SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Mapua Institute of Technology

Introduction to the
Engineering Profession

PREPARED BY

G. E. E. Dela Cruz III.

FACULTY

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Things Aren't Perfect, But They Used to

be Worse...

•     Doctors, lawyers, teachers, students, musicians, artists,

lion tamers, biologists, physicists, accountants, politicians,
professors, firemen, policemen, FBI agents, CIA agents,
KGB agents, real estate agents, movie tycoons, professional
athletes (especially professional athletes), actors
(especially actors), talk show hosts (most especially talk
show hosts),

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Things Aren't Perfect, But They

Used to be Worse...

• and most everybody else, all get to do what they

do because they are surviving off the hard work of
somebody else. When it comes right down to the
basics of survival, they're freeloaders. Somebody
else is taking care of them.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

And who do you think takes

good care of them?

• Soon it will be
you…
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

imagine a world without

engineers….

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Engineering and what do

engineers do…
• The short answer is that Engineering is
problem solving.
• Engineers use their training and experience
to find new ways to meet emerging
requirements in virtually every field of
human endeavor.
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Engineering and what do

engineers do…

• Engineers work in almost every industry.

• If you travel on it, eat it, wear it, or use it,
an engineer was probably involved with
making it possible.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

The Engineers Made Me Do It

•      It's the engineer part of the human brain that's really
responsible for our freeloading ways. It's the engineer in
us. Yes, we're talking about civilization. (Didn't you know
that?) A bunch of people living together and not all doing
the same things. We can thank the engineers for it. Or
blame them, depending on your point of view. Though
most of us wouldn't want to go back to the pre-engineer
days.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

History of engineering
• The history of engineering can be roughly
divided into four overlapping phases, each
marked by a revolution:
• Pre-scientific revolution: The prehistory of
modern engineering features ancient master
builders and Renaissance engineers such as
Leonardo da Vinci.
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

History of engineering

• Industrial revolution: From the eighteenth

through early nineteenth century, civil and
mechanical engineers changed from
practical artists to scientific professionals.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

History of engineering

• Second industrial revolution: In the century

before World War II, chemical, electrical,
and other science-based engineering
branches developed electricity,
telecommunications, cars, airplanes, and
mass production.
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

History of engineering

• Information revolution: As engineering

science matured after the war,
microelectronics, computers, and
telecommunications jointly produced
information technology.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

The Engineering Alphabet:

An Overview of Engineering Disciplines

• Careers in engineering span the alphabet. From

aerospace to manufacturing to transportation
engineering, no other career field offers young
men and women such a wide choice of options.
• Here is a partial listing of these disciplines:

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

The Engineering Alphabet

• Aerospace Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Bioengineering/Biomedical
Engineering
• Ceramic Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Fire Protection Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Metallurgy and Materials
Engineering
• Mineral and Mining Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Other Engineering Disciplines
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Common Traits of GOOD ENGINEER

• Engineers are problem solvers.

• Have a firm grasp of the fundamental principles of
engineering, which they used to solve many
different problems.
• Analytical, detailed oriented and creative.
• Lifelong learners.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Common Traits of GOOD ENGINEER

• God fearing
• Can work outside their area of specialization
• Have good oral and communication skills
• Have a good “People skills”
• Good in writing reports, such executive
summaries, memoranda, drawing plans and
charts, etc.
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Common Traits of GOOD ENGINEER

• Adept at using computers to model and analyze

various problems.
• Active both in local and international organization
by attending seminars, workshops and meetings.
• Can work in a team environment.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

What does it take to be an engineer?

• Engineers must be logical thinkers and problem

solvers. Engineers typically go to college for five
years to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in an
engineering discipline.
• The subjects include mathematics, sciences,
engineering courses, and how to apply these to
find solutions.
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Why is this important?

• To ensure the public’s safety, every state has a state

board that regulates the engineering profession.
• Engineering is a complex technical field. It is important
that engineers be well trained and perform their work in a
highly professional, ethical manner.
• Remember: only registered engineers are allowed to
advertise or present themselves to the public as
engineers.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Types of engineering work

• Administration
• Planning and design
• Sales and consulting
• Construction and installation
• Production and operation
• Research and development
• Teaching
• others
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

What is Mechanical
Engineering?
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering touches almost every

aspect of our life. Mechanical engineers apply
their expertise to the design, development, and
manufacture of everything from rocket
propulsion systems to automobiles; computers
and aircraft engines to appliances.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineers use mathematics,

computers, and sophisticated modeling and
analysis to solve problems associated with energy
usage, propulsion, power generation, sound and
vibration, machinery design, and manufacturing.
Mechanical engineers use creativity and problem
solving skills to develop new and more efficient
designs for mechanical devices and systems.

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

What is Mechanical Engineering?

The mechanical engineering profession offers a

wide range of engineering opportunities.
Mechanical engineers find employment in virtually
every industry, such as the automotive and
aerospace industries, manufacturing, consulting
firms, and with government offices and agencies.
Career opportunities are abundant, varied, and
rewarding making a degree in mechanical
engineering a sound investment for the future.
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Mechanical Engineers study:

Statics: How are forces transmitted to and throughout a
structure?
Dynamics: What are the velocities,accelerations and resulting
forces for a system in motion?
Kinematics: How does a mechanism behave as it moves
through its range of motion?
Strength of Materials: Is the component strong enough to
support the loads? Is it stiff enough?
Materials Science: Which material has the optimum properties?
Thermodynamics : How does energy get converted to useful
power? What are the losses?
Fluid Mechanics: What is the pressure drop due to the fluid
flow? What are the aerodynamic drag forces?

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Mechanical Engineers study:

Heat Transfer: How do you calculate heat transfer rates from
temperature data?  How do you predict the temperature
distributions?
Manufacturing: What manufacturing processes do you select?
Machine Design: How do you synthesize all of the above?
Electrical Circuits: How do you integrate electronic controls
into your design?
Laboratory Methods: How do you make and interpret both
thermal and mechanical measurements?
Vibrations: How do you predict and control vibrations?
Engineering Economics: How do you estimate manufacturing
costs?

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Mechanical Engineers can take

the following career paths:

Industry (the most common)

Graduate School
Entrepreneur/Business Owner
Research Labs
Military
Government
Preparation for other Professions (law,
medicine, teaching, etc.)
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Mechanical Engineers are engaged in

the following activities:
Conceptual design Testing
Analysis Measurements
Presentations and report Data Interpretation
writing Developmental design
Multidisciplinary teamwork Research
Concurrent engineering Work with suppliers
Benchmarking the Sales
competition Consulting
Project management Customer service
Prototyping

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
 SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

Skills that help Mechanical Engineers to

be successful in their careers:

Problem solving (The essence of engineering!)

Creativity
Hands-on understanding
Networking
Leadership/conflict resolution
Knowledge management

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Orientation to Mechanical Engineering
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mapua Institute of Technology

The future is in your hands….

• So, study hard, pray hard, play

hard but never drink hard!!!

• Thank you!!!
THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
Orientation to Mechanical Engineering