1 Fields of Engineering

Text 1.1 What is Engineering?

Pre-reading task:

1) What is engineering? Use a monolingual dictionary to define this term. Discuss your answers in group.

2) Can you draw a difference between mathematical and natural sciences?

3) Look up the following words in a dictionary and explain their meanings and usage peculiarities: trade, craft, profession, job, occupation, work and career.

4) Read the text “What is engineering?” and take part in the discussion on the topic "Engineering". Use Supplementary Reading Section texts: “Preparation for a Discussion”(p.79) and “Formulas for Scientific Communication”(p.82) to express your opinion.

5) Discuss the following problems in group:

- what are the main branches of engineering?

- what does the field of your speciality deal with?

- prove that a modern engineer has to require a basic knowledge of lots of engineering fields.

Engineering is a term applied¹ to the profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained² by study, experience³, and practice, is applied to the efficient⁴ use of the materials and forces of nature. The term engineer properly denotes a person who has received professional training in pure and applied science, but is often loosely⁵ used to describe the operator of an engine, as in the terms locomotive engineer, marine engineer, or stationary engineer. In modern terminology these latter⁶ occupations are known as crafts or trades. Between the professional engineer and the craftsperson or tradesperson, however, are those individuals known as subprofessionals or paraprofessionals, who apply scientific and engineering skills to technical problems; typical of these are engineering aides⁷, technicians, inspectors, draftsmen⁸, and the like.

Before the middle of the 18th century, large-scale⁹ construction work was usually placed in the hands of military engineers. Military engineering involved¹⁰ such work as the preparation of topographical maps, the location, design, and construction of roads and bridges; and the building efforts and docks; see Military Engineering below. In the 18th century, however, the term civil engineering came into use to describe engineering work that was performed by civilians for nonmilitary purposes. With the increasing-use of machinery in the 19th century, mechanical engineering was recognized as a separate branch of engineering, and later mining engineering was similarly recognized.

The technical advances of the 19th century greatly broadened the field of engineering and introduced a large number of engineering specialties, and the rapidly changing demands of the socioeconomic environment in the 20th century have widened the scope¹¹ even further.

Vocabulary:

1) to apply – применять;

2) to gain – получать, приобретать

3) experience – опыт

4) efficient – эффективный, действенный

5) loosely – неточно, небрежно

6) latter – недавний, последний

7) aid – вспомогательные средства

8) draftsmen – конструктор

9) large-scale – крупномасштабный

10) to involve – вовлекать

11) scope – область действия

Text 1.2 Modern Engineering Trends

Pre-reading task:

1) What recent trends of engineering professions are considered to be the most widespread?

2) What is the influence of computerization process on the contemporary level of high-tech development?

3) Characterize modern engineering trends of our century.

4) Read the text “Modern Engineering Trends”. Discuss the following problems in group:

5) What are the principles modern engineering is characterized by?

6) What do you know about The National Academy of Engineering?

Scientific methods of engineering are applied in several fields not connected directly to manufacture and construction. Modern engineering is characterized by the broad application of what is known as systems engineering principles. The systems approach is a methodology of decision-making in design, operation, or construction that adopts¹ the formal process included in what is known as the scientific method; an interdisciplinary, or team, approach², using specialists from not only the various engineering disciplines, but from legal³, social, aesthetic, and behavioral⁴ fields as well; a formal sequence⁵ of procedure employing the principles of operations research.

Engineers in industry work not only with machines but also with people, to determine⁶, for example, how machines can be operated most efficiently by the workers. A small change in the location of the controls of a machine or of its position with relation to other machines or equipment, or a change in the muscular movements of the operator, often results in greatly increased production. This type of engineering work is called time-study engineering.

Among various recent trends in the engineering profession, licensing and computerization are the most widespread⁷. Today, many engineers, like doctors and lawyers, are licensed, by the state. The trend⁸ in modern engineering offices is overwhelmingly toward computerization. Computers are increasingly used for solving complex problems as well as for handling, storing, and generating the enormous⁹ volume of data modern engineers must work with.

The National Academy of Engineering, founded in 1964 as a private organization, sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages¹⁰ new research, and is concerned with the relationship of engineering to society.