engineering

the practical application of science to commerce or industry the discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems

"he had trouble deciding which branch of engineering to study" a room (as on a ship) in which the engine is located

Succinctly, engineering applies technical knowledge to solve human problems. More specifically, engineering is a technological activity that uses professional imagination, judgment, integrity, and intellectual discipline in the application of science, technology, mathematics, and practical experience to design, productionproduce, and operate useful object (philosophy)objects or processes that meet the needs and desires of humanity. Engineering is also one form of the organization of technological tools, activities, knowledge, and processes.

Comparison to other disciplines -

Science - You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?"'' ''—George Bernard Shaw'' Engineering is concerned with the design of a solution to a practical problem. A scientist may ask ''why'' a problem arises, and proceed to research the answer to the question or actually solve the problem in his first try, perhaps creating a mathematical model of his observations. By contrast, engineers want to know ''how'' to solve a problem, and ''how'' to implement that solution. In other words, scientists attempt to ''explain'' phenomena, whereas engineers use any available knowledge, including that produced by science, to ''construct'' solutions to problems. This is no contradiction. There is an overlap between science (fundamental and applied) and engineering. It is not uncommon for scientists to become involved in the practical application of their discoveries; thereby becoming, for the moment, engineers. Scientists may also have to complete engineering tasks, such as designing experimental apparatus or building prototypes. Conversely, in the process of developing technology engineers sometimes find themselves exploring new phenomena, thus becoming, for the moment, scientists.However, engineering research has a character different from that of scientific research. First, it often deals with areas in which the basic physics and/or chemistry are well understood, but the problems themselves are too complex to solve in an exact manner. The purpose of engineering research is then to find approximations to the problem that can be solved. Examples are the use of numerical approximations to the Navier-Stokes equations to solve aerodynamic flow over an aircraft, or the use of metal fatigueMiner's rule to calculate fatigue damage to an engineering structure. Second, engineering research employs many semi-empirical methods that are foreign to pure scientific research, one example being the Method of variation of parametersmethod of parameter variation.In general, it can be stated that a scientist builds in order to learn, but an engineer learns in order to build.

Other fields - There are significant parallels between engineering and medicine. Both professions are well known for their pragmatism — the solution to real world problems often requires moving forward before phenomena are completely understood in a more rigorous scientific sense.There are also close connections between the workings of engineers and artists; they are direct in some fields, for example, architecture, landscape architecture and industrial design; and indirect in others. Artistic and engineering creativity may be fundamentally connected.

Methodology - "An engineer is someone who can do for a dime what any fool can do for a dollar."''The crucial and unique task of the engineer is to identify, understand, and integrate the constraints on a design in order to produce a successful result. It is usually not enough to build a technically successful product; it must also meet further requirements. Constraints may include available resources, physical or technical limitations, flexibility for future modifications and additions, and other factors, such as requirements for cost, manufacturability, and serviceability. By understanding the constraints, engineers deduce specifications for the limits within which a viable object or system may be produced and operated.

Problem solving - Engineers use their knowledge of science, mathematics, and empirical knowledgeappropriate experience to find suitable solutions to a problem. Creating an appropriate mathematical model of a problem allows them to analyze it (perhaps, but rarely, definitively), and to test potential solutions. Usually multiple reasonable solutions exist, so engineers must evaluate the different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best meets their requirements. Genrich Altshuller, after gathering statistics on a large number of patents, suggested that compromises are at the heart of "level of inventionlow-level" engineering designs, while at a higher level the best design is that which eliminates the core contradiction causing the problem).Engineers typically attempt to predict how well their designs will perform to their specifications prior to full-scale production. They use, among other things: prototypes, scale models, simulations, destructive testing destructive tests, nondestructive testing, and stress tests. Testing ensures that products will perform as expected. Engineers as professionals take seriously their responsibility to produce designs that will perform as expected and will not cause unintended harm to the public at large. Engineers typically include a factor of safety in their designs to reduce the risk of unexpected failure. However, the larger the safety factor, the less efficient the design will be.

