Science

Information

Some information obtained from the following: http://www.engineeringk12.org/

www.nae.edu/nae/cwe/cwemain.nsf 19

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do computer engineers/scientists do?

Computer scientists or engineers work in aerospace, defense, information

technology, manufacturing, healthcare, design and construction among others.

Within these industries, computer engineers draw upon their technical skills and

engineering knowledge – particularly system design, programming, and math – to

solve any technical challenges they encounter. Their expertise is applied not only

in manufacturing and research, but also in the areas of defense applications,

education, medicine, as well as in many other fields that require technical training.


General engineering courses plus Computer Architecture and Design, Structured or

Object-Oriented Design, Compiler Systems, Unix or Linux or Windows O/S,

Programming Languages (Ada, C++, C, Visual Basic, PowerBuilder, Assembly,

Basic, Fortran, etc…), JAVA, Database Design or Database Administration

(Oracle PLSQL, Database Tuning, etc…), Linear Algebra, Computer Graphics,

Network Design, etc…

One can choose to "specialize" in a certain field that may require advanced training

courses or certification exams. Example: Network Engineers may need a CNA

(Certified Network Administrator) or CNE (Certified Network Engineer).

Database IT Specialists may require certified Database Administration (DBA)

Training. Computer Engineers that choose to specialize in a particular field may

take additional classes from a certified training facility or university. A Masters

degree is not required or needed by most jobs, but may be advantageous for career

path development and salary increases.


Computer Systems Engineer – Designs computer systems and their interfaces

and the software programs to be installed and /or used in the development or

operational environment. May work with various types of Hardware and Software

applications to ensure they will communicate correctly and integrate together into

a functioning system.

Network Engineer – Develops networking communication system standards and

defines Wide-Area-Network (WAN), Local-Area-Network (LAN) equipment and

interfaces to all computer equipment.

Database Administrator – Designs database system architecture, tables, and

the methods of communication between interfacing systems to the database.

Provides support and technical expertise to keep a database system (payroll,



Computer Engineering/Science

Information



manufacturing production, training system, medical records, billing, accounting,

etc…) running optimally.

3) What types of jobs can I get? (Cont’d) Software Engineer/Specialist – Develops Software Requirements for a

Project or Company, designs the software interfaces to the other external systems

it must communicate, writes the programming code, tests the software application

for correctness, documents the software, and may provide training to the

application end-users of the software product.

Programmer Analyst – Designs and programs software code to meet a specific

requirement. Tests the software execution to ensure it works correctly to meet the

requirements of the Project.

Consultant – Consultants are professional staff members, not direct employees

of the company for which they are consulting (that is they do not receive

medical/dental benefits or vacation/sick pay directly from that company). They

work as extended staff for short or long intervals depending upon project needs.

They develop a wide range of skill sets as they move around from task to task

working on various project assignments. A software consultant may specialize in

a field (Oracle Database development, PowerBuilder/Visual Basic GUI Interfaces,

JAVA Web development, etc…) and use that special talent on a short-term project

before moving on to another assignment.

Project Engineer – Manages or Coordinates a Project or Large Task for a

Company. The Project may involve many different Teams/groups with various

types of equipment, which need to interface/communicate with each other

effectively to install at a plant, factory, or site. Identifies and provides scope of

work for all Interfacing Systems (equipment) and tracks the development status of

all teams or tasks. They also manage problem resolution in order to meet project

schedule deadlines within the budget allocated.

Sales Manager – Technical Sales Managers or Support Engineers may travel to

different companies to demonstrate the software tools or product that their

employer markets. They become involved in the financial, purchasing, and legal

areas of the software product and the licensing agreement as to how it should be

purchased. They negotiate with Engineering Management, Purchasing, and Legal

personnel to sell the Software Product and may earn a commission.



Electrical Engineering Information



QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Electrical Engineers do?

Electrical engineers work in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, information

technology, healthcare, design and construction among others.

Within these industries, electrical engineers draw upon their engineering

knowledge – particularly circuit design, physics, or math – to solve any technical

challenges they encounter. Their expertise is applied not only in manufacturing

and research, but also in the areas of defense applications, education, medicine, as

well as in many other fields that require technical training.


