12th November 2010
Engineers & Engineering
Engineering is ...
‘Engineering is the knowledge required, and the process applied, to conceive, design, make build, operate, sustain, recycle or retire, something of significant technical content for a specified purpose; a model, a product, a device, a process, a system, a technology.’*
* The Universe of Engineering’ - The Royal Academy of Engineering
Engineering is ...
There is some element of engineering in virtually everything we use from the clothes we wear and the food we eat to the transport we use; from the micro components in modern electronics devices to the structures in the largest civil engineering projects.
Engineering is ...
‘The branch of technology which makes power and materials work for people. […] The field as a whole was traditionally subdivided into five main branches: civil, mechanical, mining and metallurgical, chemical and electrical engineering. The modern field has expanded, and the boundaries are not so clearly defined. Also, as each branch of engineering has become more specialized, new fields have developed, such as aeronautical, aerospace, computer, control, marine, nuclear, and systems engineering.’
The New Penguin Encyclopedia
Engineering is ...
Engineering is the application of science to the needs of humanity. This is accomplished through the application of knowledge, mathematics, and practical experience to the design of useful objects or processes. Professional practitioners of engineering are called engineers.
Engineering is ...
Engineering involves the knowledge of mathematical and natural sciences (biological and physical) gained by study, experience, and practice, applied with judgement and creativity to develop ways to utilize the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.
Engineering is ...
Science concerned with putting scientific knowledge to practical uses, divided into different branches, as civil, electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering. Planning, designing construction or management of machinery, roads, bridges, building waterways, etc.
Engineering is ...
Engineering is essentially learning how to design and construct things. By 'things' we generally mean that an engineer will have been involved in the design and manufacturing of almost every object you can see and touch. However, engineers aren't like superman, we can't all make everything and engineers certainly don't have capes and tight lycra pants ! ... So engineering is divided up into smaller sections, each of which specialises in one area of making ‘things’ :
Fabrication (making) Civil - Buildings, Roads, Bridges, Power stations, Military bases...
Mechanical - Automotive - Machines, Car engines, Plane Engines, Bikes...
Aeronautical - Planes
Electronic - mobile phones, Mp3 players, CD players, Digital TVs
.... and that's not all - there are Chemical, Materials, Nautical and Naval, Medical, Environmental and many, many more ! Engineering is very, very, very, far reaching in its influence........
