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EE1000, Lecture 1
Introduction, Types of Engineers, Engineering vs. Science vs. Technology
No text book. But you need to buy a breadboard and a jumper wire kit.
What is an engineer?
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge,
mathematics, and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures,
and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost.
The work of engineers forms the link between scientific discoveries and their subsequent applications to
human needs and quality of life. This way, engineers create links between science, technology, and society.
Most engineers specialize in one or more engineering disciplines.
Science vs Engineering?
Science is concerned with understanding fundamental laws of nature and the behavior of materials and living
things.
Engineering involves the application of science and technology to create useful products and services for the
whole community, within economic, environmental and resource constraints.
Scientists discover different ways to generate and use electricity.
Engineers develop principles into practical components used to build power stations and enable the users of
electricity to improve the quality of people’s lives.
A scientist may investigate the basic properties of various rock and soil types.
An engineer uses this information to derive engineering properties that are needed to design structures (such as
building foundations, retaining walls and tunnels) and to examine the stability of natural and man-made slopes
(such as those in dams).
Engineering vs. Engineering Technology
How are they different?
Engineering and engineering technology are separate but closely related professional areas. Here are some of
the ways they differ:
Curricular Focus
Engineering programs often focus on theory and conceptual design, while engineering technology programs
usually focus on application and implementation.
Also, engineering programs typically require additional, higher-level mathematics, including multiple semesters
of calculus and calculus-based theoretical science courses. Engineering technology programs typically focus on
algebra, trigonometry, applied calculus, and other courses that are more practical than theoretical in nature.
Career Paths
Graduates from engineering programs are called engineers. They often pursue entry-level work involving
conceptual design or research and development. Many continue on to graduate-level work in engineering.
Graduates of four-year engineering technology programs are called technologists, while graduates of twoyear engineering technology programs are called technicians. These professionals are most likely to
enter positions in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, product design, testing, or technical services and
sales. Those who pursue further study often consider engineering, or facilities management, or business
administration.
Of course, there is much overlap between the fields. Engineers may pursue MBAs and open their own
consulting firms, while technologists may spend their entire careers in design capacities.
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering comprises the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism.
[take a look at EE1270 Lec01_Intro.pdf slides on Overview of Electrical Engineering]
Subdiscipline
Scope

Computer
engineering
The design and control of computing
devices with the application of
electrical systems.


Electrical
engineering
Optical
engineering
Power
engineering
The design of circuits that use the
electromagnetic properties of
electrical components such as
resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes
and transistors to achieve a particular
functionality.
The design of instruments and
systems that utilize the properties of
electromagnetic radiation.
The generation, transmission and
distribution of electricity, and the
design of devices such as
transformers, electric generators,
electric motors, high voltage
engineering and power electronics.


Major specialties
Software engineering, The application of a
systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to
the development, operation, and maintenance of
software, and the study of these approaches; that
is, the application of engineering to software.
Hardware engineering, Designing, developing,
and testing various computer equipment. Can
range from circuit boards and microprocessors
to routers.
Network engineering, Designing, deploying and
maintaining computer networks, such as
corporate networks or the Internet.
Control engineering, focuses on the modeling of
dynamic systems and the design of controllers
using electrical circuits, digital signal processors
and microcontrollers
Telecommunications engineering
******************************** ** Homework Assignment *****************************************
**************************************************************************************************
I am in the
Noon class
EE1000 HW #1
Name:
1. Explain briefly what an engineer does.
2. Name 10 different types of engineer
(a)
(f)
(b)
(g)
(c)
(h)
(d)
(i)
(e)
(j)
3. Name a commercial product designed by more than one type of engineer (one of which must be an
electrical/electronic engineer). Then list as many contributions to that product from each type of engineer you can
think of.