General engineering courses plus Circuit Analysis/Design, Digital Signal

Processing, Control Systems Design, Electro-Mechanical Theory, Electro-

Magnetic Fields, RF Theory, Statics, Dynamics.

One can choose to "specialize" in a certain field that may require advanced training

courses or certification exams. Example: Power Electronics, Software

Engineering, or Embedded Systems. Electrical Engineers that choose to specialize

in a particular field may take additional classes from a certified training facility or

university. A Masters degree is not required or needed by most jobs, but may be

advantageous for career path development and salary increases.


Electrical or Design Engineer – Designs electrical systems and the controls

and equipment. Designs power systems for Plants or Facilities. Designs micro-

circuitry, chips, and circuit boards for digital signal processing. Design Guidance

Weapon systems, Robotics, etc…

Network Engineer – Develops networking communication system standards and

defines Wide-Area-Network (WAN), Local-Area-Network (LAN) equipment and

interfaces to all computer equipment.

Systems Engineer – Oversees the entire technical design of a Project to ensure

that all systems (example in an aircraft simulator: Hydraulic, Fuel, Flight Control,

Navigation, Weapons, etc…) work together and interface correctly to meet the

Project System operational requirements.



Electrical Engineering Information



3) What types of jobs can I get? (Cont’d)

Test Engineer – Designs test requirements, test plans, simulates and verifies the

functionality of the hardware/software/device producing test reports/results. They

also use System Process Controls (SPC) to optimize testing. Installs system/device

or integrates the device or equipment into the complete system in a plant or

facility.

Consultant – Consultants are professional staff members, not direct employees

of the company for which they are consulting (that is they do not receive

medical/dental benefits or vacation/sick pay directly from that company). They

work as extended staff for short or long intervals depending upon project needs.

They develop a wide range of skill sets as they move around from task to task

working on various project assignments.

Project Engineer – Manages or Coordinates a Project or Large Task for a

Company. The Project may involve many different Teams/groups with various

types of equipment, which need to interface/communicate with each other

effectively to install at a plant, factory, or site. Identifies and provides scope of

work for all Interfacing Systems (equipment) and tracks the development status of

all teams or tasks. They also manage problem resolution in order to meet project

schedule deadlines within the budget allocated.

Sales Manager – Technical Sales Managers or Support Engineers may travel to

different companies to demonstrate the software tools or product that their

employer markets. They become involved in the financial, purchasing, and legal

areas of the software product and the licensing agreement as to how it should be

purchased. They negotiate with Engineering Management, Purchasing, and Legal

personnel to sell the Software Product and may earn a commission.



Environmental Engineering Information

Some information obtained from the following: http://www.ce.ncsu.edu/undergraduate/ene/E100/ www.asee.org www.nae.edu/nae/cwe/cwemain.nsf

23

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Environmental Engineers do?

Environmental engineers assist with the development of water distribution

systems, recycling methods, sewage treatment plants, and other pollution

prevention and control systems in the water, air, and land. Environmental

engineers constantly seek new ways to reduce air pollution and pesticides.

Environmental Engineers work to make sure pollutants are not released into the air

or water sources and that solid waste is properly disposed. Some environmental

engineers devise and build equipment to create a cleaner environment. Others

work in management, developing environmental protection plans.

The major areas of Environmental engineering include air pollution control,

industrial hygiene, radiation protection, hazardous waste management, toxic

materials control, water supply, wastewater management, storm water

management, solid waste disposal, public health, and land management. And,

within each of these major categories are many sub-specialties.

Examples:

Develop and implement an environmental management plan for a company, a

community, or special area like a national park.

Supervise and verify that a business or organization is taking the proper

environmental protection measures.

Design and build machines that are efficient and environmentally friendly.

Work with other engineers to ensure that projects are developed with

environmental requirements considered.

Build structures for environmental purposes, like a dam to create a new wetland

or a series of terraces to reduce soil erosion.


A four-year college degree is required for most environmental engineering jobs.

Many have civil engineering degrees but others have environmental, agricultural,

chemical, or mechanical engineering.


Since environmental engineers focus on the environment, there is usually a

component of outdoor work to their jobs.