Computer use - As with all modern scientific and technological endeavours, computers and software play an increasingly important role. Numerical methods and simulations can help predict design performance more accurately than previous approximations.Using computer-aided design (CAD) software, engineers are able to more easily create drawings and models of their designs. Computer models of designs can be checked for flaws without having to make expensive and time-consuming prototypes. The computer can automatically translate some models to instructions suitable for automatic machinery (e.g., CNC) to fabricate (part of) a design. The computer also allows increased reuse of previously developed designs, by presenting an engineer with a library of predefined parts ready to be used in designs.Of late, the use of FEMfinite element method analysis (FEM analysis or FEA) software to study stress, temperature, flow as well as electromagnetic fields has gained importance. In addition, a variety of software is available to analyse dynamic systems.Electronics engineers make use of a variety of circuit schematics software to aid in the creation of circuit designs that perform an electronic task when used for a printed circuit board (PCB) or a computer chip.The application of computers in the area of engineering of goods is known as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).

Etymology - It is a myth that ''engineer'' originated to describe those who built engines. In fact, the words ''engine'' and ''engineer'' (as well as ''ingenious'') developed in parallel from the Latin root ''ingeniosus'', meaning "skilled". An engineer is thus a clever, practical, problem solver. The spelling of ''engineer'' was later influenced by back-formation from ''engine''. The term later evolved to include all fields where the skills of application of the scientific method are used. In some other languages, such as Arabic, the word for "engineering" also means "geometry".The fields that became what we now call engineering were known as the mechanic arts in the 19th century.

Cultural Presence - Historically, engineering has been seen as a somewhat dry, uninteresting field in popular culture, and has also been thought to be the domain of nerds (with little of the romance that attaches to hacker culture). For example, the cartoon character Dilbert is an engineer. (This has not always been so - most British school children in the 1950s were brought up with stirring tales of 'the Victorian Engineers', chief amongst whom where the Brunels, the Stephensons, Telford and their contemporaries.)In science-fiction engineers are often portrayed as highly knowledgeable and respectable individuals who understand the overwhelming future technologies often portrayed in the genre. The ''Star Trek'' characters Montgomery Scott and Geordi La Forge are famous examples.Engineers are often respected and ridiculed for their intense beliefs and interests. Perhaps because of their deep understanding of the interconnectedness of many things, engineers such as Governor John H. Sununu are often driven into politics to "fix things" for the public good.Occasionally, engineers may be recognized by the "Iron Ring" - a stainless steel or iron ring worn on the little (fifth) finger of the working hand. This tradition was originally developed in Canada in the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer as a symbol of pride and obligation for the engineering profession. Some years later this practice was adopted by the United States. Members of the US Order of the Engineer accept this ring as a pledge to uphold the proud history of engineering. A Professional Engineer's name often has the post-nominal letters PE or P.Eng.

Legislation - In most modern countries, certain engineering tasks, such as the design of bridges, electric power plants, and chemical plants, must be approved by a Professional Engineer. Laws protecting public health and safety mandate that a professional must provide guidance gained through education and experience. In the United States, each state tests and licenses Professional Engineers.The federal government, however, supervises aviation through the Federal Aviation Regulations administrated by the Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. Designated Engineering Representatives approve data for aircraft design and repairs on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration.Even with strict testing and licensure, engineering disasters still occur. Therefore, the Professional Engineer adheres to a strict code of ethics. Each engineering discipline and professional society maintains a code of ethics, which the members pledge to uphold.In Canada each Province is governed by their own engineering association. For instance, in the Province of British Columbia an engineering graduate with 5 or more years of experience in an engineering related field will need to be certified by the Association for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (APEGBC) in order to become a Professional Engineer.

Top 15 branches - (See fields of engineering for a full listing.)

Aerospace engineering

Agricultural engineering

Architectural engineering

Biomedical engineering

Computer engineering

Civil engineering

Chemical engineering

Electrical engineering

Environmental engineering

Industrial engineering

Materials scienceMaterials engineering

Mechanical engineering

Petroleum engineering

Railway systems engineering

Software engineering

See also -

List of engineering topics (covers the broad field of engineering).

