User:Hilary Dockham
Exactly what is Engineering and exactly what do Engineers accomplish?
A Diverse and exciting field is Engineering. There are so many types of Engineering that this can be confusing. Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Environmental, Computer, Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Biomedical, Construction, and Agricultural are some of the many different Engineering fields. If you know you want to be an Engineer that may be useful. But if you're not sure engineering is right for you, a good place to start is to take a look at the common characteristics of all of these fields. Underlying all engineering fields is the common way of thinking, analyzing, and solving problems.
At the center of engineering is problem solving. Engineers enjoy solving problems and make accomplishments in life. Engineers are goal driven, they prefer to have objectives, have dreams, have goals and accomplish them. If you have some interest in mathematics and interest in physics and applying those to everyday challenges, then solving them and seeing the fruit of your labor increase the quality of peoples' lives, engineering is a great field to be in. The way that Engineers think and also do the job continues to be defined as the engineering method, which is similar to the scientific method. Four characteristics define the engineering method. The engineering method is first used to analyze, model and solve complex technical problems that require integrated interdiscplinary view of problem solving. Engineers solve complicated difficulties that matter most to individuals, communities, and socieities.
Another characteristic of the engineering method is that engineers conceptualize complex systems as a collection of smaller simpler components. Engineers work to simplify these types of systems by keeping the key components, eradicating much less critical components, and then utilizing mathematical associations to explain the important characteristics of the technique. Engineers break down intricate systems into less complicated components and take the problem apart, intellectually not physically. Quantification is the fundamental method engineers contemplate.
Development and use of mathematical simulation models, such models become the engineers tool for examining, understanding, visualizing, and designing complex systems is the third characteristic of the engineering method. Despite the fact that Engineers might carry out trials making use of scale models, the use of mathematical computer simulation models is common across all engineering disciplines. All of the important characteristics in a system must be incorporated, because a simulation model is like putting a system back together.
Finally, the engineering method involves synthesis and design. Engineers design useful devices, products or systems, in a broad context of users, organizations, or communities. In this process, engineers must take into account factors such as reliability, safety, flexability, economy, and sustainability.
Trial and error is not the technique used by engineers to design. Designs are dependent on extensive analysis and modelling, and by incorporating ethical considerations, judgement and common sense.
For a lot more specifics browse Structural Engineer