The kind of work you can do as an environmental engineer is very diverse. You

can be a researcher, a designer, a planner, an operator of pollution control

facilities, a professor, a government regulatory agency official, a manager of

programs, or be involved in professional society work. Your employer can be

private consulting engineering firms, universities, private research firms, testing

laboratories, government agencies of all types (federal, state and local), or all types

of major corporations and private businesses.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a large employer of environmental

engineers.

http://www.ce.ncsu.edu/undergraduate/ene/E100/

http://www.asee.org/


Industrial Engineering Information

Some information obtained from the following: www.nae.edu/nae/cwe/egmain.nsf www.iienet.org/ www.asee.org/precollege/default.cfm

24

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Industrial Engineers (IEs) do?

Industrial engineers organize the people, information, energy, materials, and machines

involved in the production process. They are concerned with plant design and

management, quality control, and the human factors of engineering. IEs perform tasks

such as finding the best location for a high-tech company's new plant. IEs develop and

implement plans to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization. They

look at how people, machines, energy, resources, and information are used to

accomplish management's goals and devise ways to improve those methods. IEs have

sometimes been called "productivity people" and "efficiency experts".

Examples:

Devise a new method for storing and distributing inventory or supplies for an Internet

company.

Develop training manuals for employees in a service company.

Work on engineering teams designing structures for large crowds like sports areas

and amusement parks.

Use computer-modeling techniques to test and develop recommendations for

improving transportation systems like airports or subways.

Design equipment or facilities that are ergonomically correct.


Most IEs have a four-year college degree. While many have IE degrees, others have

backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, computer engineering or production or

operations research.

3) What types of jobs can an Industrial Engineer do?

As you might guess, most IEs work in industry for manufacturing or service

companies. But since their skills are so versatile, IEs can work in virtually any kind of

industry or organization including government agencies and consulting firms. They

typically work standard 40-hour workweeks.

Examples:

As a management engineer in a hospital, you may help doctors and nurses make the

best use of their time in treating patients. You may also design procedures for optimum

use of medical facilities to help bring the cost of healthcare down.

As an ergonomist in a television manufacturing plant, you may change the tools

workers use to assemble televisions to reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries.

As an operations analyst for an airline, you may design a bar coding system for

identifying and transporting passengers’ luggage to ensure that it does not get lost. As

a quality engineer for a public gas and electric company, you may improve customer

satisfaction by designing a process to schedule service calls around the availability of

the customer.

Manufacturing firms and service industries hire a significant number of IEs. Today,

more and more businesses hire IEs in areas like sales and marketing, finance,

information systems, and personnel. Other industries employing IEs are hospitals,

airlines, banks, railroads, and social services.

http://www.nae.edu/nae/cwe/egmain.nsf

http://www.iienet.org/

Materials Science & Engineering Information


http://www.eng.uc.edu/prospectivestudents/degreeprograms/

25

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Materials Engineers do?

Materials Engineers deal with the science and technology of producing materials

that have properties and shapes suitable for practical use. These materials include

metals, ceramics, polymers (plastics), and semiconductors. The activities of these

engineers range from primary materials production through the design and

development of new materials to the processing and manufacturing of a final

product.

2) What are materials? Materials are everywhere. Most products are made from a variety of materials to

satisfy the needs of the product. Some general categories include:

Metals: Materials that are normally combinations of "metallic elements". These

elements, when combined, usually have electrons that are non localized and as a

consequence have generic types of properties. Metals usually are good conductors

of heat and electricity. Also, they are quite strong but malleable and tend to have a

lustrous look when polished.

Ceramics: Ceramics are generally compounds between metallic and nonmetallic

elements and include such compounds as oxides, nitrides, and carbides. Typically

they are insulating and resistant to high temperatures and harsh environments.

Plastics: Plastics (or polymers) are generally organic compounds based upon

carbon and hydrogen. They are very large molecular structures. Usually they are

low density and are not stable at high temperatures.

Semiconductors: Semiconductors have electrical properties intermediate

between metallic conductors and ceramic insulators. Also, the electrical properties

are strongly dependent upon small amounts of impurities.

Composites: Composites consist of more than one material type. Fiberglass, a

combination of glass and a polymer, is an example. Concrete and plywood are

other familiar composites. Many new combinations include ceramic fibers in metal

or polymer matrix.

3) What are some applications that materials engineers design materials for?

