Engineering Careers, Professions, and Design Thinking

Comprehensive practice Q&A flashcards covering Module 1: Engineering Careers and Professions and Module 2: Design Thinking.

What is engineering according to the module?

Engineering is the application of the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems.

How does ABET define engineering?

ABET defines engineering as a profession where knowledge of mathematical and natural sciences, gained through study, experience, and practice, is applied with judgment to use materials and forces of nature economically for the benefit of people.

What is the primary difference between science and engineering?

Science seeks to understand the natural world and discover truth, whereas engineering uses scientific knowledge to create or improve machines, technologies, processes, and systems.

What does the acronym STEM stand for?

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

In the STEM framework, what are the respective roles of scientists, technologists, mathematicians, and engineers?

Scientists investigate the natural world, technologists apply science and mathematics to designs, mathematicians use numbers and symbols to solve problems, and engineers create the designed world.

What is the difference between inventing and innovating?

Inventing is developing a new product, system, or process that has never existed before, while innovating is improving an existing technological product, system, or method.

What are the five essential qualities of a good engineer?

Curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, effective communication, and collaborative spirit.

What is the focus of Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering focuses on construction, transportation systems, roads, and construction sites, emphasizing geometry, calculus, and physical sciences.

What are some main application areas of Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering applications include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, drug-delivery systems, and semiconductor manufacturing.

What does Electrical Engineering focus on?

Electrical engineering focuses on the study, design, and application of electrical systems, devices, and technologies, covering power generation, power distribution, electronics, telecommunications, control systems, and signal processing.

What does Industrial Engineering focus on?

Industrial engineering focuses on efficiency and business aspects of engineering projects, such as employee scheduling, factory scheduling, planning, research and development, and efficient processes.

What is Sanitary Engineering primarily concerned with?

Sanitary engineering is associated with public health or wastewater engineering, focusing on sanitation, removal and disposal of human waste, and safe potable water supply.

What engineering discipline combines electrical, mechanical, robotics, electronics, computer engineering, telecommunications, systems, control, and product engineering?

Mechatronics Engineering.

What field combines microbiology, physical sciences, chemistry, and engineering?

Food Engineering.

What are the ten engineering functions listed in the lecture?

Research, Development, Design, Production and Testing, Sales, Operations, Construction, Management, Education, and Consulting.

What two fields does Computer Engineering combine?

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

What is Design Thinking?

Design Thinking is a creative, iterative, solution-based, and user-centered design methodology and problem-solving approach, especially useful for complex or wicked problems.

What are the five stages of Design Thinking?

Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.

What are the two tools used to develop empathy in Design Thinking?

Observation and Interview.

What is the purpose of the POEMS technique in observation?

POEMS is used to structure, guide, and record observations, exploring both what is happening and why it is happening.

Why are Design Thinking interviews not considered surveys?

Design Thinking interviews aim to have a deeper conversation to gain insights about a user's thoughts, emotions, motivations, choices, behaviors, and needs, rather than just gathering surface-level answers.

What length recommendation does the module give for interview questions?

Only ten words to a question.

What are the three roles in an interview team and their duties?

Interviewer (asks questions and probes for deeper answers), Note Taker (records interview data verbatim), and Observer (observes the participant using the POEMS framework).