List of aerospace engineering topics

List of electrical engineering topics (alphabetical)List of electrical engineering topics (alphabetical)

List of electrical engineering topics (thematic)

List of mechanical engineering topics

List of software engineering topics (alphabetical)List of software engineering topics (alphabetical)

List of software engineering topics (thematic)

List of engineers

Fields of engineering

Engineering society

Engineering Wiki

Iron Ring

The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer

Sources -

Henry PetroskiPetroski, Henry, ''To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design'', Vintage, 1992

Petroski, Henry, ''The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts-From Forks and Pins to Paper Clips and Zippers-Came to be as They are'', Vintage, 1994

Vincenti, Walter G. ''What Engineers Know and How They Know It: Analytical Studies from Aeronautical History'', Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993

External links -

nspe.org - Licensure and Qualifications for the Practice of Engineering

order-of-the-engineer.org - The Engineer's Ring

ironring.ca - The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer

matscieng.sunysb.edu - Engineering Disasters and Learning from Failure

asee.org - American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

asee.org - ASEE engineering profile (2003) PDF

ieee.org - The Instititute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)

The !engineering.wikicities.com - Engineering Wiki a wiki entirely dedicated to collecting information about !Engineering.Category:Architect ure? and engineering !occupationsCategory:Engineerin gaf:Ingenieursweseast:Inxenier íabg:Инженерствоbn :প্রকৌশলবি� �্যাbr:Ijinerezhca:Engin yeriada:Ingeniørfagde:Ingenie urwissenschaftes:Ingenieríaeo :Inĝenierartofa:مهندسیf r:Ingénieriefy:Technykko:공� ��hr:Strojarstvoio:Injenior-ar toiu:ᑎᑎᕋᐅᔭᖅit:Inge gneriahe:הנדסהka:სა� �ნჟინრო? !მეცნიერება li:Techniekhu:Mérnöki? !tudományms:Kejuruteraannl:Tec hniekja:工学pl:Inżynieriapt :Engenhariaro:Ingineriesa:अ� ��ियांत्रिक� ��? !शास्त्रंscn:Nc ignirìasimple:Engineeringsl:T ehnikatl:Inhinyeriyata:பொ� ��ியியல்th:วิ� ��วกรรมศาสต� ��์tr:Mühendislikuk:Інж� �неріяzh:工程学

Wear-Management
Maintenance and Maintenance Welding
http://www.wear-management.ch/

INTECON spol s r. o.
industrial project and engineering
http://www.intecon-cz.com/

Plastic Processors, Inc.
Innovative leaders in plastic extrusion technology. We design and manufacture custom profile extrusions, heavy wall extrusions, tubing and pipe in a variety of materials. We serve multiple industries, including lawn and garden, agriculture, packaging, RV, construction, appliance and furniture.
http://www.plasticprocessorsinc.com/

First Directory
A UK based search engine of industrial companies
http://www.1stdirectory.com

Wisc-Online
Wisc-Online is a digital library of Web-based learning resources. Instructors in a variety of fields have authored these learning objects. This resource can teach and remediate and offer many different kinds of media to meet learners’ needs. These resources can be used when learning a basic concept, applying concepts in real world applications, checking and testing mastery, or providing simulation.
http://www.wisconline.org/

Red Wave Technologies
Professional and intelligent nondestructive testing services utilizing infrared thermography, visual inspection and industrial photography.
http://www.redwavetechnologies.com

Jeff Milburn Engineering
A consulting engineering firm specializing in traffic engineering and accident reconstruction
http://www.jeffmilburn.com/

H. J. Wendt - Homepage - Innovation - Patents - Engineering
Free informations and news about innovation, patents, engineering, new technologies, new transports systems, micro electronics, aerospace and future trends.
http://www.promot.org

EBZ Engineering Bausch & Ziege GmbH - Ihr Engineeringpartner im Rohbau
Mit weltweit cirka 260 Mitarbeitern ist die EBZ-Gruppe einer der führenden Engineering-Dienstleister für die Karosserietechnik der Automobilindustrie weltweit. Als innovatives Unternehmen begleitet die EBZ Fahrzeugprojekte über den kompletten Produktentstehungsprozess. Von der ersten Konzeptplanung, über die Konstruktion und Simulation bis zur Inbetriebnahme der Betriebsmittel ist die EBZ ein kompetenter Partner für den Karosserierohbau. Insbesondere der digitale Entstehungsprozess bis zum Bau eines virtuellen Rohbaus gehört zur Kernkompetenz der EBZ.
http://www.ebz-gmbh.de/