Aerospace vehicles

Ground transportation systems

Household appliances

Energy conversion and utilization devices

Biomedical applications

Information and communication systems


Materials Science & Engineering Information



26

Electronic and magnetic devices

Optical and optoelectronic components

4) What type of job functions might a materials engineer have?

Manufacturing

Design and development

Research

Sales and marketing

Technical services

Quality control and testing

Performance and failure analysis

Administration

Teaching

5) What are some examples of activities in industry that are dependent on materials? Development of new methods for the extraction of metals from lower grade ores at

globally competitive costs.

The development of electronic devices, including computers, is rooted in the

properties and processing of materials. Therefore, the ability to design smaller and

more powerful devices is largely a materials problem. Often these materials must

be refined to ultrahigh purity and formed into single crystals.

Development of improved high-temperature engine alloys or lighter but stronger

materials manufactured for aircraft components. This is needed to improve thrust-

to-weight ratios for aircraft.

Similar attempts to improve performance and reduce weight in automobiles have

led to the use of a variety of new metal / polymer / ceramic composites. These are

not only used in structural parts, but for devices like turbochargers.

More and more, communications systems rely on fiber optics. The ability to make

optical fibers finer than a human hair that can be made into cables with optical

properties suitable for more efficient, long communication lines - represents an

exciting new materials technology.

Development of advanced materials that go into high-tech legs for amputees

Solving environmental problems by the application of current minerals, metals,

and materials technologies.

Shape-memory alloys, or "metals with a memory", are being used for a variety of

new products including anti-scald devices for showers and eyeglass frames that

can snap back into original shape on being heated.


Mechanical Engineer Information



27

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Mechanical engineers do?

Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture, and test tools,

engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power-producing

machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and

gas turbines. They also develop power-using machines such as refrigeration and

air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators

and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing.

Mechanical engineers also design tools needed by other engineers for their work.

Computers assist mechanical engineers by accurately and efficiently performing

computations and by aiding the design process by permitting the modeling and

simulation of new designs. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided

Manufacturing (CAM) are used for design data processing and for developing

alternative designs.


This field requires a solid understanding of core concepts including mechanics,

kinematics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, material science and

energy.


Mechanical engineers held about 221,000 jobs in 2000.

Mechanical Engineers use the core principles as well as other knowledge in the

field to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and

machinery heating and cooling systems, motor vehicles, aircraft, watercraft,

robotics, medical devices and more.

Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow. Emerging

technologies in information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology will

create new job opportunities for mechanical engineers.

Employment of mechanical engineers in business and engineering services firms is

expected to grow faster than average as other industries in the economy

increasingly contract out to these firms to solve engineering problems. In addition

to job openings from growth, many openings should result from the need to

replace workers who transition to other occupations or leave the labor force.


Applied Mathematics Information


http://www.bls.gov/ and http://www.siam.org/

28

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1) What do Applied Mathematicians do?

Applied mathematicians use advanced mathematics to solve real world problems

and in many cases they work as an essential piece of a cross functional team using

their expertise with numerical methods to solve engineering and science problems.

The industries in which they work include social media, finance, economics, data

mining and data privacy just to name a few.


Courses for a degree in mathematics will typically include calculus, differential

equations, linear algebra and abstract algebra. Many schools will also require

courses in a related field such as engineering, physics, computer science or

statistics.


Some examples of jobs that an applied mathematician would be qualified for

include:

Operations Research Specialist – optimization of manufacturing processes and

reducing processing time

Statistical Scientist for social media- Mine data to develop better personalized

user experience

Business Risk Analyst – Apply advanced forecasting and statistical techniques to

make improved business decisions

Also note that many of these jobs are accessible to engineers too.

http://www.bls.gov/

http://www.siam.org/

Useful Websites

29

Especially for Girls

www.educatingjane.com Award winning national site for girls

www.girlstart.com Best practices leader in empowering

girls to excel in science, technology,

engineering & math

www.girlstech.douglass.rutgers.edu Framework to evaluate electronic

resources that encourage young

women’s interest & participation in

sciences & technology

www.engineergirl.org Information on engineering for girls –

The National Academy of Engineering

www.girlsgotech.org Girl Scouts site – opportunities for

science camps, interactive technology

www.engineeryourlife.org/cms/engineers.aspx Engineering guide for high school girls

