Engineering Education

Today the traditional fields of engineering are not nearly as distinct as they used to be. The increasing concentration on fundamentals in universities has highlighted large areas of overlap both in the physical principles and the mathematical and other techniques involved. As a result, many schools provide a core of courses taken by all engineers in their early years, while others have dropped the traditional labels al­together and simply offer a degree in "Engineering Science."

In application, the area of specialization shown on an engineering graduate's degree is not always a sure guide to that in which he will find employment. True, an aerospace engineer will in all likelihood end up in the aerospace industry, though even this is not certain. However, a mechanical or electrical engineer, for example, may be employed by the aerospace, chemical, or mining industries, or by many others.

Many new areas of engineering endeavor, which cut across the traditional lines, are today attracting attention. Direct energy conversion calls for a combination of mechanical, electrical and often chemical engineering. The field of bioengineering involves the application of electrical and mechanical engineering principles in understanding and repairing the human body. Environmental engineering and the study of water and air resources call for knowledge in geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Computer science, information engineering, systems engineering, and operations research are among the fields of recent interest. Doubtless this is nowhere near the end of it. In the future other new areas are sure to emerge as the engineering family grows and regroups.

It is often difficult for the beginning engineering student to acquire a feeling for the character of various branches of engineering that may be open to him. Catalogue descriptions tend to convey little beyond a listing of topics. He is better served to speak to faculty members from different technological backgrounds and, if possible, to engineers in industry. Student chapters of the various engineering societies provide a valuable forum for such purposes. Another useful source is the so-called trade journals, some of which are published by the engineering societies. These periodicals are easily readable and give a good idea not only of employment possibilities through their advertisements and articles, but also of the kinds of technological problems encountered. Several of these journals are listed below.

Astronautics and Aeronautics (AIAA)

Mechanical Engineering (ASME)

Machine Design

Spectrum (IEEE)

Industrial Engineering (AIIE)

Environmental Science & Technology (ACS)

Civil Engineering (ASCE)

Chemical Engineering Progress (AIChE)