Hans-Jörg Günther
CEO of edditrex ltd, lecturer, author, project manager
http://www.edditrex.de/guenther/

Product Design Forums
The mission of ProductDesignForums is to let the interaction among designers flourish in both quality and quantity. We cherish a supportive and cultural diverse atmosphere to stimulate inspirational discussions around industrial design. We embrace the stimulation for the progress of every individual in their skills. We welcome everyone to be part of this community in sharing knowledge, skills and experiences in celebrating learning and accomplishment.
http://www.productdesignforums.com/

PTQ (Petroleum Technology Quarterly)
Publication providing in-depth, technical case studies from refineries, gas and petrochemical plants worldwide. Focus on process improvements to raise productivity and meet environmental regulations. Essential reading for all those involved in the hydrocarbons processing industries.
http://www.eptq.com/

Charisma Global Networks Limited
Partnering success for safety and excellent engineering in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil and Instrumentation engineering
http://www.charismaglobal.com/

The Pascoe Group Inc.
Engineering and Construction services for Zoos and Aquariums worldwide
http://www.thepascoegroup.com/

Worrell, Inc. :: Industrial Design. Engineering. Research.
Worrell, Inc. is a Minneapolis-based product development firm dedicated to helping its clients gain a powerful competitive advantage by launching innovative products that satisfy real customer needs.
http://www.worrell.com/

Sound & Vibration Technology Ltd
We are a dedicated team of professionally qualified Sound & Vibration (NVH) engineers, with a philosophy to provide all industries with an integrated service comprising: * Consultancy & Troubleshooting * Automotive NVH Programme Support * Technology Development * Training & Technology Transfer * NVH Simulator * Software & Systems
http://www.sovibtech.com/

Manufacturer and Exporter of All Metal Works.
Leading manufacturer who's specialized in Metal Castings and Metal Works. Products include metal castings (steel, iron, stainless-steel, aluminium, brass and bronze), machining parts, sheet metal works, wear parts, spare parts, machinery parts, toilet partitions and toilet accessories. Complete services from designing, engineering, manufacturing, heat treating to finishings. We accept any size of orders.
http://www.preciousgoods.com/

Petrointernational
Global directory of product and service providers to the energy industry.
http://www.petrointernational.com/

barrier-free
mobility for handicapped people
http://www.auer-gmbh.de

Edit Science, Inc.
Online editing service. Professor editors and translators edit and translate science, medicine, engineering, and information science
http://www.editscience.com/

ISNM International School of New Media at the University of Lübeck
The ISNM offers a unique interdisciplinary Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Digital Media program, which combines information technology and computer science with natural sciences, economics, arts, humanities, social and applied sciences. The internationally accredited program is entirely conducted in English. It focuses on the latest trends of digital media technology and their sustainable use in a global context.
http://www.isnm.de

ARM Automation
ARM Automation is an engineering company specializing in industrial robotics, factory automation, amd motion control, serving a wide range of industries with well-engineered solutions.
http://www.armautomation.com/

Adam and Adam Engineering
Architectural design in Hungary
http://www.adamiroda.hu/

Binnacle Solutions
Enterprise Resource Management Software for Small to Medium Size Enterprises.
http://www.binnaclesolutions.com/

Planning Bureau Dipl.Ing.I.G.FILIAS
Located in Thessaloniki (Greece)the Bureau provides Technical Planning / Consultancy / Supervision for projects in the fields of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
http://www.filias-engineering.com/

http://www.iaci-canada.com
Accredited Unisa University offers internationally recognized higher education for a Certificate,Diploma or Degree programmes up to a doctoral level
http://www.iaci-canada.com/

Bristol Recording & Voice Studios
Full Service studio providing audio production, recording, editing, mastering, engineering classes, video production and graphics. Also offering professional voice lessons from industry veterans and full artist development facilities. Located in Boston, MA. 617.247.8689.
http://www.bristolstudios.com/