General Science & Engineering

www.nsf.gov National Science Foundation

www.cut-the-knot.org Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and

Puzzles

www.tryscience.org Science Museums Science Fair Project

Ideas Science Education

www.thetech.org The Tech Museum in Silicon Valley

www.madsci.org MadSci Network answers questions

www.discoverengineering.org Discover engineering new careers

www.quest.arc.nasa.gov NASA Quest

science.howstuffworks.com Explanations of science and technology

www.tryengineering.org Portal about engineering careers

www.engineeringk12.org/ Engineering: Dream Up The Future

www.stats.bls.gov US Bureau of Labor Statistics

www.nextstepmagazine.com College Planning – learn about college

search tips, careers, contests

www.collegeboard.com College Admissions – SAT – Univ &

College Search Tool

www.princetonreview.com/college/ College Test Prep

www.bls.gov/ BLS Engineers Outlook + salaries

http://www.codecademy.com/ Free tutorial on Computing languages

used in many of today’s technology

Homework Help

mathforum.org/dr.math Ask Dr. Math your math questions

www.sosmath.com S.O.S. Mathematics—Free resource for

math review material

homeworktips.about.com/ Homework/Study Tips

Sites for Parents and Educators

www.discoveryschool.com For parents, teachers, and students

www.ncrw.org/ The National Council for Research on

Women

www.engineeringedu.com Engineering Education Service Center

www.campinvention.org Invent Now for kids entering grades 1

through 6

http://www.educatingjane.com/

http://www.girlstart.com/

http://www.engineergirl.org/

http://www.engineeryourlife.org/cms/engineers.aspx

http://www.nsf.gov/

http://www.tryscience.org/

http://www.thetech.org/

http://www.madsci.org/

http://www.discoverengineering.org/

http://www.nextstepmagazine.com/

http://www.collegeboard.com/

http://www.codecademy.com/

http://www.sosmath.com/

Useful Websites

30

http://womensnetworkneohio.com/ Akron area $1,000 Judy Resnick

Memorial Scholarship Fund information

http://pbskids.org/designsquad For parents, educators & engineers –

engage kids in hands-on engineering

Math, Science, and Engineering

Competitions

www.eweek.org National Engineers Week

www.mathcounts.org National enrichment & competition for

middle school mathematics achievement www.nmoe.org National Museum of Education

Competitions, interactive links

www.engineersalary.com/entry.asp Starting salaries for engineers

Engineering Societies and Institutes www.asee.org American Society for Engineering Education

www.tsaweb.org Technology Student Association

www.nationalacademies.org The National Academies – Advisers to the Nation on

Science, Engineering and Medicine

www.awis.org Association for Women in Science

www.cwit.umbc.edu/ Center for Women and Information Technology

www.swe.org Society of Women Engineers

www.wepan.org Women in Engineering Proactive Network

www.nsbe.org National Society of Black Engineers

www.shpe.org Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

www.aiaa.org American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics

www.aiche.org American Institute of Chemical Engineers

www.ans.org American Nuclear Society

www.asce.org American Society of Civil Engineers

www.asme.org American Society of Mechanical Engineers

www.bmes.org Biomedical Engineering Society

www.ieee.org Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

www.iienet.org Institute of Industrial Engineers

www.careercornerstone.org Career Planning Resources in Science, Technology,

Engineering, mathematics, Computing, Healthcare

www.expandingyourhorizons.org Math/Science Network for Young Women

www.nspe.org National Society of Professional Engineers

www.sae.org Society of Automotive Engineers

http://pbskids.org/designsquad

http://www.eweek.org/

http://www.mathcounts.org/

http://www.nmoe.org/

http://www.engineersalary.com/entry.asp

http://www.nationalacademies.org/

http://www.careercornerstone.org/

Useful Websites

31

Ohio Engineering Universities

www.cwru.edu Case Western Reserve University

www.ohiou.edu Ohio University

www.osu.edu Ohio State University

www.uakron.edu University of Akron

www.utoledo.edu University of Toledo

www.csuohio.edu Cleveland State University

www.uc.edu University of Cincinnati

www.wright.edu Wright State University

www.onu.edu Ohio Northern University

www.udayton.edu University of Dayton

www.ysu.edu Youngstown State University

http://www.ohiou.edu/

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