Engineering Education and Practice in the United States Foundations of Our Techno-Economic Future (1985) / Chapter Skim
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6. Engineering's Future: Requirements for a Changing Environment
6. Engineering's Future: Requirements for a Changing Environment
Pages 111-124
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From page 111... ...
Likely Characteristics One way perhaps the best way to gauge the means and mechanisms by which engineers are educated and utilized is to begin by identifying likely general differences between the United States of today and the United States in the year 2000. We may then consider how the existing means and mechanisms can be adjusted to ensure that the engineering community will provide effective, efficient support for such likely and evolutionary changes.
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From page 112... ...
Generally increased interindustry and intraindustry competition will characterize this global economy. · Because of developments in defense, energy, space, and other areas, government demand for engineering goods and services {both direct and indirect)
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From page 113... ...
Private-sector objectives are driven by competitive markets, while public-sector objectives are driven by political and public concerns. Thus engineers in each sector place different degrees of emphasis on the common engineering concerns for innovation, cost containment, productivity, safety, consumer satisfaction, and protection of the environment {Report of the Pane} on Engineering Interactions With Society)
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From page 114... ...
Since the energy crisis of 1973, there have been modest attempts to introduce into engineering curricula materials that suggest engineers may have to face shortages of one resource or another. Generally, the emphasis in this regard has been on energy.
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From page 115... ...
In this context, communication among U.S. engineers and engineering-based companies is crucial if the United States is to maximize the net benefits it derives from participation in international trade and in other aspects of the global economy.
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From page 116... ...
Therefore, engineers need to be well rounded in science and increasingly knowledgeable about scientific advances that have promise for supporting engineers facing specific, related project responsibilities and objectives. Engineers should also be equipped to play a substantial role in the various processes of technological innovation that are essential to the well being of the United States, both in civil and military contexts.
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From page 117... ...
Of foremost importance is the ability to impart a strong, diversified engineering education one incorporating depth of specialization as well as breadth, with a strong grounding in the fundamentals. To the extent that there has been movement toward the concept of basic engineering and general education, followed by specific study in the engineering field, the committee encourages that trend.
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From page 118... ...
Increasingly frequent and severe shortages of materials of various kinds, for example, will require that engineering students learn how to deal with resource shortages as one type of constraint on design. Another type of resource constraint is shortages of capital, which will likely be a frequent consideration for the foreseeable future.
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From page 119... ...
The ability to actively and intelligently manage one's engineering career would benefit not only in individuals but, in the aggregate, the nation as a whole. The foregoing represents a considerably long list of topics and new educational emphases recommended for inclusion within the undergraduate engineering curriculum.
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From page 120... ...
In a more competitive world, it will be advantageous if technical activities are managed competently and directly by technically oriented people. Broader education in both technical and nontechnical fields, as called for in the previous section, will be important in preparing an engineer intellectually for the complex demands of project management.
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From page 121... ...
Likely characteristics of the engineering environment in the year 2000 include longer time horizons for profit-taking in industry, shortages of capital and resources {both energy and materials) , a global economy, with increased intra- and interindustry competition, increased government demand for engineering goods and services, continued
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From page 122... ...
7. If United States engineers are to be adequately prepare(l to meet future needs, then the undergraduate engineering curriculum must emphasize broad engineering education, with strong grounding in fundamentals and science.
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From page 123... ...
These include greater technical project management skills, a stronger sense of professional role and responsibilities, and a strong orientation toward maintenance of effectiveness through continuing education. References Bennett, W
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