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Several definitions are available but one of the
better definitions is as follows:
Engineering is the use of the forces and materials of Nature in the
economical design, construction, operation and development of works for
the benefit of mankind.
This means that the engineer must be well-grounded in the basic sciences
and mathematics that explain "the forces and materials of nature", so he
can use them adequately in his professional work. Consequently he must
pursue a strong program of mathematics and science in high school,
followed by a heavy program of mathematics, physics and chemistry in his
first two years of college before he is ready to attempt the Engineering
Sciences - analytical mechanics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics and
thermodynamics. He must know the properties of materials and their
limitations in manufacturing processes and their relative costs when so
used. His knowledge should also include a basic knowledge of the life
sciences and psychology and the limitations to be expected of the
organism we call Man.
The practice of engineering is an art and a business as well as applied
science. The engineer must know when to do things as well as how to do
them and must know much about economics and costs if he is to be successful.
Basically the engineer is "an ingenious designer" as the Latin origin
of the word indicates. The Roman armies called their military engineers "ingenarii" and most European nations still spell engineer with
"ing"
rather than "eng", for example "ingenieur". It is unfortunate that the
United States has been very careless in using the term "engineer". The
man who operates a locomotive or Diesel engine on a railroad is called a
"locomotive engineer" here, while in England he is more correctly
designated as a locomotive driver. We have an Operating Engineers' Union
of men who operate hoisting engines on construction projects. Such men
and many others who are classified as engineers in the aircraft plants
for collective bargaining reasons are a long ways from being professional
engineers by educational standards.
Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are essential tools for both the
engineer and the scientist. However, the pure scientist is primarily
interested in knowledge for its own sake while the engineer is concerned
with the uses and practical applications of this knowledge. He must know
about various ways of performing work with various materials and the time
factors and costs involved. Therefore, good engineering involves a
knowledge of the art of doing things based upon experience and a study of
comparative costs based upon economic factors such as productivity of
machines and human labor.
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