METAL-FORUM of UKRAINE from October 19 till 21 in Kiev
The Metal-Forum of Ukraine 2006 from October 19 - 21. in the KievExpoPlaza will include the 4th Specialized Exhibition for Metallurgy and the Metal Industry and the 5th Conference Metal-2006: Management, Production, Trade, and Consumption aswell as many workshops, round tables, and presentations. Do not miss this platform to present your products, advanced technological solutions, investment projects, and other achievements!
http://www.metal-forum.org/

HBTeam Web Site
We develop engineering software for fluidodynamic applications and general purposes utilities and games
http://www.hbteng.com/

Telemedicine - Medical engineering
Corscience Medical engineering - innovative products in telematics and telemetry, e.g. GSM GPS tracking systems.
http://www.corscience.de/

Kohli & Kaliher Associates, Inc.
Kohli & Kaliher Associates is a full service civil engineering firm that has over 55 years of continuous service in bridge, roadway, water, sewer and bikeway design as well as surveying and commercial and residential development.
http://www.kohlikaliher.com/

Gaslight Media - Broadband, Wireless, Travel and Tourism Web Sites
Gaslight Media provides high-quality Internet connectivity, wireless and wire-line network engineering and installation, and a unique mix of high-end Web site development. Based in Petoskey Michigan, Gaslight Media represents the advanced technology and inspired artistic energy that is so pervasive throughout Northern Lower Michigan. Gaslight's comprehensive focus on Web site, kiosks, and applications for the travel and tourism industries has earned them an envious reputation. Numerous chamers of commerce and visitors bureaus throughout Michigan and elsewhere use Gaslight Media's comprehensive on-line reservations and packaging systems and are able to manage most of the content on their sites themselves using Gaslight's administrative Toolbox. Gaslight Media is no common Internet provider and Web developer. True network and wireless engineering by a staff of several life-long communications engineers ensures that their systems work reliably and comply with FCC rules and regulations. Considerable experience in data processing and translation also permits Gaslight Media to interface with other system to enhance applications, gain access to data resources, and co-exist with legacy applications. Examples of these capabilities are real-time payment reconciliation, shipper pricing and address verification, and live airline flight information. Gaslight Media is located across from the Petoskey Marina at the edge of the famed Petoskey Gaslight District. Gaslight Media 120 E. Lake St. Petoskey, MI 49770 231-487-0692 info@gaslightmedia.com
http://www.gaslightmedia.com

Expert Design Systems
Professionals, specialised in behaviour, strength and stability analysis of buried and above ground pipelines, onshore and offshore.
http://www.eds-ple.nl/

RHAS
Valuers and brokers of plant, machinery and equipment and all personal assets
http://www.rhas.biz/

Petroleum Engineering Calculations
Online computing and graphics in petroleum, oil and gas engineering
http://www.peteng.com/

RICREARE
Small italian Web Agency specialized in best-practice web design and development.
http://www.ri-creare.it/

Qnowledge :: Modeling Technologies :: Quaestor Knowledge management
Everything about knowledge management with Qnowledge's knowledge management software Quaestor. A description of the products and services by Qnowledge. A description of the software program Quaestor. Presentation of example projects and applications.
http://www.qnowledge.nl/

The Internet Engineering Task Force
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is a large open international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and the smooth operation of the Internet. It is open to any interested individual.
http://www.ietf.org/

AES
Audio Engineering Society
http://www.aes.org/

Software Engineering Institute (SEI)
SEI is a federal research center whose mission is to advance the state of the practice of software engineering to improve the quality of systems that depend on software. SEI accomplishes this mission by promoting the evolution of software engineering from an ad hoc, labor-intensive activity to a discipline that is well managed and supported by technology.
http://www.sei.cmu.edu/

Manufacturing.Net
Offers comprehensive information for manufacturing professionals including news, magazine articles, association links, tradeshows, and web communities.
http://www.manufacturing.net/

WWW Virtual Library for Engineering
A collection of links to on-line information resources related to engineering, including academic and research institutions, announcements, and products and services.
http://www.eevl.ac.uk/

SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering
SPIE is dedicated to advancing the scientific research and engineering applications of optics, photonics, imaging, and optoelectronics through meetings, education programs, and publications.
http://www.spie.org/